If you’re teeing it up at the Strathmore Golf Club, you best have your game face on right away. After all, according to the professional staff there, the toughest tests here come early on.

Brian Bassen, the Executive Pro, and Brad Gagne, the Club’s Head Professional, agreed the stretch from the second hole through the sixth are what can simply make, or break, your round. And when you come right down to it, it’s the fifth hole in particular that is the one that can easily tax players the most.

Asked to characterize the layout here, which is just east of Calgary, Gagne noted first of all that the fairways are wide with lots of room to roam. Things do change as you close each hole out though. “There aren’t a lot of trees. It’s very player-friendly off the tee. The true defence of our golf course are the greens. There’s a lot of movement, a lot of undulation. They’re usually very quick. There aren’t a lot of flat putts.”

This is where Bassen chipped in, saying, “A lot of people look at our course and think it’s easy but our greens are tough to read,” which in the end makes this layout, as flat and as open as it may be, a true test of golf. “Every green is a challenge,” in trying to figure out break and slope. “We’re not that type of course,” where the ball always goes the same direction on every putt, Bassen noted. “There is no rhyme or reason. Every green has been built differently so it makes them all challenging.”

While the pros say the course is open, there are plenty of other challenges awaiting you prior to pulling out the putter. Many holes call for approach shots over bunkers or water to get to that short grass. “You have to have some (good) shots to get around this course pretty well,” Gagne chimed in.

Speaking of that tough beginning to everyone’s round over five of the first six holes, the two pros shared their visions on what makes that so. “We always say from two to six,” are keys to scoring well here, said Gagne. “Two is a tough hole coming right out of the shoot.”

Then of course, there is that fifth hole.

Described as their “signature hole,” measuring only 333 yards off the White tees, but moving up  to 385 yards from the next deck back, this dogleg left shoots a surprise at players after they tee off.  You see, their second volley is into, and hopefully,onto, an island green.  “We just redid that green a year ago,” Bassen pointed out. “The hole looks fantastic. The thing is hitting the fairway on your drive for your next shot because it is a complete island green. The green isn’t real large; we’ll call it average.”

One saving grace on this hole is that the maintenance crew comes to your aid if your approach shot is a bit long coming in. They’ve let the fringe area grow a bit long so that balls will catch the six to 10 feet of rough before taking a dive, giving you a chance for an up-and-down par.

Over its 18  holes, the Strathmore GC offers five sets of tees meaning it’s a place where everyone can find a good starting point on each hole. There are also a variety of combo tees here, on a layout that plays to 6,813 yards at its longest, down to 5,247 from the forward tee.

In addition to the course, you’ll find a great place to practice and/or warm up and sharpen up your game on an all-grass driving range. One unique factor there is that they use full-flight golf balls. There is alsoa pair of chipping and putting greens to get  you ready for what lays ahead.

By the way, if you think this course is a cakewalk once you’ve cleared those first six holes, hang on because you haven’t seen Number 18 yet. It’s a lengthy par-3, playing over 200 yards from the Blue tees; 191 yards off the Whites; and 165 yards from the forward blocks. And just to make it really interesting, there’s water on both sides and a bunker complex at the back of the green, so you best keep that game face on from start to finish at the Strathmore Golf Club.

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If there was one word to sum up the philosophy of The Track Golf Club in Langdon, it would be ‘Fun.’ You see, that’s what this rural golf course wants to bring back to the game. Laughter. Joy. And no strict dress restrictions.

Speaking to their desire for people to come to this layout, enjoy the day, and leave with a smile on their face, Gregg Schubert, the Head Professional at The Track, noted: “We wanted a place where people could be comfortable …. to be more relaxed, unpretentious. Just go out and enjoy yourself.”

And that’s exactly what you can do on this 18-hole layout just east of Calgary, where the course is moulded in a links style of play. “We don’t have a lot of trees out here. Water comes into play on 15 of 18 holes and the wind can be a pretty big factor out here,” Schubert said of living up to that classification.

The length of the course off the back tees isn’t short. In fact, at just under 7,000 yards given the wind and water that face players here, a par of 72 could be a tough haul. But, with a handful of teeing areas to choose from, it meaning everyone, whether you’re a newbie to the game or an experienced player, can find the right spot to start their adventure on each hole.

