ANTIGONISH, N.S. — The 2019 season is underway at the Antigonish Golf and Country Club (AGCC).
Players teed off May 1 – the same date on which the course opened in 2018.
“Mike [MacLellan] said the greens and tees are in the best condition he has seen in more than 20 years,” Dave Deluzio, AGCC manager of operations and director of golf, said of the course superintendent’s assessment.
He noted there are no signs of snow or ice damage.
“That is very good for us,” Deluzio said.
He added AGCC officials want to build on last season, which he described as a “very strong year.”
“There was tremendous growth [in 2018],” Deluzio said, when it comes to green fees and memberships, “which is something we want to continue.”
“We want to build on that success,” he added.
Deluzio said an April membership drive was encouraging, noting 30 new ones came on board, who had never been AGCC members.
“We have been getting plenty of enquiries,” he added of what the AGCC has to offer.
Deluzio noted its reputation as “fun and friendly,” while providing a “quality product” continues to grow, reaching more and more people.
“It was an awesome event,” he said of the 2018 Canada Special Olympics Summer Games, noting the great publicity the course received.
Deluzio noted the AGCC has strong corporate support, which continues to grow.
There are a variety of membership options, including ladies, single and couple introductory packages, along with an “out-of-town” one.
“It is also very affordable,” Deluzio noted of the ever-growing junior classification.
Not to mention three membership options for players 30-and-under.
“We have a lot of price points that offer great value,” he explained.
This season, the AGCC will continue its rich tradition of tournament offerings.
“It is open to everyone,” Deluzio said of the season-opening Father Pops tournament, which will tee-off June 25.
Last season, more than 100 players participated in that event.
Other mainstay tourneys that month include the Bonvie-MacDonald Rinks to Links and MacDonald Chrysler Shootout.
The Kilted – an Antigonish Highland Games tradition – and St. F.X.’s Father Kehoe Golf Classic will help heat up July.
There will be senior action, along with the Nova Scotia 55+ Games, in August.
An action-packed September will include fundraising tournaments for the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation and IWK, along with the High-Crest Senior Open.
“It is going to be a very busy season,” he said, for both members and non-members.
Looking forward, Deluzio said the AGCC board of directors is considering bringing in an architect “in the near future” to look at possibilities for the redesign of holes as they become older.
“We have turned the corner,” Deluzio said.
He credited the “strong” board of directors, along with the support of members, for the advancement.
For more information about the AGCC, visit antigonishgolfclub.ns.ca, phone 902-863-4797 or email [email protected]
People can also drop by the course at 87 Cloverville Road.
