Golfers take advantage of early start to season
Several local golf courses are experiencing an unusual occurrence for this time of year — people playing golf.
Two weeks into March, the tee sheets have been jammed at Brookfield and Conestoga, a pair of courses operated by GolfNorth Properties. The Conestogo-based company has also opened Foxwood and RiverEdge locally and 10 other Ontario properties.
“I’ve been in the business now for about 30 years, and as far as being open, this is the earliest by far, about a month ahead of schedule,” said GolfNorth vice-president Mike Turner on Thursday.
“Some owners have opened for a day or two in the past, depending on the weather, but we’re legitimately open for the season. It’s crazy.”
The Cambridge Golf Club also opened for the season this week and, like GolfNorth, will open daily, weather permitting.
Golfers have been taking full advantage of the early openings, starting with RiverEdge and Brookfield on March 2.
On Wednesday, Conestoga had 240 available spots between 9 a.m. and 4:40 p.m., said Turner, and 236 were filled.
The numbers were similar at Brookfield, where 198 golfers made their way around the course, and only 14 spots went unused between 9 a.m. and the 4 p.m. last call.
Slightly lower numbers were reported at both courses on Tuesday, said Turner.
GolfNorth has yet to cut grass at any of its courses, but greens are being rolled and are said to be in good condition. “I’ve talked to people coming off the course, and it’s been all positive,” said Turner.
“The momentum is still there; people are excited and happy to be outside again.”
Other public courses such as Rockway, Doon Valley, Savannah Links and Merry-Hill remain closed.
The online booking systems for Cambridge and GolfNorth are functional, although a turn in the weather starting Sunday could lead to closures. Temperatures could dip into the low single digits next week, and long-range forecasts suggest they could remain there until April.
Spring officially arrives on Tuesday, with the forecast calling for partly cloudy skies and a daytime high of 1C.
The online booking systems for Cambridge and GolfNorth are functional, although a turn in the weather starting Sunday could lead to closures
GolfNorth adds new course
GolfNorth has taken over management of Hornby Glen Golf Club in Halton Hills.
The 18-hole course, located just off Highway 401 at Trafalgar Road, opened in 1964 and is described as a good test of golf for all abilities. It plays 5,179 yards from the forward tees, 6,167 yards from the middle deck and 6,606 yards from the tips.
Hornby Glen, closed for renovations in 2023, expands GolfNorth’s presence in the Greater Toronto Area.
With the addition of Hornby Glen, GolfNorth now operates 41 golf properties in Canada, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.