“On the front nine it’s a trio of threes,” with three each of par-3s, par-4s and par-5s, “and our back nine is more traditional, with two 3s and two 5s, and five par-4 holes,” Schubert explained. “Our signature hole is probably number 18, which is 460 from the back tees with water all the way down the right. It’s the most difficult hole on the course, but we do have a lot of great holes on the course, depending on the wind that day.”

While a true links course is actually located along a coastal area with sparse vegetation, and rather arid soil, that’s not far off the mark here. One characteristic of those courses is the opportunity for bump-and-run shots from well out onto the green. And yes, there are quite a few of those shots on hand at The Track.

“Probably more than three-quarters to the holes,” fit that descriptor, said Schubert. “Most of the holes give you the ability to land it short and bounce it up onto the green.” And, of course, there is bunkering to contend with, although again maybe not to the style of a true links layout. “There is bunkering out here and it’s all in the eye of the beholder in what you look for, or don’t look for, in a hazard. There are a couple here, like on number 2, a par-3, that fronts probably three-quarters of the green that eats up a lot of golf balls. They’ve typically been well positioned but we do have a couple of nasty ones. It’s an interesting mix.”

As for making your way around here, in a timely and enjoyable manner, remember one key thing.

“As long as people play the right set of tees it’s a good challenge, especially if you get some wind blowing, the pro said. “That will always be an evening out factor. We have some par-5s that are shorter and are reachable in two, giving you an eagle opportunity. But then, we’ve got some par-3s, depending on wind, that can play 200-plus. For the experienced, better golfer it can certainly offer a challenge. For the beginner, with five different tee boxes, they can pick the right distance and still shoot a number and have fun doing it. And that’s part of our mantra: Have fun. Enjoy. On our scorecard we’ve got “Smile more. Laugh more.”

Overall, that’s the prevailing feeling here, one of fun and making everyone feel welcome on this course. “Here, we’re trying to take it a bit lighter. Not take it so seriously. Not be so uptight, I guess, is the best way to put it,” Schubert explained about the relaxed atmosphere that encompasses The Track Golf Course.

To get you ready for taking on this wind-swept track, there’s a great warm-up area with a grass driving range open for the better part of the season, and mats to hit off of early in the year. It also boasts a large putting/chipping green with lots of space to host numerous players at the same time.

Located just 15 minutes east of Calgary via the Glemore, Highway 22X, or the TransCanada Highway, the short drive will relax you as you escape the city and head out to a golf course where fun is the number one goal each and every day. “We just want you to be relaxed, have fun, and enjoy the game,” Schubert ended.

If the rest of your family isn’t into golf in the same way you are, and you hate to leave them behind when you go out for a round, we have a solution to that problem: The Apple Creek Golf Course just outside Airdrie. You see, there’s a brand new arcade now open that gives those not smitten by the game of golf something to do while you chase pars.

But since you’re here to golf, and there’s lots for the rest of the family to do with around 60 video games onsite in the arcade, let’s talk about this golf course. And this is a course where you likely want to tee it up more than one time. 

Apple Creek’s Director of Golf, Tyrel Babkirk, noted this 18-hole layout located a scant five minutes north of Airdrie, is a target-style track that calls for brain as much as brawn.

“It has a country feel, being outside of all the urban influences. You feel like you’re off the beaten track. And, we don’t have any sand traps on our property, which is very unique,” Babkirk explained. “But,” he continued with a caveat to that last sentence, “we have some environmental areas from a creek that wanders through the property on 14 of the 18 holes.”

And that’s where the smart part of your game needs to come into play. Several holes call for a forced carry over those hazards meaning you have to decide whether to go for the gusto or play safe by laying up. “It really makes you focus on your course management and shot selection. It’s a good test of golf,” the pro understated.

While Apple Creek can play long given the winds that blow through here and a distance of just under 7,000 yards off the back blocks, there are five sets of tees that will help you find the right distance for the length of challenge you’re comfortable with. “The biggest thing here is to know the environmental areas,” where trouble awaits any off-line shot, the pro noted.

