Golf Courses Are Living An Olympic Dream

As I began this blog, I looked out the window and saw not a cloud in the sky. I can see the Vancouver Mountains and, contrary to popular belief, they do have snow on them, not a lot, but there is some.

 It was like an April day and it was expected to stay that way at least into this week which, as I pointed out in my last contribution, opened up some possibilities for golf courses on the Lower Mainland with all of the people in town for the Winter Olympics.

 As I’ve said in previous blogs, it’s been warm and dry, but there have been guys out on our golf course in short sleeves in the middle of February. There was even one guy out there in shorts, but I think he just wasn’t right.

 We were pushing 90 people today. I got here in the morning and there were just over 35 on the sheet. On Saturday, we were booked from 8 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m.

 We had 122 on the sheet that day. That’s basically a sell-out for us because 1:30 is pretty much the last time you can go and get in all 18 holes. I know other golf courses are benefiting as well from the splendid weather, which hasn’t been so great for the Olympics.

 It’s tough to hear the criticisms of the Vancouver Olympics and your city, but if you listen to people who have been there before, they’ll say every Olympics has some gaffes and what’s important is how you deal with them.

 While everyone here hopes the Olympics finish on a high note, golf courses are dealing with exceptional weather. I saw the comment Michael Mather of the University Golf Club left in response to last week’s blog.

 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!!!!

What he said doesn’t surprise me. They’re in such a great location in Vancouver and they do a great job of letting people know they’re there.

 They’ve got such a great staff over there and they’re really dialed in. I don’t know if people across the country know about the University Golf Club, but I think Michael runs one of the best ships around.

 It didn’t surprise me at all to hear about what the food and beverage operation has going on over there. Ivan Bilenki, the food and beverage manager, is very good at what he does. Their restaurant, the Westward Ho Grill is top notch and it doesn’t surprise me that they’re really getting involved in the Olympics.

 Others courses are getting involved too. A lot of them on Facebook and Twitter are running Olympic specials. They’re taking advantage of weather, tourism and an overall good situation for golf and so we all should.

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