BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Early bird memberships are now on sale for the 2027 season at Cedar View Golf Course after news broke that the course would reopen after a planned solar project was delayed.

General manager Kyle Kressler said he recently received word that a planned solar project had been pushed back to at least 2028.

"We're excited to have at least another year with our golfers and to have the opportunity to support so many local organizations and first responders," Kressler told North Country This Week. 

Though the course is slated to be covered in solar panels in the future after a deal was struck between the course owners and Canadian firm Boralex, plans for the array have hit a few regulatory and siting snags that will allow the course to operate next year. 

Kressler said the opportunity to continue operations will allow him and staff to continue to support dozens of organizations that raise crucial funds with charitable golf tournaments. 

"We do everything we can to support our first responder organizations, non-profits, social groups, you name it. In some cases we've been told the funds raised in tournaments at Cedar View outpacing the bulk of their fundraising efforts throughout the year. That means a lot to me and I want to continue to support them anyway I can," Kressler said. 

With confirmation the course can operate in 2027, Kressler said scheduling is well underway for the 20 or so tournaments that are normally held at the course. 

"We've already started planning for next year and have a handful penciled in already. Right now, the plan is to bring back all of our main tournaments that we've hosted the last several years," he said. 

All leagues will also return, he said. 

"Everyone will be coming back as well, which is really exciting," Kressler said. 

A junior golf program is also slated to return, which has been offered at no cost to families with grant support. 

The reprieve for Cedar View also means 15 community programs will continue to receive support through tournaments, fundraisers and donations. 

Kressler said tournaments held at the course raised more than $200,000 in 2025, more than $30,000 than was raised in each of the previous five years. 

"They continue to grow, more sponsors sign on to support them and the fields grow larger in each tournament it seems," Kressler said. 

If Cedar View is lost to a solar project, those tournaments could go away. 

"We're just going to keep doing what we can, supporting our members, tournaments and leagues and putting out the best product we can. The course is in great shape and we're excited to have another year at Cedar View," Kressler said.