Staka

Very few courses were still open as we should have snow by now. I phoned asking if they could fit a single in and they said they would get me on. When I showed up the course was packed. (15C in Manitoba in November?) As one staff member took my money the other one ran out to the first tee to ask a threesome if I could join them! THAT is service! The course was in great shape for so late in the season but the staff is what made this round so enjoyable (I shot by best round of the year).

The golf course was in good shape and well thought out with moderate elevation changes, some bunkers with soft sand, a few water hazards and large fast tricky greens. It was a real mix of tight and open holes. The price was very cheap considering what Alberta golf with a cart goes for!

A very well designed, well maintained course. Lots of water hazards and sand traps. The greens were very large with a fair amount of break. Putts rolled smoothly. The course was in great shape. The starter/marshal was very friendly. The 19th hole had an upscale sports bar feel to it. Breakfast was delicious at a reasonable price.

Larter's Is a nice layout close to the city. It's almost always in good shape. It's not the cheapest course around but it's a fair price. I'm not a fan of the shortened hole on the back nine.

Aspen Links was to be a high end golf course with an amazing clubhouse and large homes surrounding it. The clubhouse burned down a while back, the houses aren't being built as fast as they expected and they are operating out of ATCO trailers but the layout shows what could have been. For flat prairie they have done a nice job. The layout is fun to play with mostly wide fairways and wonderful green complexes. I'm not a big fan of playing through a residential area but here I didn't mind it. Aside from some bare spots, most of the fairways are lush. The greens are very nice but a bit slow. On the day I played the bunkers were hard packed. It isn't a very walker friendly course but it's flat so the walk isn't too bad.

Sadly, unless the deal falls through, I was told by staff The Meadows will be ripped up for housing in 2 years! For a layout with no elevation and almost no trees(only holes 11, 12 and 16 have tree lined fairways), it is a well thought out track. The fairways are wide for the most part with very good use of water hazards and bunkers. There are mounds with long native grasses that will eat most errant shots. The fescue has finally matured to make the fairways stand out. Some of the fairway grass is sparse but they were aerating to try and fix it. The greens are large, undulating and as fast as you will find at a public course. The clubhouse is very basic but the staff were very friendly. I saw many fivesomes but other than one holding up a twosome of ladies (come on guys, let faster groups through) pace of play was good. We played in under four hours walking for $39CDN.

The course is flat and pretty ho hum except for a few holes. The greens are large, firm and fast and the bunkers are well tended but the fairways are thin grass on Manitoba hard clay with quite a few bare spots. I went as a guest and paid $63CDN to walk. A fairer green fee would probably be mid $50 mark. One of the Par 3s had a temporary green but I still had to pay full price. The staff were friendly and the restaurant was very nice. The food was very good for a reasonable price. If a member is treating you then go but if you have to pay, drive another 20 minutes and play Bridges. For $60 you can ride a play a great course.

If you haven't played this course in a few years give it another go. Some of the staff have been replaced and the difference in the experience is wonderful! The starter was one of the friendliest and helpful people I have ever experienced on a golf course! The rest of the staff were very friendly and helpful! We played 54 hole. The first 18 was $60CDN with a cart. The second 18 was $35CDN with a cart and the third 18 was $25CDN to ride (it is not a good walking course because of elevation changes and distance between greens and tees). The course was in perfect shape and the greens are some of the most challenging I have ever played. Many of the holes border the lake and the 13th and 14th hole make good use of the giant granite cliff. It is visually one of the prettiest golf courses. The pro shop is very limited and the food menu is small but the food was very good (home made steak and potato soup)

The course is a little off the beaten path (almost 3 hours from Winnipeg and 10 kilometers from the highway) but absolutely worth it! The staff are friendly and helpful. The golf course was in great shape except for 2 holes along the lake, but they were under water 2 years ago so they are coming back nicely. The other fairways were like walking on a carpet. The greens were slow but otherwise is beautiful shape. It was $39CDN to walk but Mondays it's $33CDN to ride! The pro shop has a small selection of clubs and clothes. The restaurant was very good.