麻豆社区

Canucks and Canadiens fans are already thinking it, and Leafs fans may be next.

It's time to hit the links.

Whitehorse residents who have made it through the long winter season will be able to dust off their clubs and take to the golf course as early as today, as Mountain View Golf Course has officially opened for the season.

The front nine holes are now open for golf on temporary greens, with the back nine set to go on temporary greens next week.

Regular greens will open soon after, golf pro Jeff Wiggins told the Star.

"We're looking at the third week in May for our regular greens,鈥� he said. "We are a week later than we normally open, but it only meant a week less of temporary greens.鈥�

The 18-hole, par-72 course wintered well and is in excellent shape, meaning the regular greens will open on schedule, said Wiggins, who praised course superintendent Derek Wirth for his fine work.

The driving range opened for the season last Sunday, and many have taken advantage of the opportunity to test out their clubs. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. daily.

"It's been really steady,鈥� said Wiggins of the action on the range.

Men's league play will begin Thursday, May 16, with the ladies following the following Tuesday.

The men's league filled up quickly this year, with 32 teams registered. The ladies league will feature between 80 and 100 golfers, a number Wiggins described as typical.

While league numbers remain steady, Mountain View has seen an influx of new members this season.

"We're just getting a lot of new people that are coming to the territory,鈥� Wiggins said.

"These people that are coming from down south, they're golfers. And they're just shocked at our rates and access to the course and availability. It's really good to see.鈥�

The pro shop has a host of new products on display, including 2013 edition equipment from Ping, TaylorMade, Callaway and more.

"We've brought in a few more lines and that's got everybody excited,鈥� said Wiggins.

"The shop's probably looking the best it ever has and there's a lot of people getting gear. There's no cheaper place in western Canada to buy equipment than up here, which is shocking to a lot of people. I've got some really good agreements with companies, so people are getting access to equipment at cheaper prices.鈥�

The course is located on the lower Porter Creek bench, behind the Whistle Bend subdivision.

The Yukon's only full-service golfing facility also features a putting green, and a short game practice facility.

Meanwhile, Meadow Lakes, the city's nine-hole golf course, opens Saturday on regular greens.

Manager Johnny Enns said the course appears in great shape.

"The fairways have dried out pretty good the last week,鈥� Enns said. "There's some snow piles still hanging around in the shaded areas, but it's great conditions.鈥�

The nine-hole, par-36 course, located 15 kilometres south of the city, has never opened later than May 10 鈥� until this year.

Twenty teams have registered for men's nights on Monday and Tuesday, while six teams have signed up for ladies night Thursday.

"I still have room for a couple more teams,鈥� Enns said. "It would be nice to increase that slightly.鈥�

Special rates are available Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at a pay for nine, play 18 rate. Junior players (16 and under) are also able to golf for free at any time with one paying adult.

With the midnight sun approaching, golfers can book a tee time as late as 9 p.m.

Season passes and punch cards are also available in the pro shop.