Calgary friends Jim Newton and Graham Buint chatted about their upcoming curling game while they waited to tee off – yes, tee off – at The Links at GlenEagles on Tuesday.
“It’s rare you get to curl and golf at the same time,” said Buint with a laugh, as he leaned on his golf club.
Newton and Buint were two of a long line of giddy golfers who took advantage of the summer-like weather this week to squeeze in one last round before winter at one of the area’s only golf courses still open this late in the season.
“It’s been packed every day,” said GlenEagles’ general manager Slade King. “Golfers are still coming in T-shirts and shorts.”
The Links at GlenEagles has been open since March 9 – a full three weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to unseasonably warm conditions in the spring.
Temperatures into the late teens and 20s through the first week of November have allowed the public golf course to stay open this fall until Sunday, Nov. 13 – making the 2016 golf season a record-breaking eight months long.
“This year is incredible. It’s the earliest opening ever and the latest close ever, by far,” King said. “Lots of people are just taking advantage of the last chance.”
King said golfers from as far away as Edmonton have been booking tee times over the last few days. The short daylight hours and chilly morning temperatures keep people off the links until at least 10:30 a.m., and with the sun down by 5 p.m. it’s usually a tight and bright 18 holes.
“It’s a short day, but a packed day,” King said, adding the course’s 120 spots are usually full. “We’ve been maxing out.”
Retired portfolio manager Gordon Cook was excited for his last chance to golf in Canada, and made the drive from Calgary to take in the links.
“Had to do shorts today. As long as I can get tee times, I’ll come out,” said Cook, stretching before he made his way to the first hole.
“They said last week was the last day,” said Turner Valley resident Al Falkowsky, also decked out in shorts, while waiting with his wife Jane for their tee time. “This is the last day … again.”
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