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Whistler courses finally ready to tee off

Courses to open second weekend of May

Despite heavy snowfall and a late spring, Whistler’s golf courses are preparing to open next week — a week later than planned, but local pros are predicting good things for early season.

All courses will be honouring the usual Golf B.C. programs, including lower rates for B.C. residents booking in advance, a program where kids golf for free when accompanied by a paying adult, and the Golf Whistler Passport. The spring and fall passport (good until May 29 and after Sept. 29) is available for $299 and entitles the carrier to one round of golf, including a cart, at Nicklaus North, Whistler Golf Club, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club and Big Sky and Golf and Country Club. The summer passport in $449, and runs from May 30 to Sept. 28.

Passholders are also entitled to a rate of $119, including a cart, anytime of the year.

While local courses are on the same page when it comes to attracting golfers to the region, each course also has something different to offer this season.

 

Whistler Golf Club

Whistler Golf Club is celebrating its 25 th year in operation this year, and head pro Alan Kristmanson is anxious to get the celebration started. The course is slated to open on Friday, May 9, with all the greens and features in play.

“It’s early season conditions with the late snow, but we’re in good shape,” he said. “It could dry out a little and we still have snow in a few spots, but we’re forecasting heat for the weekend so we should be good to go. Conditions should actually be quite good.”

In recent years the Whistler Golf Club has done extensive renovating to the course, rebuilding the fairways and greens several years ago and adding a $1.2 million irrigation system last season.

“The guest doesn’t see it, but it’s something we’re excited about,” said Kristmanson. “We’ve doubled the number of sprinkler heads on the course so we have better coverage, and we also put in a system with independent head control so we can also use less water. We used to have to turn on five or 10 heads at a time, but now we can isolate heads and run them at different percentages to use less water.”

No major renovations are planned for this year, but the club is investing in new maintenance equipment. The real focus, says Kristmanson, is celebrating the Whistler Golf Club’s 25 th anniversary. The original logo will make an appearance, as well as photos taken on opening day when course designer Arnold Palmer was on hand to tee off.

The clubhouse will feature memorabilia from the early days, and Kirstmanson says staff is planning to have an ’80s retro week in August.

As well, the Whistler Golf Club will once again host a fundraiser for the Canadian Olympic Association to raise money for international level athletes and coaches.

The driving range and practice facility is already open for the season, and spring clinics start next week, on May 6. Summer sessions will get underway in June.

The Whistler Golf Club’s ladies’ nights will also return on May 28, with special clinic rates for beginner and intermediate women, and a round of the shorter gold tees a few times a month.

Website: www.whistlergolf.com

 

Nicklaus North Golf Course

The Nicklaus North Golf Course is preparing to open next Thursday, May 8 with a new-look clubhouse and specials for local members.

There are a few changes this year, notably the addition of a level crossing to access the practice area on the other side of the train tracks.

“There’s no more shuttle service this year,” said Kerrilee Auger, sales and marketing manager for Nicklaus North. “That was a big change for us this year, adding gates and a flat crossing of the tracks to access the driving range and practice facility from the first tee.”

Nicklaus North has also invested in refurbishing the clubhouse with new furniture and carpeting. The project was underway this week and should be mostly complete by opening day.

“It’s going to look a little different, and we think people are going to like hanging out there after a round of golf,” said Auger.

In recent years, Nicklaus North has made an effort to attract more local members, and Auger says that they are offering the same pass prices as last year. As well, Nicklaus North is once again offering its own passport in addition to the Golf Whistler passport, allowing golfers to play four rounds of the course for $299. If a golfer wants to upgrade to a full season pass, the cost of the passport can be put towards the total.

“Our pass program is something we’re really excited about, with unlimited golf for the early season and a chance to buy a full pass for our regular rates,” said Auger.

One popular program being brought back after a few years’ hiatus is Men’s Night on Thursday nights through the spring, with deals that include golf, food and prizes from a casual tournament. A leaderboard will be posted, and results will be posted online.

As well, after 1:30 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, Nicklaus North is offering a Gourmet Golf package where green fees include a $25 dining card for The Den restaurant at the clubhouse. Until May 29, the rate is $89.

Website: www.golfbc.com/courses/nicklaus_north

 

Chateau Fairmont Whistler Golf Course

According to Gregg Lown, the director of golf for the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course, crews started clearing snow off the course as far back as February, but made the decision last week to postpone their opening by one week, until May 9.

“All of the courses have succumbed to the weather,” he said. “Our green and tee boxes have been cleared since mid February, but some areas are still not uncovered yet. With the rain and sun we expect things to be greened up a bit more, and no question the extra week will help.”

There’s nothing new on course this year, and Lown says the emphasis is on making sure the conditions are as good as they can be.

“We’ve got a good turf team, and pretty experienced staff that are polishing everything up to make sure it’s good for the season,” he said.

The course is also continuing to work to entice more locals to play golf, and to be a part of the community. One way they’re enticing residents is to bring back Men’s Night for the third consecutive year — $69 for 18 holes of golf and dinner on Wednesday nights through the season.

The Fairmont will also try to replicate the success of their Men’s Night program by hosting a weekly Ladies Night on Thursdays.

“It’s geared to locals and open to anyone who wants to work on their game or just get out for a fun night of golf,” said Lown.

The Fairmont’s practice facilities are also scheduled to open on May 9, although the David Leadbetter Golf Academy program will get underway on May 8 by popular demand. According to Lown, the academy has taken off in the last few years, and will have two full time instructors this year, as well as someone to take reservations.

“Everything is looking good,” said Lown. “An extra week will help to get some areas uncovered, and we should be rolling on May 9 with good early season conditions.”

Lown expects a busy season, but also recently signed a deal that should be interesting to say the least — in February, the course will host the Snow Golf World Championships. “That should be very interesting,” he said. “It should be an exciting summer, but I know we’re already looking forward to that.”

Website: www.fairmont.com/whistler/Recreation/Golf/