This year, our esteemed Mystery Bus trip was indeed filled with surprises. We initiated our planning ahead of time by obtaining information and booking Drumheller before Christmas. We priced our package and received an overwhelming response. However, communicating with the authorities in Drumheller proved challenging, and when we finally did manage to reach them, we were frustrated to find that the pricing had changed. This raised concerns about how things would be managed, prompting us to go back to the drawing board to find a replacement location.
Firstly, we consulted George at Alberta Coach, who inquired, “What happened to Drumheller?” It is important to note that a motor coach driver’s hours of service are strictly regulated by Federal and Provincial laws, which limit the number of hours a driver can operate in a day. Our alternative golf course required a longer drive, necessitating a new pick-up location closer to the south since Alberta Coach is based in Okotoks, and the driver’s hours start upon picking up the coach. Additionally, we had to arrange for a shotgun start to reduce our playing time. This arrangement was negotiated but incurred an additional charge per person. In our 25-plus years, we have never encountered so many unexpected developments. To further complicate matters, on the night before our event, we discovered that the course had been closed for two days due to heavy rain, leaving us uncertain about what to expect.
We boarded the bus at Southcentre, with everyone speculating about our destination. As we headed south, guesses included Picture Butte, Paradise Canyon, Henderson Lake, and others. Upon passing through Lethbridge, most participants were stumped, except for Deb Culhane, who correctly guessed Magrath and won the pot—congratulations, Deb.
Upon our arrival at the Magrath Golf Club, we found everything prepared for us, and the conditions were excellent. There was a flurry of activity as we decorated our carts according to the theme: Wine & Roses. The decorations were impressive, and the club
took photographs to commemorate their 100-year anniversary, having been in operation since 1925. The course was in great shape and it really is a hidden gem, with beautiful scenery, challenging play and good vibes. We finished our day with a very tasty roast beef dinner followed by prizes and fun. We enjoyed the day and I do believe the participants did as well.