Late start to golf season

A steady stream of golfers were at Penticton Golf and Country Club Tuesday, but the same can't be said for most courses in the Okanagan. 

PGCC, which opened on Friday, was one of only two courses open in the Valley as of Tuesday.

This year's start to the golf season at PGCC comes after a March 2 opening last year. Typically, the course is open in mid February.

"I've been here 30 years and I can't remember one this late," general manager Guy Dow said. 

"Fortunately enough in the South Okanagan, we didn't get the snowfall like they did from even Summerland and north."

Dow said golfers have come to play a round in Penticton from as far north as Vernon, Armstrong and Salmon Arm — places that he said are still several weeks away from golf season.

"I don't think we had any tee times available Saturday and Sunday. And as you can see out here today, it's full again."

Golfers seemed pleased with the course conditions, and were understandably eager to be playing.

"It's been a long wait, we're a little later this year than we're used to, but it's finally good to get out," Mark Walker said, whose been a member at PTCC since 2011.

"Course is in great shape, greens are great... I think it's as good as you can expect given it's early March."

The only other 18-hole course open is at the Osoyoos Golf Club, which also opened Friday. The course has one of their two full-length courses open.

Several other courses in the South Okanagan could reportedly give the green light for golf season in the next few days.