Page 16 - GBC Magazine Winter ENG 2023

Fortunately, Albertan golfers continued to play and golf operators persevered. NGCOA Canada’s research reports indicate that Alberta rounds played, as of end of August, are up 10.7% from last year and 16.3% over the past 5 years!
British Columbia’s hope for a summer of reprieve from the wildfires of past years was dashed quickly by mid summer. The wildfire season of 2023, which began April 1 and continues until March 31, 2024, has been by far the worst in the province’s history. By July 17, the fire season had become the most destructive on record. Wildfires in British Columbia in 2023 have now destroyed more than 2 million hectares of land across the province. As of the beginning of September, the province has already recorded 2,072 wildfires, destroying
Sutton Creek Golf Club, in Southwestern ON, received a double dose from Mother Nature this summer; following a destructive hailstorm in July, (right) the course was then completed flooded only a couple weeks later (above).
2,189,160 hectares. Roughly three- quarters of the fire damage — around 1.7 million hectares — has been in the Prince George Fire Centre’s area, in northeastern British Columbia. However, other regions of the province have also sustained significant fire damage.
The summer of fires in Western Canada brought unforeseen challenges to our golf course operators. Many staff and golfers faced evacuations, with some losing their homes in the fires. This not only strained the workforce but also created a climate of uncertainty and fear among employees and their families. Furthermore, the government’s travel ban dealt a significant blow to tourism. As a result, BC golf courses experienced a negative impact to bookings.
“The wildfires had a profound impact on our golf course operations, affecting our staff, golfers, and the overall tourism industry,” commented James
Presnail, GM Shadow Ridge Golf Course Kelowna, BC. “While we are grateful that our courses remained unscathed, the challenges of air quality, evacuations, and the travel ban tested our resilience as operators in these trying times.”
ONTARIO’S SUMMER OF STORMS: TORNADO, LIGHTNING & HAIL Ontario, a province known for its diverse landscapes and ever- changing weather, experienced an incredible 2023 summer that witnessed the awe-inspiring forces of nature in the form of hailstorms, thunderstorms, lightning, and even tornadoes.
Take for instance, Thursday July 20th, which was just like any other day in the summer at Sutton Creek Golf Club in Windsor-Essex County in Southwestern Ontario. At 4:00pm with the tournament guests coming in for dinner in the clubhouse and league players checking in for their evening
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Golf Business Canada