edmonton, AB

[eppey]

St. Albert for me. I play anywhere as well, except for JR's. If anyone cares, the Petroleum club is in good shape for the beginning of the year.

[Radagast]

[quote name='lewis4ace' date='23 May 2010 - 07:05 PM' timestamp='1274666728' post='2462669']
Sweet i'm edmonton southside tooo! unfortunately i can't afford to play at jagare ridge, i did work there one summer though haha....i play mostly at lewis estates, it's slightly more affordable.
[/quote]

I used to avoid Lewis because of all the houses but since getting rid of the massive slice with my driver I don't mind it. Is it in good shape this year?

[hbear]

Lewis made a lot of changes (many I think for the worse) last year.
Basically cut down a pile of trees, and filled up some ponds with dirt from the housing development.
(ruined a lot of good holes)

I don't play there much, but usually the greens are in decent shape.

As far as shape this year, the only course I've heard of that is in really rough shape has been the Mayfair (guess they had a lot of winterkill).

[eppey]

[quote name='hbear' date='25 May 2010 - 10:35 AM' timestamp='1274805334' post='2466286']
Lewis made a lot of changes (many I think for the worse) last year.
Basically cut down a pile of trees, and filled up some ponds with dirt from the housing development.
(ruined a lot of good holes)

I don't play there much, but usually the greens are in decent shape.

As far as shape this year, the only course I've heard of that is in really rough shape has been the Mayfair (guess they had a lot of winterkill).
[/quote]
Heard the same thing. Sounds like the greens keeper's name is mud amongst the members.

[mikedejong]

I work at the Mayfair. It was a rough spring thats for sure, but it has come along quite well over the past couple of weeks. I think people get spoiled down there, we are always the first ones open and its typically pure on day 1. Well, most of the other courses have done substantial renos over the recent past (namely the Windy and the Country Club), and the Mayfair has 30 year old grass. Its just time to put some money back into the course. But, in another week or two, it will be good again and nobody will remember these early season issues. As for the greenskeepers name being mud, I certainly hope this is not the case. I have worked for her for 10 years, and she is one of the nicest people I've ever met. And as for the course, over the past 25 years, Mayfair has been one of the best in western Canada, I hope one bad spring doesnt ruin all of that for her.

[dale4ace]

yah as far as lewis is concerned, it's prolly good to avoid that course this year, there is always construction that makes it really dusty and noisy, and for some reason although in good condition the greens are rolling SUPER slow, have to really wack the ball to get it to the hole :S

[hbear]

I too heard she's done a great job over the year at the Mayfair.
Although she takes a bot of abuse from the boys when she won't let them out due to frost or whatever.

Country Club has the same old grass, the major changes to the course were only really from a design/playability/look standpoint...it's the same old fairways and greens.

[mikedejong]

Yeah thats true. I played the ECC yesterday with some friends, its in really good shape. Nice changes including the new tee box on 10 where you have to hit across the ravine. The Mayfair is still hurting a little bit... but it will be good again in another couple of weeks. Just a tough spring down there I guess. Windermere is pure too, the renos have really helped that course. WIth the new clubhouse coming, that might be the place to play in Edmonton going forward

[hbear]

I'm obviously biased to which club I prefer, but agree Windy is a great track....a few goofy holes (e.g. #6, #11) and greens that have a lot of "local knowledge" required to putt well on them. However I just can't get over the fact their greens have that weird hollow thud to them when the ball lands. I'm no greens specialist by any means, but that just doesn't seem right to me...perhaps why they don't seem to allow one to zip the ball as well? I love the bunkers, but the greens just don't do it for me.

Glad you enjoyed the changes at the Country Club, #10 plays so differently now with the new box. It's not the most demanding 600 yard par 5, but the tee shot can be a bit nerve racking for our guests! The pond on #6 makes the hole play so much better, would have made it more interesting if the water went all the way to the green. Added length on #7 makes a bigger difference than it seems, and the newly built box on #12 cleans things up a bit....although it will take a little bit before all the construction is completely done.

