The Cochrane Eagle's 2014 golf guide, featuring seven courses in and around Cochrane.
240 Riverview Dr., Cochrane
Semi-private
Holes: 9
Length: 3,450 yards, par-35
Status: Open
Fees (all prices include GST): Adults, Mon-Thurs., 9 holes $32; 18 holes $55. Fri.-Sun, holidays, 9 holes $35; 18 holes $60. Junior (17-under), 9 holes $22; 18 holes $37. Children under 6 accompanied by an adult, free.
Power cart rentals: 9 holes $22; 18 holes $36.
Seasonal Memberships: New adult, $1,645+GST; New couple, $2,895+GST; Family, $3,150+GST
Amenities: Full clubhouse with licenced restaurant, locker room and shower for members, power cart and equipment rentals, lessons and pro shop/retail store, golf simulator.
Booking: 932-5103,
cochranegolfclub.com
Comments: "We're open on full greens. The Greens came out in excellent shape. Playing tough as usual. Typical spring conditions on fairways, greens in mid-summer shape," says Eric Kauffmann, course manager.
100 Gleneagles Dr, Cochrane
Public
Holes: 18
Length: 7,019 yards, par-72
Status: Open
Fees: Mon.-Tues, $85. Wed.-Thurs., $95. Fri.-Sun. and holidays, $105. Twilight, $65 (after 5 p.m.) and Nitehawk $38 (after 6:30). Special packages and rates available for groups, and flexcards for individuals. Tournament bookings still available for 2014.
Power cart rentals: $20 per person
Amenities: Licenced restaurant, power cart rentals, pull cart rentals, club rentals, bag rain-cover rentals, lessons and pro shop, driving range.
Booking: 403-932-1100,
www.gleneaglesgolf.com
Comments: "The full course is open for the season," says Gleneagles head pro Kevin Graf. "It's looking really good. The greens wintered really well. It's playing really well right now."
100-2 Tsuu T'ina Dr.,
Redwood Meadows
Semi-private
Holes: 18
Length: 7,238 yards, par-72
Status: Driving range open, course expected to open May 2 (weather dependent, check with course at 403-949-3663)
Fees (public tee times available 2 days in advance. All fees exclude GST): Adults $95. Juniors $30.
Power cart rentals: $33
Equity memberships: $12,500 (transfer fee waived for beginning of season, equating to significant savings on membership resales).
Annual Associate Memberships (full booking privileges, one year maximum): $3,250
Amenities: Licenced restaurant, power cart and equipment rentals, lessons and pro shop. Halfway House BBQ, double-ended grass-teed 365-yard driving range. Fifty-yard-and-under short-game area including practice bunker. Two putting greens, three-hole short course (30-40 yards each) for kids. Corporate tournaments booking out quickly, some space for 2014 still available. Tournaments for any sized group held Mondays and Thursdays.
Booking: 403-949-3663,
www.redwoodmeadows.com
Comments: "We wintered very well. Our superintendent has done a great job with the course," says Redwood head pro Mike Gawryluk. "The work we've done to repair the high-water event from last year has worked very well. The sod and turf has grown. We're opening on 18 holes of mighty Redwood magic. Looking forward to having everyone coming out to play. The driving range is already open. We're thinking possibly of opening for play maybe this weekend. We're really close here."
Bragg Creek
Semi-private
Holes: 18
Length: 6,713 yards, par-72
Status: Bookings start May 2 for full-course play beginning May 9 (weather dependent)
Fees (excluding GST): Mon.-Thurs. (to 4 p.m., excluding holidays), $75. Weekends: $99.99. Mon.-Thurs. and Sun. twilight, $52. Fri.-Sat. twilight, $58.
Power cart rentals: $20 per person.
Seasonal membership: $3,065.98+GST
Amenities: Clubhouse, licenced restaurant and lounge, driving range (irons-only), chipping and putting area, power cart and equipment rentals, lessons and pro shop. Still accepting tournament bookings for 2014. Clubhouse/lounge open May 2.