Moving forward from the back tees to the White, one finds a number of  shorter par-4 holes with one measuring as little as 287 yards while others fall into the range of around 330 yards, making for several holes where you can possibly pick up strokes against par. From one box farther back, the holes aren’t quite as gettable but there are still a few that can help you keep your 

final number down. One of those is the short par-5 seventh hole, which measures out at 440 yards from the White and only 18 yards longer off the Blue tees. But, noted Babkirk, don’t judge a par-5 by its length alone.

“That one’s (#7) got environmental areas to the right and out-of-bounds to the left. So a lot of times, you’re just hitting something like a hybrid off the tee. Some of our members even hit like an 8-iron off the tee to avoid those areas. Even for myself, I hit a 3-iron or hybrid off the tee just because you’re so worried about those penalty areas.”

So while thee are a few shorter holes here that doesn’t mean this place comes without challenge. In fact, those challenges start on the opening hole, a par-5 that serves up water on one side of the fairway and fescue on the other, just to get you primed for what lays ahead. Asked about other tough tests here, Babkirk pointed to a pair of particular holes. “Hole 13 is a tough par-3. It’s got some environmental areas that surround the green, so it’s kind of all or nothing. Hole 17 is a long par-4 that normally plays into the prevailing wind,” meaning a bit of brawn, along with brain is needed there.

In closing, Babkirk said it could take a player more than 18 holes to figure out the ins and outs of the Apple Creek Golf Course. “It’s definitely a layout you’ve gotta play two or three times. If you just look at the scorecard and the yardages, (and judge it by that) you’re going to come off there shaking your head. Everything is target golf.”

And, he added, Apple Creek is “Home to affordable golf,” especially through playgolfalberta.com where tee times can be had for as little as $35 including power cart and range balls.

ARCADE FUN

As for where the rest of the family heads here, if, like we said, they’re not into golf, the arcade has plenty to keep them occupied while you’re sinking those birdie putts. The arcade, spread out over two floors in the clubhouse offers up around 60 assorted types of video and pinball challenges. The reasoning behind that split scene is simple: The older kids move to the second floor while younger ones stay grounded where they are offered simpler styles of games. Adults are also more than welcome in these areas.

“The owner was just trying to create a year-round model, how he could best use his space,” Babkirk said of why the arcade was started. “Airdrie was missing one of these family entertainment centres,” and what’s at Apple Creek Golf Course certainly fills that bill.

So,  no matter that the rest of your family doesn’t tee it up alongside you, at the Apple Creek Golf Course you get golf …. the family gets a whole lot of different gaming fun.

The 2023 edition of the Play Golf Alberta – Royal Mayfair Junior Masters presented by Sundog Eyewear & Blue Tees is officially in the books. Today’s second round saw a continuation of the perfect conditions and our competitors battled all day to try and win their respective divisions and overall title.

Winning her first Junior Masters title in the Overall Girls’ Division was Sophie Dhaliwal (Wingfield GC) who prevailed on the second playoff hole (#18 X2) after making a clutch approx. 5 foot putt for par. Sophie played outstanding golf over both rounds and finished the Tournament at +11 after carding 71 in round 1 and 80 today with a two-day gross total of 151. Finishing in second this year was Carla van Remmen (Pinebrook G&CC) finishing the Tournament at +11 after shooting 73 & 78. Rounding out the top 3 was Gabrielle Roznicki (The Glencoe G&CC ) who finished the Tournament at +20 after firing 78 & 82.

Congratulations to the Winner of the U-15 Girls Division:  Alessandra Sundquist (Willow Park G&CC) who finished the Tournament at +10 after carding 75 & 75 and had a two-day gross total of 150. Finishing in Second place was Rhea Deo (Royal Mayfair GC) who finished Tournament at +16 after carding 77 & 79. 

In the Overall Boys’ Division, our 2023 Play Golf Alberta – Royal Mayfair Junior Masters presented by Sundog Eyewear & Blue Tees Champion is: Ryan Gillis (Pinebrook G&CC) who finished the Tournament at +2 with a two-day gross total of 142 carding 75 yesterday and our low round for today with a -3-under par 67. Ryan had only 1 blemish on his card today with 4 Birdies carding 34 & 33 today. 

