‘It’s going to be a long winter’: Edmonton’s golf courses closing for the season

Some golfers hit the green for one last tee time on Thanksgiving before most Edmonton golf courses close down before the winter season.

Golf is winding down for the season with colder weather, and Monday was the last official day to get out to the green for most courses in the city.

City-operated golf courses - Riverside, Rundle Park and Victoria - all officially closed as of Tuesday, although places like Victoria Golf Course will keep their driving ranges open as long as weather permits.

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“We had a great stretch of weather there, where we had no rain, and it’s kind of nice to finish off like this,” said Victoria’s head golf professional Kevin Hogan.

“A little turkey in your stomach, the day turned out to be gorgeous, the sun shining … it’s actually quite beautiful down here today.”

Still, he said he’s seen “a lot” of sad faces as October’s cold weather ushers in the hard truth.

“You miss all the faces, you have to start all over again next year with remembering names and meeting new people,” he said. “It’s going to be a long winter.”

Thanksgiving Monday drew a crowd of golfers out to the business despite frost in the morning. James Ho said he hoped his swing would stave off the cold.

“I’m trying to squeeze in the last of the nice weather and spend some time with friends,” he said on Monday.

“It’s nice to be able to golf as long as possible, especially outdoors.”

Garrett Hadfield, the director of golf at Rundle Park Golf Course, reflected on a record-setting year.

“As far as rounds we saw … I know we’re getting really close to 40,000 rounds this year,” he said. “Every year there’s been a slight amount of growth.”

He added that seeing people come out to the course in single-digit temperatures shows some passion for the game.

“I mean, Edmonton is a hockey city, but I think right behind hockey, we’re a golf city. I think people playing on Oct. 13 is a testament to that.”

“It’s the best game in the world,” Brookes Skinner, who was teeing off one last time, said. “Teaches you everything you need to know and how to live a decent life.”

Maintenance crews will soon give the grass one last cut, spray out the lines and shut down the course.

“It’s not as extensive of a shutdown as Riverside or Victoria, but our small staff still do have a few things to do to put it to bed, if you will,” Hadfield said.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Gates Guarin