Golf courses welcome players back for 2023 season

OAKLAND COUNTY — April has arrived, and golf courses around metro Detroit are welcoming golfers back to the links.

The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission opened its five courses April 1 and April 2, reporting relatively slow business due to weather conditions on April 1. Despite this, they are anticipating a busy season.

“Golf is coming back at the Oakland County parks. All five opened (that) weekend,” said Matt Pardy, the supervisor of Red Oaks Golf Course in Madison Heights. “We’re excited to get people out here to enjoy golf.”

He said that courses around the area have experienced a lot of business in the last few years since COVID-19.

“We definitely have been seeing a jump since COVID,” said Pardy. “Once people were able to get outside, golf has been very popular. We’ve seen that stick the last couple of years since then. It’s a good outdoor sport that keeps you away from people. We’re hoping that continues.”

Derick Marcum, the general manager of the Sanctuary Lake Golf Course in Troy, confirmed that they have been having above-average business the last few years as well.

“We’ve been seeing an increase since COVID. It got a lot of new people involved in it. We’ve definitely seen it,” he remarked. “We are very busy, even this early in the year. We think it will continue this year. The biggest issue we could run into is Mother Nature.”

The Sanctuary Lake course is in a rare position to judge attendance, since it is open year-round and thus can track the sport’s popularity even in the offseason.

“In terms of a start date, we are a unique course, since we stay open all year round,” said Marcum. “We’ve had games in January and February. Everyone seems really excited for the season and the warm weather. We’re seeing increased rounds.”

Business has been so good that Marcum suggested golfers check with whatever course they want to play at to see if they need to reserve a tee time.

“Booking a tee time is a must at most courses now,” he said. “You can’t usually just walk on, since tee times go so fast, so I would recommend it. There’s not usually trouble getting a time, but you’ll want to call ahead or go online before playing.”

Pardy said that golf has proven more and more popular since COVID due to its naturally socially distanced nature while allowing people to be active outdoors.

“We’re seeing a lot of newer golfers,” he said. “They are looking for something outside that they can do away from people. They are picking up the sport, and I think it’s catching on stronger than it has in a long time.”

“Golf is a fun, enjoyable experience,” Marcum added. “You’re outside. It can be competitive or non-competitive. It’s just a great game.”

Pardy encourages those who may have always wanted to try the game but never gotten around to it to consider playing a game or two this season or taking a lesson, adding that many courses — like those run by Oakland County — have differing options depending on who someone wants to play.

“There (were) no events on April 1. We (were) just welcoming people back. Our season lasts until about early November. It depends on the weather, though,” he said. “We have an array of golf options for beginners who want to try it out, all the way up to options for avid golfers. We have a premier course, Lyon Oaks, over in Wixom. Springfield Oaks in Springfield Township has a course Up North feel. Red Oaks is a nine-hole course in the middle of an urbanized area. It’s perfectly located for golfers to sneak out and play a quick nine.”