ST. PAUL – The golf season in St. Paul officially kicked off on April 18, and the St. Paul Golf Course has been quite busy since then.
Sean Hovelkamp, golf course manager, said it was a successful opening weekend, attracting many golfers thanks to favourable weather conditions. Weather forecasts for upcoming weeks are also favourable, he said.
The golf course is starting to show signs of life, with the grass turning green thanks to recent warmth and moisture, with the sprinkler system activated just in time to ensure the course remains in good condition.
The Men's League and the Ladies' League, "[which] I would say is probably the strongest part of the golf course," is also starting soon, according to Hovelkamp, as he encouraged golfers to sign up.
For those interested in participating in league play, the St. Paul Golf Course hosts its men's league on Tuesday nights, starting May 13. Last year saw 30 teams composed of four people each take part, and Hovelkamp expects that number to increase to around 34 teams this season. The men's league features a shotgun start format, which is a format where teams begin play simultaneously.
Hovelkamp encourages golfers to sign up early as the registration deadline is also set at May 13 for the Men's League.
The Ladies' League will start the following day, May 14, and operates with a more flexible structure, allowing women to join on any Wednesday without prior registration. The approach aims to encourage more participation among female golfers.
Both leagues will run for 15 weeks.
Rates
As for public play, rates remain relatively the same compared to previous seasons. Regular rates for adults are set at $30 for 9 Holes, and $45 for 18 Holes. Rates for Junior golfers, or people aged 17 and under, are $18 for 9 Holes and $30 for 18 Holes.
The golf course also offers club rentals.
"I'd expect our [numbers of] public play to go up again this year. It's gone up the last few years," he said. "We get a lot of golfers coming from nearby lakes on weekends."
Membership
Hovelkamp encourages people to sign up for club membership if they golf regularly. Members get to play as much as golf as they want throughout the season, he said. "There's no restrictions on it. As long as you book a tee time, you can play all summer," added Hovelkamp.
Single adult membership is set at $950, but there are also options for couples, seniors, senior couples, as well as young adult membership.
"Our junior membership is the best value," he said. "It's only $100 if you're in high school or younger."
Upcoming events
Looking ahead, several tournaments are scheduled at the golf course, including the Spring Cash Scramble on May 18 and a two-person mixed tournament on May 25.
Next month, a couple of major events are also coming up, including the St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, which is set for June 6.
The course will then host a qualifier for the Alberta 55+ Games on June 14, which hosts participants from the northeast region.
The St. Paul Golf Course is operated by the Town of St. Paul.
