The back nine project at Gilwood has some cash and lots to spend it on. In fact it has been spending it already, on excavation of a seven-acre irrigation pond in the middle of the back nine.
“It’s a fair-sized pond,” says Gilwood Manager Mark Beckwith. “It’ll satisfy irrigation demands not only for the new nine but also for the existing nine.”
Work on the pond has stopped for the time being until the ground dries out.
The goal for this year is to install the irrigation system that the pond will supply. It’s a fairly big-ticket item. But club president Carl Chykerda says he expects most or all of it to get done this year, along with cleaning and seeding of the fairways.
“Next year, we’re hoping all that’s left is to finish shaping and seeding greens and tee boxes.”
Chykerda says fundraising efforts continue non-stop, and contributions come not only in the form of cash, but also in work by various local companies that helps out a lot. The recent donation of $125,000 via the provincial government, “really helped us out.”
The club is hoping a June 7 fundraising event will give the cause another solid boost. Golfers will have a chance to go nine holes with Premier Ralph Klein and various MLAs – for a fee of course. Chykerda says the club is still working out the details, but it is safe to say the big-ticket item will be golf with the premier. The day finishes off with a fundraising banquet at the Sawridge Hotel.
The event doubles as a fundraiser for the Progressive Conservative association. For more information on the event, call the Gilwood pro shop at 849-4389.

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