Belfast ready for opening day

Avondale, Stanhope set to start Thursday

Belfast Highland Greens has found a perfect way to open the golf season. Environment Canada is forecasting 16C temperatures for today as the nine-hole course welcomes golfers for the first time this season.

“I don’t think I better take credit for that,” laughed Marshall McMahon, the new general manager and head professional at the Belfast course. “Three weeks ago, I would have thought we would have been open in 10 days to two weeks max, but then with the cold temperatures nothing was moving,” he explained. “We’re fortunate, the course wintered really well. There are no temporaries, which is nice, and it’s relatively dry and we’re going to allow power carts.” Course officials made the decision to open on Wednesday and as of mid-afternoon on Monday it was booked until 4:40 p.m. today.

“It’s been received well,” McMahon said. “I think the golfers will be pleasantly surprised.” The 3,200-yard layout includes four par-5 holes, three par 3s and two par 4s. Prince Edward Island Golf Association executive director and provincial golf coach Sean Joyce said enthusiasm run high after the Masters.

“No question, everyone gets the late April bug to get out as soon as possible,” he said. Other courses are getting closer to opening day. Avondale Golf Course is opening Thursday with the clubhouse opening at 9 a.m. while Stanhope Golf and Country Club is open Thursday at noon.

“Certainly, the courses that open first . . . will be busy right out of the gate,” Joyce said. “With double digit sunshine right now, and a little bit of rain in the forecast, it’s kind of a nice formula for growth.”