Calgary golf courses see record numbers, city official says

CBC
·2 min read
The McCall Lake golf course is one of seven operated by the City of Calgary. (CBC - image credit)
The McCall Lake golf course is one of seven operated by the City of Calgary. (CBC - image credit)

The City of Calgary saw a record number of visitors to its golf courses in the 2021 season, according to a city official.

John Faber, Calgary's acting golf lead, estimates by the end of the season, the city will have seen almost 260,000 people come to its golf courses this year. And that number doesn't include driving ranges.

"People have refound their passion for the game of golf," Faber said.

The city operates seven golf courses across five properties, which includes three driving ranges, according to Faber.

Municipal golf courses took a staggered approach to opening this year due to COVID-19, with the first courses opening in early April. Most courses are now closed for the season, but the 18 holes at Maple Ridge and nine-hole combination at Shaganappi Point golf course will be open until the evening of Oct. 24.

"It's been a little bit of a challenge, but I can say COVID has probably been a bit of a blessing for the golf course industry," he said.

According to Faber, there was a downturn in the season in May when COVID-19 guidelines restricted gathering limits. But besides that month, "the golf season has been outstanding."

Weather was also on the side of golfers this season with little rainfall and minimal frost delays this fall, Faber said.

Changing demographics

Faber said the city saw great numbers last year as well, even though it opened golf courses later than usual in mid-May. This year, Faber said the city has seen about 40 to 45,000 more visitors to its golf courses than the three-year average prior to 2020.

The busiest months of the 2021 season were July and August, according to Faber. Interestingly, he said this summer's heat waves and wildfire smoke advisories did not cause a decrease in golf course visitors. There were, however, changing demographics at the city's golf courses.

Faber said city staff observed more young golfers than usual visiting courses this year, including people in their 20s and "lots and lots of kids" using the McCall Lake and Lakeview golf courses.

Ultimately, Faber thinks the reason golfing has become more popular during the pandemic is because "there was not a lot of options available for activity."

"Golf was something that right from the outset of COVID ... identified as something people could do that was affordable and safe and allowed people to be outdoors and socialize and recreate."

Final numbers have yet to come in, but Faber said the city's projecting "a good financial year" for its golf courses.

"We're now starting to look forward to 2022 and what can we do to keep this momentum going."

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • 'Lumps and crepey skin are gone': Grab this anti-aging body lotion for just $11

    The Gold Bond favorite has earned over 20,000 flawless reviews on Amazon.

  • “Bluey ”Episode About Moving Inspires Heartwarming Zillow Ad from Ryan Reynolds’ Production Company: WATCH

    The commercial is a play on "The Sign," the animated children’s show’s emotional season finale that premiered on April 14

  • Warren Buffett's real estate brokerage reaches $250 mln antitrust settlement

    A real estate brokerage owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway said on Friday it reached a $250 million settlement of nationwide antitrust litigation that is expected to change how real estate agents are paid. HomeServices of America, the largest U.S. real estate brokerage, was the last remaining defendant in a case against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and four brokerages.

  • Chicago appeals court rejects R. Kelly 's challenge of 20-year sentence

    CHICAGO (AP) — The singer R. Kelly was correctly sentenced to 20 years in prison on child sex convictions in Chicago, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. Jurors in 2022 convicted the Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, on three charges of producing child porn and three charges of enticement of minors for sex. In his appeal, Kelly argued that Illinois' former and shorter statute of limitations on child sex prosecutions should have applied to his Chicago case rather tha

  • Foreign automakers eager for Chinese partners at Beijing auto show

    Global automakers including Volkswagen and Toyota came to this year's Beijing auto show looking to catch up to surging China EV makers that are dominating the world's largest auto market. The show that started this week showcased a marked shift in attitude among some foreign automakers, industry executives said. After being impressed by the bold leaps made by BYD and other Chinese automakers at last year's event in Shanghai, foreign automakers are now avidly searching for Chinese partners and announcing new tie-ups, the executives said.

  • California college cancels graduation ceremony as protests over Israel's war in Gaza continue

    Protests against the Gaza war grip dozens of campuses across America, with hundreds of arrests.