Rounding out our top 4 was, Josiah Tong (Heritage Pointe GC) who finished the Tournament at +3 overall after firing 71 & 73, Jared Code (Glencoe G&CC) who carded 72 & 72 & Ethan Howes (Broadmoor GC) who carded 69 & 75 and who tied finishing the Tournament at +4 overall.

Congratulations to the Winner of the U-15 Boys Division: Harrison Kiziak (Belvedere G&CC) who finished the Tournament at +2 with a two-day gross total 142 after carding 70 & 72. Finishing in Second place was Chase Lassman (Stony Plain GC) who finished the Tournament at +4 after carding 70 & 74.

Thank you to all our players, our Title Sponsors Play Golf Alberta & Royal Mayfair our Presenting Sponsor Sundog Eyewear & Blue Tees, and lastly Royal Mayfair for hosting their first Junior Masters. We look forward to coming back next year!

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If you’re a fan of old-style golf courses where precision matters more than power, and a short game trumps long bombs, than the Inglewood Golf & Curling Club in Calgary fits the bill perfectly.

Put into play in the 1930s, this scenic 18-hole layout in the heart of the city features a style more common to days gone by than today’s designs. Speaking to that fact, Head Professional Sam Kirkness led off by stating the location of Inglewood, and the superb playing condition, are keys to having the public access his green grass.

“We’re just east of downtown and our superintendent ( Chris Nelson) does a superb job,” in providing players with the conditioning they expect to find. As for the style here, where you don’t find huge green complexes and sprawling bunkers, Kirkness noted, “The greens are pretty small and there is a lot of undulation on them,” which of course was the protective element back in the day. “Basically every single green is pretty small, very undulating, and they have a lot of subtle breaks. We do have some bunkering around our greens but the biggest things that protect our golf course are the greens and how tight it is,” on the fairways.

Nestled alongside the Bow River, the pro noted that waterway never comes into play but is there as eye candy on almost half the holes. As such, the main characteristic one finds here is that you need not try to overpower this place by simply, “Hitting it straight and keeping the ball in play. Someone who has a very good short game,” will do well, said the pro, “as you have to hit greens.” 

Playing to a par of 71, and 6,575 yards off the Blue tees, Inglewood Golf & Curling Club offers players a great opportunity to work on all aspects of their game before heading out for a round. The practice facilities here include a 31-stall driving range, two putting greens, and a short game area complete with a practice bunker to prepare you for what awaits you on this scenic track.

Once out there, the pro suggested the key stretch of holes here are the closing four, that include two length par-3 tests of 183 and 198 yards off the Blue tees. Add to that a couple of lengthy holes, a par-4 that measures 446 yards and then a closing par-5 that tops out at over 500 yards and this really is a stretch that can make, or break your round regardless if if you’re attempting to get into the 70s, 80s, or even break 100 for the first time.

“Our finish is pretty strong.,” said Kirkness. “Two tough par-3s plus one of our hardest par 4s. And then a par-5 that has a little bit of trouble,” including a tree in the middle of the fairway and a water hazard right next to the green. “You need to hit a good tee shot and second shot to give yourself a chance at a low score. Or if you hit three shots here, you have to be conscious about laying up in the right spot. A lot of matches are decided on that home stretch.”

Asked about a so-called signature hole here on a course that borders a bird sanctuary, Kirkness struggled to pin down one locale. “That’s a good question,” he noted. “I think we have a few different ones. Hole 7, one of our par-3s is a beautiful hole. But I know a lot of people think about Hole 1 and how tight it is; one of the hardest opening holes in Calgary. There are a few different ones but everyone seems to stress about that hole to start.”

In closing, Kirkness went back to how good the playing conditions are on this layout, thanks in large part to the superintendent’s fine work. “Chris does an unbelievable job. I’ve been fortunate enough to play a lot of courses in the city and we’d be right up there with the ones that are in the best condition and the best shape.”

