Warmer Weather Good for Fairfax County Golf Courses

April is the biggest month for the eight Fairfax County golf courses and with warmer weather on the horizon, county officials are expecting to see a spike in rounds played.

Judy Pedersen, a spokeswoman for the Fairfax County Park Authority, said April is the traditional time when golfers start thinking about and playing more golf – both because the weather is improving and because golf becomes more visible with key national events like The Master’s.

The county’s park authority operates courses in Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax Station, Oakton, Lorton, Chantilly and Clifton.

According to the National Weather Service forecast, temperatures will be in the high mid 60s Sunday and by Monday, temperatures will hit the low 70s.

“Last year, April rounds accounted for about 12 percent of total play for the fiscal year,” Pedersen said. “And the 33,327 rounds played last April represented an 80 percent increase over the number of rounds played in March last year.”

Pedersen said the golf floodgates open in April but golf at the county’s courses goes year around weather permitting. This year, there were 11,486 rounds of golf played on county golf courses, down from the 18,511 played in March 2012. Golfers took advantage of 24 days in March 2012 that were 64 degrees or warmer, compared to none this year, Pedersen said. 

With courses for beginner and advanced golfers, the park authority brought in more than $10 million in rounds of golf in fiscal year 2012.

Pedersen said the FCPA is now holding their annual golf pass sale where players can get discounted prices on rounds and a chance to win five free rounds.

For more information on golfing in Fairfax County, click here.