Perched on a cliff high above the 13th hole, soaking in breathtaking scenery that defies proximity to the big flat city, I’m suddenly struck with the notion that this is all part of some master chef’s recipe.
A touch of Clear Lake, a dash of Falcon, a dollop of Pinawa, a hearty helping of Hecla and a sprinkle of Pebble Beach on top.
Combined with many original flavours that can only be procured from a parcel of land wedged between Canadian shield bluffs and a pristine tributary of the Winnipeg River system, the masterful creation becomes Granite Hills, Manitoba’s newest — and certainly most exciting — golf course.
“It’s a fantastic combination,” said Norm Labossiere, the club’s secretary and one of 11 shareholders, who finally realized a dream that was hatched a quarter of a century ago.
“We have the elevation of Clear Lake, the rock outcroppings of Pinawa and, of course, the lakeside fairways of Hecla. There are mixes and matches of those courses, but we have the features in more quantity.”
Tucked into a peninsula that marks the area where Lac du Bonnet meets the Lee River (about 90 minutes northeast of Winnipeg near the town of Lac du Bonnet), Granite Hills opened last month after some 25 years of planning and several ownership changes.
Originally designed by the renowned Les Furber, whose previous credits include Predator Ridge in B.C., Silvertip in Alberta and Quarry Oaks in Manitoba, the course spans 7,082 yards from the tips, with elevated tee boxes (four sets, from black to red) and young, but promising fairways. Expanding from the original purchase of 320 acres of land, it also features 136 private lots, all of which have been sold.
Just a month after opening with a temporary pro shop, limited food services and no liquor licence (they expect to have one by the end of the month), the course is already attracting a steady stream of golfers from Winnipeg and it is making a strong first impression.
“It’s the most picturesque golf course I’ve ever played on,” Winnipeg’s Mike Adams said after completing 18 holes on the weekend.
While much of that beauty is viewed along the five lakeside holes — including one (No. 3) patterned after and closely resembling a famed Pebble Beach hole (”The shoreline is such that it’s almost identical. It’s not perfect, but it’s close,” says Labossiere) — there are alluring scenes inland as well, with water and well-placed bunkers adding to the taxing distance.
A difficult dog-leg left first hole, with a valley green, is one of a couple of factors posing a challenge to game flow. Another comes simply from the fact that many golfers from the flatlands are not used to such spectacular scenery.
“One of our concerns is there is a lot of picture-taking,” laughed Labossiere, noting an 80-foot high cliff between holes 13 and 14 has becoming something of a staging area for amateur photographers.
Indeed, the aura of optimism surrounding the new track has those involved aiming for sky-scraping heights.
“We think it will be No. 1 in Manitoba and in the top-10 in Canada, for sure, in 10 years,” said course manager Ada Vandersteen.
Those are certainly lofty aspirations, but judging from some of the testimonials from golfers, the course doesn’t have far to go to reach at least one of its goals.
“This course is just a gem,” said Dave Martens, a Winnipegger and Whiteshell cottager. “The scenic value of it and the elevation changes and the relief … it’s just incredible. Once the fairways grow in, it’s going to be great. The tee boxes are already great and the greens are great. It’s going to be the top place here (in Manitoba). I mean, look at those finishing holes. Phenomenal.
“Those of us who have cottages around here have been waiting for years to see what they were going to build here and it has totally exceeded anything we were expecting. I’m tickled. It’s outstanding.”
The four finishing holes, all hugging the water on the left and lined with birch, poplar and pine trees and granite outcroppings on the right, are difficult enough to challenge the low handicappers and picturesque enough to make duffers forget a hundred or so strokes.
“It’s a beautiful course to start and it just keeps getting better and that’s the beauty of it,” said Winnipeg’s Scott Clendenan.
“The back nine is particularly stunning. There’s no question, for scenery it’s already at the top for Manitoba.”
Interestingly, given its somewhat troubled history — even in its current incarnation, it was originally slated to open two years ago — the ownership group would have been happy simply to have golfers on the course, let alone have them offering such glowing remarks.
“We didn’t start off that way,” Labossiere said of the desire to be the signature course in the province. “We just wanted to build it. We knew we had something different because of the five holes along the lake and the elevations but it has turned out even better than we expected.”
Of course, anyone playing the course this month will have to remember that the fairways are far from perfect at this point and lift, clean and place rules are in effect.
While some sodding was done on tee boxes, the fairways were seeded and it will take time for them to fully grow in.
“We’ve been advised by the seed people that if we fertilize and let Mother Nature do the job, the fairways will fill in by this time next year,” Labossiere said.
Other amenities may take longer. A permanent clubhouse is planned, but the shareholders need to raise some funds from green fees ($34 for an adult on the weekend) first. A temporary clubhouse is close to being ready, meaning the course will have full service by the spring and also likely to arrive soon is docking so cottagers can arrive by boat.
All that will simply enhance what has already become a special experience for Manitoba golfers and the culmination of a 25-year effort for the region.
“It is a dream come true for a lot of people,” said Vandersteen.
Including that master chef who took the finest features of some of our province’s greatest golf treasures and concocted a most enticing stew.
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