Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/130253
2:28 PM Page 1 GIBSON WITH THE NEW RANGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION BEHIND Continued From Previous Page high end 27 hole resort experiences such as The Westin Kierland Resort, The Westin La Paloma Resort and The Phoenician in the Arizona market. "In my opinion, Bear Mountain is a microcosm of what is going on throughout the entire golf industry – too much supply for too little demand. Rightsizing the golf operation is a requirement for success," McLaughlin continued. Other industry sources have backed up Bear Mountain's claims of oversupply. One representative of a company that runs courses both in BC and abroad is of the opinion that there are almost 1.5 courses too many in the area to meet current demand. While there is no question that the Capital region is over-supplied, the plan was met with enough opposition to see the formation of the Bear Mountain Community Association, which has sent more than 100 letters to local council protesting the rezoning plan. In a piece in the Times-Colonist in April, Cowan was quoted confirming they were considering actively selling the entire project and that the community association's opposition played a role. ew ic Vi lymp utus O Arb r And Offe idge ions R Opt ible Flex 3 201 For 90 Saratoga Beach Is Back In Business The Saratoga Beach Golf Club just north of Courtenay/Comox has re-opened under new management. Located in Black Creek, the golf course has been closed for the past two of seasons for financial reasons. Now KJG Golf Services owned and operated by Keith "Gibby" Gibson (12-year operator of the Long Beach Golf Course and past PGA of BC Past President) and his fellow PGA of Canada Professional Lance Barber are taking over the operation at the seaside club. The golf course plays to 2,316 yards over 33 acres that includes a full length driving range. The course has been undergoing renos including updating the driving range and course that are now complete. "Saratoga Beach Golf Club is a great community asset and this 9-hole Par 33 Executive style golf course will add to the regions' robust outdoor recreational activities", said Gibson. "Junior golf programs and a family fun environment are our objectives for the golf course", says Barber. Gibson is most excited about the location. "Located at the mouth of the Oyster River, this is a great setting for a user-friendly course… Saratoga Beach may be the ultimate stretch of shimmering sand on the sheltered east coast of Vancouver Island." The rates here are very user-friendly too. High season green fees are only $22 for 9 holes and $32 for 18. Long term deals are even better. It's just $299 for a seasons range pass while yearly passes are $799 for a single and $1299 for a couple. 250-337-2208 golfsaratogabeach.com THE CLUBHOUSE EARLIER THIS YEAR NANAIMO'S NEW CLUBHOUSE TO OPEN LATER THIS YEAR The members of the well regarded Nanaimo Golf Club will soon have a clubhouse to match their updated golf course. In 2011, members voted to replace their 60-year old facility with a new approximately 19,517 square foot building on the same site. Windley Contracting Ltd. is constructing the new clubhouse and there will be significant changes to the layout of the previous clubhouse where the largest banquet hall was only able to seat up to 200 people and the kitchen had minimal space and culinary resources. With the new structure, the main floor will include a commercial kitchen, a bar and lounge, and a new banquet hall designed for various special occasions and group functions. The top floor of the multi-million dolllar building will also include a bar and lounge that will be separate from the main floor lounge. The basement will comprise of new men's and women's locker, change, and shower facilities as well as designated storage for clothes and equipment. The building will exhibit a fresh and modern look. The anticipated completion date of the project is July 2013. 2013 VANCOUVER ISLAND HOT DEALS The GolfBC courses on Vancouver Island have a range of "Flexible" pass programs designed to meet every need. The $2,500 Albatross gets you 60 transferable green fee vouchers... 30 for Olympic View and 30 for Arbutus Ridge while the Eagle gets you 80 vouchers at one of the two ($3,200 at OV; $2,900 at Arbutus Ridge). From there the Birdie and Par programs get you similar values at smaller quantities. All programs have all the added value listed beside the flexible fellow to the left. For further details contact: Ken Langdon Sales & Events Coordinator at Olympic View - (250) 474.3673 klangdon@golfbc.com or Rich Ingle Head Golf Professional at Arbutus Ridge - (250) 743.5000 | ringle@golfbc.com IMAGES COURTESY: NANNAIMO GC 5/10/13 FBC Y: GOL URTES DIT/CO GE CRE IMA iG1304--proof