  • Cap on plastic production may be too complicated for global treaty: Guilbeault

    OTTAWA — Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the world can solve its plastic problem without insisting on hard caps on plastic production. Guilbeault says talks on a treaty to end plastic waste are progressing well and he is confident a deal will be reached this fall when the final negotiations are held in South Korea. But he says a specific, legislated cap on how much plastic the world produces is likely too complicated to design and enforce. He says if negotiators agree to ban some sin

  • 2 Idahoans were hospitalized after a deadly Canyon County crash. 1 of them has died

    The Coroner’s Office said the woman died from “multiple blunt-force injuries.”

  • John Oates' new album is called 'Reunion.' But don't think Hall & Oates are getting back together

    NEW YORK (AP) — For many music fans, John Oates is most recognizable as one-half of the Grammy-nominated Hall & Oates, the multiplatinum soul-pop duo behind hits like “Rich Girl” and “Maneater" now riven by litigation. But he's also had a full career as a soloist. His sixth solo album, “Reunion,” is out May 17. Just don't consider the title a thinly veiled attempt at getting the band back together — what he recognizes as “a true irony.” In November, Hall sued Oates, arguing that his plan to sell

  • Top tips for finding best credit cards for home improvement

    With spring cleaning season comes the energy to start some DIY home improvement projects. But with sticky inflation and high costs for supplies, it's important to budget and spend for those projects accordingly. Yahoo Finance Senior Writer Kendall Little joins Wealth! to break down the top tips on finding the best credit cards to use for home improvement projects. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Wealth! This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Britain must brace itself for a wave of nationalisation

    Ticket prices will be easier to understand. The train internet connection will be far better. And you might occasionally even be able to get the seat you have paid for. The Labour Party is making lots of big promises for Great British Railways, the almost-but-not-quite vehicle for effectively renationalising the train network.

  • Rural township intrigued by affordable housing

    Although not much happened beyond an invitation for a return visit, developer Eric Silverberg struck a note that resonated with Melancthon councillors last week. He attended the Apr. 18 meeting to speak about building mixed housing at a lower price point. NORTH OF SHELBURNE The developer, Roxborough, was invited to attend after approaching council by letter for a motion of support for the company’s proposals. One property is about 130 acres that’s immediately north of Shelburne on the west side

  • Essex Council directs admin to review standard verses water-tight manhole covers

    Council for the Town of Essex supported Councillor Jason Matyi’s motion, which directed Town Administration to prepare a comprehensive report that compares water-tight manhole covers to standard manhole covers. Originally, he brought this forward as a Notice of Motion at the February 20 Regular Council Meeting, but it was deferred a few times before being discussed at the local municipal decision-making table at the April 15 meeting. Council’s approval will include having Administration conduct

  • How maps are used and abused in times of conflict

    Maps can shape how we see conflict.

  • Five books by Maryse Condé to introduce you to the award-winning Guadeloupian writer

    Her stories and essays unpicked the complexities and after-effects of colonialism in searing and incisive ways.

  • Artificial sweetener could harm your gut and the microbes that live there – new study

    The new generation of artificial sweeteners was meant to be less harmful than the previous generation. A new study suggests they might be just as harmful.

  • 'I would look pregnant': When is bloating the sign of something more serious? An expert weighs in

    “I told myself I’m sure everyone bloats like this and I guess I’ll just live with it,” Jessica Hickmott said.

  • Why does it feel so cold in the UK right now – and when will it warm up?

    The current cold springtime weather explained by a meteorologist.

  • A new dash for copper is underway - how will it play out? Expert Q&A

    Australian mining giant BHP has kicked off a new round of mergers by bidding for Anglo American.

  • Rent or buy? The best call amid high mortgage rates

    Mortgage rates are lingering above the 7% mark for the second consecutive week, sparking reluctance amid prospective homebuyers to venture into the housing market. Against a backdrop of elevated borrowing costs, Yahoo Finance's Dani Romero joins Wealth! to dissect the financial implications of renting versus buying under the prevailing high-rate environment. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Wealth! This post was written by Angel Smith