Manitoba Golf Guide

06 GOLF GUIDE 2023 M A N I T O B A By Todd Lewys P rior to 2020, the state of the golf industry in Canada – and Manitoba by extension – was perceived to be on shaky ground. The common refrain (or so it seemed) was that the game was just too expensive and time consuming. Consequently, many people either fell away from the game or chose not to take up the gentleman's sport. That all changed when the pandemic hit. After spending the winter of 2020 sheltering in place and working from home in abeyance of government health orders, people were looking to get outside and do something, anything. Golf was a natural option. It was an outdoor sport played in a beautiful setting where social distancing happened naturally. Realizing that, many that had given up the game came back to it. And others, noting that it was a way to socialize without putting their health at risk, decided to give it a try. The result was that 2020 and 2021 saw participation surge. Golf courses were full. It became difficult to get a tee time. People had rediscovered all that golf had to offer. Then came 2022. With the pandemic largely over and dealt with, how would golf fare? "Very well", says Kevin O'Donovan, Regional Director, Prairie Chapter of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). "Leading into 2020, there had been some promising results that indicated the game was on the rise," he says. "Then came the pandemic. It was the perfect storm. The game enjoyed a strong resurgence." The burning question was, how would the game fare in Manitoba in 2022, when things had largely returned to "normal"? Despite a late start to the season that was caused by poor weather, the sport continued to thrive, says O'Donovan. "Early on, it was a struggle at times. The season really didn't get underway until May 14 due to a seemingly unending series of Colorado lows and Alberta Clippers. In total, courses in Manitoba lost 15-25 days." Undeterred, golfers across the province came out in droves once the weather improved. "Numbers came out to 17.2 per cent above 2019, the last pre-COVID year," he notes. "Gross revenues for golf courses were up for food and beverage and tournaments. It was a strong year despite the late start." The strong participation numbers, it turned out, stemmed from one thing: people had fallen in love with all the game had to offer. "Both golfers who had lapsed and new golfers discovered what hardcore golfers already knew – it was a sport that rolled up fellowship, exercise and a beautiful, outdoor setting into one wonderful package," O'Donovan says. "Once you try it, you realize just what a great experience it is, whether you play nine or 18 holes." In short, people have discovered just how inherently enjoyable golf is. "Now, you see either four guys or four ladies meeting at a course to enjoy a game as well as a bite after to enjoy each other's company and go over what happened on the course," he says. "And families are also getting out for nine holes to enjoy the game and being together. Then these people tell others about the experience. As a result, we're seeing even more people coming back, or starting to play." For their part, golf courses are responding, doing their best to provide an enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers. "They're putting on different events, coming up with different food and beverage options and making the effort to make the game more fun. That being the case, there's great optimism heading into 2023. We're looking for another strong year." 2023 Shaping Up to be Another Strong Year for Local Golf Courses "There's great optimism heading into 2023. We're looking for another strong year." — Kevin O'Donovan Regional Director, Prairie Chapter of the NGCOA Kevin O'Donovan, Regional Director, Prairie Chapter of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). (Submitted photo)

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