Southern Alberta golf courses open
Looking to get outside early in the spring? Try the golf courses of southern Alberta
It’s only 155 yards to the pin but, standing high on the perched tee with a wicked west wind funnelling through the Oldman River Valley, I have no clue what club to hit. I choose the 5-iron, thinking it’s plenty of stick to get me to the green. I make a rather rusty (what can I say, it’s been a long winter) swat and, surprise surprise, the ball plummets into a sandy waste area 15 yards short of the green. Apparently the 5-wood may have been a better call.
But this is early spring golf. And the mind isn’t quite firing on all cylinders yet. Making poor decisions — and poorer golf swings — just comes with the territory. And, speaking of territory, southern Alberta, for diehards, is the place to play in the early part of the year.
Tucked into a cosy setting along the Oldman River in West Lethbridge, Paradise Canyon is, unquestionably, one of the premier golf courses in southern Alberta. With many memorable riverside holes, including the super-scenic 12th, one of the best par-3s in the entire province, Paradise Canyon serves up a wonderful experience any time of year.
“We’re typically open two weeks earlier than Calgary and the rest of Alberta,” says Mike Fleischhauer, the general manager at Paradise Canyon. “We opened on regular tees and greens on Good Friday. That’s actually a bit late for us. We’re usually open around March 25.”
In terms of making an early start, they are not alone. Henderson Lake, Magrath, Land-O-Lakes and Picture Butte — all quality championship courses in the Lethbridge area — were all cutting holes for regulation play in late March.
In Picture Butte — home to 27 holes of solid southern Alberta golf — they tend to get out of the box the earliest. “Believe it or not, last year we opened on regular tees and greens on Feb. 1. That was definitely a record. And it certainly caused a major stir in the golf community. We were busy and turning people away some days. Mid-March is pretty standard for us,” says the club’s head professional and general manager, Dean Sklarenko.
Obviously, the reason for the early start to the golf season in southern Alberta is all about the weather.
“It’s just a lot drier down here,” says Fleischhauer. “When Calgary gets a foot of snow, which is typical in a spring storm, we often don’t get anything. The golf courses here are usually snow-free and playable in early March. The big Chinook winds also dry us out pretty fast.”
Unquestionably, the temperatures also play a key role. On any given day you can add three or four degrees to Calgary’s forecast high. And that, especially when it comes to spring golf, is huge.
Interestingly, another course in this general area, the Marais Valley Golf Course, which is located just over the U.S. border in Shelby, Montana, used to stay open year-round. Due to staffing, they now close in November and open again on March 1. The scenic 18-hole course boasts its own micro-climate (don’t think palm trees) in an arid valley that makes for even warmer and drier conditions.
“Our situation is definitely unique,” says clubhouse manager Louise Aegerter. “For whatever reason, this valley just holds heat. And, yes, we get a lot of Albertans down here playing in early spring. It’s an easy trip from Calgary.”
What isn’t always easy is dressing for the cool, breezy weather. “You’ve got to come prepared for anything this time of year,” says Fleischhauer. “As everyone knows, the weather in southern Alberta is unpredictable. Dressing in layers is the key.” And, due to possible frost delays, booking tee times later in the day is advisable. On nights when frost is likely, it’s best to call ahead to make sure there isn’t a major delay.
Lowering your expectations in terms of scoring isn’t a bad idea either. Course conditions — including slow greens, soggy turf and rough lies — can make scoring difficult during the first few weeks of the year. Throw in a cool wind whipping over the plains and you’ve got a challenging situation on your hands. Throw in an out-of-shape golf swing and things are magnified even more.
Typical of most early-season rounds, my game at Paradise Canyon was a mixed bag of good shots and, well, plenty of swings I’d like to forget. However, playing the beautiful 12th — and enjoying the stunning closing run along the Oldman River — was a strong reminder of how good the golf in these parts can be … especially when the turf in Calgary is still brown and frozen hockey-puck solid.