Henderson Lake Golf Course Origins

 

The land upon which Henderson Lake Golf Course and Henderson Lake Park are today, was once owned by the Alberta Railway and Irrigation Co. In 1909 Mayor Henderson negotiated a deal with the A.R. I. Co. to purchase the 300 acre property. It was purchased for $150.00 dollars per acre with water rights. The 300 acres were to be developed into a park that would include: a merry-go round, movie picture show and eventually a zoo.

 

 In 1916 golf enthusiasts put forth a presentation suggesting the south side of the lake be developed into a nine hole course with the possibility of an eighteen hole course in the near future. After encouragement from city commissioners to develop a municipal golf links the promoters held a meeting at the Chinook Club July 3^rd 1916. A committee was appointed to meet with the city public works department on July 6^th where approval was given to start the project. Serg. Major Hume worked on the plans for the nine hole course along with Commissioner Grace of the city.

 

Things moved very quickly after the July 6^th meeting. The nine hole municipal course was completed in early August 1916. Seasonal memberships were sold for $5.00 with the payment to be made to the city treasurer.. A committee was organized to work with the city in managing the course. Play began and continued on into the New Year where a hardy group (some in shirtsleeves) played golf on New Years Day.

 

A meeting to elect officers for the Municipal Golf Course was held March 27^th 1917 at the Chinook Club. Full support was given by the city commissioners as they felt the course would be another attraction to Henderson Park and prove a big benefit to the public generally. The following officers were elected for the 1917 season: Honorary Presidents, W.A. Buchanan M.P., Mayor W.D.L. Hardie. President S.J. Shepard; Vice President W.A. Parker; Sec. Treasurer, James Dawson; Executive Committee, W.V. Poapst, D. Hume, D.A. Duff. Ladies Committee: Mrs. Shepard, Mrs. Buchanan, Mrs. Ritchie. The green fees for the nine hole 2650yd. course were set at $0.25 or you could purchase a seasons pass for $5.00. According to some documentation the members used the R.C.M.P. boathouse as a clubhouse and then acquired a clubhouse from the Hudson Bay Co. in 1918. However, one of the founding members Dr. Craig, stated that the clubhouse was built in 1917 and then the Hudson Bay boathouse was later added to enlarge the premises.

 

Right from the start the Executive Committee felt that golf was an honorable game and members should adhere to the rules of the game. Interestingly enough it was admitted that the frustrations of the game could lead to profanity but the game could still teach self control and honor. A score card was created that contained rules and information concerning handicap. The first tournament was organized and held on July 2^nd 1917..

 

The first annual meeting of the Lethbridge Municipal Golf Course was held Oct. 29^th  1917  where fifty people attended. W.A. Parker, vice president of the club occupied the chair in absence of President Shepard. Secretary Treasurer, James Dawson reported that at present there were 89 members as approximately 40 members had joined since the beginning of the season. Dawson hoped to see well over 150 members in the next year. In the first year of operation the municipal course showed a profit of $75.00. This was considered a very successful year. Also at this meeting, Dr.Craig received the Ewert Cup, emblematic of the Club Champion for the year.  Election of officers was then held followed by discussions that included suggestions to improve the golf course next year.

Superintendent

 

The 2010 golf season is underway at Henderson Lake Golf Club. Bizarre weather patterns in the form of snow storms, high winds and heavy rainfall have been disrupting normal maintenance operations as well as member use of our facility. Despite this, turf conditions are well advanced and the golf course is nicely positioned to provide splendid playing conditions for the summer months.

 

Renovations to the golf course which commenced in September, 2009 are now nearing completion. On March 30 of this season, sod was laid down on the two new green sites constructed on holes 9 & 18. After playing temporary greens for the first 7 weeks of the season the new greens were opened for play on Friday, May 21^st. We are pleased with the

progress of these two great finishing holes and look forward with interest as the greens mature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two new tee areas are also open for play on holes #1 and #8. Shorelines of water hazards on holes #10 and #11 were stabilized with the addition of rock walls and each hazard was excavated and dredged. Aeration systems have been purchased and are in the process of being deployed in our ponds on holes 10, 11 and 18. We expect these systems to greatly enhance water quality and the aesthetics of our golf course.

 

In every sport players will focus on the condition of the playing field. However in no other sport than golf is this focus so intense. A recent survey done by the USGA rated golfer perceptions regarding course conditions. This is important since member perceptions and tastes must be reflected in the maintenance and grooming of their ‘playing field’. According to the survey the number one bothersome course condition was un-repaired ball marks. Ball marks or pitch marks are the bane of smooth-putting and healthy green surfaces all over the world. Repairing these little depressions is very important. Equally important is doing it the right way. Many golfers fail to even bother, and shame on them, but there are many well-meaning golfers who repair the marks incorrectly. This, according to a study done at Kansas State University, can actually cause more damage than not attempting to repair it at all.

 

 

The first step in repairing ball marks is to take your ball mark repair tool and insert the prongs into the turf at the edge of the depression. Note: Do NOT insert the prongs into the depression itself, but at the rim of the depression.

 

 

                                               

 

 

 

The next step is to push the edge of the ball mark toward the center, using your ball mark repair tool in a "gentle twisting motion," in the words of the Golf Course Superintendents of America Association.

This is the step where golfers who incorrectly "repair" ball marks usually mess up. Many golfers believe the way to "fix" a ball mark is to insert the tool at an angle, so the prongs are beneath the center of the crater, and then to use the tool as a lever to push the bottom of the ball mark back up even with the surface. Do not do this! Pushing the bottom of the depression upward only tears the roots, and kills the grass.

So remember:

Wrong: Using the prongs as levers to push up the bottom of the depression.
Right: Using the prongs to push grass at the edge of the depression toward the center.

Just use your ball mark repair tool to work around the rim of the crater, so to speak, pushing the grass at the edge toward the center of the depression.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you've worked around the rim of the ball mark with your repair tool, pushing the grass toward the center, there's only one thing left to do: Gently tamp down the repaired ball mark with your putter to smooth the putting surface.

Then admire your work and pat yourself on the back for helping to take care of the golf course.