So if you’re in the mood to stroll back in time and see how you fare on a course built decades ago but which still stands up to today’s different style of play, then the Inglewood Golf & Curling Club should be high on your list.

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Sometimes the most noise you hear on a golf course is what’s going on inside your own head. And at the Valley Ridge Golf Club in Calgary, that’s more than likely the case. Although it’s located only a short drive from downtown Calgary, this golf course is a haven for peace, and quiet, in a busy world. That is, if you can keep the voice in your head under control in telling you what not to do!

Speaking to the main characteristic of his course, the club’s Director of Golf, Curtis Robertson, said, “We’re pretty lucky. We have the (Bow) river running alongside some of our holes. Location-wise it’s a pretty good piece of property. There is water on a lot of the holes and lots of trees, sooo ….”

One thing here is that players can find a bit of shelter from wind, which often buffets the city. “The front nine is a little more exposed to the wind,” said Robertson, “so it’s kind of two different nines,” when you drop down into the lower back nine where it’s somewhat calmer. “It presents various challenges.”

As mentioned, the course sits alongside a waterway making for not only an enjoyable play but a scenic one as well. Playing to just under 6,900 yards from its deepest tees, this par-72 course sets up well for all levels of player, as the tees move downward in distance from there.

In describing what can make or break a round on this eye appealing layout, Robertson suggested the final three holes on the homeward stretch are key to scoring well.

“Our finishing holes are great. Sixteen is a great par-5 of 538 yards where you can make lower numbers if you hit a good tee shot. Then 17 is our signature hole, a 230 yard par-3, down the hill. That’s a good challenge. It doesn’t play that long but each day the wind can change the hole. Then, 18 is a great finishing hole. A par-4 with some length to it (at 438 yards).”

As for where this scenic, and challenging 18-hole layout makes its home, Roberson explained, “Our location is a great feature of our golf course as it’s only 15 minutes from downtown Calgary but it has a feel of being outside the city limits.”

In order to get ready for a round of golf, one needs to warm up properly and players at Valley Ridge will find all the practice amenities they’re looking for including a grass driving range, and more. “We’ve got one of the largest putting greens in Alberta,” Robertson noted, where you don’t have to worry about stepping on someone’s heels as you practice with your flat stick.  As well, if you often find yourself mired in a greenside hazard, the short game practice area here comes equipped with a bunker to work on those difficult up-and-down scenarios.

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At the Sirocco Golf Club in Calary, what you see isn’t always what you’re going to get. You see, a phenomena known locally as the Sirocco Swirl means you could well be playing a different course today than when you teed it up here yesterday.

Founded in 2005, Sirocco is a links-style course that plays to over 7,100 yard from the back tees. Those yardages do shorten up dropping down to 6,722; then to just over 6,000 yards and finally 5,269 yards off the front tees. There are also several sets of combo tees. Designed by Bill Robinson, this track meanders along the Pine Creek Valley area, making for eye-pleasing scenery, and holes.

Speaking to how his course plays, and what lies in wait for those with tee times, Head Professional Craig Gibson noted, “The golf course is always perfect,” referring to the course’s website that states: “,,, offers unique challenges and unparalleled beauty. Each hole at Sirocco has individual character, presenting a comprehensive challenge to golfers of all abilities.”

The pro went on to add that some minor changes have taken place over the past while, perhaps opening up better scoring opportunities for players.

“We filled in a couple of bunkers that didn’t really need to be there. And, we redid most of the (other) bunkers to make so they’re a lot more consistent and playable. We’ve done other minor changes, like taking out some bush here and there …. just making it more playable. We haven’t done anything really substantial. We’ve just improved on what we had.”

And what they have is dramatic, and ever-changing thanks to the winds that blow through this area of Calgary. That’s where the wind here really comes into play, noted Gibson.

“We have what we call the Sirocco Swirl on holes four, five, six, and seven. The wind is blowing in a different direction every time you tee it up there. No two days are the same out here!”

Other than those holes, there is another stretch of holes at the Sirocco Golf Club that can make, and yes, break, a round quickly. Asked about where that awaits players, the pro was quick to point to a specific area on the home stretch of this layout. Of course, those holes come after you’ve hopefully put some good numbers on your scorecard prior to arriving at this point of your round.

