A delayed start due to weather has not dampened excitement at Southport, where staff say everything is in place for a strong golf season and a busy summer of recreation programming.
The golf course officially opened this past Sunday, although conditions kept it from fully welcoming the public during the first week. Officials say that is expected to change shortly, with a full opening anticipated as early as Saturday morning.
Southport Golf. PortageOnline/Mike Blume
Madison Connolly, Manager of Recreational Facilities at Southport, says the team is ready to get things underway.
“We officially opened this past Sunday, but the weather has not really been on our side, so it has been a bit of a slow start. We are hoping that by Saturday morning at 9 a.m., the course will be open to the public, the driving range is already open, and the clubhouse is ready for food service. We are excited to get going and start the season,” Connolly explains.
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Season start on schedule
Connolly notes the opening timing is typical, even if spring conditions have created some delays in recent years. She says the facility generally aims for a mid April launch, but early May has become more common.
“We always aim for the third weekend in April, but that can be a bit ambitious depending on the weather. The last few years, we have found ourselves opening in those first few days of May, so we are right on schedule this year,” Connolly says.
Membership interest has also seen a notable boost heading into the season. Connolly says early bird registration over the winter showed strong growth, with many new faces joining the club.
“We had our best year yet for early bird adult memberships. We almost doubled what we had last year, which is really exciting. We are seeing a lot of new members and new names, and that is always a good sign for the future of the course,” Connolly adds.
Southport Golf Club. PortageOnline/Mike Blume
Improvements and new features
Returning members are taking the first week to get organized, reconnect, and prepare for the season ahead. Connolly says the clubhouse has already been seeing activity, even before full course access resumes.
“Members like to come in, get their carts tuned up, sort out storage fees, and take care of their memberships. It is also a chance to grab a meal at the clubhouse and catch up with friends before the season really gets going,” Connolly explains.
Significant improvements have also been made to the facility, including work on course conditions and infrastructure upgrades.
“We have worked really hard to improve the greens, and this past fall we added six new cart trails. We are planning to add three more this year, so we are continuing to enhance the course. We also have new carts, a new menu, and new kitchen staff, so there is a lot to look forward to,” Connolly continues.
New summer programming for youth
Beyond golf, Southport is expanding its recreational offerings this summer with the introduction of youth day camps through the RecPlex. Registration opens today, Friday, May 1.
Connolly says the program is designed to take advantage of the facility’s wide range of amenities while giving children an active and engaging summer option.
“This is the first year we are running youth day camps at the RecPlex, and they are designed for kids aged 6 to 12. We are focusing on a multi sport approach, using everything from the gymnasium to the bowling alley, the rock wall, and even the golf simulator,” Connolly notes.
Registration has already begun for some groups, with broader access opening to the public.
“We had priority registration this past week for Southport employees and tenants, and now general public registration is opening. It is a six-week program running through July and August, and there are still a few spots available each week. People can register online or call us if they have questions,” Connolly says.