Booking a tee time at a Central Okanagan golf course was easier than you might think this summer.
After a rush to the fresh air and wide open spaces of the links during the pandemic years, business has been softer than anticipated.
“So far we’ve seen (in) July and August, a significant decline in the tourism levels that came in here,” said Norman Parent, owner and general manager at Michaelbrook Golf.
He says the drop in tourism traffic is quite noticeable.
Fewer Alberta plates
“You used to be able to walk in the parking lot and find nine or 10 Albertan cars in there and we might see one a day now.”
Parent blames a number of factors including inflation, fears over wildfires and smoke and the B.C. government’s recent crackdown on short-term rentals.
A lot of his family and friends from Alberta chose not to come to Kelowna this year.
“Economy is part of the issue but the lack of affordable accommodations and the lack of RV camping. When there’s no campsites around Kelowna, they go somewhere else,” said Parent.
Limited accommodation options
Over at Okanagan Golf Club near Kelowna International Airport, general manager Dan Matheson also noticed a drop off in visitor traffic in July, especially in comparison to what he’s seen during and shortly after the pandemic.
“One, we’ve had some terrible fire seasons the last couple of years and now we are tagged to have a bit of a 'fire season,' which is something we are hoping to eliminate and turn around. Because this year, locally, we have not had that issue.
“Of course the short-term rental problem has been tabled. The fact that all of a sudden, now there are hotels and long-term rental but nothing in-between for families and groups male or female golfers coming up. Often it was great to share a two, or three or four bedroom home.” said Matheson.
Temperatures pushing 40 C also played a role in fewer golfers showing up for a round in early to mid-July, but conditions are ideal right now and heading into the fall.
More availability for local golfers
“The golf courses are all in fantastic shape,” notes Russ Latimer at Black Mountain Golf Club.
“We’ve just aerated our green on August 19. So we expect just perfect conditions for the remainder of the season. Hopefully no smoke or fires pop up.”
The let up in tourist traffic means more availability for locals.
“At times, over the last few years, it’s been real tough to get a tee time at a golf course, that’s changed now. It’s getting to be more normal, or trend normal,” adds Matheson.
Operators are hoping those who stayed away in the summer will book a golf getaway this fall. Most courses expect to be open well into October or even November, if the snow holds off.
