Golf course opens for another season

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer

It’s time to dust off those golf clubs and get ready to hit the greens.

The Bridges at Claresholm Golf Club opened its 2019 season on March 29, with a lot of players out on opening day.

It’s a month sooner than last year when April 24 was opening day.

“Anybody who played today said the greens came through the winter well,” said Lyle Broderson, golf pro/manager.

“We had people from High River, Nanton, even from Innisfail,” he later added.

The Bridges at Claresholm Golf Club will have a lot going on again this year.

The club is offering some of the same specials as years past such as two-for-one Tuesday and dollar-a-hole Wednesday, to encourage people to try the course.

Superintendent Rod Andrews is back ensuring the course not only came through the winter well, but will be well maintained and cared for all year.

Leagues will be getting under way shortly in early May. The club is taking names for the men’s league with their draft taking place on April 27. The ladies’ league will have their meeting on April 30.

There are also daytime leagues, including a nine-hole scramble men’s league open to members and non-members, and a Wednesday morning ladies’ league, open to members and non-members as well.

There has also been growth in the number of younger members, and junior lessons will start up towards the end of May or early June when the weather warms up. Lessons for beginners will be also be offfered.

Another feature the golf course offers is a driving range. Players can buy a season pass or a bucket of balls to practise their drives.

Some changes and improvements have been made to the course as well.

A new covered bridge is being built on the 10th hole.

“That’ll bring up to three the covered bridges on the golf course,” Broderson said.

The Town of Claresholm is re-doing all the channels as part of its stormwater management plan.

“The end product will definitely add to the golf course,” Broderson said.

The club was successful in securing a Community Facilities Enhancement Program grant from the provincial government to re-do the wheelchair ramp for the clubhouse and some other work. Some glass barrier will be put down by the staircase and trees will be planted to block some of the wind.

All the regular tournaments are back this year including the firefighters’, Lions, Foothills Ford, and Kinsmen tournaments.

Jim and Megan Copeland are starting their third year operating Putters, the restaurant in the clubhouse, offering the same menu and specials throughout the year.

The pro shop welcomes back many of the same, familiar faces and will have a lot to offer.

“Lots of new stock is coming in daily,” Broderson said.

So Broderson encourages everyone to check out the golf course.

“It’s going to be a good season,” he said. “It is open for the public.”

Anyone interested in more information can contact the Bridges at Claresholm Golf Club at 403-625-3500.