As Always, Southern Alberta Courses Ahead Of Those To The North
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2025-04-01
By Gord Montgomery, Senior Writer, Inside Golf
The more things change in the golf world, the more they stay the same, at least weather-wise in Alberta. While Calgary area golfers were out tearing up turf in an effort to find the swing they lost over the winter, those in north-central Alberta were still waiting for winter to end.
A few Calgary courses and some a bit further south opened for the 2025 season in mid-March. Further north, however, things are still at a standstill, at least as far as the outdoor scenario is concerned.
Speaking to what took place over the winter months, Ranson Lasell from Bear Creek Golf Course in Grande Prairie said they saw the usual type of havoc that winter weather brings to those trying to grow grass for people to play on. However, even given the fact that they had a somewhat challenging winter, they do have one part of their facility open. At least it was for a few days.
“We are a bit behind [2024] when we opened March 31,” he said in a text message. “We had ice on our greens from the mid-January thaw but cleared them all off and got all the ice melted the 3rd week of February, so they should be good. We still have about 6-8 inches of snow on the course, so depending on the weather, we could open in seven to 14 days, but the weather for next weekend does not look promising. We have cleared the snow off our Driving Range and are opening it today (March 23, 2025).”
As noted in his comments, opening a golf course in Alberta in the spring is always weather-dependent. After all, there is a reason for the saying, “If you don’t like the weather in Alberta, wait five minutes and you’ll probably still not like it!” The reason behind that is a storm front that is rolling in from the west, calling for anywhere from 15 to 20 cm of snow as well as some freezing rain, falling over the majority of the province beginning on March 27. So things may be pushed back more than hoped for.
A Sign That Spring Is Perhaps On Its Way Was Evident On The First Green At The Links, As The Grass Is Already Beginning To Turn Green Thanks To Some Warm Weather. However, When You Look Down The Fairway Toward The Tee Box, The Snow Is A Reminder That Winter May Not Be Done With Us Quite Yet. (Photo By Gord Montgomery/Inside Golf)
At The Links at Spruce Grove, Executive Professional Veeraphon ‘Vee’ Thephasouvanh explained that there is no firm timeline for when they’ll swing into action. “We haven’t even talked about it. Not any real discussions yet.”
While there were several freeze-thaw cycles over the winter months, the pro noted that despite that, things looked good on their layout headed into the warmer weather. “We have some time still,” for things to green up, meaning those in the northern areas of Alberta hoping to tee it up outside instead of indoors must be patient, at least for a while longer, as they look to their counterparts down south with a bit of envy.
While Vee figured The Links may open sometime around mid-April, that thought has likely been dashed. The area received over 35 cm of snow in late March and with temps well below normal the first week of April, it now becomes a waiting game for the first tee times of 2025.