Dave Leaderhouse
Special to the Herald
Fore!
Recent warmer weather has golfers a bit more optimistic and hopeful for a return to the links, but a survey of local golf courses has opening dates still days, if not weeks, away.
“The best-case scenario is May long weekend and that is with a good forecast,” says Darcy Myers of Cooke Municipal Golf Course.
“It’s the latest start we’ve had in the 47 years we have been open,” adds Gord Hobson from Fairview Fairways. “We need solid double-digit days and no freezing at night.”
The local courses have already lost nearly three weeks off the season compared to last year and from a financial standpoint that hurts the bottom line. For golfers the season is already short enough in this neck of the woods so there is definitely some frustration creeping in.
Once the go-ahead is given to tee it up all local courses are preparing for a busy season.
At Fairview Fairways the driving range is a major attraction and if the current weather holds up Hobson feels that could open by next weekend. A new pump for the watering system is scheduled to be installed by the end of May and when everything is up and running the facility offers a nine-hole par-3 course along with mini-golf, a fully-stocked pro shop and the aforementioned driving range. Lessons are available by calling the pro shop at 306-764-4748. Fairview Fairways is located three kilometres south on the Birch Hills highway.
Mark’s 9 Golf and Country Club is located four kilometres north on Highway 2 and 1.5 kilometres east of Red Wing. The nine-hole course has a variety of par-3 and par-4 holes with a licensed clubhouse and outdoor patios. Men’s Night is on Monday and Ladies Night is on Tuesday with the course and converted barn facility that houses the clubhouse a popular rental spot for small tournaments. Anyone wanting to utilize this gem in the forest can contact the clubhouse at 306-764-7888.
Kachur’s Golf and Country Club is another popular course that is often booked for tournaments or other special events. Located five kilometres west on Highway 3, Kachur’s is a par-70, 18-hole course that traverses the Shell River and for the past couple of years has been listed by Golf Pass as one of the top 25 public golf courses in the country. Last year it attained the No. 14 ranking and just recently it was announced that it has moved up a spot to No. 13. Generally one of the first courses to open every year an announcement could be expected in the next 10 days or so depending on the weather. A couple of major fundraising tournaments already booked at Kachur’s for this year are the Diva for a Day event in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters on June 5 and the Mont St. Joseph Charity Classic set for July 3. There is a huge pavillion on the grounds that can be booked for special events as well. More information on all that Kachur’s has to offer can be obtained by calling 306-763-3465.
Silver Hills Golf Course is a nine-hole track located three kilometres west of the Saskatchewan Penitentiary on Highway 302 west. This course offers some challenging holes with special nights dedicated to men’s and women’s events. More information is available by calling 306-922-3673.
Birch Hills Golf Course is a nine-hole course that is becoming more and more popular with golfers from Prince Albert. Located on the northern edge of the small community 35 kilometers southeast of the city, the Birch Hills course is challenging with one hole having an island green. A new clubhouse will greet visitors this year with previous years having men’s night on Thursdays and ladies night taking place on Tuesdays. To find out when it will be open contact the clubhouse at 306-749-2211.
Cooke Municipal Golf Course is the city-run course in Prince Albert that has been around for more than 115 years. The 18-hole par-71 layout is located just off 22nd Street East with a fully-stocked pro shop and a clubhouse with multiple rooms that can be booked for special events. While there are no provincial or national events slated for Cooke this year it has been host to some memorable events in the past. Still, a full slate of competitive tournaments are to be played this year beginning with the Northern Team Championship on the May long weekend. Already sold out it will be the first test for the course this year with an opening date expected, and hoped for, right around that time. The Ladies Northern will follow on June 6-7 while the Men’s Northern is set for the August long weekend and the Senior Northern to be held on August 19-20. A full slate of charity tournaments are held at Cooke over the summer and the course also has a junior program that provides lessons along with opportunities to compete in a league. Lessons for the general public are also provided on request with information for any of the activities available by contacting the pro shop at 306-763-2502.
These are just the courses in the immediate area of Prince Albert. Golfers are fortunate to also have options at top-notch facilities in the surrounding area such as Rosthern, Shellbrook, Nipawin, Candle Lake, Waskesiu Lake and Elk Ridge. All are facing the same dilemna of late start-ups, but all have professional staff to assist with any needs and all have facilities that will provide enjoyable outings.
If the weather continues to trend towards warmer and drier conditions it should be only a matter of time – two weeks or less – before golfers can get back into the swing of things.
