Redvers Golf Club was organized in 1966 by 14 original members. The course opened for its first year in 1970, with memberships costing $10.
Each hole on the golf course was built by volunteers, originally being sand greens.
A new clubhouse, which was located just off the gravel road on Railway Avenue, was also built in 1970 to better serve the members.
In 2000, work began on installing grass greens and an irrigation system, and was completed and ready for use in 2001. By 2004, irrigation was installed on all fairways.
In 2013 it was decided that construction should begin on a new and modern clubhouse. The new clubhouse was completed and opened for business in 2014, with its new location behind the Recreation Centre on Methuen Street.
Carol Frecon, manager of the Redvers Golf Club for her third season, states that their nine-hole, grass green course opened for the season April 22. Opening day was delayed a week due to the amount of snow they received last week.
“The course and the greens are in really great shape,” says Frecon. “It’s looking really good.”
The Redvers Golf Club has more than 150 members, including both families and individuals. And there were a lot of first-time golfers.
“We had an increase last year due to COVID,” explains Frecon. “Our memberships increased.”
“We had an increase in students last year seeing that a lot of the other sports couldn’t be played,” Frecon goes on to say.
“The kids enjoyed it so much last year,” says Frecon. “It’s a great social distancing sport that I’m sure that the parents will find a way to do both ball and golf.”
The club always has a kick-off tournament. This year they’ve entitled it the ‘Let’s Kick COVID’ tournament to run on May 1. Throughout the season, they also hold their regular events such as Ladies Night on Mondays and Men’s Night on Tuesdays.
Other tournaments throughout the year include ladies’, farmers’, oilperson’s, hole-in-one and the members’ tournament to finish out the season. Last year they couldn’t have a shotgun start so they had structured tee times.
“We’re following the COVID restrictions closely,” explains Frecon.
Frecon goes on to explain:
“Last year we ran two ‘Learn to Golf” programs which were very well attended. They were basically funded by the golf course other than a basic nominal fee. We had great attendance from the youth. We had a lot of new golfers who have never golfed before. They took part because they wanted to see if they liked to golf and some bought memberships.”
“We thought this was a great way to give back to the community.”
For the first program they charged a nominal fee which included a lunch. They learn the etiquette of the golf course. For example, if you’re a slower golfer, let other golfers play through, and how to replace divots, and just your manners on the golf course.
The second program that was held was a little more involved. The coaches were local guys from their men’s night who really excel at golfing and they really helped with teaching the driving, putting and just all around helping the kids who needed improvements in their swing or holding their clubs. The kids would practice and then return each week for four weeks to enhance their skills.
A nominal fee included 1 1/2 hours of instruction per session.
Golfers are invited to stop in for wings or ribs at the clubhouse restaurant, ‘The Back Nine,’ following a round of golf as they are allowed to have their restaurant at half capacity.
What’s one of the best reasons a golfer should come play a round on the Redvers course?
“I have a lot of golfers that travel around Saskatchewan and they’ll just drop in and play a round of golf,” explains Frecon.
“I have a guy from Yorkton area that says he’s trying to hit every little golf course around who made the comment ‘Redvers is just a little hidden gem in Saskatchewan’.”
“We have a really good course,” says a proud Frecon. “We get lots of compliments on our greens.”
“We have a great crew who do a great job in keeping the course in top shape,” says Frecon. “Kudos to them.”
The Golf Course is an asset to the community as it brings in many visitors and creates a dozen jobs yearly. The Town of Redvers states they are proud to have one of the best nine-hole courses in southeast Saskatchewan.
