BY KEITH LACEY
The small seismic event that shook certain
parts of Greater Sudbury earlier this week wasn't a rock burst
or mining blast, but a collective scream of delight from
thousands of area golfers.
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Stephanie Gobeil takes a few swings
at Clearview Golf Course in Val Caron. |
For avid duffers, there are only two seasons
in the calender - golf season and the miserable months when you
can't play. Golf season is finally here after a long
winter.
The courses are in terrific shape for
mid-April after some beautiful spring weather over the past
three weeks.
Several courses opened last week and many
others are scheduled to open within the next week to 10
days.
"We opened Wednesday and the course was in
the best shape it's been in at this time of year in a long
time," said Ray Giroux, pro shop employee at
Pine Grove Golf Course, located on Highway
69, south of the Four Corners.
"The course is very dry for this time of year
and we covered all our greens and they're in pretty good shape.
"
Here's a list of Greater Sudbury golf courses
and driving ranges:
- Blackstone Golf Course on Maley Drive.
Nine-hole executive par-three course is expected to open in the
next week or two. Phone 566-3286.
- Buck Ridge Golf Course in Markstay.
Nine-hole course opened Friday with all greens open. No carts
allowed as of yet. Course using honour system until it opens
full-time in next week to 10 days. Phone 853-2825.
- Cedar Green Golf Course on Carr Avenue in
Garson. Established 18-hole course opened with all greens open
on Friday. No tee times are needed early in season. Phone
560-1090.
- Chelmsford Golf Course on Golf Course Road
in Chelmsford. Beautiful 18-hole course is expected to open
within the next week. Phone 855-0232.
- Clearview Golf Course on Hwy. 69 N in
Valley East. Course is expected to open early this week. Phone
897-6419.
- Colonial Golf Course on Lavallee Road in
Chelmsford. Executive nine-hole course expected to open in next
few days. Phone 855-5888.
- Forest Ridge Golf and Country Club on Hwy.
144 Bypass near Chelmsford. Driving range opened Friday. All 18
holes expected to be open to public within the next week. Phone
855-8558.
- French River Golf and Country Club on Hwy.
69 S in French River. Scenic nine-hole course expected to open
within next seven to 10 days. Phone 857-2201.
- Idylwylde Golf and Country Club on Walford
Road in Sudbury. Greater Sudbury's only executive private club
is scheduled to open the first week in May. Phone
522-8580.
- Lively Golf and Country Club on Sixth
Avenue in Lively. Back nine on popular and scenic 18-hole
course will open to public today (Sunday), with front nine
expected to open within seven to 10 days. Phone 692-5553.
- Onaping Golf and Beach Club near Windy
Lake. Scenic nine-hole course expected to open within two
weeks. Phone 966-2077.
- Penage Golf Course in Whitefish.
Established nine-hole course expected to open within two weeks.
Phone 866-2793.
- Sixth Avenue Golf Course on Sixth Avenue in
Lively. Popular executive par-three course scheduled to open on
Thursday, April 21. Phone 692-4203.
- Stone Hill Golf Course (formerly Sudbury
Highlands) on Silver Lake Road in Sudbury. Course is under new
management and undergoing
renovations. Expected to open very soon.
Phone 523-2518.
- Timberwolf Golf Course on Maley Drive.
Lavish championship 18-hole course, voted one of Canada's top
new courses a few years ago, is
scheduled to open for members on Friday,
April 29 and to the public in Saturday, April 30. Driving range
opened last week. Phone 524-9653.
- Twin Stacks Golf Course on Smelter Road in
Coniston. Challenging nine-hole course scheduled to open
sometime this week or early next week.
Call 694-2131.
- Voyageur Golf Course on Hwy. 69 S in Alban.
Established par-three course was first area course to open once
again in 2005. Phone 857-2452.
- Whistling Winds Golf Course in Blezard
Valley. Executive par-three course opened Saturday. The
adjacent Valley Family Golf Centre driving range opened last
week. Phone 897-7400.
- Practice Tee Driving Range on Hwy. 69 S
near Four Corners. Popular driving range was scheduled to open
this weekend. Phone 523-2262.