Booking: 403-949-3333,
www.wintergreengolf.com
Comments: "We start taking public tee-time bookings May 2, a week in advance of the course opening," says Wintergreen head pro Tom Day. "We feel our course wintered well. Once we get open we'll have some of the best opening conditions we've ever had. The greens came out in excellent shape."
#8 Lynx Ridge Blvd. NW, Calgary
Semi-private
Holes: 18
Length: 6,826 yards, par-71
Status: Open
Fees (excluding GST): 18 holes Mon.-Thurs., $89. Fri.-Sun.-holidays, $99. Mon.-Thurs. before 8 a.m., $65. 9 holes Mon.-Thurs., $45. Fri.-Sun.-holidays, $50.
Power cart rentals: 18 holes, $19 per person. 9 holes, $21 (10.50 per person).
Equity Memberships: $30,000
Amenities: Clubhouse, licenced restaurant, driving range, putting greens, chipping area, power cart and equipment rentals, lessons and pro shop. Still booking tournaments for 2014.
Promotions: Special opening-season rate, $65 on weekdays and $75 on weekends for 18 holes; $35 for 9.
Booking: 403-547-5969, www.lynxridge.com
Comments: "It's great. We never open on temporary greens," says Lynx Ridge head pro John Seymour. "The greens wintered well, which is probably the most important piece of golf. Our general maintenance is helping the course rebound more quickly from winter."
5154 Highway 27, Sundre
Public
Holes: 18
Length: 6,796, par-72
Status: Bookings start May 2 for full-course play beginning May 9 (weather dependent).
Fees (excluding GST): 18 holes Mon.-Thurs. $79 adult, $69 senior, $39 junior. Fri.-Sun-holidays adult $99, junior $39 (after 2 p.m.), twilight $59 (after 4 p.m.). 9 holes Mon.-Thurs. $49 adult, $45 senior, $25 junior. Twilight (after 4 p.m.) $49.
Power cart/pull cart rentals: Included in green fees.
Amenities: Brand-new hotel, clubhouse, licenced restaurant, driving range, putting greens, chipping area, power cart and equipment rentals, lessons and pro shop. Still booking tournaments for 2014.
Annual Memberships: $1,550 (gold), $1,100 (silver).
Promotions: Stay and play $199 per person based on double occupancy, includes after 2 p.m. tee-time and morning tee-time.
Booking: 1-800-565-0525, www.sundregolf.com
Comments: "We're hoping to open the course for play May 9," says Sundre head pro Colin Snair. "We start booking tee times May 2. Our golf course weathered very well. We're expecting our greens to be in excellent shape. We'll be opening to solid conditions as in years past. We hope to hit the ground running."
Water Valley
Semi-private
Holes: 18
Length: 6,610 yards, par-72
Status: Aiming for May 9 opening (weather dependent).
Fees (excluding GST): Mon.-Thurs. $45. Friday $47.62. Sat.-Sun. and holidays $60. Student (14-17) weekdays only $35. Junior (8-13) weekdays only $25. 9 holes after 5 p.m. weekdays $25. 9 holes weekends after 5 p.m. $30.
Power cart rentals: $34.29 +GST.
Seasonal membership: Sold out for 2014.
Amenities: Clubhouse, licenced restaurant, driving range, putting green, power cart and equipment rentals, pro shop.
Promotions: "Nine and Dine" green fee Friday nights for $31.50/person+GST. Restaurant also has 2-for-1 dinner special available after 4 p.m. every Friday night. $50 Fridays, golf for $50, GST included.
Booking: 403-637-2388, www.watervalleygolf.ca
Comments: "Other than the white stuff, it's very green. It's in excellent shape. Once we get through with the snow it will be fine," says course owner Cindy Setter. "The good thing is there wasn't much frost in the ground. The greens wintered excellent. We're going to have two brand-new greens this spring. When you first come, there may be temporary greens in for the first couple of weeks on those two holes. If we have the temps, there will be a discount. We're kind of playing it by ear. It's weather dependent."
