It’s time to dust off your driver and swing into spring at the Paddle River Golf &Country Club.
The 62-year-old club teed off its new season last Wednesday – the first day of May – after a winter layoff that seemed to last forever.
So how did the nine hole, 2,399-yard course survive the hazards of ice, snow and freezing temperatures?
According to club manager and greenskeeper Tracy Pess the fairways and greens are in good shape.
“It’s a little wet in some places, but a lot of the water has been pumped off fairways and paths,” he said. “I would say the greens survived the winter well and last night we got the irrigation system up and running.”
He was speaking on Friday, the day before sweltering Saturday when the temperature blasted into the high 20s.
It is the type of weather the club prays will continue as it plans to put on more tournaments this year, hoping to attract young and old alike and boost membership which currently totals around 200.
There are proposals for a scramble tournament and Men’s Open, Ladies Open and Junior Open.
Pess will also continue his junior program, giving two-hour lessons for a $1 in a bid to get more youngsters interested in the game.
Although some may consider the Paddle as the little brother of Barrhead’s 18-hole championship course a few miles away, anybody who disrespects it could be made to suffer.
Pess, an experienced golfer with an impressive record in local tournaments, is familiar with the challenges. The many trees, water hazards and sand traps can snare the unwary, and the compactness of the course tends to punish big hitters, who put strength and length over accuracy.
Sure they may find their ball after a wayward drive, but how to reach the green in two?
“It will certainly test your short game. If you get underneath the trees it’s hard to chip out,” Pess said. “The greens are also small so there is less room for error.”
In 2011 golfers were tested further with the addition of water hazards and extra sand traps.
After a round at the Paddle, what could be more enjoyable than relaxing in the clubhouse, reflecting on those birdies and the putts that went agonizingly close?
Unfortunately, the standard “nineteenth” hole – golfing colloquialism for a post-game drink – is currently in the seating area outside the front entrance, not in the upstairs restaurant or on the deck.
The club has been looking to rent or lease out the restaurant this year, so far without success. Anybody interested in such a venture, should contact the club.
In the meantime, if nobody comes forward, the restaurant will only be open during special events and tournaments.
Fortunately, the club has better news to report on its financial health.
Pess said the club, which relies in part on provincial government grants and is run by a board of directors was recently helped by a casino in St. Albert which raised about $20,000.
“We are in pretty good shape financially,” said Pess, who does a lot of the equipment maintenance himself. “For instance, all the carts here have been paid for.”
One project in the pipeline is to do up the deck.
“There are always upgrades that need to be done,” said Pess, who spends winter in the pipeline business.
To be back at the Paddle River club, tending to the course and doing DIY jobs makes for a welcome change.
“My friends see it as my vacation,” he laughs. “I love it here.”
Mariet Kosterbok, assistant manager and in charge of the Proshop, has put up a “welcome back” sign outside the front entrance.
“We are happy and excited to be up and running again,” she said. “The course is in great condition.”
Kosterbok, who has been at the club five years, sells hot dogs, pizza pops, muffins and liquor from the shop, as well as the usual golf gear.
It means golfers can still enjoy good food and drink, even if the restaurant is closed.
Kosterbok said one of the new developments was the club’s website www.paddlerivergolf.com.
It will list upcoming tournaments – still to be finalized – and contains details about rates for membership and playing. There is also a map, photo album and information on men’s night (every Wednesday) and ladies night (Monday).
Priding itself on its family atmosphere, the club has a special offer for Mother’s Day on Sunday.
All mothers can play for only $1 a hole. Over nine holes that equates to a $10 saving on the normal rate.
“We will also be doing something similar for fathers on Father’s Day,” said Kosterbok.
The 2013 rates are: Senior (55 years &older), $300; Adult (18 to 54), $360; Juniors (14 to 17), $170; Youth (5 to 13), $140; Family (two adults, four children), $770; and Family (for each additional child), $35.
The power cart season pass is $600, power cart storage is $200. Locker rental: upper level, $17; lower level, $22, and key deposit lower level, $5.
