Strathcona Golf Course Makes Big Improvements With Watering System
by Scott A. Sumner
NW Ontario Golfing News
The 6500 yard Strathcona Golf Course, part of Golf Thunder Bay, has come along way since the installation of it’s new watering irrigation system last summer. Strathcona is around 85 years old and next year will be the 80th anniversary of the Strathcona Invitational. The course
was built as an 18 hole layout by a city engineer of the period.
“ Last year Strathcona had it’s biggest investment in the last 25 years, the irrigation system. It was started in May and finished in late August. We only used it a couple of weeks last fall because we didn’t need to but his year we tested it with some hot and windy weather early on in the season. There were some start up issues with controllers but we fixed them up quickly. The system is working well,” said Tom Forsythe GM of Golf Thunder Bay. “ While we are on the city water system it is not producing quite as much water as we can get from the system in Chapples. Down the road if we install the reservoir the system will be able to produce an additional 200 gallons of water per minute which will make a huge difference. We are hooked up to the city water and the volume of water we can get hydraulically from the 6 inch supply line limits the system. Once we put in the reservoir the system is designed for a 8 inch line which will help. The reservoir could happen if we can show it will pay for itself compared to not paying for city water. We are supposed to be making money at Golf Thunder Bay as an enterprise model with no city subsidy. This year the weather and economy have affected our results as with most golf courses in the area have from what I understand.”
Pat Berezowski, also with Golf Thunder Bay, grew up playing Strathcona from 14 years old. “There are lots of fond memories of shots on the course. You definately see the course in a positive way. I lived in Grandview area and when I was 16 would borrow my parents car
and was here at Strathcona for 18 holes in the morning and 18 holes after supper. We would practice in between. In my age group we had golfers Robert Cummings and Angela Daykin. There were probably 50 or 60 kids in the junior program at Strathcona alone at that time. We had a good little tournament tour and went down the north shore and played a lot,” said Pat Berezowski. “ I like the individual aspect of each hole here at Strathcona. You can’t see many of the other holes so it is your own little shot. Forgetting your bad shots from before is easier
if you can’t see the hole. You tend to forget. The tree and bunkering at Strathcona give you many sight lines to pick to hit good shots. The quality of Strathcona has improved drastically with the irrigation system this year. Anyone who has played here before will see a drastic different with fairway cuts and definition you have never seen before. It is a good course to play for all levels.”
“I pick Strathcona as my favourite course. If I was told I could only play one course in Thunder Bay it would be Strathcona. I like the variety the terrain which is rolling and a good walk. It allows you to use all your shots. The greens are small so if you miss the green you
need a nice little chip shot. It is a well treed golf course so each hole is almost on its own and private,” said Forsythe. “ It is varied with long par 3’s, driveable pars 4’s and some of the par 5 are reachable in 2. It has everything in a real nice classic traditional course which I tend to like, partly because of where I come from on the east coast. It is hard to compare say Strathcona to Whitewater because they are from different eras. I really enjoy playing this golf course. It sets up well. You can bump and run or play aerial if you have the ability. You can use the texas wedge. You use all the clubs in your bag.”
“ I think the turf will really improve over the next few years. As it gets stronger we will cut the fairways shorter which will allow you to hit the ball crisper as the ball stands up better. The players at the Strathcona Invitational this year really liked the course. They felt it was the best conditioned they have played during the tournament. Those comments felt good.” smiled Tom Forsythe.
To play Strathcona you can call and book 3 days in advance for a tee time. It costs around $35 to play. Private conditions at public course prices is what the motto of Golf Thunder Bay is for Strathcona and I agree! Be sure to get out and check it out for yourself.
