Elaine and Victor Liebaert of Rustic Nine Golf Course opened their doors for the season over the weekend. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Hittin’ the Links

Golf season hits full swing in community

May 3, 2021 | 5:41 PM

Tis’ the season to hit the links in the Battlefords and area.

North Battleford’s Rustic Nine and Cochin’s Jackfish Lodge Golf Course both opened for the season over the weekend, joining the North Battleford Golf and Country Club as destinations to bring in the summer months with a good walk spoiled.

Rustic Nine Golf Course Par 3

Owner/Operators of Rustic Nine Par 3, Elaine and Victor Liebaert said they were thrilled with the strong opening weekend turnout again this year, with residents reaching out days in advance to book tee-times and inquire about golf hours.

“We’ve had calls for quite some time already, with bookings starting probably about a week before,” Elaine said. “It just seems like it’s been a long winter—and of course with the whole COVID situation—people seem to just need to get out and do something, and we’re happy to have them.”

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She said with the mostly beautiful weather over the weekend, and in particular, throughout opening day Saturday, the calls for same-day bookings quickly filled in as well.

“It was a great weekend; the weather really cooperated and I think everybody was just ready to be outdoors, so it was probably our busiest opening day we’ve ever had,” Elaine said. “Once people know the weather’s nice, they want to come out, and the day really filled up that way.”

Jackfish Lodge Golf Course

Manager at Jackfish Lodge Golf Course, Kyle Kellgren said they too were very busy to open the season, with bookings starting days in advance for a prime-time tee-off, opening day Saturday.

“We started taking bookings on Tuesday, and by Thursday we were full up for (tee-times) Saturday,” Kellgren said. “We were also about 80 percent filled Sunday, so everybody’s wanting to get out and get some fresh air and enjoy themselves, and for our first weekend, we’re very happy about it.”

Kellgren said they’ve quickly seen the seasonal campground capacity fill up as well, coinciding with the opening of the golf course, as many from around the area have come out to enjoy the spring pastime.

“Fortunately we’re still at a point where golf is one of those things that people can do, and the people that took it up last year and enjoyed it are coming back this year,” he said. “The golf course is absolutely beautiful, the ice is off the lake and the sun is out, so now is the time to come and enjoy it.”

North Battleford Golf and Country Club

North Battleford Golf and Country Club opened their doors midway through last month, though as director of golf Dana Johnson can attest, they have remained busy since, with a strong turnout again this past weekend for their spring scramble.

“When the weather’s great and the sun shines, people have been coming out,” Johnson said. “It has been a bit of a cooler spring [at times], but it’s been great so far and we’re busy this week again as the forecast looks great.”

Although it’s still fairly early in the season, Johnson said if the first couple of weeks are any indication, much like last year, the demand for tee-times is likely to only continue throughout the spring and summer months.

“I think it’s going to be another busy year again, for sure,” Johnson said. “I think the biggest thing is that people still have to remember we have to follow the COVID-19 rules at all times, and from there we’ll just keep doing the best we can to keep everyone safe and get everyone on the golf course.”

To book a tee-time or learn more about hours of operation/course guidelines, visit the North Battleford Golf and Country Club website; the Jackfish Lodge website; or Rustic Nine Par 3 Facebook page.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1