Golf among the glacial deposits

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/08/2023 (1103 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the glaciers were on the retreat in our lovely province, they formed a delta north of what is now the junction of Highways 2 and 5.

This delta deposited a wealth of sands in and around what is now the Assiniboine River. Most of those deposits are exemplified by the offerings in Spruce Woods Provincial Park. Another offering of this ancient delta takes full advantage of the rolling hills and unique mix of boreal and prairie plants thriving in these sands. Just northwest of town, follow the signs that lead you to Glenboro Golf & Country Club.

If you are coming from the ’peg, heed this warning: there are hills here.

The first tee is at the top of the highest hill on the course. So, if you’re into walking, you will definitely get a workout here. They do have a fleet of gas powered carts for rent or, if you bring your own, a ramp in the parking lot is provided to get your golf car in and out of your pickup. (That may sound like an unusual practise inside the perimeter, but it is more commonplace outside.)

This course is challenging, despite being only nine holes. There was a moment during my round that I thought trying to learn the game here would be difficult, but I ran into three or four families guiding their children in the workings of the game. I salute you, patient parents!

The main challenge here is the constantly undulating landscape, which creates uneven lies that you will be forced to address. Many uphill, downhill, and side-slope lies will require frequent adjustments in stance and grip. Ironically, with all the sand in this region, this course has a limited number of sand traps. That’s good news, as there are any number of other features to test your skills.

The first hole is a treat. You can actually overlook the entire course from the tee box. Take a moment and look around. This is a par 3, but club selection is tricky. The green lies well below the tee and, at 175 yards, it is easy to select too much club. Errant hits west are slightly better than east here.

Hole 2 appears deceptively easy when looking from the tee. This par 4 is mostly open on either side, but it goes slightly uphill. As you get closer to the green, you start to wonder where it is, as there is a tall ridge that runs across the fairway, 50 yards before the green, effectively obstructing it from fairway view. If you know it’s there, you can play your approach with confidence. I had no idea, however, and overshot into the thick brush backing the green. I liked that ball. Oh well.

Hole 3 is similar to the first, as you tee from a significant elevation. The rest of the hole is straightforward, and you can see the green.

Hole 4 is a beautiful scene that could easily be a postcard or screensaver. The out-of-bounds area on the left of this fairway is a field of Canadian, low-acidity oil seed in full, yellow-flowered bloom. One almost wanted to hit one out there just to have a walk in the xanthous acreage. It is a long par 5, and there is nary a flat square of grass on the entire run. Patience and practice swings are needed here. Hole 5 is a lengthy par 3, playing down slope, over hill and dale. This hole reminded me of hikes I’ve taken in the big park just down the road, as the terrain here is very similar.

If you walking and brought a light snack or an energy drink, have it on the sixth tee. This hole is a bit of an uphill go, playing as a dogleg to the left. Your climb is rewarded with a view of the aforementioned field of gold behind the green. Hole 7 is a bit up, a bit down, and for the first time on the course, introduces a sand trap at the green’s 4 o’clock. If you overshoot here, your ball will go into a spruce-treed valley.

Eight is a great hole, if you can shoot straight. Lots of growth on either side, and if you stray into the shrubbery, your odds of ball recovery are in line with winning the lottery. The green is not visible from the tee, but it does come into view soon enough if you are playing the north side. The green doglegs ever so slightly around the trees to the south. Hole 9 brings you home with an easy drive and a green that tucks around on the left behind some spruce. If you overshoot your approach, the hill from the first tee may save your shot and direct your ball down to the green. The other sand trap on the course is here, and it may spoil your return to the spacious, full service club house.

Feel up to the challenge? Visit golfglenboro.ca , and don’t forget to take a selfie with Sara!