The Barrhead Golf Club is not only unique because of the layout of the course, it is also unique because of the staff that keep the greens so green, and the grass so short.
Danny Grant, General Manager and Head Professional at the Barrhead Golf Club, said the course has the hearts of golfers everywhere.
“It’s always a good experience, I have worked at five different facilities throughout my career and I have never had as many favourable comments about a golf course as the one we have here,” Grant said.
The course is off to a good start this season after opening on April 20.
“We had an early start, that’s the best thing about this spring so far, the winter was quite temperamental so it created some challenges for our superintendent come opening day,” Grant said. “We had the early thaw in March, which gave the superintendent the opportunity to clear the greens probably two or three weeks earlier than they normally do.”
Grant said although they had an early start that can put the course at risk.
“The downside to that is you are subject to everything that happens between clearing the greens and opening day,” he said. “Fortunately the window that we had was fairly mild weather and it came through alright, but right now we need heat and moisture, that’s the whole key.”
Opening day is always busy, with golfers eager to get on the course.
“It’s gaining momentum mostly, opening day everybody’s anxious, they’ll come on the day we open and then it tapers off for a little bit and people wait for their weather opportunity to come out,” Grant said, adding because the golf season is so short in Canada, golfers are even more excited about hitting the greens.
“We have a six month golf season, that’s the reality of it, and anyone not fortunate enough to go south is watching golf channels all winter, they’re dreaming of their favourite past-time,” Grant said. “It’s a very addictive sport, so many people take it up casually and then find themselves playing compulsively.”
One of the most common misconceptions of the sport is cost, and time.
“There’s a stigma that it takes too long, it costs too much and all of those kinds of things, and we have tried to make it affordable and accessible for people and to make it worth making the trip,” Grant said. “The reality of it is, golf isn’t as expensive as people seem to think.”
This coming season Grant said if golfers should look out for anything, it’s the sky.
“Flying obstacles, is probably a big thing they should keep an eye out for,” he said with a laugh, adding their golf season is fairly consistent.
“Our golf season is pretty typical, with spring, summer, and fall segments,” Grant said. “July 1 we have our annual couples tournament, which is extremely well attended, the ladies open, the men’s open to follow and next thing you know it’s winter again.”
Grant said if golfers should thank anyone for the look of the course, it should be Alex Luciuk.
“Our superintendent is the rookie to the golf course, he has dealt with different variables every year, and this particular year was extremely challenging, but from opening date to today you wouldn’t recognize the golf course, he’s certainly done everything within his power and then some to bring things up to speed,” Grant said. “We don’t have the luxury of saying, it will be better come August, we have to get it up to speed very quickly.”
When it comes to what they need, Grant said a good solid rain, and a little more sunshine.
“Then everything pops, you’ll come out and the trees are full and the birds are singing and it just adds to the ambiance,” he said. “This golf course has such a good reputation, and certainly if you haven’t tried it, come out and try it, it’s definitely worth the time, and it’s a very comfortable environment and it’s as good as any other golf course in the province, and it always has been.”
Grant said even he still enjoys the course after so many years.
“I’ve been here 11 years and it’s still a treat to play,” Grant said. “It’s just a matter of getting people out here, I can say that most don’t leave disappointed, they can’t wait to come back.”
