Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/68546
SCOTT STEVENS AND COREY KUDROWICH CHALLENGE THE BLACK SAND OF COAL CREEK The answer came from one of those things that when one looks back, seems almost too simple to have happened. "Probably about six years ago we knew the coal mine was coming to an end and we knew we had a pretty big project to reclaim it just for agricultural land which really wasn't worth a whole bunch," Corey Kudrowich the project coordinator, explained of the blossoming beauty in his parents' backyard. "Really, it was just a conversation around the dinner table among family members," he commented on the idea springing to life. "...as soon as we saw it – the contrast between the green and the black and the fact it looks like coal - we immediately knew that was going to be part of the project." Thus exploration began in regard to turning the reclaimed land into recreational reserve rather than agricultural. It wasn't an easy process but they got through it and hooked up with a well-known Edmonton family to develop the property. Designed and built by Puddicombe Golf out of Nisku, Coal Creek's original façade had the company facing some tough challenges when looking at laying down green grass where black coal had reigned supreme for years. "The concerns we had were, will we have enough topsoil to recap the course once the earthwork was complete; will we be able to find enough suitable quality water for irrigation purposes and will the old buried slack from past coal mining operations hinder our ability to achieve our desired grades, which in some cases it did and we had to make adjustments," Grant Puddicombe explained. What they ended up with, however, when the problems were overcome is an outstanding design in a unique setting. Coal Creek Golf Resort is broken down into three segments and each is a delight to lay a club upon. Kimto 1/3 Sq 76 "I think just the uniqueness of the land really appealed to them, the three different styles of golf," Kudrowich said of Puddicombe Golf coming on board. "There's the hills (where he used to ride his dirt bike as a kid and still has the scars to show), the quarry which shows the original scars of coal mining from the turn of the century, and a links component. "You'll have an appreciation for what was here. You're going to know you're golfing on an old coal mine – it's going to be around you, you'll see it - the black sand, the tipple (the mine's original processing plant), the equipment scattered amongst the holes," said Kudrowich. What you see all around Coal Creek is history unfolding in front of your eyes in a setting that's out of a movie. The fescue grasses 2012 COAL CREEK FEATURE IMAGE CREDIT PUDDICOMBE GOLF IMAGE CREDIT GORD MONTGOMERY