Golfers in Moose Jaw are getting ready for the upcoming season as courses prepare to open in the coming weeks.

Jasmine Cameron, general manager of the Hillcrest Golf Club, said she and her staff are in the early stages of preparing for the 2026 season. One key task is assessing course conditions following the winter.

Frozen ground slows early work

“One way we judge that is by opening all of the valve boxes for our irrigation system to see if they are still frozen,” Cameron said. “Unfortunately, the majority of them are still frozen. We have to work with what is happening underground to ensure we don’t turn the systems on too soon and break lines.”

Cameron said last Thursday’s spring snowstorm has delayed preparations by about a week, as crews wait for the snow to melt and the ground to warm.

Warmer weather allows limited progress

Recent warmer temperatures have allowed staff to begin removing tarps from some of the course’s greens.

“They are starting to overgrow, so we take them off, cut them, apply some fertilizer and then re-tarp them,” she said. “This gives us an opportunity to maintain them and let them continue to grow. These storms are not always that bad because we do need moisture to get them going. It doesn’t help when it’s below zero, where we see snow instead of rain.”

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Opening date depends on weather

More unsettled weather could slow progress. The forecast calls for additional precipitation, including snow, and colder temperatures beginning Wednesday night and continuing into the weekend.

As of Tuesday, the course is scheduled to open May 4, 2026, but that could change depending on weather conditions.

Cameron said the course would need about five consecutive days and nights with temperatures of at least 5 C or warmer to stay on track for that date.

Programs to return for 2026 season

Once the course opens, golfers can expect the return of Wednesday men’s night and Thursday ladies' night. A junior program is also expected to begin near the end of May. Additionally, several tournaments are on the books for the 2026 season. 

Memberships are available for purchase at the Hillcrest Golf Club pro shop.

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