Nov. 5, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

Above-normal temperatures can’t last forever, so get those final rounds of golf in while you can — and start planning how to continue play in the off-season.

October set a record for play at GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness courses, building on an already strong season.

“We’ve been very lucky with such great weather, with our best October ever. It was absolutely amazing,” said Jason Crisp, director of golf operations.

“We started the year with one of the best March months for golf ever, then saw rounds come down in June with the flooding, but the last few months have been absolutely incredible with a ton of golf days.”

Overall, the courses “are in really good shape,” said Brent Venenga, director of agronomy. “If you want to golf, we’ve still got great golfing conditions at all our courses. We’re not slowing down, so if you want to come out, it is cooler in the mornings, but afternoons are very nice to get out there.”

Be sure and check in with the pro shop first, he added.

“Call the clubhouse or check in before you go out in case of frost delays,” Venenga said. “We’re just watching the weather, but as long as it’s not snowing or really-not-favorable temperatures, we’re intending to stay open.”

Still, there’s no telling how long that will last.

The pro shops will stay open in November and December, so take advantage of some great deals as you shop through Dec. 23.

“We’ve had years where golf has been available until early December, so we may have more November golf coming, but we’ll wait and see what the weather does,” Crisp said.

GreatLIFE teams will be busy in the off-season continuing to improve the courses, with new cart paths at Rocky Run Golf Course and a new netting project on the range at Bakker Crossing Golf Course.

“We had a great year, and we will continue to invest back into our courses,” Crisp said.

“We also really appreciate the positive feedback from members this season who recognized what we’ve done to make more tee times available and implement new regulations for tournaments and outside groups. We’re really proud we’ve been able to address that this year and maximize time on the course for members.”

Off-season options

Dreading the months ahead without golf? You have some options.

The GreatLIFE Golf Academy will be expanding programming in addition to offering a variety of ways to work on your game.

“Drew Trautman is doing an incredible job there and has new things in mind, including a lunch-hour option to come in and participate in some programming for instruction, much like people enjoy working out on their lunch hour,” Crisp said.

Plus, GreatLIFE Suburban Lanes again will host a simulator league, with registration beginning Dec. 1.

“It’s based on two-person teams, and you can play in a 10-week league that typically gets over in late March or early April, right as the season gets started,” Crisp said.

Can’t wait that long to get back on the course? Remember, GreatLIFE members enjoy a member benefit at three outstanding courses from Thompson Golf Group in Arizona, with reduced rates and concierge services.

“We’ve made it very easy — you just go online, fill out a form and our direct point of contact there will reach out and find out what course you’d like to play and book your tee times,” Crisp said. “They’re phenomenal courses. I know members who have gone down there to play and loved it.”

Click here to learn more.