It’s been in the planning and creation stages for several years, and next month the long-awaited Back Nine at the Gilwood Golf and Country Club will officially open.
That word from Gilwood President Duncan Fisk who says golfers are being encouraged to get their tickets for the Grand Opening dinner and celebrity auction that’s slated to take place June 7 at the Northern Lakes College, beginning with cocktails at 6:00 p.m., and dinner at 7:00.
Fisk says teams of four are invited to register for the grand opening round on July 8, but the evening before they’ll be encouraged to bid on ‘celebrity’ golfers to make their teams a five-some. Golfing will begin bright and early the next morning, and after golfers complete the maiden 18 holes, they’ll be able to get some tips from golfing guru Stuart Hendley who is recently returned for tours in Asia and Australia and living in Lacombe. He’ll be doing demonstrations Saturday, such as trick shots and the like.
As well, one of the members of Golf Design, the group that created the Back Nine will take part in opening day festivities.
“They designed the course at Barrhead, the back nine at Westlock as well as several others in British Columbia – such as Radium Springs and Kimberly,” and are recognized as experts in the golf course design world.
Staff as well as executive members and supporters have been pulling out the stops to ensure Back Nine is ready for the big day, says Fisk, who has been volunteering some hours of his own to make sure the job’s done. He says they’ve been concentrating on cart paths and sand traps, but admits it’s still a new course that’ll need time to fill in properly.
“We’re struggling,” he adds. “It’s not in mint condition, but it’s playable. We need a week of dry weather” to ready the course for golfers at the grand opening.
Fisk says organizers will accept the first 30 teams to register. Dinner is $75 per person, and golfing in the grand opening event will cost $150 per foursome. Tickets are available at the pro shop, or from executive members. For more information call the Gilwood pro shop or any executive members.

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