Connaught Golf Course


Flood of memories as Oliphant returns to Connaught


A fl ood of birdies is good. A fl ood of new members is good. A fl ood of great golfi ng memories is good.


But an indoor water fl ood? Not so good.


However, the water damage that struck Connaught Golf Club’s clubhouse in December may have been a blessing in disguise, as renovations were done in the lower level of the clubhouse and new fl ooring was laid in the upper level. It has given the facility a clean, more modern and appealing look.


Meanwhile, back to that ‘fl ood of memories’.


Head professional Brian Oliphant has those, as he returns as Connaught’s head professional after three years in the retail trade.


“I’m excited to be back at Connaught,” said Oliphant. “It’s like home for me. I’ve been a junior member, a maintenance worker, assistant pro and head professional here over the years so I’m really looking forward to being back.”


Connaught weathered the winter well, according


to superintendent Dustin Zdan, and the course is in excellent condition.


Golfers will notice a few changes around the course which sits off Thirteenth Avenue and is bordered by the Trans-Canada Highway and College Drive. Zdan provided a number of photos on Twitter of tree removal done by staff and volunteers in January. Gone are seven dead poplars from the corner of the 16th fairway, off ering a “diff erent look for sure,” he said. “The re-plant program from eight years ago in this area worked great.”


Membership and green fees prices have remained virtually the same at Connaught, with a non- shareholder adult paying around $2,000 for seven-day play and $360 less for Monday-to-Friday tee times. A major attraction at Connaught is the dual-membership arrangement the club has with Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club. For $325 more, members have access to both courses. “A great deal,” said Oliphant. An 11-round punch card is also available for $539. (See connaughtgolf.com/rates for


the full list of playing options.)


The coronavirus that has brought the globe to a halt has resulted in the cancellation of many golf tournaments, but Oliphant says there is still hope that the annual Southeastern Open over the Labour Day Weekend can be played. “It’s still a few months away, so we’re still planning to go ahead with it if we’re able to,” he said. Oliphant said one victim of the pandemic was the cancellation of Connaught’s biannual club fundraiser, Together for Golf, originally scheduled for late May.


Oliphant says he’s happy the season was fi nally able to get under way, and he’s enjoying the comfort zone of being a head professional. Looking around the golf shop at Connaught, Oliphant says, “This is like home for me.”


Medicine Hat’s Friendliest Golf Course! EST. 1922


GREEN FEES Weekdays:


$54 - 18 Holes


Weekends: $59 - 18 Holes


Range Passes $250 “open to non-members” CPGA lessons Available


Weekly Green Fee Specials


Daily Lunch Special Wednesday to Friday


Daily Happy Hour 3:00 to 7:00pm


Call today at 403-526-0737 to fi nd out all the information or visit us at www.connaughtgolf.com


2020 GOLF GUIDE | 5


Medicine Hat’s Exclusive


Dual Membership


available with Medicine Hat


Golf & CC for an additional upcharge.


Retailer!


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