I hope you are right about Mayfair recovering soon, I have a few friends out there but we've held off of setting up a game there due to the conditions. But then I might be a bit spoiled right now (as you know when you played yesterday), our greens are rolling amazingly right now (and it's not even mid summer when poa is at it's best), perhaps a touch slow...but really nothing to complian about.

[mikedejong]

I would definately give it another week or two to set a game up at the Mayf. The greens were aerated a couple of Sundays ago, but are getting better. I've heard that same issue about the Windermere greens, I bet its a function of the new grass a couple of years ago. It takes some time to settle.
I agree with your comments, the changes at ECC are good improvements. I used to work there in the mid 90's (when the LPGA was there), and I really like the changes. Par 5's are better, par 3's are still awesome. Great place to play, I really enjoyed it. Any news on any of the other private clubs? I am playing Black Hawk this afternoon, and wouldnt mind hitting the Glendale again maybe.

[hbear]

I haven't been yet, but hear Glendale greens are in great shape. (e.g. smooth and you don't have to putt through 3 different types of grass to get the ball to the hole!).
Fairways look great from far away, but are pretty thin when you get to your ball.

I heard all the new boxes are done....course plays LONG now. Might be the toughest track in AB now from the tips. (I don't count Blackbull as that layout is a joke) New box on 3 looks like it's in the middle of the pond.

Blackhawk is in amazing shape as always, I have friends there and they said the greens were firm and fast...(with all the rain I doubt that's the case anymore)...which makes them quite the challange if you aren't hitting your irons well. I really like the course, but a couple holes just ruin it for me. (e.g. #9, #10, #11, #18) Great food, might be the best food at any golf course (I believe their head chef was the sous chef at the Hardware Grill).

P club is doing well this year as well, they moved a lot of dirt last year and I hear changes are pretty much done.

[mikedejong]

Blackhawk was really good. Same couple of dumb holes, like you said... but I am starting to come around on that place. It was in really good shape, and it was dead, we were the only ones on the course. I would love to bulldoze those couple of holes around the clubhouse though, they really are bad. Might be the place to play around here when its all said and done.

[hbear]

You are right about being dead. During the day it's a ghost town, and outside of some peaks on the weekend not very busy.
Doesn't seem like the membership minds the extra dues as they are not near their membership capacity.

[Pingman222]

you guys are right about blackhawk being pretty wide open, haven't really had a problem getting a tee time yet this year. Definitely enjoying playing out there quite a bit, think im well into the 40's for rounds played already. Like you guys said, a few quirky holes, but overall experience there is just gratifying. Course has been in fantastic shape all season, and greens are rolling very fast and very smooth. The difficulty of them though has been killing me all year, but they're definitely a nice challenge. Also played ECC from the tips this year with my bud there and #10 from there was quite interesting. Decent condition, but didn't find the layout as fun as Blackhawk. Also played at Petroleum a bit, and like ECC, didn't really enjoy the layout but its also in pretty good shape

[dale4ace]

looks like the end of the season for us edmonton golfers, anybody going on any kind of golf trip this winter? i'm looking for some, any good recommendations?

[Radagast]

Any Edmonton area courses still open? Weather is alright for the next couple days.

[hbear]

Our course is open, and I'm pretty sure Lewis and the links are open as well. (they seem to go to the bitter end)

[JCYC5]

With the dome gone now, is there anywhere to golf from now until April?

[dale4ace]

hey guys, i'm wondering what's a good place for lessons in edmonton...i've always been a self taught player and am now shooting at around 80-85 range...i want to really start playing more seriously and maybe shoot in the 70s next summer, and maybe even challenge par.

So my question is basically, what places would you recommend for lessons for a mid-handicapper like myself? thanks and appreciate all suggestions

[hbear]

Sadly the only places are indoor "sim" type places....or hitting into a net 8' away.

