Elk Point golf course finds water source, but still running dry financially

Elk Point’s golf course is running dry, both physically and financially.

Don Schultz, Elk Point and District Golf Club president, attended the regular Elk Point Town Council meeting on June 10 with a report on the status of the course and a request to rent a pump and lines to draw water from the river.

Physically, the shortage of rain, an empty reservoir, and irrigation breaks have resulted in wide dry swaths on the fairways, and patchy greens.

The creek that the golf course draws from has too little flow to keep up with the water demand, so the club is applying to Alberta Environment and Parks for permission to draw water from the North Saskatchewan River.

Schultz was at the meeting to request a pump and water lines to carry the river water to a reservoir, about 4 km north of the river.

The reservoir formerly used by the Town of Elk Point was purchased earlier this year by the Elk Point and District Lions Club to develop as a public fish pond.

The reservoir is currently empty, but the golf club and the Lions club have entered into an agreement to fill it “to the max this year” says Schultz.

After that, the golf course will have a steady, reliable source for water: around 15,000,000 gallons in an average year. The clubs will have joint ownership and responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of the pump at the river.

The Lions will look after replacing annual evaporation or leakage.

The uncooperative weather, including a cold September, a windy, cool May, and little rainfall, have not only hurt the course physically, but has deterred golfers, leading the golf club to financial drought.

The economy has also had an effect.

Casual golfers have not been hitting the course in significant numbers, and memberships, cart rentals, and food sales are down.

To encourage golfers, the club has been offering a number of incentives. Golfing is free to kids who are accompanied by a paying adult.

A reduced dry weather rate is in effect until the course greens up. Special Olympics athletes and their companions can use the driving range at no cost. Attractive rates are available for tournaments and the course can be booked for private rentals.

Some tournaments, including the STARS Tournament, Stafford Tournament, and the Antiques Road Show also bring in golfers.

While the season has begun dry, Schultz and his team are determined.

“We’re going to do what we can to run a first class golf course.”