Saturday, with spring rolling over the horizon, Omahans took to the back 9 on the first day of golf season.
At Stone Creek Golf Course in Omaha, they have seen a steadily increasing interest in golf the past few years. According to general manager and Director of Golf at Stone Creek, Connor Farrell, last year and this year have had record numbers of both players and new lesson signups.
“Last year set records across the industry everywhere so I just don’t see any way anyone can be as busy as we were last year,” Farrell said.
At Fox Run Golf Course, they were similarly swamped last year and this year, had to turn down some tee time requests, even with an automated answering service for when their lines were full. Grant Wakefield, the owner and general manager since March 2020 said COVID-19 regulations boosted golf’s popularity, given the distance required to play the game.
“I mean the amount of new golfers we had last year and obviously COVID-19 was a big jumpstart for golf courses,” Wakefield said.
Overall, both courses have seen a boom, and both Wakefield and Farrell attribute the attendance rise not only to season open being on such a pleasant (albeit windy) weekend, and to the inherent distancing, but to people wanting a hobby they can enjoy outdoors with friends.
Both courses said tee times are still difficult to attain right now, but if you call ahead, they’re trying to accommodate as many as possible.
