Many Spokane-area golf courses opened for business ahead of schedule despite a mid-March snowfall and other temporary closures, and managers say they’re cautiously optimistic for the season.

Mark Poirier, golf manager for Spokane Parks & Recreation, says the city opened its four courses — the Creek at Qualchan, Esmeralda, Downriver, and Indian Canyon — one to three weeks ahead of schedule due to favorable weather conditions.

The Creek at Qualchan and Esmeralda golf courses opened March 2, followed by Downriver on March 6, and Indian Canyon on March 12. Since opening, almost 7,000 rounds of golf have been played among the courses, Poirier says.

“We rely on the turf and soil temperatures to determine when we actually open up the golf courses,” explains Poirier.

Last year, the city of Spokane's public golf courses opened in mid-March and April, and the season ended in November, during which time the city experienced a record 200,000 rounds of golf played.

This year, Poirier says he expects revenue gains from early season openings, but says inclement weather such as a rainy April or a hot and smoky August could erase those gains.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” he contends. “In the golf business, we're almost 100% reliant on weather. If it’s nice out with no rain and an OK temperature, people are going to be golfing.”

The city’s 2026 budget for golf expenses is $6.8 million, up from $5.9 million in 2025, Poirier says, adding that city courses earned $6.2 million in revenue from green fees in 2025.

Most of the budget pays for salaries, seasonal wages, benefits, and supplies. At least $1 million is dedicated for course improvements and maintenance.

“City golf, unlike other municipalities, is what we call an enterprise fund,” he says. “We draw zero taxpayer dollars from the general fund, so no real estate excise tax or (other taxes) goes towards golf. How we stay afloat is through green fees.”

Green fees increased by $5 across the board in 2026, he says. Rates for nine holes are $41, and an 18-hole game is $57. Junior rates for nine or 18 holes have stayed the same at $20.

City courses operate with 13 full-time administrative employees in total and between 12 and 15 seasonal employees per course during peak season.

Outside of the city, Spokane County's three public courses are now open, says Trisha Truett, finance manager for Spokane County Parks, Recreation, and Golf.

Two county courses, Liberty Lake and MeadowWood, opened briefly March 11 but closed two days later due to snow and remained closed until March 19. Latah Creek opened March 21 as planned, Truett says.

“We’re looking forward to another great season and hope to keep the momentum up from last year,” says Truett. “The courses are in great shape and we’re looking forward to patrons coming out to play.”

In 2025, the three county courses saw 122,000 rounds played through November, she adds.

County rates for an 18-hole game have increased from $48 in 2025 to $52 this year. All fee revenue supports operation and maintenance expenses and course improvements, Truett says.

Upcoming course improvements include $1 million in driving range updates at Liberty Lake Golf Course, in addition to operations building renovations at both MeadowWood and Liberty Lake, estimated to cost $4 million, she says.

The county employs 11 full-time staff and expects to hire 26 seasonal workers this season.

Across the Washington-Idaho state line, North Idaho courses are expected to have a longer season due to anticipated warmer weather conditions, says Darrell Hull, director of golf at The Links Golf Club, in Post Falls.

In 2025, the privately-owned, public course had 22,000 rounds of golf played from March to early November, he says.

“This year is going to be longer. We don’t know what November holds, but we’ve even been open to the first week of December before,” says Hull.

This year, The Links opened nearly a month earlier than in 2025. The course already has had 1,000 rounds played — a milestone normally achieved in the first week of April. 

Poor weather including rain, flooding, wildfire smoke, or an early snowfall can still impact the season, but Hull says he expects a large number of new and repeat visitors to continue to play at The Links.

Hull declines to disclose The Links' operating budget or latest annual revenue figures. Green fees have increased $3, costing up to $80 for a golf cart and a small bucket of golf balls.

During peak season, from June to August, The Links will have 55 staff members between the maintenance division, pro shop, and The Links Restaurant, Hull says.

The Links also has several upgrade projects that are expected to be completed this year, including a bunker renovation project valued at $250,000.

“Golf in general is up,” says Hull. “We see a lot of new golfers right now that have not played a lot of golf, so people are really taking up the game and loving it. If we keep nurturing and teaching and having clinics, we’ll grow the game even more.”