Olympic Golf In Vancouver?
February 14, 2010 by Kyle German
Canadians tuned into the opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver on Friday, the start to what we hope will be a memorable couple of weeks despite weather that has felt more like spring than winter.
It was probably the driest and warmest January that I remember. At Point Roberts, we’ve had few closures due to snow, which is obviously an issue for the Olympics, but it has led to more people than usual coming out to play golf.
With so many people coming in to Vancouver for the Olympics, it is a possibility that, even if they didn’t bring their clubs, they might be tempted to play a round between events that they’re attending. That’s a question that’s been batted around out here.
December and January were great for weather, especially in comparison to last year when we were closed for 35 days ourselves. In the back of the minds of golf course operators on the Lower Mainland, they may not be counting on a spike in rounds played, but I think they’re aware of it and hoping.
I would be surprised if the University Golf Club – which is a great, old-style golf course in the heart of Vancouver, you couldn’t ask for a better location – didn’t get a spike in players during the Olympics. If I had to pick a golf course I thought would benefit from the Olympics, it would be the University Golf Club.
I think from a budget standpoint, golf courses don’t want to write the possibility of a spike during the Olympics in, but if it happens, everybody would be pretty happy about such a start to the golf season.
Kyle German is the 2008 winner of the Canadian PGA Club Professionals Championship and is a teaching professional at Northview Golf and Country Club in Surrey, BC. He is also a longtime member of the PGA of British Columbia and the CPGA.
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Thanks for the plug Kyle…actually, we have seen a number of “Oly” visitors this past week. Since we are very close to where some of the women’s hockey is being played the delegates & spectators have taken advantage of our fabulous F&B offerings for breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks (of course). Our F&B team have done a great job with special offerings…like our weekly $20.10 menu which features offerings based on three different countries (you pick the entree and add either an appy or dessert..or go for all three courses for $25.00)…people are loving it. As far as golfers…we did a little over 1400 rounds in January – so yes, much better than last winter to say the least! Everyone has totally bought into the Team Canada spirit…everywhere you go in Vancouver it is red & white…people singing, chanting & celebrating…what a great experience to be a part of.
GO CANADA GO!!!!