Whatcom County Offering Golf Bargains

Michelle Nolan, writing recently in the Bellingham Herald, offers some timely insight on familiar courses that are going out of their way to offer deals during hard economic times.

By MICHELLE NOLAN
The BELLINGHAM HERALD

Raspberry Ridge Golf Course and Grill will celebrate its 25th anniversary by declaring a "golf stimulus package" to go with a "10 Buck Club" at the nine-hole course.

It's one of several early spring bargains offered by Whatcom County courses with public access.

When asked during a telephone survey of local courses how he expected the recession to affect golfers, Homestead Farms head pro Bo Stephan might as well have been speaking for what everyone expressed.

"It's tough to tell now, but we're about on par (economically) so far," he said. "Our club card sales are normal. We're never very busy in the winter and we probably really won't see the effects (of the economy) until about May. But I don't believe people are going to be giving up golf."

There will also be a spring special for golf fans: Loomis Trail will host the NCAA Division II Men's Championships May 19-22, with free gallery admission, said Brett Eaton, director of golf operations at Loomis Trail and Semiahmoo.

Here's the breakdown on some of the specials:

HOMESTEAD FARMS

Stephan said the course sells 750 to 1,000 club cards for $130, which includes two free rounds on any 2009 date along with a dozen free golf balls and a free handicap service.

With club card membership, greens fees from March through May will be $19.99 Monday through Friday (normally $45) and $27.50 on weekends (normally $55). Call for info on special early bird and twilight rates.

LAKE PADDEN

Beginning in March, greens fees will be $25 on weekdays and $35 on weekends. On weekdays, seniors 62 and older and juniors 18 and younger can play for $20. In addition, a foursome with a cart can play for $25 per person after noon.

"People may ration their entertainment, but we're not worried," said head pro Greg Morris, pointing out the City of Bellingham owns the land the course occupies. "Our rates are among the lowest 10 percent in the state."

Morris is just happy to be open. The course has been open since Feb. 13, but he said it was closed for 63 of the previous 70 scheduled playing dates.

"The economy hasn't been our nemesis so much as the weather this winter," he said. "All the recent work we've done on the course has prompted us to be very careful."

LOOMIS TRAIL AND SEMIAHMOO

Semiahmoo offers public play on odd days and Loomis Trail on even days. Cards priced at $200 will offer eight rounds Monday through Thursday through May 31 and also from Sept. 1-Dec. 31 for public players, or for people who golf with a private club member.

"That's a pretty darned good deal," Eaton said. "We just started this, and there's a limited supply, so first-come, first-served."

A 10-round pass for Mondays and Thursdays through Dec. 31 costs $300. A different 10-round deal for $400 allows 18 holes any day for the rest of 2009. Cards are non-transferrable.

"The best-case scenario for us is that the Canadian dollar will get stronger," Eaton said. "We get about 60 percent of our golfers from Canada. We do about 29,000 rounds a year at Semiahmoo and 24,000 at Loomis Trail."

As for the tough economy, "It's just like the ski areas," he said. "People get cooped up and they want to get out and play. It might help us if more local people decide to stay close to home. My whole budget projection is for a modest increase."

Eaton is thrilled to see the NCAA Division II championships come to Loomis Trail. "This will really be special for the players and the public both," he said. "And it'll be great for young golfers to see some of the nation's best college men."

NORTH BELLINGHAM

"We're doing well," said assistant pro Jay Fury, who helped run the popular Frostbite League, which meant North Bellingham was a whirlwind of weekend activity except for the nearly month-long "big freeze" beginning in mid-December.

"We're not changing much of anything," he said. "It's business as usual, with the same memberships we've always had. We feel like we're offering good deals already."

RASPBERRY RIDGE

The "stimulus package" includes a free 25th anniversary player card, with which golfers who play 10 rounds will be entitled to one free round, along with entry in a drawing for year-end prizes. The "10 Buck Club" gives any player who pays $100 to join ($75 for seniors) the right to play nine holes for $10 (including tax) any day of 2009. Members also will receive a dozen free balls and one of the grill's "golfer's breakfasts."

"Since we opened in 1984, we've become one of the most respected and popular golf courses in the area. We're known for great drainage and year-round playability," owner John Olson said in a press release.

SHUKSAN

Pro shop attendant Dave Street said greens fees through March 11 are $20 Monday through Friday and $25 on weekends. He said later specials will be announced at www.shuksangolf.com.

"Keep an eye on our Web site. Our greens fees are hard to beat," he said.

SUDDEN VALLEY

Assistant pro Tyler Wong said the club's specials will be revealed to members of the "E Club" - an Internet group.

"Everything we offer will be on the Internet," he said. "Keep watching our site www.suddenvalleygolf.com for details.

"So far, it looks like we're hitting our targets for January and February," he said.