Desert Blume


LOCAL OWNERSHIP TAKES OVER DESERT BLUME Medicine Hat News


There are still 18 holes, the Seven Persons Creek continues to flow through the property and some of the most scenic holes in southeastern Alberta continue to allow Desert Blume Golf Club to claim it is “Medicine Hat’s premier golf club,” but no golf club has undergone more changes since last year than the Blume.


The Calgary-based ownership group, which built the course about 12 years ago and undertook development of hundreds of housing units lining many of the fairways, sold off the course to a local group in a late-winter transaction that didn’t become final until April 1. No foolin’.


The golf course owners are all local — Bill Bishop and Colin Schlenker are the two majority owners, and head pro Derek Berger has a minority interest — and they say members and green-fee players will notice a number of


positive changes in 2019.


“We’re not making a lot of changes, but we’re going to try to make it as inviting as possible for everyone,” said Berger, who was head pro at Connaught for the past four years following an 11-year stint at Riverview in Redcliff.


One of the “inviting” aspects will be some of the pricing of food and drink will be reduced, and “you’ll see a snack shack again,” he said.


Green fee and membership pricing won’t change, because rates are already set for 2019, but a sandwich and a beer won’t set you back as much this year as it may have in the past, Berger said. And those food and drink products will be waiting for the golfers, as opposed to in the past when the golfers had to patiently


wait for nourishment during a stop at the restaurant.


Berger will be the head pro and he will be assisted by pro Braden Chown, who joined the club last year. The former director of golf, Chris Paskin, won’t be back, and is expected to be reassigned by the Calgary ownership group, and former head pro Wade Waters has moved to Connaught and replaces Berger.


The course opened for play April 5 and Berger said it appears to be in terrific condition. The greens, always tarped during the winter, are in excellent shape and “they put some tarps on some of the tees, too, and they look really nice,” he said.


“I think it’s going to be awesome year” under the new ownership group,” said Berger. “I’m excited to get going on this new venture.”


2019 GREEN FEES Monday to Thursday


18 Holes $61


Friday, Saturday & Sunday 18 Holes


$67


Range Balls Included with all Green Fees Cart Seat $18 for 18 holes


Book Tee-Times at www.desertblume.com


MEDICINE HAT’S PREMIER GOLF CLUB


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