Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/68546
"We're the lowest in Grande Prairie. The number of rounds helps keep the fees down. We're more a course than the others for the working guy. We have more of a relaxed atmosphere here; it's not so stuffy or uppity-uppity or like that. That's more our clientele and there's nothing wrong with that." THE FRONT AND BACK NINES ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AT BEAR CREEK courses in Grande Prairie," he began. "Because of that the snow melts off here a little faster and we dry up a little faster than the others. We opened the tenth of April for a few days this year before we got a big dump of snow, but the other courses were probably two weeks from opening when we did. "Then in the fall, there's really no reason we couldn't stay open that long – we were open until the 2nd of November last year – but they just don't," leaving Bear Creek GC as the last-man-standing for those diehards looking to get in their final few rounds of the season, even when it's toque and mitts weather. ('Toque and Mitts weather' is strictly a Gord Montgomeryism seeing as he hails from Central Alberta and he can't help himself- ed) Above all, the rates at Bear Creek GC are lower than your golf ball sitting at the bottom of the cup after you drain a 30-foot birdie putt. Weekday costs for 18 holes are $38 and weekends are only $42. "We're the lowest in Grande Prairie. The number of rounds helps keep the fees down. We're more a course than the others for the working guy. We have more of a relaxed atmosphere here; it's not so stuffy or uppity-uppity or like that. That's more our clientele and there's nothing wrong with that." Bear Creek GC also offers league play with the men going out on Monday nights and the women on Tuesday. Again, fees to join the leagues and what you get from playing in those are a bargain. The men begin play in May and run until September 3rd, this year meaning 18 weeks of play, including long weekends plus the September 17th wind-up with a scramble format that was used last year and proved successful. Tee times begin at 6 p.m. As an added bonus, all participants in Bear Creek Men's League are automatically entered to play in the Canadian Pairs Tournament on Thursday June 21. To facilitate this tourney, all regular league players will split into 2-person teams and play an 18-hole handicapped best ball event. The winning team will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Comox, B.C. to play in the Canadian Pairs Finals, which is a great time for everyone involved. If you're lucky enough to walk away with the title from that event, you and your teammate will receive an all- expense paid trip to compete at Pebble Beach, which is an outstanding perk of belonging to the men's league at Bear Creek. As for the women and their league play, they also tee it up in early May and go through until September. The league will run until September 4th. Meaning a season of 18 weeks plus the September 11th wind-up with the same tee time format as last year. Continuing this year there will be the square draws, team prizes plus fun- hole prizes, as well as a draw each week for a team bottle of wine plus a cheese and cracker platter to be enjoyed the following week. As for why his course should be the club of choice in Grande Prairie, it's noted, "We're more than a golf club. Bear Creek Golf Club is a beautiful 18-hole golf course but it's so much more than just another public golf club. "Although we take golf at Bear Creek seriously, we gather here to do much more. You'll find the staff and patrons of Bear Creek to be friendly and hospitable. The atmosphere lets you enjoy the moment. We truly are the most accessible and affordable golf destination in the Peace Region," so why not give them a shot this season and get your money's worth, and more, at a great course. To keep up with the latest happenings at Bear Creek go to golfbearcreek.com/insidegolf and register to receive weekly updates. You can also follow Bear Creek on Facebook at facebook.com/bearcreek. About the Writer: Gord Montgomery is the sports editor of two weekly newspapers in the Edmonton area. He is currently in his fifth year of writing for Inside Golf and is a member of the Golf Journalists of Canada. He can be reached at noraltagolf@gmail.com 21