The Portage Golf Club is up and running in Portage la Prairie.

The course officially opened for the season last Saturday, April 15, and golfers turned out test their early spring swings.

PGC pro Brad Young says the course is in great shape to start the season -- after lots of work by the course's greenskeepers.

"(They) started pumping (water) a couple of Wednesdays ago, and they pumped for basically a week straight day and night. The lakes became little ponds and are now basically nothing ... The (greenskeepers) are very happy with the way it's wintered, but we'll see once the grass starts growing."

Young stopped by to chat at the Golden West Studio in Portage. (Photo by Rae Hathaway)

Last year was the first year the Portage Golf Club offered a payment plan for membership. Ten people took advantage of the program and Young's hopeful they'll have even more this season.

"I realize it's not easy to make a payment like that all at one time. I look at things like car insurance and house insurance, and the way I do it is monthly like that too. It's something we started last year and had some members take part in it, and we're very happy to have it back again this year and going forward for many years to make it a little bit more affordable."

Men's and Ladies League registration is open until May 2. Young says the early response has been strong.

"I encourage anyone looking to play in the leagues to come down and sign up. It's a great way to meet people and do business. You play with a different group every week. A lot of people stay for a meal and a drink after and it's a real great way to meet new people."

Young says since PGC paid off its new maintenance shed and purchased necessary new equipment, the focus can shift to new features for the course.

"I don't know if something will happen right away but we're always looking at a few new ideas going forward," explains Young. "...Maybe change some tee placement on the course, as one thing I've always wanted to see is maybe a driving range, but it's hard because we're short on land."