CARSTAIRS-DIDSBURY - The extra wet weather in June has not been a boon for the local golf industry. Despite the wet conditions, enthusiasm hasn't waned among younger golfers.
The junior golf program in Didsbury already has over 100 members signed up. The program goes every Thursday during the summer and features lessons as well as course access for the juniors.
"Junior members are aged six to 17," said Erin Enns, the junior and ladies' night representative on the board of directors. "The Didsbury golf course is open only for junior members every Thursday morning during the summer from 8 a.m. until noon. This gives the juniors a chance to golf on the course with no pressure from other golfers."
Enns said there are also four optional golf lessons each week during that time.
"The kids are taught skills, etiquette and they get overall golf experience," she said. "They get weekly prizes and also have a fun windup at the end of the season with lunch and year-end prizes."
Junior golf lessons started July 4 and run every Thursday morning until Aug. 15 with the windup on Aug. 22, said Enns.
The Didsbury Golf Club junior program is sponsored by Gil's Truck and Auto (GTA) with proceeds from its annual golf tournament. This year's tournament will be held Sept. 7 at the course.
"When the program started nine years ago there were under 10 junior golf members and now we have over 100," she said. "Jason Enns and GTA have promoted this junior program to create an affordable, fun activity for the local youth to participate in over the summer months. Junior golfers are the future of the Didsbury golf course."
Kirk Williscroft, general manager and golf pro of the Carstairs Golf Club, said they've had to cancel some events with the wet weather.
"June was certainly wetter than we would've liked," said Williscroft. "It certainly helps make the course in fantastic shape. We were able to get an early start in April but we've lost a lot of days in May and June with cold weather and rain. The early start has been pretty much washed away."
The rain stayed away enough on Friday for the club to host 68 golfers for the annual Fred and Wilma couples' tournament.
Carstairs Golf Club has a junior program that runs on Wednesdays, which started in May.
"It's been going on now for a month and a half," he said. "It's been going really good. We've been having a good turnout for that. The kids seem to be enjoying it."
The program is run by Josh Lockert, assistant golf pro at the course.
Williscroft said they have 35 young golfers signed up for the program.
"It wraps up the end of August before the kids head back to school," he said.
