Some Manitoba golf courses say cool weather has led to a drop-in business in recent weeks
Cool weather, rain and snow are taking a slice out of the fall golf season in Manitoba this year.
David Borowski, head golf professional at Kingswood Golf and Country Club in La Salle, Man., said there have been days in recent weeks when they’ve been forced to close the course due to weather.
“Normally we would, even if it was cooler …usually still stay open for maybe the few people that want to come play,” he said.
But because it’s been so cold, and then combine that with rain and snow, there’s really just no point because no one is coming out to play.”
According to data from Environment Canada, most of the recent daily high temperatures for Winnipeg have been several degrees cooler than normal for this time of year.
At Bridges Golf Course in Starbuck, about 35 kilometres west of Winnipeg, weather is also taking its toll.
“I’ve never seen a worse fall in my entire life in the golf industry,” said Larry Robinson, Bridges’ head professional.
Robinson, who has worked at the course for nine years, said the dip in business in recent weeks will likely lead to about a 10 per cent dent in overall revenue this season.
“In the golf business, you know, you’re going through the whole summer working hard and keeping online with the budget, knowing that you’re on track and going to have actually a really good year, which I think all of us in the golf industry thought we were going to have.”
