Windmill Group teeing up good deals on both sides of the border
Hit a pail of golf balls Wednesday, push snow off the sidewalk Thursday. Ho hum, just another April spring day in Calgary.
All that moisture, however, should make the fairways and greens ‘pop’ into a rich green colour. And as that happens, and the sky turns blue, it’ll be a joy to once again be able to track your ball from the tee.
Really, is there anything more frustrating than banging white range balls into a white sky with a brownish grass background? The ball disappears into the sky maybe 50 yards after being struck and you’re not certain where it’s gone.
Since most of the hits felt good, we’re presuming the majority of the balls out of that bucket we sent into the white sky at Silver-wing were straight and true, crisp and long.
Small complaint, really, when you consider what was to follow. We’ll take the plus-15, white sky and brown grass versus the white sky, minus-5 and snow any day.
The Windmill Group-owned, public 27-hole course alongside Barlow Trail, meanwhile, was buzzing with activity. Not only was the parking lot nearly full and a wealth of golfers waiting their turns at the first tee, there also was construction crew wielding hammers and saws on a new banquet and tournament facility that mirrors the clubhouse.
Barry Elhert, who manages Silverwing and Boulder Creek, along with the group’s most recent purchase — the Wilderness Club at Eureka, Mont. — reports the new 3,200 square-foot facility that will seat upwards of 300 people is targeted for a June 1 opening.
Not only will it be an asset for golf tournament functions, but it will remain in use throughout the year for other functions, such as wedding receptions and corporate gatherings.
Silverwing and Boulder Creek were among the early openers this spring in the area — Boulder Creek is out Langdon way — and it would seem the Windmill peo- ple are doing something right in terms of attracting golfers in an increasing competitive market.
They’ve worked out some attractive green fee and membership packages that give you privileges at all three of their courses.
While green fees at Silver-wing are $49 Monday through Friday and $65 on weekends and holidays, the pot sweetens with an annual membership that tops out at $1,980.
That gives you unlimited golf seven days a week with seven days booking. Drop back to weekdays only and it’s $1,500.
Probably the most popular deal is the Frequent Player Card (FPC). It sells for $600, which entitles you to pay $20 each time you play on a weekday and $25 on a weekend. Power cart is included.
Purchase of an annual membership or FPC also gives you halfprice green fees at the Wilderness Club. In other words, you can tee up at the Nick Faldo design, which was recently named the No. 1 golf course in Montana by Golf Week, for $50 on weekdays and $70 on weekends.
The hammer and saw crew also have been busy at Wilderness where three new buildings have been erected to accommodate more golfers. The dozen new rooms, which will bring the total to 20 rooms accommodating double occupancy, will open June 1.
If all that hasn’t piqued your curiosity yet, don’t forget that Silverwing and Boulder Creek are the only courses that continue to offer every one a free round of golf on their birthday simply by registering online.
Don’t worry if your birthday falls in a winter month, you can still take that free game on or near that day in the summer.
THIS AND THAT: We’ve had several people asking about the nine-hole Highland club in the heart of the city and, to be frank, we can’t round up any answers via telephone, either. If anyone knows if the club is still alive, please send me an e-mail or contact number . . . Is it my imagination or are more private and semi-private clubs seeking shareholders this year and/or offering trial memberships through annual passes? More later . . . Just a reminder the annual Riley’s Best Ball draw goes April 23 at 6 p.m. at Canyon Meadows.