The Highwood Golf and Country Club is one of two local golf courses set to open up next week.

The Highwood and Okotoks River's Edge were side by side at the golf show in Calgary over the weekend, and Highwood G.M. Graeme Kreiner says they had a friendly rivalry when it came to who was going to open first this season.

"We jumped ahead of River's Edge by one day. So we're going to be open (Thursday) March 31. We probably could have on April 1, but it's always fun to say you opened in March. We're going to be open on all 18 greens, no temporary greens. Our superintendent has given us an indication we'll be in really good shape to start."

Kreiner says he's expecting to have a good year as more people will opt for stay-cations thanks to a slow economy and a low Canadian dollar which is limiting travel options.