Eagle Crest Golf Course donating Christmas Day earnings to food bank

The streets will likely bedesolate on Christmas Day as businesses close their doors, but in Centreville, N.S. you might see an usual sight:golfers.

Eagle Crest Golf Course's clubhouse will be closedon Dec. 25, but ownerOsbourne Ward thought he'd take advantage of the unseasonably mild weather to do some good.

"We could make use of a day that I wasn't going to be hereto raise funds for a local food bank," Ward said.

"I got thinking as well about the people that are alone, having nothing to do. I mean, on Christmas Day if you're just sitting there with nothing to do, nothing's open, it's hard on some people. And if you get out and play golf, maybe it's not so bad."

Pay online and'just show up and play'

The Christmas special is18 holes for $30 which can be paid for through their online store.

"Sort of a self-serve. They just show up and go and play," Ward explained.

Honesty will be the only policy managing the course tomorrow. There won't be any staff on hand, but Ward isn't worried.

"Golfers are actually pretty trustworthy people," he said. "I think because of the season people would feel guilty to come on and not contribute to somebody that's in need."

It's the first time the golf course has been open on Christmas. Ward says several golfers told him they'd play if the course was open, which led him to develop the Christmas special.

"We've been open late in the year, gone into January, but we've never opened Christmas Day. This is the first time we've had that perfect day," Ward said.