As for lessons, all depends on what you want and the style of teaching you are looking for.

I've heard good things about Kevin Day (At Billy D's driving range....it's a dive)but he's a pretty good stick. A friend of mine (scratch player) went to see him and got a lot of improvement in his game.
I also hear good things about Jay Astel (at Victoria Driving Range), never been taught by him but have played a couple rounds with....good player, BOMBS the ball.

Rob Ratcliff was our most technically knowledgeable instructor here in Edmonton, but he's long gone to run some CPGA facilities.

Mike Belbin (Mayfair) is probably the best playing pro in town...don't know much about his teaching though to be honest.

Jeremy Lavalee at the P-Club is pretty good.

Our club has some really personable pros that don't over complicate things.

Sorry if I can't really narrow it down for you.

[JCYC5]

I'm taking lessons with Shawn Croden at South Common GT right now and he's pretty decent for a newer player like myself.

I do want to take lessons though the winter - which of the pros you mentioned can offer that hbear?

[hbear]

That I don't know as I'm sure who has setup "indoor teaching agreements" or has them in place.
I'm more of a outdoor lessons only type guy.

Maybe call the various clubs as see what they have in place. I know our pros (great guys) teach indoors on occasion (but honestly don't know where).

[mikedejong]

Blair Oko golf academy run out of the south side YMCA. He has video cameras, simulators, and a bit of an indoor driving range. That one is worth a shot too.

[dunk7]

Nice to see so many Edmontonians on GolfWrx. I'm hoping you guys might have some recommendations on Men's Leagues. I'm on the South Side and have played Eagle Rock for the past few seasons but the conditions were poor for most of the year and found the organizers were disorganized.
I noticed that Riverside seems to have a lot of Men's League members and seems to be organized but haven't played there in some time so I'm not sure I want to pay $275 before knowing a little more about the league and conditions.

Please provide feedback on any men's leagues you have been a part of. Thanks in advance.

[golf_bhoy]

Anyone else hitting up the golf show this weekend? Figure I'll go check it out probably tomorrow, some needless torture since the season is still months away

[Charpie]

[quote name='dunk7' timestamp='1299102466' post='3020338']
Nice to see so many Edmontonians on GolfWrx. I'm hoping you guys might have some recommendations on Men's Leagues. I'm on the South Side and have played Eagle Rock for the past few seasons but the conditions were poor for most of the year and found the organizers were disorganized.
I noticed that Riverside seems to have a lot of Men's League members and seems to be organized but haven't played there in some time so I'm not sure I want to pay $275 before knowing a little more about the league and conditions.

Please provide feedback on any men's leagues you have been a part of. Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

I play as a junior down at Riverside. From what I've seen, the mens club is a bunch of awesome, funny guys. Also got lots of guys who have great games. I personally love the golf course, but the city really doesnt put any money into it. It seems like they just use the golf course as a cash cow to put money back into other city programs. So it's usually slow goings getting good conditions, but once they get there, it's an awesome golf course. Hope this helps.

[dunk7]

[quote name='golf_bhoy' timestamp='1299862109' post='3046479']
Anyone else hitting up the golf show this weekend? Figure I'll go check it out probably tomorrow, some needless torture since the season is still months away
[/quote]

Yeah, I'm going to check it out...although I've probably tried most of the new offerings this year.

[golf_bhoy]

[quote name='golf_bhoy' timestamp='1299862109' post='3046479']
Anyone else hitting up the golf show this weekend? Figure I'll go check it out probably tomorrow, some needless torture since the season is still months away
[/quote]


wow. what a giant waste of time that was.

[Charpie]

nothing worth seeing? I was thinking about going tomorrow...

[hbear]

Granted I haven't been for years....but if previous history holds...it's not worth it.

If you want to hit new gear...go to Golf Town during non peak hours and wail away....