The Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club has opened for the 2025 season and with some great weather on the horizon, Head Professional Brian Guenther is ready to welcome back friends both old and new.
"It's been great even though the weather hasn't been terrific yet," Guenther says about the first couple of days open. "It's supposed to get better here and summer isn't far away. We're open, we're ready to go and we're just hoping the weather turns the corner."
Heading into the 2025 season, Guenther says the course couldn't be in better shape. "It's one of the best years coming out of winter we've had in quite some time. All turf, from tree to green, is really, really good. It was a nice winter, snow cover and everything else, we got what we needed. Add in the technology with the chemicals and fertilizers that we use, it's just amazing. We have great, great conditions to start the year."
There are a number of highlights throughout the 18-hole course but for Guenther, he's quite proud of a few things in particular. "First of all, our creek runs through 13 of the 18 holes on our course, so water is out there. It beautifies the course, for sure. It also gives some elements, adds difficulty. It's picturesque and then with the undulations on the back nine, it's very nice. It's amazing how in the last few years, all the trees on the front nine have grown. 20 or 30 years ago, they were little sticks, but now, they're mature trees. It's a really nice property and to have this in our community is quite amazing."
This year marks the 21st year at the Fly-In for Guenther and he says it's been special to watch the community grow around the golf course. "This is a community owned golf course. We get lots of help from corporate, lots of play from the city and lots from outside the city. Golfers like to travel and we are a destination. The surrounding area of Steinbach to Winnipeg, we have lots of visitors and we consider it a treat to be here. I always tell my staff that we meet four new people every ten minutes here. It's a great experience to come here."
On top of the course itself, there's a driving range, putting green, pro shop and restaurant, all things Guenther says adds to the experience. "It's really something, you look and we're almost landlocked now," the pro says with a chuckle of almost disbelief. "Basically, when we started here, there was the old pro shop and the aquatic center, actually just the outdoor aquatic center. Things have advanced around the golf course for sure. It's made the course even better, with the visuals of beautiful homes, the experience of having an 18-hole championship layout now with even more."
Guenther has always loved the mix of long-time members that are back every year and new golfers that are coming to play for the first time. "I always say, golf is a life sport. We have junior members that are starting at 9 years old and we also have golfers that come for nine holes that are 90 years old. It's special to see everyone come and enjoy the game, love the game of golf. Whether it's new juniors or a lot of our members who have been here for a long time, it's all really great to see."
Booking a tee time or learning more about the course is easy, according to Guenther. "Find us online, Steinbach Golf Fly-In Golf Club | Contact, anyone can book a tee time on our site or the number is there to call the pro shop. We encourage everyone to come on out, the course is going to be in great shape and we can't wait to see friends old and new come for a round of golf."