The surge in golf popularity and increased memberships brought about by the pandemic persists and we are again impacted by this change. The Winston’s members have voted for a new clubhouse and construction commences this year. There will not be availability for Golfaround to play here in 2025 as they are transitioning to privatization. Bearspaw and the Hamptons, both private golf course are still available to us however Mickelson National needs to be available to their members so will not be available this season. Unfortunately, Water Valley have implemented a significant pre booking fee per person that impacts our ability to play there so we have made the decision not to include them in our schedule.

Despite the challenges, the increase in golf’s popularity is a positive sign for the sport’s future. It brings new opportunities for growth and community engagement. We remain committed to providing the best golf experience for our members and look forward to a vibrant season ahead.

An Unforgettable Retreat in the Heart of the Rocky Mountains

Nestled in the spectacular Rocky Mountains and located within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, St. Eugene Resort celebrates a unique history within a beautiful and rare setting. Whether it’s the dramatic alpine glow from Fisher Peak or the morning elk on our championship golf course, St. Eugene delights with exceptional resort experiences and warm, welcoming hospitality. to expect during the Play and Stay Weekend at this extraordinary location.

Upon arrival at St. Eugene Resort, you will be immediately struck by the serene beauty of the surroundings. The resort is situated in a secluded valley on the banks of the flowing St. Mary’s River, providing a tranquil and picturesque setting that promises relaxation and rejuvenation. The historic buildings of the resort tell the story of its past, offering a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Ktunaxa Nation.

The accommodations at St. Eugene are designed to provide maximum comfort and luxury, each thoughtfully decorated to reflect the natural beauty of the area. The resort offers several dining options, each featuring fresh, local ingredients. Whether you are enjoying a casual meal at the 19th Hole Bar & Grill or a fine dining experience at the Fisher Peak Lounge, the culinary delights are sure to please even the most discerning palate.

The Les Furber-designed championship golf course at St. Eugene is a golfer’s paradise. The course is meticulously maintained and features a variety of challenges, from open links to rolling woodlands. The stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains and the occasional sight of elk add to the unique golfing experience.

For those looking for a bit of excitement, the resort’s casino offers a variety of games, including slot machines, table games, lottery games, and even a pool table. The casino’s lively atmosphere provides a fun contrast to the serene surroundings of the resort, offering guests the best of both worlds.

To round off the weekend we will enjoy an unforgettable round of golf at Bootleg Gap,  known for its challenging layout and stunning views, Bootleg Gap offers a perfect finale to a weekend filled with exceptional experiences. The course is renowned for its dramatic elevation changes and pristine conditions, making it a favorite among golf enthusiasts.

The Play and Stay Weekend at St. Eugene Mission is more than just a getaway; it’s an immersion into a world of natural beauty, rich history, and exceptional hospitality. With its luxurious accommodations, diverse recreational activities, and stunning setting, St. Eugene Resort offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you longing to return.

Whether you’re an avid golfer, a history buff, or simply in need of a relaxing escape, this get-a-way promises to deliver an experience that exceeds all expectations. Registration is done on a first-come basis and roommate is required, please indicate who you’d like to room with — or if you are looking for a roommate, please advise Golfaround.  So pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and get ready to create lasting memories in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Details can be found on the website. We limit the group to 28 and please be aware that we do fill quickly. Registration for events will start March 10th 8:00am and is done by sending an e-mail to golf4u@golfaround.ca.

When we practice at either the dome or the range we should have a routine and be focused on what we want to achieve. Deliberate practice is the key to improvement, you should practice with a purpose. You should always stretch and warm up prior to hitting balls. Stretch your shoulders, back, legs and arms for several minutes before taking a club out of your bag. Loosening the body helps warm your muscles and lessen the chance of a swing-related injury. After stretching, take several practice swings with a 9 iron. Practice swings continue to loosen your body.

