Tumbler Ridge Golf and Country Club

A community course

The community of Tumbler Ridge holds the local golf and country club very near and dear to its heart, for one reason in particular—the course is owned by the whole of the town.

“The course is truly owned by the community—I just leased it,” said Graham Johnson. “It was built by good, hard-working volunteers 20 years ago. I’ve been just making sure that people know that it’s their course, and I’m just here to help them maintain it.”

Johnson just began leasing the course this year, but he plans to keep the contract held for the long term. And though he may have an official title, Johnson said that Tumbler Ridge is really a place of the people.

“Seeing the enthusiasm of the local people to embrace the facility… there’s a lot of support,” he said. “Members take a real sense of ownership with it. I’m just working on making it a fun place to be.”

The course

The 9-hole, par-36 course is not terribly lengthy, but the wide diversity of the holes can create a few unexpected challenges.

“Every hole has its own character and interesting, unique design,” said Johnson. “There’s a lot of elevation changes, and some of the holes have small postage stamp greens, so it might look like a relatively easy hole, but it can be intimidating.”

So how exactly should a golfer approach these smaller greens and elevation shifts?

“Don’t be aggressive,” Johnson said. “If you play aggressively, you will get into trouble. You need to use course management on this course more than you would on other small courses.”

Having played the course for several years prior to taking over, Johnson has his fair share of experience with the layout and the atmosphere of the course. And though it offers a relaxing, secluded feel, the Tumbler Ridge Golf and Country Club is located just a five-minute drive from the heart of the town.

“It’s just beautiful, near the Murray River, nestled inside the mountains,” said Johnson. “Deer and wildlife are running all over the course on a regular basis. You get to see deer, foxes—it’s a gem.”

2014 events

The course has begun several new traditions this year, with some exciting events taking place over the summer months.

“We just had Shaun Majumder at our celebrity tournament this week,” said Johnson. “The turnout was very strong. It’s the first year we’re running, but we’re planning for it to be an annual event.”

On July 5, the course is set to host a nighttime Glow Ball Tournament, starting at 10 p.m. Johnson said he is really looking forward to the turnout, and hopes that it will be a good way to encourage younger players to come out and join the fun. Another way that the course is planning on motivating youth involvement is through musical events.

“We’re going to be having a small tournament with the Sam Roberts Band in August,” said Johnson. “On the driving range, they’ll play a small concert, and then we’ll have the tournament the next day on August 11.”

Johnson believes that the celebrity tournament and the visit by the award-winning band will be a great way to generate some more interest in the course, but he also said there will always be loyal golfers at Tumbler Ridge regardless of big name appearances.

“There’s a strong sense of community,” he said. “It’s just a unique little 9-hole course that’s very affordable.”