Warm fall weather keeps Saskatchewan golfers on the courses longer

Across Saskatchewan, golfers have been taking full advantage of an unusually warm fall, squeezing in as many rounds as they can before courses close for the season.

Weeks of sunshine and above-seasonal temperatures have extended play into late October in some cases, a rare luxury for golfers who usually have their clubs packed away by Thanksgiving.

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Clark Stork, manager of communications for Golf Saskatchewan, said the mild weather has been a boon to players and courses alike.

“When you get into September, life gets busy. Kids are back to school, sports are on,” Stork said. “But when it’s 25 or 30 C, people think ‘Maybe I do have time to squeeze in nine holes.’”

The City of Regina said its four municipal courses — Tor Hill, Murray, Lakeview and Joanne Goulet – will close on Tuesday after a season that saw more than 135,000 rounds played.

“Regina’s golf courses continue to be a popular destination for recreation, attracting thousands of players each year,” said Chris Frohlick, the city’s manager of open space services.

“We’re grateful to everyone who came out this season and look forward to welcoming golfers back next spring.”

While city courses are closing, Tor Hill will stay open through winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking.

In Saskatoon, the city’s three courses — Holiday Park, Silverwood and Wildwood — are winding down in stages. Holiday Park’s executive nine and Silverwood’s back nine close on Monday, with remaining holes shutting down by October 26, weather permitting. Holiday Park’s pro shop will stay open through winter for gift card and season-pass sales.

Private courses are starting to call it a season, though many are wrapping up a few days later than usual. At Regina’s Wascana Country Club, general manager Craig Prentice said the final day for play will be on Wednesday, giving staff time to prepare the course for winter.

Prentice said the club has relied on a mix of University of Regina students and retirees to cover late-season shifts, and has kept operations running smoothly even as daylight hours shorten.

“Are we short-staffed? Yeah, we are,” Prentice said. “But our leadership team steps up and helps out, and it’s a nice way to send off the members into the wintertime and get ready for spring.”

Stork said the extended golf season helped offset a slow start in May and June, when cold weather and wildfire smoke kept many golfers at home.

“It’s not easy for clubs at this time of year, because a lot of the kids go back to school,” he said. “The pros are working morning to night, but they’re making money and people are out enjoying the game.”

By month’s end, most courses from Estevan to Prince Albert will have closed, capping one of Saskatchewan’s longest and busiest golf seasons in recent memory.

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