Open “fore” summer

Times Reporter     

 

With the beautiful weather and the disappearing snow, golf courses in the area have opened their doors for the summer season. Each year, the number of golfers continues to grow.

 

Strathmore Golf Club

“With the weather, it happened a lot faster than what everybody anticipated,” Dave Schramm said, superintendant at Strathmore Golf Club. 

Since converting to 18 holes in the 1980’s, Strathmore Golf Club has found their success to grow each season.

“We had a great year last year, and we’re expecting nothing different this year. Especially with the long winter, we’re expecting an onslaught of golfers here as soon as we can get them out there,” Schramm said.

Their goal for this summer is to gear towards youth.

“With our golf in the Alberta area, it was always big with the men. Then, there was a real growth with the women,” Schramm said. “What we’re really trying to do now, is to get more kids involved to make sure the longevity of it all keeps up.”

 

Speargrass Golf Course

Speargrass is entering their 10th year, but finds their numbers increasing from the city. Roughly 80 per cent of their golfers are from Calgary.

“Basically, the word is getting out that we’re one of the better public courses around,” Jamie Driscoll said, head professional at Speargrass. “The course has definitely been growing.”

Roughly 100 residents live beside the golf course grounds, though Driscoll says they keep their prices a little bit lower to specifically lure people from the city.

“Our big thing is that we probably have the best value in southern Alberta,” he said.

Speargrass will be hosting a CPGA Professional Tournament on July 2, and their Men’s Open Championship from Aug. 23-24.

 

Oxbow Country Golf Course

“Over the last couple years, the quality of our greens and the course itself has gone up,” said Korina Roussel, owner and operator of Oxbow Country Golf Course. “We’re the best kept secret from Strathmore.”

Oxbow has been open for roughly 15 years, and though they have two men’s leagues, and a women’s league, they cater more towards family golf.

“Our course is a little more laid back and set up so that we can have couples and kids out here,” Roussel said. “They don’t have to feel pressured, and they can enjoy a game of golf.”

Like Strathmore Golf Club, Oxbow wants to expand to youth. 

They will be running a kids camp this summer, and will start up a kids league next season. 

The club also will host their Oxbow Scramble event in August.

 

Boulder Creek Golf Course

Boulder Creek Golf Course is into its seventh year, and though no tournaments are lined up just yet, they are always looking for participants to join their mens and ladies leagues.

“The course is in great shape right now, and we just keep getting more golfers,” Matt Babcock said, golf shop manager. “It’s progressing pretty good.”

Babcock believes it’s the course atmosphere that makes Boulder Creek appealing.

“Our motto is Calgary’s best casual golf, and I think that goes a long way with our friendly attitude,” he said.”