麻豆社国产residents are encouraged to swing away for free this weekend at the re-opened Garibaldi Springs Golf Course.
From Friday through Sunday (March 29 to 31), locals are welcome to hit the links on the re-designed and environmentally friendly course.
Developer Doug Day said it's been a long time coming but that he's excited to re-open the course. The original course shut down in May 2010 and he said it's been a process to get to the new concept.
"I've been busy developing and trying to give away most of the land to the city for a park," Day said. "But when that didn't pan out, I did nothing for a year and it gave me time to figure out what I wanted to do."
What Day decided to do was put together a plan to launch B.C.'s first-ever "organic" golf course. The greens won't be maintained, there will be no fertilizers or pesticides used and no watering of the course.
"We're going to let God water the course," he joked. "The greens will be a bit rough but it's a bit like Scottish golf - and now we won't need an army to keep it going."
Day said his course will give 麻豆社国产residents an affordable entry into the sport of golf.
"I think this will turn out to be good amenity for 麻豆社国产and I think, generally speaking, that the average resident doesn't regularly have five hours and $80 to play golf," he said, noting the regular greens fee will be $15. "Golf can be very expensive but this is only $15 and will only take an hour and a half. It costs $15 to go to a movie and we don't even have that out here anymore. And there's no dress code and all of that other B.S. that golf courses throw at people."
He said there are no reservations required and all ages are welcome. He noted that many other courses have a 12-year minimum age requirement but Garibaldi Springs will have no such rule.
Jared Sissons, the general manager of the Executive Suites, said it will be a nice option for local families.
"It should be a great place for families to go out and learn golf," he said. "I think some players won't be intimidated like you can be at other courses."
Those wanting to try out the course can do so for free all day from Friday to Sunday and there are clubs to rent for those new to the game. Starting on Tuesday (April 2), the course will be available to play for a cost of $15.
