A shout out to lady golfers and wannabe be golfers in Red Deer and surrounding areas. Golfaround started up in Red Deer last year and we had a very successful season.  This is your chance to join this unique women’s golf program where out motto is “Girls just want to have Fun”  We are planning an information session in early March where you can come and meet us, other members and learn more about Golfaround.  Contact us for more information at golf4u@golfaround.ca

You will play a variety of golf courses with access to scheduled weekly tee times for the season without the frustration of having to book them. There is no worry about finding a foursome to play with or spending time with a group of friends, and there is the opportunity to meet new people engaging in social and professional networking.

The instructional programs, league play and special events are designed to help beginners and seasoned players improve. The women gain support and are challenged as they have new experiences. What a great way to get away from it all and out into the fresh air of the outdoors. It reduces anxiety, decreases the affects of depression, brings stress levels down, offering therapeutic benefits for the golfer and above all else golfing is one of the best social distancing sports.

Golfaround is pleased to be able to offer the opportunity for you to purchase the Canada Golf Card. Dianne and I purchased 1 last year and we did not have to use it much for it to pay for itself.  When you check out where it can be used you will find Inglewood Golf Course, Valley Ridge, River Spirit, Wintergreen, Apple Creek and Nanton and many more. You will find free cart with 2 green fees, 50% of second green fee and 25% off purchased green fees. Use this special promo code golfaround23 to purchase the card for $49.95 +GST a savings of $21. Click here to purchase.

The website will be updated with 2022 program information by the end of the year, existing members can start registering January 1, 2022. Please note registration opens to new members February 1.  Beginners who are ready to move to the “intermediate” league are given the opportunity before we accept new members February 1, so you need to register in January. Lessons will run in Calgary  in February and March and need to be signed up for in early January.

• Short Game Clinics (Feb)
• Indoor Level I Beginner (Mar)
• Indoor Level II (Mar)

To say we are looking forward to winter practice and socialization would be an understatement. We have missed these get togethers, it is a great way to get to know each other just a little bit better.  I am working at organizing practice sessions at the Eaglequest Golf Dome in the north and the south dome at the National Golf Academy. I am pretty sure we will have to show proof of vaccination to use the facilities and practice may have to be organized and communicated earlier and numbers may be restricted; and in some cases early payment required. A schedule and procedures will be sent early in January. We are really looking forward to getting together.

Golfaround is pleased to be able to offer the opportunity for you to purchase the Canada Golf Card and I can’t think of a better stocking stuffer for us golfers.  Dianne and I purchased 1 last year and we did not have to use it much for it to pay for itself.  Use this special promo code golfaround22 to purchase the card for $47.95 +GST a savings of $22. Click here to purchase.

I am sorry to say Lyn Propp will not be returning as the Edmonton Coordinator, her personal life will take a new direction so she will not be able to manage the Coordinator role. We want to thank her for working through 2 very challenging years, I will miss her witty sense of humor helping us both stay sane during crazy times. She looked after organizing the golf games for those members that deferred their membership in 2020 to 2021 with no compensation, and although we paid her in 2021 there were a number of surprizes that needed some quick and creative action. We will be looking for a new Edmonton Coordinator, if you or you know someone that is interested please contact Kristy Hutton at golf4u@golfaround.ca for more information about the role.

On August 21 the Edmonton Golfaround ladies met to celebrate the end of the season by golfing at the PineRidge Golf Resort.  For those of you who are not familiar with Pineridge it is an absolute must play while in the Edmonton Area.  This 12 hole course with tough rounded greens – I call them teacup greens – is so much fun.  Not only are there bunkers but serious water hazards that contain Alligators! Yes, you heard it here.  And there are a few blind spot holes in which they use a unique mirror system to ensure safe play. Check out our photos. It is located by Seba Beach and Wabamun approximately a 45 minute drive out of the city.

