It has been several months since the 18-hole Centennial Golf Course in Prince Rupert has seen much golf action, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been plenty of activity on the property.
The Prince Rupert Golf Club has been busy all winter making improvements to the course made possible in large part by a $459,000 grant from the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
As it is the port's practice to provide matching funds, the golf club was able to use its replacement of the 18th green completed last year, Trigon's contribution of a new tee box on #18 and Northern Development Initiative Trust's $200,000 investment as
Works completed or in progress include:
- A new green on the third hole. The green has been raised levelled and expanded. Also trees have been removed along the left side to provide better access to sunlight for the green. Future plans include a new green for the 12th hole to begin at the end of the upcoming season.
- New forward tee boxes on the ninth, 10th, 11th, 14th and 18th holes. Greenskeeper Ryan King hopes to have the new tee boxes open in time for the Ladies Jubilee tournament on June 7. Future plans include new forward tee boxes on the first, third, fourth and sixth holes.
- Brush clearance and drainage installation around the 10th, 11th and 14th holes.
- A new cart path on the 12th hole, currently the only hole on the course that doesn't have one.
- An extension of the cart path at the 18th tee box looping it back to the lower cart path so golfers don't have to turn around at the top.
Golf club president Iain Cullen expects all the improvements to be completed by 2026. He also acknowledged the City of Prince Rupert has been helping with the work being done where possible allowing the club to maximize the impact of the received funding.
But it's not just the course getting a makeover. The clubhouse has also undergone a bit of a transformation including a change in the kitchen. This year, the owners of the popular food truck Mami Tamaki will be taking over with plans to provide a regular golf menu as well as a higher-end restaurant experience.
The club is also making the bar more inviting. Gone is the cafeteria style seating in favour of individual tables. There is also some added variety to the seating options with both low-top and high-top tables available.
They have also introduced additional entertainment options including dart boards and a kids play area.
Club pro Shawn Fagan is excited about the changes saying they hope it will take on more of a lounge kind of feel and attract the general public, as well as, golfers.
In fact, they are planning to call it Moe's Lounge in honour of Moe Hays, Prince Rupert's long-time golf pro who died in 2021. Hays' family has approved of the idea.
It's not all good news for the club this year, however. Construction of the new middle school and a housing complex proceeding apace on adjacent properties severely limiting parking at the course.
Fagan said the club is working with the city to provide an alternative area for people to park RVs for the tournaments that bring out-of-town guests.
There is no reliable way to predict the opening of golf season, but a mild and relatively dry winter is providing optimism it will be an early opening.
