Spring is in full swing! Well at least at some local golf courses.
Hillview golf opened their front nine Thursday while Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club’s 18-hole championship course was the first to fully open Thursday.
“The back nine is still closed due to moisture,” Hillview states.
Vernon and Golf and Country Club’s tentative opening date is Thursday, April 5 – weather permitting. The driving range is open for any one wanting to practice their swing.
Opening day at The Rise is set for April 13.
“We know you’re all chomping at the bit to get swinging, we are as well,” the Fred Couples signature course states. “As with most courses in the valley, the snow has stayed a lot longer than normal. Because of this we have pushed back our opening day to Friday, April 13. Please be aware that this is still tentative and weather dependant.”
Predator Ridge traditionally gets in the swing of things on the second Wednesday in April.
“Unless we have a winter like this,” said Rod Cochrane, general manager.
Play opens Wednesday, April 18 at both Predator and the Ridge courses.
Some improvements are also underway with a course refresh, where the resort will be opening four re-designed and re-furbished holes sometimes in June.
“It’s basically to make sure that we preserve the quality of golf in amongst our golf development,” said Cochrane. “Nobody likes a course that’s too close to the houses.
“What people are going to find is at the Predator course the holes we are changing are ones that people found most challenging, so the changes will be very welcome.”
Architects are involved in the changes, which are to holes 3, 4 and 9 on Predator and the first hole on the Ridge course.
See related: Ridge claims top honours
To see what the North Okanagan’s courses have in store for the year, check out The Morning Star’s special Progress supplement in last Sunday’s paper – or see it online.
@vernonnewsjennifer@vernonmorningstar.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