Next start by hitting a number of shots with your 9-iron, focusing on proper foot placement, hand placement on the grip, backswing and follow through. Avoid the temptation to race through shot after shot, approach each shot as though you’re playing on the golf course and the shot is important. Rushing yourself at the driving range can produce bad habits.

Move through your irons from high to low. Next, select a hybrid club if you have one and then your woods from high to low. Note your distance with each club; knowing this information helps you select the proper club when playing on a course. Most driving ranges have yardage markers set up at 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards. Use these markers as you hit each club. Aim for specific yard markers and try to place shots as close to the markers as possible. Having a very specific target will help you focus.

Hit some balls with your driver, noting the distance and trajectory of each shot. If you struggle hitting your driver, the dome or driving range is the ideal opportunity to improve your consistency.

If you are at a facility where there is a good short game practice area you should utilize this to improve your short game. If the area is limited or non-existent you can practice your chipping and pitching shots from the mats. When you have the opportunity to practice on a designated short game area take advantage of this,  most of the shots you take in a round of golf are shorter shots; spend adequate time practicing with these clubs. It is also very beneficial to practice hitting balls out of the sand and onto the green with your sand wedge if you can. Finally practice your putting on the practice green, even if the surface is not the best you can always perfect your putting stroke.

Core training will help us build rotational strength and flexibility, just what we need to get more powerful drives. Conditioned muscles in the mid section, lower back, hips and glutes stabilize the spine during your turn and help retain your posture through impact which increases power. If you don’t have a strong core you will compensate with your shoulders and arms and this can  result in injuries and swing flaws. The following exercises will improve both your swing and your waistline and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Toss the ball: Take your golf stance perpendicular to a cement or brick wall while holding a medicine ball. Rotate into a simulated back swing then rotate forward through the downswing releasing the ball into the wall. Perform two sets of 15  reps at the same speed as your golf swing.

Lift and Rotate: Lie on an exercise ball with your upper back and head supported, feet under your knees and hips lifted parallel with the floor. Holding a medicine ball or dumb bell (start with 5lbs and increase as you get stronger) extend your arms over your chest. Keeping your arms straight rotate your upper body to the right allowing the ball to move slightly to the left. Let the side of your right shoulder rest on the ball while keeping the hips lifted at all times. Rotate back to center and across to the left side. Perform two sets of 15 reps.

The 2025 golf season is almost here and we are looking forward to another fun year. As we leave 2024 behind, we will remember great memories of Luau on the Links and our Innisfail/Trochu Play & Stay, and having said that we are excited about the events we are planning for 2025. As we know from the past couple of years, the cost  of everything is definitely challenging and right now we are not planning international travel in 2025 but we will have a Mystery Bus Trip or Day Trip and a Play and Stay and a Wind Up.

I know everyone is looking forward to the golf season and all the fun things it will hold. Winter practice at the Eaglequest Golf Dome at the Fox Hollow Golf Course will start January 9th watch for the weekly e-mail sent to see if you would like to attend. As we prepare for another enjoyable year of golf the Yoga classes offered again this Spring can help prepare your body for a healthy, injury free season. Many of you have participated in these in the past and the feedback has always been very positive. We do hope to get a Launchpad event planned this Spring, where we can test our indoor skill once again and have some fun.

A Kick off Social is planned at the end of April to start the season off and we will be reintroducing a mandatory orientation for new members. COVID changed how we managed getting information to new members and it really is important that they know this ahead of time. They need to understand how Golfaround operates, how to book league, lesson management, and how to sign up for events. We feel that some early guidance will ensure a smooth introduction and we don’t want members to miss some of the opportunities offered and events and travel  fill fast.

The website has been updated and the existing members are able to register now. I am writing this on New Years Day and when I checked e-mail this afternoon guess what, there are 331 e-mails, I am sure some of these are “spam” LOL  We will open to new members Feb 1st and there are  early indoor lessons in  March so if you are interested you will need to register early. If you are new to Golfaround and want early lesson’s please contact us.

