Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/68546
THE OLD TIPPLE FROM THE DODDS COAL MINE STILL TOWERS OVER THE FAIRWAYS AND GREENS AT COAL CREEK GOLF RESORT, OFFERING A GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY OF THE SITE offset the greens of the putting surface and fairways and the black sand bunkers, which are reflected in the water and sparkle brightly in the sunshine, add another dimension to the course. Throughout the course the hallmark of the venue, besides the mining operation, is that black sand found in both greenside and waste bunkers. This is a unique characteristic and it is much the same as other types of sand found on golf courses, although it may be a bit heavier. "I think it was Grant (Puddicombe) that made a comment about black sand to What's intriguing here as well is the fact you don't play each of the three distinct sections of the course as a separate entity. They flow together with each style showing up in small parts, keeping you focused on your game as well as the history under your feet. tie in with the coal mining theme. Jason (Rasmuson, the head project coordinator) and I took a trip down to Butte, Montana (where the sand, which is actually copper slag, is used on a course), and 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," Kudrowich explained. "The sand's very consistent. It had to meet Puddicombe's standards and people are going to be in it because there are lots of bunkers out there." What's intriguing here as well is the fact you don't play each of the three distinct sections of the course as a separate entity. They flow together with each style showing up in small parts, keeping you focused on your game as well as the history under your feet. A taste of the Quarry tees the fun up first, as it plays out through No's. 1, 4, 5 and 18. You then start chipping away on the Links layout on No's. 2, 3, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17. 78 The Hills fairways greet you on No's. 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 making for a round of golf like you've never played before in flatland Alberta. As for the olden days when men toiled to unearth a precious resource, they won't be overlooked when Coal Creek opens for business. "The history here is very important to us," Kudrowich noted. "I remember spending lots of summers up here with my grandfather, shoveling coal up into the tipple, and now to see it as a championship golf course gives us a tremendous amount of pride, so that history is not something we're going to keep a secret." Kudrowich noted pieces of the mining operation have been preserved and will be on display in the clubhouse when it's built, showing where the course came from. As well, it's likely placards will be placed on various holes around the course to explain what specific equipment was 2012 COAL CREEK FEATURE IMAGE CREDIT GORD MONTGOMERY