A penny saved, a penny earned
With endless summer days, green fees averaging $30-$35, accessible tee-times and an all-you-can-lay-buffet of more than 250 courses, Saskatchewan is a golfer’s paradise.
There are prairie, links-style, traditional, resort, desert-like, boreal forest and courses with plenty of water hazards - pretty much a course for everyone. There are also plenty of incentives to try a different venue and plenty of ways to save a few dollars.
Golf Sask 05’ Coupon Book - The National Golf Course Owner’s Association (Saskatchewan chapter), along with the well-known charity Lung Association of Saskatchewan, is selling the Golf Sask 05’ Coupon Book with more than 110 courses participating and $2,500 in savings. Several types of coupons are offered including some at major courses. The $29.95 book even includes a free round at Long Creek Golf and Country Club near Avonlea. Follow the golf coupon book link at www.sk.lung.ca
Saskatchewan Golf Association - If you belong to a golf club, one of the benefits of the SGA membership is reduced fees at a growing list of member courses. Members can also access reduced fees with Alberta Golf Association member courses. Follow the quick link to the membership discount program at www.saskgolf.ca
Saskatchewan Golf Tour Guide - The Golf Tour Guide published by Tourism Saskatchewan lists several pages of money-saving coupons and deals on stay-and-play packages. It's available free at 150 Co-op gas stations and tourism bureaus starting in May.
Tee-Off Book - For $39.95, Tee-Off offers 2 for 1 and reduced green fees for the golfer who travel around Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Unfortunately, few large urban centre courses are represented. Each course has a brief description of the golf course, a photo, a map and course layouts. To order, phone 1-800-667-8633.
Golf Card International - If you plan to golf North America, the Golf Card International discount card pays. At about $80, it offers discounts at more than 3,800 golf courses and resorts in Canada, United States and abroad. Members receive a 200-page catalogue with maps and lists of the deals, a quarterly newsletter Golf Traveler, and discounts on everything from car rentals to life insurance. Among the options are 27 courses in Saskatchewan. www.golfcard.com
International Club Network - Daily fee golfers can save money and get extra privileges through the Privileged Play program of Toronto-based International Club Network. Members have access to more than 50 courses in Canada, and others in the US and Europe. The only Saskatchewan course represented is Good Spirit Golf and Country Club near Canora. Benefits include advanced booking, reduced hotel and travel costs, and a 20 percent reduction in green fees and cart fees. Plus, you get a complimentary greens fee pass annually at a top national or international course. One-time initiation fee is $150 and GST, and annual fee of $125 plus GST. www.privplay.com
Air Miles Savings - Golfers can use Air Miles reward points at some Canadian golf courses. www.airmiles.ca
CAA Sask Savings - The automobile club offers a 10 per cent discount off green fees or two greens for the price of one with the purchase of a rental cart at Last Oak Golf and Country Club, Golf Kenosee, Melville Regional Park Golf Course, Silver Lake Regional Park Golf Course, Rock Creek Golf and Country Club and White Bear Lake. www.caasask.ca
Spring/Fall Specials - If you golf during the spring or fall, you may want to book one of the low cost off-season green fees or golf packages. The weather is usually milder, the crowds smaller and the course in peak condition.
Check Out Pricing Schedules - Most courses have deals to attract golfers to the early morning, twilight hours, weekdays and so on. There are courses that give healthy discounts to seniors and juniors. Others give discounts with 10 or 20 pass booklets. Watch for hefty multi course discounts. The new Prairie Links Golf Corp. offers discounts and its three courses: Long Creek Golf and Country Club at Avonlea Deer Valley, Golf and Estates at Lumsden, and Riverbreaks Golf Resort at Riverhurst. Regina-based Western Golf Management offers tri and dual membership discounts at its Tor Hill, Murray and Goulet golf courses.
SaskGolfer.com Travel Deals - If you plan to golf in Saskatchewan, the website SaskGolfer.com publishes a list of stay-and-play packages on its Hole #10. There are bargains. www.saskgolfer.com
