By TERRY PUGH
Golfers will have to wait a little longer before teeing off at the Legends Golf Club in Warman and Valley Regional Park Golf Club in Rosthern.
Both golf courses experienced significant flooding this spring due to heavy snowfall and a large amount of runoff.
“Our course superintendent said he’s never seen this much water on the course before in the spring,” said Valley Regional Golf Club General Manager Conner McGill in an interview May 4. “Holes 4 and 7 took the brunt of the flooding. Hole 4 tends to be wet a lot, but this is the first time there’s been water across the entire fairway on Hole 7.”
McGill said pumping is ongoing, and if all goes well, the course should be open by the middle of May.
It’s much the same story in Warman.
While the driving range at the Legends opened Tuesday, May 5, the course itself is slated to open Monday, May 11. According to a Legends Golf Club social media post, club members were able to book a tee time starting May 5, while non-members were able to book tee times starting May 6.
The course is opening later than usual due to the time required to adequately pump the excess surfae water.
However, once they open for the season, both courses expect to have another great year.
“We’ve had a lot of calls asking to book a tee time,” said McGill. “They’re a little disappointed we’re not able to open yet, but that’s the way it goes.
“However, we’re looking forward to another exciting season. We had a great year last year, with more members and more rounds being played.”
McGill said the new clubhouse has made a big difference to the overall experience for golfers.
“The new facility is fantastic,” he said. “It has a wrap-around deck where you can enjoy a cold drink after a round of golf. It’s attracted more members and really made it more appealing for people to stick around and enjoy the summer at the park. Last year was our first full season with it, and it’s definitely created a lot of buzz around the province, with more people coming to Rosthern to check it out.”
McGill said there are some improvements taking place at the course and the park. The golf club is constructing a permanent bathroom on the course to replace the existing port-a-potties. The park is planning on upgrading a couple of sections of its campground from 30 amp to 50 amp power.
He noted the club’s membership numbers are healthy, and they’re working to attract additional members through a special introductory membership rate this spring.
He said there are a couple higher-profile tournaments slated for this season, including a PGA Scramble local qualifier and a regional qualifier.
“These are made up of teams of four amateur golfers,” said McGill. “If you win the local qualifier you can go on to the regional qualifier. At the regional qualifier, a PGA golf pro joins your team, so you have five golfers. If you end up winning the regional qualifier, that entitles you to go on to play at the national event in Cape Breton later this summer. It’s the trip of a lifetime, for sure.”
The other major event is the Sask Golf Champions Cup in September.