CARSTAIRS – If the rapidly disappearing limited number of memberships available at the Carstairs Community Golf Club are any indication, local golfers are keen to get back on the course.
“We’ve had a good response from our membership this year, so that’s a good start,” said Josh Lockert, who is starting his sixth year as the course’s head golf pro.
“Everyone’s pretty eager to get started,” Lockert told the Albertan on April 19 during a phone interview.
At the time of the interview, there were only a few memberships available, he said.
“We still have a few spaces left, but we had no issue really filling up and kind of hitting that mark that we were looking for,” he said, explaining why the number is capped.
“We limit it to 400 total just to give everyone the availability,” he said. “Tee times are scarce, so we try and limit it so we don’t just overfill with members and nobody can play.”
On weekends and holidays, for example, one tee time per hour is reserved specifically for players from the public at large, he said.
“So, members can’t even book in there just to give the public a chance to come out and try the course,” he said.
The course itself wintered well and should barring any unforeseen issues open alongside the driving range this Wednesday.
“So far, it’s shaping up quite nicely,” he said. “Obviously a little bit of a later start than we’re used to. But we’re hoping to get the course open for April 26.”
Generally opening closer to some time around the third week of April, the course is only about a week behind average, he said.
Worse comes to worst, the opening would get pushed to early May, but Lockert was confident that would not likely be the case.
“Just based on the forecast, we think Wednesday (April 26) will be no problem for us,” he said.
Looking to the season ahead, he said among the main events scheduled are an RBC Scramble on June 16 put on through the Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada, as well as some big junior events including the Maple Leaf Junior Tour.
“We’ve hosted them for a number of years now; they’re always a big one. We usually get over 100 juniors for their events,” he said, expressing optimism for the months ahead.
“We’re looking forward to the 2023 season,” he said. “We’re eager to get underway.”
