The famed green jacket has been given out in Georgia, which means in the foothills it’s time for golfers to don a sweater, grab their clubs and start the golf season.
Several golf courses in the foothills have opened or plan to open later this week. Here is an update on public facilities in the foothills.
Okotoks
D’Arcy Ranch Golf Course — 18 holes, 6,919 yards from the back, 5,607 yards from the front.
“We are already open,” said D’Arcy assistant golf pro Ethan Lefler. “We slowed down last week, but we had a couple guys out on the weekend.”
D’Arcy Ranch is located along Highway 2A and Milligan Drive. It provides beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and also some interesting holes in the valley.
D’Arcy Ranch is a public course.
To book a tee-time go to www.darcyranchgolf.com or call the pro shop at 403-938-4455.
River’s Edge Golf Course — 18 holes, 7,000 yards from the back; 5,200 yards from the front
“We were open off and on for a couple of days last week, but we had to shut down because of the snow for a few days,” said River’s Edge assistant pro Jeff Roman. “We have been open for about 10 days now.”
Roman said the course opened on permanent greens and tee boxes.
“The course is in really good shape for this time of the year,” Roman said. “We haven’t done too much to the course since last year, but we have added some new trees.”
Tee times for River’s Edge can be made by calling 403-938-4200 or by going to www.riversedgegolfclub.com
Crystal Ridge Golf Course: nine holes, 3,125 yards
Okotoks’ only nine-hole golf course opened for a day last week before Mother Nature hit.
“We opened on Tuesday (April 10) but we closed the next day due to snow,” said head pro David Robinson. “We are open now if anyone wants to come and play.”
The course was well maintained over the winter according to Robinson.
“This is the best we ever wintered,” said Robinson.
To book a tee-time go to www.crystalridge.com or call 403-995-5563.
Turner Valley
Turner Valley Golf and Country Club – 18 holes, 6,506 yards from the back and 4,712 from the front.
“Our official opening is April 21 and hopefully we won’t have any snow after that,” said Turner Valley head pro Scott Meechan. “We did some renos last year on the pond on No. 8, but nothing major has been done to the course.”
Turner Valley will open on permanent greens and tees.
“When we open we open on full greens and tees,” he said.
Non-members can book five days in advance by phoning 403-933-4721 (ext 1) or online at www.turnervalleygolf.com
MD of Foothills
Sirocco Golf Club – 18 holes, 7,185 yards from the back and 6,149 yards from the front.
“Our driving range is open now,” said golf pro Brian Fast. “Thursday (April 19) was our tentative opening date, but it might get delayed a bit. We are still a bit wet yet.”
The scenic golf course, located northwest of Okotoks on Spruce Meadows Way, about four kilometres south of Spruce Meadows, is a semi-private course.
“The course is going to be in really good shape,” Fast said. “We are already green in spots.”
The course has re-arranged its driving range, but no changes to the course were made.
To book a tee-time at Sirocco call at 403-201-5505 or on line at www.sirocco.ca
Heritage Pointe Golf Course – 27 holes; Desert 9 — back, 3,573 yards, front, 2,569; Heritage 9 — back, 3,581, front, 2,423; Pointe 9 — back, 3,369; front, 2,379.
Heritage Pointe will be open to members on April 21 and to the public on April 22.
The course will be stronger this year.
“We replaced the 12 bridges in the valley which have been damaged over the years from flooding which is a big change for us,” said Heritage Pointe director of golf operations John Wilson. “As for the course, we have just cleaned up some areas and some bunkers. It will be business as usual.”
Wilson said the course is in “spectacular condition” for this time of year.
Heritage Pointe, which has a scenic Wuthering Heights like clubhouse, allows public bookings one week in advance by phone (403-256-2002) or online at www.heritagepointe.com
Highwood Golf and Country Club, High River: 27 holes; Spitzee 9 — back, 3,122, front, 2,644; Heritage 9 — back, 3,330; front, 2,687; Mountainview 9 — back, 3,188; front, 2,622
High River’s finest golf course will open on 18 of its 27 holes as of April 18.
“We will be open on Heritage and Mountainview,” said Highwood teaching pro Edwin MacDonald. “Spitzee is a bit shaded and because it’s close to the river it the lowest lying. We want to give it a chance grow.”
He said the course is in excellent shape considering how early it is in the southern Alberta season.
The course has added a new putting green and chipping area. To book a tee time call 403-652-3644 (ext 231) or go to www.highwoodgolf.com. The public can book three days in advance.
