The decision to do a renovation is a big one for any homeowner, whether it be a kitchen, bathroom or a basement. But to tear down the entire building and put up something new is raising the decision bar quite a bit.
The decision to build the new Innisfail Golf Course clubhouse falls along those same lines on a somewhat larger scale.
The shiny new facility was completed over the past winter and spring with the early reviews being very positive. The shareholders were all smiles on the day of the official opening and everyone could see what a huge step forward this was.
“We now have a kitchen that would match up against anybody’s. I don’t think there is any event that we would back off from,” said Head Professional Jim Boomer.
The new building got an early test in May by hosting players, coaches, team officials for a tournament when the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup was in Red Deer and pulled it off.
“We were planning to maybe be in this until the middle of June,” said Boomer. “To have it ready for the Memorial Cup, what a break.”
It was a perfect storm of sorts as the project came in under the $1.9 million dollar budget. A mild winter and the availability of many trades people due to the economy helped make this all happen.
This was another piece of the puzzle for a venue which has a great track, a tournament house, maintenance and cart shed, all which meet their needs.
“We don’t have to sort of say when you start talking to a customer that you’re missing anything,” said Boomer.
When it comes to accessible golf courses in Alberta, Innisfail has moved up a notch with the new clubhouse and Boomer feels they are one of those courses which comes to mind when people are passing through and looking for a great experience from start to finish.
Next up for the course to show off its new digs is the Alberta Amateur in July but Boomer says if they do things right during that tournament then there’s a possibility they could be considered for some high profile events in the country.
“Given the length of our golf course, maybe we wouldn’t get a men’s spot but there’s Junior Ladies national championships, there is ladies national championship, Senior ladies, Junior men’s.”
Boomer says Innisfail will work towards attracting as many top end events as possible but keeping in mind the members and green fee players are what really butter the bread.
“We want it to feel like a public golf course. A really good public golf course.”
There are still some minor details which will work themselves out as the season moves forward. It’s like having a thoroughbred horse. Sure she looks nice standing still but how does she run.
“There’s going to be this honeymoon period,” said Boomer. “There’s going to be this period of time where everybody wants to come and give it a shot but what if they don’t have a good experience. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.”
The feeling is that all the tools are in place for Innisfail Golf Club. Now it’s time to put them to work.