Happy New Year! Here’s to another year full of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

The last month of the Golfaround season was quite busy with some fun filled events. The Play & Stay the weekend of August 17 & 18 was great and we enjoyed favorable weather even though Jeanette smelt rain!! Of course, rain itself has no scent. However, did you know moments before a rain event, an “earthy” smell known as petrichor does permeate the air. People call it musky, fresh – generally pleasant, Jeanette must be a farmer at heart.

We all gathered at Field and Forge Brewing company for our meet and greet. It was great as they gave us our own space on the upper level so we could chat and socialize without any disturbance. We stayed at the Days Inn, which used to be a Best Western and our rooms were spacious and comfortable. The Innisfail golf course was very busy with a birthday celebration, a high school reunion and another tournament. We remember the days when it was a hidden gem but it is no longer hidden. We had an enjoyable round of golf and following the round we enjoyed a meal in the clubhouse. The following day we traveled to Trochu to play 9 holes prior to returning home. You can spot the giant golf tee for the golf club from miles away. This is a great little course in great shape. The T- boxes are elevated and the views are fantastic. It is very hilly and there are many challenging shots as the course is all centred around a valley, stream and a lot of uphill shots. It was great fun. On the way home we suddenly realised that we had not paid for the tee times, never have golfed and dashed before, I guess there is a first time for everything.

Our Mexican Fiesta was a blast and so many of the participants got into the theme and made it great fun. We had costumes from Dia de lost Muertos, Day of the Dead, and  many senoritas and senoras. The photp booth manned by Shaunna and Mary was a great hit as was the macarena and the piñarta. Wendy was elected by her team to attack the piñarta and she did a fine job of releasing the candy. Wingfield did a great job of the decorations, the organization and the taco bar. The course was in great shape and we all had a fabulous time.

It was an exciting, inspirational and challenging week at the Earl Grey Golf Club for the 515 marshals (38 of them were Golfaround members) as well as for the other 700 plus volunteers who gave their time and dedication to ensure the players could play their best game and the public could enjoy a wonderful experience.

It was a very exciting finish watching Lauren Coughlin win the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open on Sunday, claiming her first LPGA Tour title. The American golfer birdied two of her final four holes for a final round of 1-under, 71 to finish the four-day tournament at 13 under. Lauren was a late bloomer and almost quit pro golf not long after she started, however her comments should be an ethos for us all “I think my story in general just shows that I’m always trying, always willing to try to do things,” said Coughlin. “I am willing to stay in it. I don’t give up. I think I showed that perfectly today.”

Brooke Henderson did not win this year but in terms of effort it was mission accomplished, she shot a 4 under, 68, her low round of the week on Sunday and was low Canadian. The crowd was always with her, and she was certainly the main draw of the 73,000 spectators.

Golfaround had a 554-yard Par 5, hole #14 for the tournament, usually it is #18. The hole was a challenge to manage as it had 1 crossing, and three other holes in close proximity to the tee off area which made traffic control a bit of a trial. To add a bit more challenge the tee was moved on Saturday which affected the landing areas.  In addition, managing the crossing was fun as communicating was hindered by trees and it was close to the entrance so very busy. The weather was typically Calgary and reminiscent of our past experience but this time all at the same time. The first couple of days were in the 30’s and then we froze in the teens and finished up with pleasant temperatures; take it off, put it on, what can I say.  All in all, the Golfaround gals came through and did an amazing job as always, you done us proud. We were given lots of accolades and they were well deserved, we thank each and everyone of you.

We had some things happen to write home about, a couple of eagles, many birdies and also an errant ball that hit the prize car, that caused a bit of a delay!!

The Earl Grey did a fabulous job of organizing the event, we have done two before and felt our particular marshal committee did a bang up job. We really appreciated the support for the volunteers and I was especially grateful for the buggy rides at the end of the day.

