'Perfect for every skill level': Edmonton golf course attracting new and experienced golfers from all walks of life
A so-called forgotten golf course in Edmonton is becoming popular thanks to a local golf pro.
"Golf is for everyone," Garrett Hadfield told CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday. "We want everyone to be playing this game, because it's the best game, and you can play it forever."
Hadfield was hired by the City of Edmonton as the director of golf at the Rundle Park Golf Course in 2022.
"We got here and it was our mission to just reintroduce people to run the park because it is just such a fun little golf course."
"We've seen a huge uptick in clientele. Return customers, seniors, juniors, 20-year-olds, 30-year-olds, men, women, children, everyone comes out here."
Hadfield describes the course as perfect for beginners, but also challenging enough for an experienced golfer.
"Now that we've changed the scorecard, we do have a few par fours. We've seen someone shoot under par. But as a par three golf course, from what I understand no one's ever even shot par before."
"It's just the funnest little golf course that is literally perfect for every skill level."
In addition to making some updates to the course, Hadfield has used his company, Goat Track, which sells casual golf apparel, to make the game more accessible to everyone.
"You walk into our pro shop and it's not like a normal golf pro shop. It's kind of a little bit more skateboard shop. Just really, really leaning on the casual side of things.
"When we do get beginners that come out we try to make them feel as welcome as possible. I would say on any given weekend 20 per cent of our players are brand new to golf."
Goat Track also puts on events to encourage new players to try the game.
"We started having social events where we would book tee times and we would pair people with other people that they had never met before."
"We've seen a lot of different ethnicities, different sexual orientations, we've had all sorts of people come up to our events."
Hadfield says a portion of sales from Goat Track are also donated to help parents get kids involved in the game.
Garrett Hadfield shows off the merchandise at the pro shop at Rundle Park Golf Course. (Evan Kenny/CTV News Edmonton)
"We've amassed eight sets of junior rentals. The rule of thumb here is if they fit, they're free. So if you have a young kid out there that wants to try golf, we'll give you clubs to use, we'll give you balls to use, we'll give you tees to use."
He says it's already paid off for some young golfers.
"We had an uncle, brought in his two nephews to try golf because he was a golfer. He was coming to rent all the clubs and all that sort of stuff. I overheard him say, 'We're only doing nine holes. I can't afford to do it all.' I said, 'Oh, no, no, the kids' stuff is completely free.'"
"That first year he came back four times. The next season the kids came with their own clothes."
The course is also hosting a Golf Gal event for all female golfers on May 18 and June 1. The event is free for girls under 18, and $30 for all other women.
Since Hadfield took over in 2022, the course has seen a 60 per cent increase in revenue, and 50 per cent more rounds were played on the course within the first year.
For more information about what's happening at the Rundle Park Golf Course, visit them on social media or check out Goat Track.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Evan Kenny
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
The push to Parliament's summer hiatus is about to begin, here's what you need to know
When MPs file back in to the House of Commons on Tuesday, it will be for the final five-week parliamentary push before hitting the barbecue circuit. Looking ahead to what could be a raucous rush to the summer hiatus, CTVNews.ca spoke with top House representatives to get a sense of what's atop their priority list.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during the seven-month war between Israel and Hamas.
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection with US$100 million in financing commitments
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you’ve been to a party lately and haven’t seen someone drinking a BORG, you’re likely not partying with college students.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Your kids' ultraprocessed food consumption may put them at higher risk, study shows
The ultraprocessed foods your kids eat now may be putting them at greater risk for cardiometabolic problems – like heart attack, stroke and diabetes – in adulthood, a new study suggests.