Despite soggy spring Kitchener Golf eyeing April 24 opening

Flood warnings and water condition statements have dominated the spring season around Waterloo Region this year.

As the rain continues to fall, it’s finding fewer places to go. It’s created some less-than-ideal conditions on Kitchener’s municipal golf courses as they prepare to open for the summer.

The City’s Manager of Sport Development and Golf, Lisa Collins, said the wet ground has pushed back the start of the season, and they’re not entirely sure when they’ll open.

“At this point, we’re keeping it kind of broad. What we’re going ahead with is, given the ongoing wet conditions, we’ve made the decision to delay our opening slightly. Protecting turf health early in the season is critical.”

Collins said crews have been doing all they can to make sure the courses are ready when conditions allow them to open.

“I do want to give a huge shout-out to our grounds and turf maintenance teams. They’ve been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to get the course in the best possible shape despite challenging conditions.”

And it looks like all that hard work has paid off. Just a day after saying they weren’t sure when the courses would open, the City of Kitchener released a statement saying it plans to open both Rockway and Doon Valley courses, weather permitting of course.

Collins said players should expect a few temporary restrictions.

“Early season restrictions would likely be related to cart usage. If conditions pose a risk to turf health, carts may be restricted temporarily. We recognize that’s not ideal and we’re working to avoid that.”

Collins said if Mother Nature cooperates, Doon Valley and Rockway golf courses could open as early as mid to late next week.

More to come this summer

It’s shaping up to be a big year for Kitchener Golf with some major events this season.

The Ontario Golf U13 and U15 division qualifiers will take place at Doon Valley on July 14th.

Doon Valley will host the golf competition as part of the Ontario Summer Games, July 30 to August 2.

Kitchener Golf offers several learn-to-golf programs, including its Golf Fore Life program, which allows golfers with dementia to spend time with a trained caddy on the course.

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