Finally  a bit of CPKC history, thanks in part to Shaunna Marshall’s sister. The railroads have roots in the 19th century and in April 2023 they got together to form the first truly North American rail network connecting Canada, the US and Mexico. There was an old passenger menu, you could get coffee for 25c. Steak dinner for $1. Diplomat pudding was included in one of the evening meal courses (the whole of which cost $1) a bit different from todays prices for sure.

Be sure to check out the Golfaround ‘s Facebook page for pictures.

Lūʻau on the Links was the theme for this years Mystery Bus Trip and what a great trip it was. We had a luxury 54 seat bus from Alberta Coach and Karen, our driver extraordinaire from last year, we were so happy to have her back. As the group arrived we saw many grass skirts, leis, hats and bikinis, (tee shirts) as Arlene said we couldn’t risk the real thing the mosquitos would eat us alive, I think we would scare everyone to death. We hit the road at 7:30am to destination unknown, the guesses were in and the twoonies collected. Soon after our departure a light snack and a mimosa was enjoyed by all. During our trip Karen fooled the group and she loved hearing the oohhs and aahhs as she tricked them. We finally got to our destination, Pine Hills Golf Club in Rocky Mountain House. This golf course has the beauty and excitement of a true golf experience on the “Gateway to the Great Canadian Rockies” in Central Alberta. The Pine Hills Golf Club combines the challenge of a championship golf course with the serenity of a classic retreat. Nestled amid 397 acres, Pine Hills offers dramatic views and a casual, unhurried atmosphere that you just can’t find at other golf courses. For Golfaround this was visit number three as we did a previous Mystery bus trip here and were joined by the group from Edmonton’s Golfaound. When planning this we had a hard time keeping the destination secret, but it all worked out. The other visit was a Play & Stay weekend which was another success. Our weather this time was perfect not to hot and no wind, we did get a small sun shower but it came and went quickly. On arrival it was a hive of activity as everyone hurried to decorate their carts, and what a fantastic effort was made. The Kālua Pig was so very innovative complete with flames, coals and servers with matching shirts, so very well done. Then there was Shaking it up with Blue Bay these gals were decked out in beautiful blue grass skirts adorned with yellow accents, blue leis and wrist bands and anklets. I thought the Hawaiian music was coming from the club house but no it was coming from their cart so they could gyrate and sip their blue Hawaiian drink. I believe we all enjoyed playing this scenic golf course and our format made it playable for everyone. Following the round, we were treated to a great buffet of spice crusted roast beef complete with all the trimmings and the dessert choices were fabulous. We want to express our thanks to Nancy R, Cynthis B Susan B , Pine Hills & Linda M for donating prizes, it really added to our event. On the way home we got to kind of watch/ hear the commentary for the final Stanley Cup game. Go Oilers go was the chant but unfortunately it was not meant to be. Shaunna was very innovative in setting up her phone to make the play visible for us.

The staff at Pine Hills were so very helpful and really appreciated us visiting. They couldn’t do enough to ensure we had a wonderful time. Thanks so very much. Thanks also to everyone who participated in the theme, you went above and beyond, so much innovation and so much fun.

Check out the album on Facebook

 

The recent water restrictions, due to the massive water main break, here in Calgary have many pondering how our golf courses irrigate their fairways and greens, so we thought it opportune to do a little research about how the golf courses stay hydrated.

You may or may not know that The Water Act of 2000 states that all water in the province, as well as the right to its diversion and use, is vested in the Crown. This means that water can only be used with the permission of the provincial government. For municipalities and businesses, this permission is tied to a license. There are tens of thousands of licences for surface and groundwater in Alberta. From municipalities to agricultural operations, golf courses and oil companies — with few exceptions, anyone taking or diverting water in meaningful quantities needs a license to do so.

