Kirby McRae took the first swing of the season at the Osoyoos Golf Club on Friday morning. (Vanessa Broadbent / Osoyoos Times)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
Spring has officially sprung and so has golf season in Osoyoos.
All courses in town are now open, a few weeks later than usual due to an extended cold snap and snow still falling in March.
Kirby McRae, a new Osoyoos resident from Calgary, and Al Raczynski, a snowbird from Sherwood Park, Alberta, were the first to hit the green when the Osoyoos Golf Club opened on Friday.
Normally, Raczynski said he’s already out on the course at the beginning of the month.
Colin Snair, head golf professional at the golf course, said the opening was delayed about three weeks.
“It’s a little later than I expected, but everything I’ve heard about the golf course is that the conditions are good.”
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Both Sonora Dunes Golf Course and Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course opened for the season this week as well.
Sonora Dunes assistant manager Bernie Richardson said the first two days – Wednesday and Thursday – saw a record turnout with about 100 golfers each day.
Last year, the course opened on March 8.
But now, with the snow mostly gone, the course is in beautiful shape, she said, and grounds keepers have been busy maintaining the green.
“Everybody is so pleased with how perfect it is.”
Now Richardson is hoping for a season clear of wildfire smoke and flooding.
“If we don’t have any problems with fire, it’s going to be a great season.”
Snair also has his fingers crossed for mild weather this summer.
“Hopefully the weather cooperates and we don’t have the forest fires this year, he said. “It’s just good to see some people happy and smiling and ready for another golf season.”
