Rocky Mountain golf course developments

Established Alberta courses get improvements and upgrades

What is old and cherished is also new and exciting in the world of Alberta golf. The Canmore Golf and Curling Club, Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette at Kananaskis and Silvertip Golf Resort in Bow Valley are getting nice enhancements that will increase golfers’ enjoyment of the Rocky Mountain courses. h3. Added challenge Established in 1926, Canmore Golf and Curling Club has always been a true community course, as it was constructed and developed by residents. The 18-hole par 71-72 course that is set alongside the Bow River with views of the dramatic Three Sisters mountains is getting remodeled at the approaches to the first and 10th holes. The 18th hole is getting an entirely new entrance. Reid Solodan, course superintendent, said, “We have a master plan that we are picking away on. We’ve added more challenge and aesthetics to our par five holes (the first, 10th and 18th). To our first hole, we added four tee decks, we’ve added a numerous amount of trees, and this fall we will be doing a big bunker complex between our first and 10th hole. We also added a new double-ended driving range and two practice holes.” The clubhouse at Canmore is spruced up as well, featuring improvements to the kitchen, washrooms and dining areas. h3. A new fleet of carts Getting around the Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette championship courses amid the towering limestone peaks in Kananaskis will be easier since they added a fleet of Club Cars. “Following the re-asphalting of our entire cart path system in the fall of 2008, we are excited to present our customers with a brand new fleet of the electric Precedent model golf carts from Club Car,” said Darren Robinson, general manager at the course. “In addition to a multitude of new features in the 2009 Precedent cart, our new fleet will have a folding front windshield providing our guests the perfect vantage of the magnificent mountain vistas while breathing the pure, fresh mountain air as they drive.” h3. A place to increase golf skills Those seeking to work on their swing should take advantage of the practice green that was added to Canmore’s Silvertip Golf Resort in 2008. The Les Furber-designed resort added a director of instruction position, held by CPGA Class A professional Clinton Schmaltz. This high mountain course, characterized by limestone outcroppings, also features a new clubhouse, golf shop and concession area constructed in 2008. Due to the movement of the cart path on the first hole (it now goes fully down the right hand side of the hole), the fairway is larger and allows better access. The fairway has also been extended and the left hand bunker removed on the ninth hole. The result is that the hole is now more forgiving off of the tee. The ninth hole also has two new tee boxes that allow it to play 30 yards shorter. It has lessened the difficulty that was characteristic of this par four with an elevated green. The tenth hole has had a cart path added to the right hand side, so golfers no longer have to walk up and down an undulating bank to get to it. The resort is also in the process of releveling 20 new tee boxes for the comfort of golfers.