Golf courses source water for irrigation from various water sources depending on their location and regional availability. Here are the primary sources used:

1. Groundwater: Many golf courses rely on groundwater from wells. This involves extracting water from underground aquifers. The availability of groundwater depends on the geological characteristics of the area.
2. Surface Water: Golf courses situated near lakes, rivers, and reservoirs often use surface water for irrigation. These natural bodies of water provide a consistent supply during the growing season.
3. Recycled Water: Some golf courses utilize recycled water, which is treated wastewater from municipal sewage systems. This reclaimed water is safe for irrigation and helps conserve freshwater resources.
4. Municipal Potable Water: In urban areas, golf courses may access municipal drinking water. However, using potable water for irrigation is less sustainable due to its high demand and cost.

The choice of water source depends on factors such as location, climate, and local regulations.  Golf course managers continually strive to strike a balance between maintaining course quality and conserving water resources. ️‍

 

Hellen Jung, a member from 2002 was cleaning out her basement and found her old  Golfaround binder. For those of you who joined since 2014 will not know about the binders as this was when we developed our present web site and included all the information required for your lessons and league. In the binder there was a league schedule which included the rates back then. It was very interesting to look at how inflation has affected us. The cost increase varied from 2.5% to 140%.

We certainly understand that inflation has affected all of us and I am sure the cost of operating a golf course is heavily impacted as well so we thought it would be good to share some basic information of the maintenance cost to keep the golf courses in the condition we have come to expect.

The annual cost to maintain a golf course can range from about $500,000 for a public course and double that for a private course with labor representing 50% of this. Private clubs have higher maintenance costs than public courses, as they usually charge higher green fees, so require more attention to detail.

A typical public course will have between 12 and 18 maintenance employees. Likewise, private courses will usually have between 18 and 25 to meet extra demand. Employing a maintenance team doesn’t come cheap! The average golf course maintenance salary in the Canada  is $30,000 to $40,000 per year.

The next major cost is equipment, accounting for around 12% of the annual budget and this figure includes the leasing of maintenance equipment, as well as the ongoing repair and running expenses incurred, such as fuel and lubricants. Mowing will often consume a large portion of a maintenance team’s day. Therefore, a reliable collection of mowing equipment is essential. Usually, clubs will use several types of mowers, each suited to a different part of the course. However, mowers aren’t the only machines used on the golf course. Most golf clubs have a diverse collection of specialized equipment to keep the course in top shape. This includes turf cultivation equipment, such as those used for aerating, fertilization, and pest-management equipment.

The third significant expense is fertilizer and pesticides, at around 9% of the budget. Golf course fertilizers are a necessary ingredient for many clubs, especially those looking to maintain a pristine course in a location with challenging climates. Essentially, fertilizers are used as a supplement to keep the turf healthy when the soil alone isn’t meeting its needs, encouraging growth and providing valuable nutrients.  For this reason, many courses fertilize the greens every two weeks with the fairways and tee boxes being fertilized twice annually.

Furthermore, pesticides are also used to ensure the turf remains in prime condition. In particular, maintenance teams will use fungicides to combat the unwanted growth of fungi, which can occur naturally in many environments. Last but not least is the cost of fuel and utilities which we know have increased for us both at the pump and on our water bills. Just watering our lawn and garden is pretty expensive so I can’t imagine the cost of watering a golf course.

Given that labor expenses account for more than half of golf course maintenance costs, what sort of tasks are golf course maintenance teams expected to do?

Putting greens are mowed almost daily
Greens are periodically rolled to improve smoothness
Bunkers are frequently raked to prepare for the day’s play
Hole locations are changed to distribute traffic and add variety to play
Tee markers are moved often to avoid excessive wear
Tee boxes and fairways are mowed several times each week
The rough is mowed multiple times per week
Trash cans, ball washers, and other accessories are replenished
Maintenance costs are directly proportional to the quality of the golf course. Often, pristine courses will be able to charge higher green fees to offset the expense.