The Olds Golf Club won't likely open for about a month, pro and manager Wade Bearchell says.
"It looks like it's going to be about a month before we open. I would assume the driving range should be open quite a bit earlier than the golf course will be because there's still probably four or five feet of snow in places," Bearchell told the Albertan.
Bearchell says although the snow and cold weather that's been hanging around will likely force the course to open later than last year, that won't really hurt it.
"In a perfect world, it would come late and then leave early and melt while there's still a lot of moisture in it and fill up the ponds, which is always the goal," he says.
"But the years that we've started late were some of our more successful years. Contrary to popular opinion, not a ton of people golf (at this time of year). Usually it's just the avid golfers who golf in April, because the weather can be quite cool and windy.
"So April isn't always your most successful month, even if you are open," Bearchell adds.
"The years where we start in May, where everybody's been inside and it's been a long winter, they're looking for something to do and so the enthusiasm with a May start has proven to be very good for this club, because people want to get out.
"Sometimes when they start really early, they're burned out already by the time July hits."
He says the club utilizes a technique to ensure the course -- especially the greens -- are in good shape throughout the winter.
Mould and ice are the big concern.
"We've pushed snow off the greens. We've got a process going where we pump air under the (snow on) the greens to kind of keep the weight off the greens and provide them some circulation underneath there," Bearchell says.
"It's been a process that's been successful, and although it's not a perfect science, we're pretty fortunate to have good greens most years that we start."
"We had a few issues about half a dozen years ago with just the weight of the snow on the greens and the fact that there was no air circulation, and this process has worked for us very well.
"But Mother Nature will do what she does, so you know, you do your best. It doesn't always work, but we spend quite a bit of money and time and effort to try to make sure these greens get through the winter because they're the lifeblood of our golf course," he adds.
The club kicks off the season April 27 with a spring fundraiser.
"We do this every two years," Bearchell says. "It's an auction, fashion show, dinner, live and silent auction. It's an event that we've been running now for at least a dozen years, I think.
"It's been a successful fundraiser for the club. It allows us to remain an affordable community facility for everybody, so part of the reason why we're able to offer such affordable rates for everybody is because of fundraisers like this and the support of the members and the community."
Following are tournaments and competitions planned for the club this year, provided courtesy of the Olds Golf Club website:
Ryder Cup Matchplay: season-long matchplay event
Alberta Amateur Qualifier: anticipated to occur on May 30.
Access Insurance Senior Open: June 27, 9 a.m. shotgun.
Hildebrand Motors Men’s Open: July 7-8, 9 a.m. shotgun.
McLennan Ross Olds Junior Open: July 11, 10 a.m. shotgun.
Ladies' Open sponsored by Oasis Tanning Lounge & Boutique: July 14, 9 a.m. shotgun.
ATB Financial Olds Mixed Open: Aug. 12, 9 a.m. shotgun.
Club Championship: Aug. 18 (men) and Aug. 19 (men, women and juniors).
Tee times on Saturday and 9 a.m. shotgun on Sunday.
Soldsheim Cup Ladies' Team Event: Saturday, Aug. 25, 9 a.m. shotgun.
Kolba/Slash Classic: Sept. 29, 10 a.m. shotgun.
(The Kolbasa Classic and Hack N Slash are now one event).
