630 CHED Gary Draeger Memorial Golf Classic

The team at CHED radio were great hosts and run a
very well organized and fun tournament

As part of our marketing campaign for 2011, Golf Northern Alberta is running a promotional campaign on 630 CHED radio for the month of July. Listen for our spots and look for our links on their website http://www.630ched.com/ .

The package we bought included participation in the annual Gary Draeger Memorial Golf Classic in aid of Santa's Anonymous. The date for the tournament was Friday June 10th at the Links golf course in Spruce Grove and the event was completely sold out weeks in advance. With the amount of rain we've received this spring we were blessed that the day was bright and sunny. CHED radio is to be commended for their organizational skills as this is a very well run golf tournament. Breakfast was delicious and the shotgun start began promply at 8:30 am as noted on the program.

The links course in Spruce Grove was in great shape and our foursome got off to a great start in the texas scramble format as we were three under par after the first four holes. That start was somewhat misleading as we ended up at 6 under par upon completion of the 18 holes. The golfing was over by 3:30 and the day was of course followed by prizes and a delicious barbeque supper. Special thanks to the Lac La Biche Golf and Country Club, the Athabasca Golf & Country Club, BCMI Motor Inns in Lac La Biche and Tom's Pizza and Steak House in Lac La Biche for providing prizing for our hole for a golf play and stay weekend.

My buddy Pierre Frigon and the crew from the
Sawridge Hotel Chain served up great food and
beverages at their hole.

Lac La Biche Golf & Country Club

The Lac La Biche Golf & Country Club is a great course for the entire family to enjoy and it's nice to see younger people getting involved in learning to play the game. That's not to say this course is easy because looks can be deceptive. The front nine plays close to the lake and when putting remember that the holes play towards the water. The 7th hole is a neat par 3 and it's a good idea to hit to the right side and let the slope carry the ball to the green.
The back nine is tree lined and I find it a little tougher than the front nine and it's not very forgiving for my slice.

The course is in great shape and the greens are immaculate. Bring your camera and get a shot of the view from the club house deck with the course and Lac La Biche lake in the background.

If you happen to be in town on a wednesday, consider going to men's night. It's set up in a relaxed and friendly manner and no stacked teams allowed. Show up around 5:30 or so...the cost is $20.00 and includes 9 holes of golf and a chance at some prizes. Visitors are very welcome and it's a great chance to meet new people. The food at the clubhouse is very good and one of the best places to eat in Lac La Biche and priced to suit your budget.
Course Information:

18 holes, grass greens

Putting green and Driving Range

Pro Shop carries a good supply of golf clothing, clubs and accessories.

Par 72

Yardage from the Whites: 6023

Green Fees

Adult

9 holes, $23.00 weekdays...$26.00 weekend

18 holes, $38.00 weekdays....$42.00 weekends

Seniors

9 holes, $21.00 weekdays....$24.00 weekends

18 holes, $32.00 weekdays....$37.00 weekend

Juniors

9 holes, $16.00 weekdays....$21.00 weekend

18 holes, $27.00 weekdays....$31.00 weekends

Cart Rentals

9 holes, $20.00

18 holes, $30.00

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone 780-623-4288

Website. http://www.golflaclabiche.com/

With more than 150 lakes in the region and close to 1200 campsites, Lac La Biche is a great spot to enjoy the outdoors. Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park is minutes from the golf course and a great place to park your RV and enjoy nature at its best. Another great spot to camp that's about 10 minutes away is Beaver Lake. Drop in and say hi to Tony at fish-n friends resort. He might even be talked into going for a round of golf with you. Check out their website at http://www.fish-nfriends.com/

For a list of activities and great ideas to plan your visit to Lac La Biche, visit the tourism website at http://www.laclabicheregion.com/ Be sure to pick up a copy of the Lac La Biche Region Vacation Guide because there's a coupon in it you can use for two for one golfing monday through friday with the rental of a power cart.
Play n stay Golf packages are available at the Lac La Biche Ramada... http://www.canaltahotels.com/, BCMI motor Inns http://www.bcmi.com/ and the Lac La Biche Inn.

There are plenty of good restaurants in town and I highly recomend Tom's Steakhouse and Salt Steak and Seafood restaurant. You might want to check out the huge renovation that took place in "Truckers" at the Lac La Biche Inn or for a quiet little bar go across the street and check out La Bones Sports Bar.

Hidden Valley Golf Club

After months of shovelling snow, scraping windshields and making use of block heaters, my buddy Mo and I were chomping at the bit to hit some golf balls. Finally the weather cleared and we chose Hidden Valley Golf Club to start our golf season for 2011.





This challenging and picturesque, regulation par 36, 9 hole course, nestled in a valley on Hwy 44 just 1/2 hour north of Westlock offers both a relaxing and fun-filled chance to challenge the game.

A beautiful licensed clubhouse with a guest capacity of over 100, features food services and a fantastic view of the course and winding French Creek!

Centrally located, in a triangle encompassing Barrhead, Westlock, Athabasca and Slave Lake, Hidden Valley caters primarily to enthusiasts from within this area, but has had visitors from nearly all provinces in Canada and other parts of the world including Australia and several European countries.

This is a great little course with super friendly staff and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to enjoy. Green fees for Adults during the week is $16.00 and Seniors or Juniors can golf for $14.00. The weekend rates are slightly higher and will run Adults $20.00 per round with $16.00 being the cost for Seniors and Juniors. Power Cart Rentals are $15.00. This course can be walked but it is quite hilly and I would recommend renting a cart if you’re not in great shape.

The Clubhouse is nice and cosy and has very good home made food. I highly recommend the soup and Sandwich special which changes daily and is a steal at $7.95


Course Information:
9 Holes, Grass Greens
3003 yds /2666 yds
Open May 1 to Mid October.
Fully Serviced Seasonal and daily RV Sites are available.

Contact Information:
Hidden Valley Golf Club
Box 97 Fawcett, Alberta
Telephone: 780-954-2262
Fax: 780-954-2655
Email: hiddenvalley@mcsnet.ca
Website: http://www.hiddenvalleygolf.ca/