In an experiment aimed at cutting losses during Vancouver’s soggy and rainy months, the Vancouver Park Board voted Monday night to allow people to golf for free next winter.
The one-year experiment could save $100,000 in operating costs.
Around 115 rounds are played during the summer days at the city’s three courses: Queen Elizabeth Park, Rupert and Stanley Park.
But that number drops to around 10 during the winter, and some days not even one person hits the links. In fact, between November and February there were 84 days when no one paid to play on any of the courses.
Staff at the club houses will now be assigned to other work, and it won’t cost players anything to use the courses in the winter months.
The new proposal won’t completely abandon the courses during the winter. Although there will no longer be club rentals available, a roving “greensman” will be responsible for course maintenance, including drainage inspections and pruning trees.