“I would say that the front nine is more gettable than the back,” he began in explanation. “There are birdie opportunities on the front. But then it’s a tough finish, starting on the fifteenth tee,” thanks to penalty areas and the fact those holes often play into the wind. “Three of the four holes play into the predominant wind. It’s a pretty beautiful finish, but a tough finish. 

“From one to fourteen you can breathe but then you kind of have to hold your breath a little bit!” as you finish your round on this course that has, in the past, made it onto Score Golf’s Top 15 Alberta Public Courses as both a place to play and for course conditions.

In order to get ready to undertake this continually changing challenge, the Sirocco Golf Club has a great practice area featuring a large grass driving range tee, a sheltered hitting area, a short game area and two putting greens.

And by the way, if you’re curious as to the name Sirocco, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “a hot or warm wind of cyclonic origin from an arid or heated region,” which plays right into one of the main characteristics of this great layout.

Golf is full of unexpected but happy surprises. You know: Your off-line drive hits a tree and bounds back into the middle of the fairway. Or your approach shot is hit fat but lands on a sprinkler head and ends up on the green, leaving you a makable birdie putt. Or, you tee it up on a course you don’t know much about and find it to be one of those pleasant surprises.

That last descriptor fits the Mill Woods Golf Course, located in south Edmonton, too a tee. The first nine holes are on quite level terrain, but when you make the turn the landscape changes giving you a number of uphill challenges waiting for your best effort. And yes, there are trees, and sprinkler heads out there to lend  you an occasional helping hand.

This 18-hole layout has an interesting history as it was originally to be operated by the City of Edmonton in conjunction with the growth of the Mill Woods area. But, financial circumstances dictated that idea to be trashed and as such, a community association took over the operation in 1989. And from there, this course has thrived.

Speaking to what lays in front of the newbie at his track, or even those who have played here dozens of times, the Director Golf, James Whitton, noted that while the layout may look placid it’s anything but, especially when you pull out the flat stick.

“Mill Woods is very playable. It really covers all skill levels really well,” he began before describing what a player has to bear in mind when taking on this course. Ir has three tee boxes playing at distances of 6,778; 6,334, and 5,852 yards. “Our biggest defence is our greens. We like them fast and if you’re putting well, you’ll probably score well. But, if you’re not and leaving yourself in tough spots, you’re going to know it!”

The pro continued by pointing out you want to leave your approach shots below the hole on the rather small greens. “There are subtle breaks. You really have to watch where you are; if you’re above the hole, it’s dangerous. It’s the subtle breaks that you really have to watch out for. And you do have to watch the grain a little bit in certain spots. But, you can play here a long, long time and Mill Woods can still surprise you!”

That said, the greens here are in great condition with those downhill putts akin to rolling a marble across a sheet of glass and hoping it stops somewhere on that surface. That being said, the fairways at Mill Woods GC are wide and carpet-smooth making for perfect lies for approach shots. While the rough is thick here it’s not too penal if your ball is struck properly, so missing the short grass isn’t the worst thing. 

There isn’t a great deal of water at Mill Woods GC and some of the bunkers are being eliminated, replaced with some strategic mounding, Whitton noted. “It’s very aesthetically pleasing to look at, replacing those bunkers with mounding. There are still a fair amount of bunkers but if you’re playing target golf and hitting quality shots, you’ll be OK around here.”

What can add to the challenge here are some of the par-4 holes that are rather long, including five that are very close to, or over 400 yards off the middle white tee markers. As well, there is a par-3 on the back nine that measures out at 204 yards, so you best make sure your big stick is working well here. But really, that’s not much of a downside to a course which proved to be a wonderful surprise. What was also a nice surprise is the pace of play at this busy course, as regulars say a round takes just over four hours, if not quicker.

One really strong factor about this facility is that if you’re into warming up prior to playing, the Mill Woods Golf Course is the perfect fit for that. They offer a 30-stall driving range; a practice chipping area; and a slick putting green with some of those subtle breaks to get you prepared for what lies in wait. As well, there are teaching pros on staff if your game really need help.

