As snow melts away local golfers are getting antsy to shoot for the green at the Innisfail Golf Club.
The 27-hole course, renowned for its challenging tree-lined fairways that rise and fall with the hilly terrain, should be ready to go by the beginning of May, if not before, according to head pro Jim Boomer.
“There looks like there's lots of melting going on,” he said. “There's a natural enthusiasm that comes with spring. It has never gotten old to look forward to the golf season.”
The golf club will host more corporate bookings this year and golfers will be able to enjoy a rebuilt ninth hole on the west side of the course.
“Everyone's looking forward to playing the rebuild of that hole,” Boomer said. “It had an element to it that made it difficult at times, especially for the regular players – which is usually what we have.”
Boomer expects about 180 men to show up for men's night, which is for members only, but hopes to have 70 or more attendees to ladies' night on Tuesdays, which is a drop-in.
The golf course will host Seniors, Juniors, Ladies and Men's opens, as it does annually. The course will also be the site of a mixed open and a pro-am tournament. The Innisfail Minor Hockey Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation will hold fundraisers and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame will throw a tournament at the links as well.
“Once we roll we're a very busy place,” he said.
Another special event on the calendar is ATB Financial Golf Day during the Canadian Professional Golf Tour when some pros will stop by the course for some face time June 26.
“That's a day where some of our juniors get to interact with some guys that play the game for a living,” he said. “That would be one special day.”
Chance Beardsworth, who will be an assistant pro for the first time this year after working in the pro shop, says he can't wait to learn as much as possible.
“I'm excited,” he said. “It's a new position for me. I'll get closer with the members and I get control of the men's night.”
Melissa Koster, who plays with the Red Deer College team and went to provincials and nationals last year, says the Innisfail course balances difficulty and comfort.
“It's still a family course,” she said. “It's close to home.”
Koster is currently ranked 23rd in Canada and looks forward to playing the Innisfail course all season.
Boomer says he increasingly sees couples play the game together and encourages prospective golfers to try the game on for size.
“I think it's an enjoyable place to put in an afternoon,” he said.
Some may just enjoy the work the horticulturalist puts into the aesthetics of the course, he added, noting the course is not dusty because of the paved cart paths.
Innisfail Golf Course staff recently reached out to local youth by going into Innisfail Jr./Sr. High School and teaching 14 different golf phys-ed classes.
“These are kids who might not otherwise come to golf,” Boomer said. “They might choose golf if they had a bit of insight into the game.”
