Elk Valley residents to enjoy a day of free golf with community day back by popular demand

Elk Valley residents will enjoy a day of free golf this season as Fernie Golf Club looks to give back to the community.

The club first held a community day during its 100th anniversary celebrations last year and the event is back by popular demand.

“It went over very well and so we want to make it an annual event,” said Fernie Golf Club General Manager and PGA of Canada Head Professional, Max Sherwood.

This year, Community Day will take place on Sunday, June 9 from 1 p.m. and feature children’s games on the practice putting and driving ranges.

The driving range opened on April 13 with several golfers braving the wet and cold conditions to have a hit.

The range is open seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m. and costs $6 for a small basket (30 balls), and $10 for a large basket (70 balls).

The golf course is currently scheduled to open mid-May.

Sherwood said while this is not a firm date, he expects to open sometime during the second week of May, weather and conditions permitting.

“That’s normal for us,” he said. “The last two years, it’s been around May 10, 11, so we expect it to be the same but it’s hard to predict.”

The greens have been tarped to speed up warming and help promote growth, with other course cleanup projects on the go in preparation for opening day.

“We’re just trying to recover from winter,” said Sherwood. “There was a lot of very dense, compact snow that makes it a little bit more challenging for the grass to grow, like everybody’s front lawn probably has challenges to it right now.

“We’re just waiting for some warmer weather for things to start to grow and to dry out.”

The golf club has added a new membership category: after 3 p.m. seven days a week.

New members can also save up to $275 on the regular membership rate. See Golffernie.com for more information.

“We’re really excited,” said Sherwood.

“We’ve had two great seasons back to back and we’re certainly anticipating another one.”