Warm weather drives extended golf season as Calgarians turn out in full swing

Unusually warm Novembertemperatures have Calgary's golf courses excited about a chance to recoup some of their summer losses and giveavid golfers exactly what they've been asking for one last swing on the course.

The average golf season in southern Alberta runs from April to October, but this year some courses opened as early as March 10, and the short term forecast of double-digit temperatures mean they'll still be grooming fairways well into November.

"This is the longest we've been open, and it's not like we're shutting down tomorrow either," saidKevinGraf, head golf professional at the Links ofGlenEagles.

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The course will be open until Wednesday at least, but those who haven't already secured a booking are likely too late to the game, Graf said.

"This week has been insane here. Our phones don't stop," he said. "It just shows how many golf fanatics are here."

The summer that should have been

Harold Pasechnik was luckyenough to grab a tee time on the course on a sunny, 19 C Friday afternoon.

"It feels like about July 15right now," he said or at least the one we wish we had this year, he clarified.

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In July alone, Calgary saw 19 thunderstorms lasting 43 hours, and drenching the city in 206.1 mm of rain more than three times that month's average.

Graf said the extended season will help compensate for the damper of a summer that was.

"This late end is needed, and it's really great to have," Graf said.

A 9-month season?

Silverwing Links Golf Course also hopesto stretchits season for all it's worth,at least through next weekend, according to assistant pro Nicola Jeffries.

"We're just going to stay open as long as Mother Nature lets us," shesaid.

"We opened March 10. If we make it to November 10, then that's nine months exactly," she said.

"It's hard to believe next month's Christmas."

Golfers who may be winter sport enthusiasts are getting the best of both worlds, as Sunshine Village has just marked its earliest opening in 30 years, and other local hills get ready to follow suit.

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