Golf season tees-off in southwestern N.S.
With three provincial championships and stops on the Golf Nova Scotia Junior Invitational Tour on the schedule this summer, it's shaping up to be a solid golf season in southwestern Nova Scotia.
On April 5, the West Pubnico Golf and Country Club was the first course to open in the region, followed by River Hills in Clyde River on April 8, the Clare Golf and Country Club on April 12, Yarmouth Links on April 15, and Digby Pines on April 19.
“The course came through the winter really good,” says Yarmouth Links manager George Watkins. “It's in good shape. A lot of rain and water. The grounds crew has been out. We're pretty happy where the golf course is. We're looking forward to another busy year.”
Tournament season kicks off for the year at Yarmouth Links with a two-person scramble on May 5.
Meanwhile at River Hills to kickstart the 2024 season the course will be hosting a Golf Nova Scotia ladies' clinic on May 25 and on May 26 a First Tee Atlantic girls' try-it clinic.
“Everything is looking great. We had hardly any fallen trees on the course this winter and have already mowed the greens once," says River Hills manager Lesa Perry O'Connell.
River Hills will be hosting the Golf Nova Scotia Men's Mid-Amateur Championship from July 26 to 28. A field of more than 100 golfers are expected to compete.
“It's a big deal,” says O'Connell. “We have a good course. It's tough and they enjoy coming here to compete.”
River Hills is also one of three stops this summer on the Golf Nova Scotia Junior Invitational Tour. The tour began last year.
“It does bring a lot of kids from all over Nova Scotia," O'Connell says. "They get so many points when they win and that allows them to go compete nationwide.” River Hills will be the tour host course on Aug. 15, the Yarmouth Links on Aug 21, and the Clare Golf and Country on Aug 22.
Clare will also host the Golf Nova Scotia Boys and Girls Junior Championship from July 2 to 4.
Digby Pines is also hosting a provincial golf championship this season. For the second consecutive year the Golf Nova Scotia Men's Senior Four-Ball Championship will be held here. The dates are Sept. 17 and 18.
“It's a pretty big deal,” says Digby Pines Pro Scott Nickerson. “A two-man event, 72 teams. We held it last year and are also holding it again in 2025 as well.”
Nickerson says the Digby Pines course wintered really well.
“We already did a couple of nice cuts on the greens. They look healthy. We're just waiting for some heat and to get things going really good here. It's looking like it could be a strong season. We're just hoping for a lot better weather than last year."
The Cock-a-Wit Classic on June 1 starts out the tournament schedule at River Hills. A new ladies' tournament called FISM will be making its debut this season. The junior program at River Hills will begin after the school year ends.
“River Hills fully supports junior development with free junior memberships, free range balls, tee time open access, course play, and loaner golf clubs,” says O'Connell.
Further information on programs, tournament schedules, and events can be found on the respective golf courses websites and Facebook pages.