Coinciding with one of the earliest seasonal openings in recent memory, the Prince Rupert Golf Course staff are taking advantage of a mild winter and warm spring to offer the course to members and players very early on in the season.
Opening on March 5, the golf course has already attracted many Rupertites, dozens of players from the Terrace and Kitimat area and even a few as far away as Smithers before the calendar has even reached April, said club professional and general manager Dave Belling last week.
“We had it put to bed really well and all the chemicals that needed to go down are down … We have all 18 greens open and all 18 tees. We’re in the process of putting new tee boxes in so that we can attract everyone from a very beginning player to an advanced player,” said Belling, adding that the maintenance crew was in place by Feb. 22 and the group was out cleaning the course, blowing off the greens, grading cart paths and airing out the holes to open up the surface – an almost unheard of date for any Canadian golf course. As always, Rupert’s a little different.
“We’ve been open [early] in the past, however [with only] temporary greens and that sort of thing. But for us to be in full operation on March 5, golf course-wise it’s a great attribute to the closing crew who put the golf course to bed properly,” said the pro.
“I think our current membership and daily fee players in Rupert appreciate the fact we’ve worked hard to get it ready.”
Belling added that the membership drive has found good results ever since the 2016 rates were posted last September and staff have seen some success with players getting themselves ready for the season, shopping from the club’s “fully stocked” pro shop.
“It’s also got some great business casual attire,” he added.
And as busy as the early days have been, the club’s about to get even busier with a hectic May full of ‘Swing in the Spring’ classes (adult group clinics to get new players involved) and the ‘Future Pros’ junior golf program, which is tentatively starting in early May. Then the Jubilees and scrambles start in June.
“The entire staff has worked extremely hard to get the golf course ready and we look forward to having a great year,” said Belling.
