Calgary golfers tee off in November thanks to double-digit temperatures

Golfers can enjoy Calgary's unusually warm November weather by hitting the links at two city-owned courses.

The 18-hole Maple Ridge Golf Course and two nine-hole operations at the Shaganappi Point Golf Course are open Thursday through Saturday, weather permitting. 

Tee times are fully booked for the entire three-day stretch, according to the City of Calgary's golf reservation system. 

"We launched the tee sheet on Tuesday for Thursday booking.… That sold out very quickly. But we also gave pre-notice that we're going to open up on Wednesday for the Friday and Saturday booking. That sold out in about 10 minutes," said John Faber, golf lead for the city.

"It just shows the appetite Calgarians have for golf and taking advantage of the great city golf courses that we are providing." 

Calgary temperatures reached 17 C on Thursday, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The weather agency says the city could see a high of 14 C on Saturday and 7 C on Sunday. 

Both courses are using temporary greens with holes cut 10-15 yards in front of the permanent green, and golfers will tee off from mats with rubber tees. 

Calgary golfer Mike Tolino played at the Shaganappi Point Golf Course on Thursday. He said he was grateful to land a tee time. 

"I think we got lucky," he said. "I went for a foursome, couldn't get a tee time, and then I went for a twosome and we got 11:30."

Wanda Ross thought she was done playing for the year but said she was happy to get another late-season round in at Shaganappi Point before the snow flies.

"When I saw the [city's social media] post yesterday, I thought, 'well, why not,'" said Ross. "Makes the wait shorter between now and the spring, for sure."

Faber said it costs the city very little to reopen the courses when sunny late-season weather arrives.

"Right now, it's gorgeous, so let's go tee it up," said Faber.

The 18-hole Maple Ridge crossover costs $30 to play. Playing a nine-hole course at Shaganappi Point costs $20.

Golfers can use pull carts for free, but power carts aren't available. 

Trees need watering, says arborist

It's not just fairways and bunkers that need some extra care because of the late-season warmth.

Calgary arborist Keegan Seward said residents should water their trees heavily until the ground freezes. 

"It has been a hot, dry summer. There were water restrictions, as we all know, so there's been a lack of watering," said Seward, who owns The Arborest Expert Tree Service.

"Because it's been mild, the trees are still going dormant. They're still hardening off."

Seward said a sudden shift from double-digit temperatures to much colder weather could cause problems for trees around the city. 

"It damages the tissue in the twigs and branches.… We live in the chinook zone and the hot and cold is why it's so difficult for trees to grow in Calgary."

Environment Canada says the temperature in Calgary could hit 11 C on Monday.