DESERT BLUME Golf Course


Ellerman brings 30 years’ experience to Desert Blume


Trevor Ellerman highlights a new look around Desert Blume Golf Club this summer, as the 30-year veteran of the golf scene in Medicine Hat moves to the county course after fi ve years at Connaught.


Ellerman, a minority partner, will serve as general manager of the Blume operation amid the new group that took over ownership in 2019, said he feels he has “worked my whole career for this moment.”


Ellerman said his time at Connaught “was very rewarding and I met a lot of good friends and cherish some great memories” but “when the opportunity was presented by Desert Blume, it was too exciting to pass up.”


It was a rough start for Ellerman, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced a late start to the golf season — and things still aren’t normal around the sport. Tee times have been spaced out to ensure proper social distancing; one-person-per-cart is the rule (other than couples who live together); there are no rakes in the sand traps; and coat-hanger contraptions to remove the ball from the hole are in place. The clubhouse at Desert Blume is close to being able to open, albeit with virus- related restrictions in place.


The course wintered well, said Ellerman. Plus, the early May start to the season meant the greens had no traffi c for the full month of April, which left them in spectacular condition.


One of the highlights this year was supposed to be a celebrity golf tournament June 25 to benefi t the Medicine Hat Ronald McDonald House, but all such events are in fl ux because of the pandemic. More information on this unique event — in fact, whether it will even be going ahead or postponed until 2021 — will be made public in the coming weeks.


The women’s golf league will begin Tuesday, June 2, but plans for the Blume men’s leagues — originally scheduled for Monday and Wednesday nights — are still up in the air, said pro shop manager Bill Bishop.


Membership rates at the Blume have remained stable. All membership levels are priced to include golf, cart, driving range privileges, club storage and locker. Due to the various levels of pricing, “it’s best to call the offi ce,” said Ellerman. “More importantly and moving forward into the fall season and 2021, we will have some exciting new membership strategies that we


hope will make Desert Blume more competitive from a pricing standpoint while also looking after our core membership group.”


Green fees have come down this year. Monday through Thursday will cost $50 plus cart seat and the fee will be $55 plus cart seat Friday through Sunday. “We are also currently exploring some reciprocal green fee rates with various clubs in the city as an added member benefi t,” said Ellerman.


Bishop, one of the new owners, has taken over as pro shop manager and Colin Schlenker, another of the new owners, will continue as maintenance area manager. “The ability to have ownership in thesemanagement positions will serve us well as we move forward, and will become a main strength of Desert Blume,” said Ellerman.


Matt Hall has taken on the job of golf course superintendent and the familiar face of assistant pro Braden Chown will once again grace the pro shop.


2020 GREEN FEES Monday to Thursday


18 Holes $50


Friday, Saturday & Sunday 18 Holes


$55 Cart Seat $25 for 18 holes


Twilight Golf June 1 - September 30 after 1pm $60 - 18 holes with cart seat


Book Tee-Times at  www.desertblume.com


MEDICINE HAT’S PREMIER GOLF CLUB


2020 GOLF GUIDE | 7


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