We weren’t club owned like the other local places FAIRWAY FACTS
so we promoted public golf and open events. People
seemed to like that. It was a little different atmosphere
Ownership
and a very fun environment. It’s a blue collar course
there’s no doubt about that. Hard-working people
Casselman Family
that like to come out and enjoy themselves.”
Golf Course Superintendent
By the late 1970’s the course was thriving. Golfers
David Casselman
were making the short drive from Ottawa, Brockville,
and Cornwall to find a place where fun was Tees / Yardage
paramount and prices were reasonable. The Blue – 6345
Casselmans and their staff welcomed the golfers White – 6002
like family – a tenet that remains today. “We were, Red – 5391
and are, a little off the beaten path since the highway
(#31) does not run by our door but once people saw Average Hole Lengths
how close we were to major centres and how they
(Blue Tees – Par 70)
were greeted, they kept coming.”
Par 3’s: 157 Yards
Par 4’s: 381 Yards
Expansion to eighteen holes had never been the
Par 5’s: 519 Yards
original plan but when the 50 acres of land to the north
of the course became available in 1994, a possible
extension came into play. “Stewart and Ethel
Cedar Glen Golf Club
Saddlemire were very accommodating in the sale
Williamsburg, ON
and helped to make it happen for us – we appreciated
Tel: (613) 535-2323
it,” states Dennis with obvious gratitude. Boyd Barr
Tel: 888-861-0660
of Barr designs was contracted to design the addition
www.cedarglengolf.ca
– a plan that got reworked when an additional fifty
acres was made available. It brought the course
property to the 155 acres it encompasses today.
Playing the course, you will see that there is a
not get beat up too badly but the better golfer will find
The initial concept was to build twelve holes on the noticeable variation in the older and newer holes, plenty of challenge. It is the kind of course where
new property and then rework the original nine but although that is being softened somewhat over time you find your own trouble.”
with costs in mind and the hope of not disturbing with renovation projects. The 10
th
hole is also a
play as much as they could, they opted to keep the target-style hole like much of the front nine so it
Of course, the secret of the courses’ triumph has
first nine and add a back nine. helps with the transition.
less to do with the layout and more with how the
place operates. The relaxed atmosphere makes
The full eighteen hole course opened in July of 1999 Shorter holes on the front side offer a good chance you feel comfortable, whether you are just playing
and it was well received, bringing a new dimension to get the rust off your swing and prepare you for a round at a reasonable rate or attending one of their
to the business. It also gave them the capability to some longer tests on the back side which features special events, tournaments or leagues. Thankful
accommodate the growing number of golfers who more open lines of play. “There is quite a difference for their loyal customers, Dennis also praises the
were discovering the country gem. between our 9 hole layouts so it never gets boring members and volunteers at the club and also credits
that way,” adds Casselman.
them for their success.
Dennis says they would not have been able to get
the course completed had it not been for family and Through the years the layout has been changed a bit He remarks, “We are a really social place and we try
friends and the club members. Sons Paul and and recent projects have included the improvement and let people know that. If they don’t enjoy themselves
Dave were heavily involved in the process. Dave of tee and greens – mostly to enlarge and smooth out we would be surprised but we would also want to hear
remains with the course full-time today while Paul the areas of play. Thousands of trees have been about it so we could make it better for them.”
still returns to work on special projects. planted while others have been culled to allow sunlight
to aid growth in certain more covered areas.
That philosophy has been working for years and the
Even with the new addition, not everything went
folks at Cedar Glen say by sticking to their family
smoothly. It was difficult to operate from the original Golfers seem to like the changes and the course
values, even in lean times and with greater competition,
clubhouse, golfers would have to leave the that has resulted. Dennis has his own take on the
they seemed to have done alright. “It’s our life – not just
clubhouse and then not return until the 18
th
. They current layout. “I like the easy holes,” he says
a corporate thing like a lot of places – we have a
would play the first five holes, then the new nine, with a laugh as he cites the 1
st
and 5
th
holes as the
personal commitment to all our customers.”
then returned to the original sixth hole and finished ones his game is agreeable with. “16 is a real test.
out. In order to relieve the situation they decided If I can reach the green in three I am a happy As Dennis concludes with the obvious approval of
instead to build a new clubhouse. It opened in 2001 camper,” he adds regarding the 470-yard par five. Kathryn at his side, “Keeping your (current)
and they have not looked back since then. customers happy is easier than trying to bring in a
Most of the holes are fairly straightforward – with
whole bunch of new ones every year.”
Today golfers will find a maturing course at Cedar any trouble quite visible. There is plenty of range in
Glen – one that has benefitted from the personal the hole lengths and lots of design variances to But undoubtedly, as history shows at the Cedar Glen
attention of a family and a supportive community. keep you on your toes. “The average golfer does Golf Course, the newcomers are just as welcome.
flagstick.com
MAY 2009 FGM 73
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