BY KEITH LACEY
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Stone Ridge at Elliot Lake has an
abundance of mature trees, beautiful lakes and water
hazards, and, as the name implies, a beautiful stone
ridge overlooking several holes on the front
nine. |
Stone Ridge at Elliot Lake, the new 18-hole
championship course, opened in late July.
Word is getting around about this gem as 70
percent of customers the first two months have come from
Greater Sudbury, said head professional Brent Robinson.
Robinson, head professional for the past 13
years at the old Elliot Lake Golf Course, said residents have
been anxiously awaiting for Stone Ridge to open. The course was
built on much of the land where the old course was located.
Planning to expand the course to 18 holes started about five
years ago.
"We believe we have one of the nicest layouts
and most scenic courses in all of Northern Ontario," the pro
said.
On top of 18 fantastic holes of golf, there's
also a top-notch driving range and practice green, a
world-class clubhouse and some of the best food you will eat at
any golf course around as renowned chef Jimmy Yee has been
hired as the manager of food and beverage.
Course architect Ted Baker, who has designed
some of the nicest courses in the country, has only enhanced
his reputation by designing a course that offers everything a
championship course should offer.
The course was built by Evans Golf, the
number one builder of championship courses in Canada.
There's an abundance of mature trees,
beautiful lakes and water hazards, and, as the name implies, a
beautiful stone ridge overlooking several holes on the front
nine.
"We wanted to do things right before we
officially opened and I think we did that because the course is
in terrific shape," said Robinson.
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Stone Ridge at Elliot Lake is
situated just before the town limits at 71 Nordic Mine
Road. |
Because Elliot Lake has become a successful
retirement community, the course was designed to appeal to
senior golfers as well as low handicappers looking for a
challenging golf experience, said Robinson.
The course plays very difficult from the back
tees, measuring in at just over 6,800 yards. Middle
handicappers will find the middle or blue tees more to their
satisfaction at just over 6,100 yards and high handicappers can
have a very enjoyable golf experience hitting from the front
red tees (5,700 yards).
The course plays just over 5,000 yards from
the women's tees.
"The course was built knowing our
demographics and that Elliot Lake has become a retirement
community," said Robinson.
"But we also wanted a golf course that would
become a destination for the best golfers in northern Ontario.
We've achieved that as it plays very tough for the scratch
golfer and low handicapper from the back tees, but it's very
senior friendly from the front and middle tees for the men and
a fair test for our female members."
More than 200 members registered for the 2005
season and Robinson expects more than 300 regular members to
join when the 2006 season gets underway next spring.
The price is right for a course of this
calibre as a full membership costs under $1,100 and a weekday
membership is under $800.
The golf course has hired 50 employees, most
of them full-time and this has contributed nicely to Elliot
Lake's economy.
"Having a terrific golf course is one thing
many seniors demand in looking for a place to retire," he
said.
Huron Pines in Blind River is a magnificent
golf course, and the opening of Stone Ridge will make the area
a golf tourist destination, said Robinson.
"We certainly want to encourage people to
play both courses because they are both outstanding," he
said.
Stone Ridge at Elliot Lake is situated just
before the town limits at 71 Nordic Mine Road.
Phone 1-866-254-1281 to book a teeoff. For
more information, visit the website at
www.golfstoneridge.com
