Calgary golfers will get their chance to tee off at a pair of City-owned golf courses this Friday, with more to follow in the coming weeks.
The front 9 for Shaganappi Point and Valley open on April 14, alongside McCall Lake’s 18-hole course. Driving ranges for those courses also open Friday.
Maple Ridge opens on April 19, followed by Confederation Park on April 21, and the McCall Lake Par 3 and Lakeview on April 28.
Over 70 city staff have been preparing the courses for the start of the golf season, with the occasional help of winter season users.
“It starts with tidying up from the winter season. We have partnerships with cross-country ski organizations who utilize some of the courses during the winter, and they do the basic clean-up,” said Jeff Babich, superintendent for golf at the City of Calgary.
He said that this time of year work would also be done to recharge irrigation systems and inspect any damage from the winter to grasses.
“It’s very hands-on for irrigation, and we have to make sure to have everything up and running once the grass comes out of dormancy,” Babich said.
“It’s usually late April that we have to get the water going and occasionally if it’s a dry spring, we may have to water the greens with a tractor.”
For more information on City of Calgary-owned golf courses, and to book a tee time online, see www.calgary.ca/rec-locations/golf.html.
