Fort William Country Club Offers
Beautiful Setting For Golf
by Scott A. Sumner
www.golfingnews.ca
The Fort William Country Club started in 1925 as a nine hole layout and then went to eighteen holes in the mid 60’s. Designed by the famed Stanley Thompson the course has gone through many changes over the years to provide one of the best golf experience in Northern Ontario.
“ As time progresses there are new requirements with golf courses say with watering needs which are much different than 40 or 50 years ago. Also we are using more carts than before which requires cart paths,” said Bill French, General Manager of the Fort William Country Club. “ We have also rebuilt numerous tee boxes and the greens were done a few years ago. We changed all the sand in the traps about 5 years ago and corrected most of the drainage on them. In the clubhouse we have dressed up the locker rooms, the main floor and the upstairs decorating things to bring it up to the 2000 era. Everything needs updating and up grading along the way.”
“ There are different clubs and courses here now. Twenty five years ago people only saw the courses they played all year round. Today people are travelling more and seeing different things. Their demands are higher on how they want to see the course they play all the time.”
said French.
The Fort William Country Club continues to be one of the most popular golf courses in the region. “ We have the strongest membership of any course in the city. Our membership doesn’t vary much. We budget 425 persons per year and generally hit very close to that being 5 to 10 over or under. We have members that have been here for 40 plus years. Our oldest members would have close to 50 years here, in that category. We do 30,000 to 33,000 rounds per year,” said French. “ If you are not a member just call up to the pro shop and they will fit you
in when they have a time open. The green fee is in the mid $60’s depending if you are with a member, $55 or $67 without members. A cart is $35.”
What does Bill French enjoy about the FWCC? “ I play a fair amount and think the scenery here is spectacular. The granite wall of the mountain is where you will hit into and creates a spectacular back drop view. We had a gentleman here from Winnipeg who injects water into the greens across the country and said this is by far one of the nicest course he has seen including those in the mountains.When we put people on the course for the first time they are awestruck by the mountain behind them on most holes. We have lots of deer running through the grounds. We are close to the city. I think it’s a super course. We have great restaurant service and a phenomenal banquet service.”
This year the activity level of the FWCC is increasing. “ We are doing three times the number of weddings here this year that we have done in the past and are already considerably booked for 2010 for weddings and functions. That has taken off this year. Normally we don’t get our bookings this early for 2010.We have done very well each year.” said French.
There is all new turf equipment at the FWCC that was purchased last year. All the power carts are brand new and everything on the course has been changed over. There is around $500,000 in new equipment according to Bill French. Dennis Halabicki is the course Superintendent, a past caddy on the LPGA. “ Dennis knows what it takes to run and maintain the course and is very dedicated. Jim Szturm is our pro and was one of the top golfers when he was younger to come out of Thunder Bay. Kelly Foglia and Tony Catanzaro run the food and
beverage side of the club. Tony worked at the Airlane with me and came over when I came here,” stated French. “ We do a tremendous amount of non member play every year especially as we are involved in the BOGO Golf or Sport Card that apply Thursday to Mondays after 2:30. The golfer can get on for half price using it. That accounts for 50% of our walk on golfers.”
It was fun to play the FWCC again after having been a member there for so many years. The course continues to impress me especially with the spectacular mountain back drop. In recent years I have got to play some of the very best golf courses in the world. The FWCC is a great
place to play and it’s members should be very proud of their course.
