It's official -- golf season has arrived.
Pine Valley Golf Centre was open for business on Friday. While rain and cool conditions made for quiet fairways and greens, general manager Keith Good is looking forward to a busy weekend at the 18-hole, par 3 facility.
"The phone has been ringing, so that's good," he said Friday afternoon. "We're the only one open, that I know of."
Good said the course wintered very well. To start the season, there are only two temporary greens, No. 2 and No. 11.
"The rest are really good," he said. "We got some greens covers last fall and they made a huge difference to the grass this spring."
In the past few years, an aggressive tree-planting program -- initiated to repair the devastation caused by the mountain pine beetle epidemic -- has been underway at Pine Valley. Good estimated that 5,000 seedlings went into the ground two years ago and said another 800 were planted last year. This season, he said close to 2,000 trees will be added. Included in that number will be trees planted to commemorate the 2015 Canada Winter Games, which will be held in the city.
Pine Valley is located at 2450 Range Rd., directly across from Costco.
For tee times, call the pro shop at 250-562-4811.
Good also oversees the operation of Yellowhead Grove Golf Course, which features a mix of par 3 and par 4 holes and has one par 5. He said Yellowhead could open as early as next weekend if the weather cooperates.
Yellowhead Grove can be found at 5961 Leland Rd.
The driving range at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club (2515 Recreation Dr.) opened earlier this week. The course itself could be ready for tee shots as early as next week.
Aspen Grove, located south of the city off Highway 97, still has not announced an opening date. Once again at Aspen this year, golfers will be able to take advantage of 18-hole rates that allow them to play all day. The deal won't be in effect on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which are set aside for Ladies' Day and Men's Day respectively.
Other local courses are Aberdeen Glen, Ness Wood, Alder Hills and The Links of Maggie May.
