Golf courses throughout the area saw great turnouts last year and likely will again this season, as people look for fun and safe ways to get outdoors and active during the spring. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Hittin' the links

Local golf courses looking ahead to spring season

Mar 19, 2021 | 3:00 PM

With the first day of spring on the horizon, many in the community are already looking forward to hitting the links on the golf course in the coming months.

Similarly, while still awaiting word from the provincial government as to when they will be able to open for the season, golf courses around the area are beginning to look ahead to opening for the year as well, following a great golfing turnout across the region last year.

North Battleford Golf and Country Club

Director of golf with the North Battleford Golf and Country Club, Dana Johnson with they usually open about the middle of April, and are hopeful to be able to do so again this year, so long as they receive blessing from the government, and weather permits.

“Mother nature can sometimes be less than kind to us once we open, and the temperatures can sometimes change, but this year we’re hoping that as soon as we find out from the Saskatchewan Health Authority when we can open again, we’ll be ready for the season,” he said.

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Johnson added that heading into their second year with the COVID restrictions, things should only be made easier having experienced what was previously unchartered territory last year.

“I think it’s easier for everyone as we know now what we didn’t know to expect last year, as far as how many people would be out and the regulations, and everybody did an excellent job,” Johnson said.

“From all the patrons that came out and golfed, to our members and our staff were awesome. Everybody followed the rules, and if some of the rules change as the season goes this year, we’ll gladly make the adjustment.”

Rustic Nine Golf Course Par 3

Owner/operator with the Rustic Nine Golf Course, Elaine Liebaert, said they too are much more aware of what to expect for the coming season, having experienced last year.

“We expect it to be very similar this year to how it was last year with safety precautions and everything really being very much the same,” she said.

“I think especially after doing a full season through the pandemic, we’re used to how things are right now. There was a bit of a learning curve last year for both the patrons and ourselves, but everything went really well.”

Liebaert said they typically open May 1, and are hoping to be able to do so again this year, with prep work on the course set to begin sometime in the coming weeks once the snow is fully melted and the course is dry.

She said they are looking forward to the season ahead, and connecting with the community again.

“We just hope everybody will come out and have a relaxed game of golf, enjoy the outdoors and enjoy each other’s company,” Liebaert said. “We’re looking forward to another good season and to welcoming people out to the Rustic Nine.”

Jackfish Lodge Golf and Conference Centre

Jackfish Lodge will also be aiming for a May 1 opening date on their courses. General manager and director of golf, Kyle Kellgren said if last year is any indication, they are looking forward to what should be another great turnout this season.

“Twenty-twenty was an odd year with COVID, but it was way better than expected and lots of people golfed,” he said. “We were busy pretty much every day from when we opened May 15 to the end of September, so we’re really thankful it worked out as well as it did.”

Kellgren said they are hopeful things will be able to open up a bit more as the season progresses to allow for more group-based events and tournament play. If not, he said they’ll be happy to just continue to operate as they did last year.

“Hopefully by the end of the summer once people are vaccinated, we can get back into a little more normalcy with shotgun [starts] and some tournaments,” he said. “But honestly I would take last year over again in a heartbeat too. We’re hoping for a few things to change, but if it doesn’t, we’re more than happy to continue on how we are.”

“I know everybody’s itching to get out in the sunshine and get out of the house and do something they’re allowed to, like golf,” Kellgren continued. “So we’re happy to provide a place for them to be able to do that.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1