Inside Golf Inc.

August 2012

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16 NEW COURSE PROFILE BY BRYAN OUTRAM Pagoda Ridge... Already Rich In History The soon to be opened Pagoda Ridge Golf Course in Langley, B.C. is already rich in history and the first golf ball has yet to be struck, well, not officially anyway. Back in 1988 Lyall and Verna Brown decided to build a golf course transforming the land they owned into what would become one of the most fascinating and unique golf courses in British Columbia. When they bought the large property from the Gibbson Brothers back in the 1970's they learned that the property had a rich history of gold panning. The reason for purchasing such a vast piece of land was for Lyall's love of flying; his dream was to have his own private landing strip. PEAK SEASON GREEN FEES SCHEDULE June 1st – September 30th Mon-Fri Sat/Sun /Holidays Regular $55 $65 Reg >2pm $49 $55 Seniors $45 $65 Early Birds: Weekdays before 7:30am: $45.00 (Excluding Shoulder Season & Holidays) Srs. Before Noon(M-T): $39 DOLLAR SAVING GAME PACKAGES 10 Game (M-Th) $550.00 $450.00 $100.00 20 Game (M-Th) $1,100.00 $850.00 $250.00 10 Game (F-S /Hol) $650.00 $550.00 $100.00 20 Game (F-S /Hol) $1,300.00 1,050.00 $250.00 Retail Package Value Cost Family Night... Sundays after 5:00pm: $68.00 Includes 9 holes for 4 players and a $10.00 food voucher at Pagoda's Grill. Add a Power Cart for $5.00 per player. Savings Throughout the years there have been many airplanes land on the strip that both Lyall and Verna cleared weekend after weekend with a picnic basket in hand and thermoses of water. He sold his first plane, a Piper, and purchased the 206 amphibious plane and had the hanger built which is now the Pagoda Architecture' as it is referred to on the Pagoda Ridge website, borne of any family heritage or particular traveling experience? Was the 'Asian Infused No, according to owner Lyall Brown... he and his wife Verna, "Just happened to like Asian architecture... and the colours." Building. After the amphibious plane was sold and the landing strip was no longer necessary, it was Lyall's son, Larry, who put forward the idea to build the golf course saying, "Dad, this would make a great golf course," essentially because 1) He liked to golf and 2) They couldn't do anything else with the property. Along the way the family had to persevere the trials and tribulations that went along with gaining the necessary approval from the local municipality but after 7 years of being patient and persistent they finally had the go ahead to begin construction. Lyall with his family have been the heart and soul of the project, together they have truly made this a family affair. The golf course was a leisurely project developing over the past 22 years and has built up a family momentum that has made an impression on the result of the golf course. The course became a full-on project when Lyall and Verna retired in 2008 from the sawmill business that they owned and operated for forty-six years. The culmination of years of blood, sweat and possibly a few tears, this 165 acre piece of property has now been transformed from a dense, bushy gold panning region to a landing strip for private aircraft to a now distinctive golf experience that will no doubt be a favourite local layout. Continued On Next Page

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