The weather was perfect – and everyone was ready to play.  And for the first time ever (at least in my mind) for golfaround – we had a gentleman join our group for our Play Day.  Cameron who is a self-described “honey” of Donna fit right in with his group.

Plus, rumour has it that Lorie Baddock scored a Birdie on #10 and hope someone had birdie juice to celebrate.

As well – Michelle Nachai scored her very first Birdie – this is her first year with Golfaround in our Beginner League.  Congratulations!

The day was capped off with cocktails and food at the 9 Iron Grill also known as the Los Toritos Grill and Patio.

And finally, one of our members Therese K., said it the best:

“I would like to say that Saturday’s day at Pine Ridge summed up everything I love about Golfaround. It was a beautiful day and a fun course but best of all was being in a group with three “strangers” — Golfarounders whose paths I hadn’t crossed before — who were an absolutely delight.

Like many days in this league, some of the best information I write on my scorecard is the names of the other women in my group.”
Written by Lyn Propp Edmonton Coordinator

Golf certainly became popular with many taking up the game, continuing to play or revisiting the sport after taking a few years off. It seemed like a great time to see if  there would be interest in Central Alberta. Thanks to support and an introduction from Scott Bergdahl we were able to plan a program in Central Alberta.  This year we offered a Spring Tune Up for the intermediate players and Level 1 Beginner lessons at the Lakewood Golf Resort with both Scott and Jordan Jensen teaching. The ladies have also had the opportunity to play at a different golf course each week experiencing some very nice courses in Central Alberta. Thank you to Balmoral, Innisfail, Sylvan Lake, Spirit Creek, Lakewood, Ponoka, Alberta Springs, Lacombe, Whispering Pines and Wolf Creek for supporting our program.

A big thank you to my long time friend Theodora Bradley (Red Deer Coordinator) for wanting to help get it started in Red Deer and for Desiree’s perseverance and determination to make sure we had our numbers to run. It was a challenging start but thanks to some enthusiastic and flexible ladies Golfaround Red Deer was born June 1 2021.

I only have a couple to post this month. If you have an exceptional moment you would like to share, send us the details and we will make sure you get your moment of glory. Colleen Flinta got a Birdie on Hole #7 at Wintergreen, she had a beauty shot on and we made her take her time with her putt. Too bad I forgot the birdie juice. It was a “hot” one last night at Sirocco and I think Sharon Sandwell was on fire, she had great game and her highlight was chipping in to the hole.

It looks like we will not be able to gather for our Orientation and Social so we have planned a virtual presentation using Zoom. For event details Calgary click here & Edmonton click here.   We tell new members a little bit about Golfaround and how we got started, we also review the booking procedures and policies.  An invitation will be sent to new members via e-mail to join the virtual presentation, it will be recorded for those to review later.  You can also find the information in  the Membership Information Package in the Members area on the website.

We are hopeful to do the Beginning Golf Course Orientation in both Edmonton and Calgary Saturday May 8 4:00pm. Calgary’s takes place at on the loop at Heritage Pointe golf course and Edmonton’s on the Dragon Heads Golf course.  Golfers new to the game or those that have not had very much experience do find the Beginner Golf Course Orientation very beneficial. It is not mandatory but we highly recommend so that you start off the right way and avoid feeling uncomfortable while learning this great game.  Some feel nervous and  intimidated so this is our way to boost your confidence before you head out on a  golf course. You will play 3 holes with a mentor who gives you some advice and helpful hints. Some of the things we cover:

• What to do on the tee box, fairway, green
• Ready Golf and Pace of Play
• Golf Etiquette
• What to wear, what you need

We have started indoor lessons at Eaglequest Golf Dome in the north following the protocols that are still in place.  It was so nice to see some different faces and feel the excitement of being able to get out and do something. Everyone was so excepting of what we need to do at this point in time to get back to some sense of normal.  Our planning this season has not been without it challenges so a big thank you to many of you for being flexible.  It is going to be a very busy season and we do expect things to run similar to last year so will definitely need your support and help.