In the discussion about this facility, Whitton finished by saying, “It’s a friendly atmosphere here. It’s meant to be fun. It’s wonderful mojo here and you take that feeling with you when you go out onto the golf course. It’s green and pristine. It’s addictive!” much like good surprises, on a golf course or anywhere for that matter, tend to be.

If there was ever a golf course where yardages means next to nothing, it’s most definitely the Devon Golf & Conference Centre. You see, the top distance on this river valley beauty is a whopping 5,559 yards. And yes, that is the correct yardage and not a typo.

But where this 18-hole layout makes up for its shortness is in its challenges. Sure, some of the fairways are wide and beckoning, but at the same time there are those where the tree line pinches in to make accuracy far more important than distance. And then of course, there are those putting surfaces.

This rural course joins a list of others in the province that were built in two stages. The first nine holes in Devon coincided with Alberta’s oil boom, and the running of Leduc  #1, a historic part of the province’s petroleum industry. They were built in 1954 to accommodate the roughnecks working on the rigs. The second nine, built in 1970, intermingles with the original layout, creating a panorama of unique holes and challenges with a number elevated tees and greens.

 Dave Gray, the new GM at the course in this town of about 6,000 residents, said he’d yet to explore all the details on how his new home was pieced together. “I don’t know exactly how they did it, but however they did it, it’s worked out.”

That it has. From the opening par-5 and the following par-3, a blast of 235 yards off the back deck this is a memorable round to be sure. The unique thing about the second and third holes (it’s a 365-yard par 4) is you cross the entry road to the course and the adjacent campground. While that’s unusual, to say the least, that’s the only time vehicles, other than golf carts, can come into play. Because play can get backed up on occasion with players waiting for cars/trucks/campers to pass by, tee times have now been spread out to nine minutes apart and that’s taken away much of that problem. The course plays to a par of 70, with five par 3 holes and three par 5s.

Now about those distances here: Gray had this to say.

“The biggest misconception here is when people look at the scorecard and see it’s less than 6,000 yards. But saying that, the greens and the tree-lined fairways definitely protect the scores. You can’t spray it anywhere here.” 

From the White tees, the Devon Golf & C.C. plays to just under 5,600 yards and from the front deck it’s a little shorter at 5,436. So, all in all it sounds easy but believe me, that’s not the case. There is protection here, and plenty of it — like at the end point of every hole.

“The greens are very undulating and not overly large. It’s great that way. Lots of fun on the greens.” said Gray. “They are a little smaller than what I’ve seen around. They do have some shape to them which definitely helps protect par, I guess. They’re usually around 10 on the stimpmeter.”

What the GM didn’t mention about those putting surfaces is that the vast majority are sloped, so shots coming in have to land on the correct area of the green to stay put. If not, they tend to run off to the sides or the back, leaving short, and sometimes unnerving chip shots into those little deviations in the grass that may not be noticeable without a good study – or having played this track before. And to top that off, there are strategically placed bunkers on most holes, many guarding the front entryway, meaning a shot has to carry onto the green and hold if you have hopes for a par or better.

As for playing here, Gray noted that his course is a place to get away from the hectic pace of everyday life for another unexpected reason.

“It kind of has a resorty kind of feel. The only traffic we have is either coming to the golf course or the campground,” plus the added bonus is that there isn’t great cell phone coverage in this part of the river valley, so there’s a good chance work can’t get hold of you (and no one here will tell on you for skipping out early to take on this little gem!)

While this layout may sound a bit daunting, and it certainly can be challenging, Gray noted that for the most part players are going to enjoy their round here for a simple reason. “No matter where you hit it on the golf course property, you’re usually going to have a shot. Usually it’s pretty playable which makes it enjoyable even for the beginner golfer.  On some of the holes on the back nine the trees are relatively thick but the majority of the golf course, if you’re in the trees you usually have a shot out. Like you can’t play a long shot because the trees are so tall and the limbs so long,” that the smart player chips out and carries on to the green from there. 

But remember, once you do get onto any of the greens at the Leduc Golf & Conference Centre your adventure at this pretty little course is only half  over.