I have been sitting on this announcement for a little while but as it is now public, we are excited to share news of a recent appointment by Lakeland Golf Management based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to help with the Waterton Lakes Golf Course in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Parks Canada held a recent competition via RFP, to source a new long term operator for the historic Waterton Lakes Golf Course. We were approached by Lakeland Golf Management to provide some input and to assist with their proposal. As a student of golf and golf architecture, I had known of Waterton Lakes Golf Course but I hadn’t had the opportunity to explore the area, the course, or the history in any detail. We just knew it was special.
Mid January Alex and I found ourselves doing a deep dive into the history of the national park, the course, the routings and old photography. I think I even combed through old editions of Canadian Golfer magazine looking for Waterton references. While our actual submission for the RFP was minor, through the process we quickly realized just how special the course is and to the potential for what it can be.
Alex, Tim and I are really excited for opportunity to work with Lakeland Golf on what is one of the truly special golf destinations in Canada.
The full press release can be found here.
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to spend a few days visiting the park, the golf course, and town site. The description ‘where the mountains meet the prairies’ is so apt. Driving towards the park you can really feel the majesty of the landscape building right in front you. Steep rocky peaks, meet the rolling foothills, and prairie grass lands. It is truly a juxtaposed setting, unlike anywhere else I have visited.
The golf course sits upon a bench at the base of Mt Crandell, and overlooks the historic Prince of Wales hotel, and upper Waterton Lake. The location is surreal, and takes your breath away. To access the course, you drive up a steep, curved entry driveway, arriving at the modest clubhouse and gravel parking lot. The tree’s are weathered, they lean a little. The clubhouse is tired, and the paint peels. Beyond the clubhouse lies the course, it sits there for all to see. This is a community golf course, it is open, it is accessible and it is charming.
Over the two days, I spent a number of hours walking the course and taking it all in. I even hit a few shots. While it was very much still winter, and the grass was dormant, it was easy to tell there is something very special about this place.
I can’t wait to return and see the course, the park and landscape alive with spring growth. We also look forward to working with Lakeland Golf in the future, to help share the story of Waterton Lakes Golf Course and enhance the experience for the local community and visitors alike.
