They call the inside nine holes at Calgary’s Shaganappi Point golf course “Little Augusta.”
And this summer, when the oldest (and dearest) city golf course reopens for full play after a five-year, $4.5-million facelift, golfers will be treated to the best municipal golf facility in Western Canada, if not the country.
That’s the considered opinion of Terry Boldt, manager of golf operations for the City of Calgary, and Jay Wilson, head professional at “Shag” for the past 25 years.
Admittedly biased, and unabashedly prouder than new parents, they say the Inside 9 executive course with its stately trees and water hazards, the redesigned 18-hole course, driving range and incomparable city views have turned Shaganappi into a knockout – even at 87 years of age.
“That first hole on the Front 9 course, I don’t think there is an opening hole on a golf course anywhere that’s prettier than what we have at Shaganappi,” says Boldt.
“All that’s missing out here is a new clubhouse,” adds the venerable Wilson. “And that’s likely to come later next year.”
Since 1997, Wilson and his staff, and scores of Shaganappi regulars have watched the 27-hole facility’s piecemeal transformation. One nine at a time has been changed under the supervision of Calgary-area golf architect Bill Newis.
Although the five-year process was at times inconvenient, it was a matter of economic necessity because the city golf course operations unit needed the cash flow.
The fact that everything has rolled out according to plan can be traced to a unique arrangement that occurred in 1995. That year, golf course operations became a self-funded unit, responsible for its own capital costs, budgeting for the future and ensuring it has the revenue to pay for projects such as Shaganappi. (A $4.5-million loan was secured over 15 years to pay for the course’s redevelopment.)
As part of the business model, Boldt’s unit each year pays a $200,000 “franchise fee” that goes into the city’s general revenue. All additional revenue is driven back into the six course locations.
Boldt’s passion for the game and servicing the community dates back to 1975 when he joined the city as a seasonal labourer at the Confederation Park golf course. Later, he earned his turf management technologist’s certification and a business diploma. In 1989 he was charged with overseeing the golf course operations unit, and was behind the proposal to seek more financial autonomy.
“What drove me was that come budget time under the old format, we would get in line for capital dollars with police, fire and EMS,” says Boldt. “By the time golf came up, often there were very few capital dollars left.
“No one could argue against giving money to those groups,” he adds. “They are essential, valuable services.”
Under the old business model, at the end of each year, leftover revenue from golf operations went back into city general revenue and was applied against the mill rate.
“We were making a contribution on the operating side, but not getting the dollars back on the capital side,” says Boldt. “Our (golf) infrastructure was beginning to lapse, and we were losing market share.”
Boldt explains that the $200,000 fee his unit pays each year maintains the contribution to city coffers.
Staff remain employees of the city, and course rates and fees, the operating and capital budgets are still subject to city council’s approval.
But golf operations enjoy more financial autonomy, which has helped the municipal courses thrive in challenging times.
The city’s mandate is to provide affordable golf to juniors, seniors, families and the disabled. It also offers financial help to those who otherwise couldn’t afford to play.
Recent studies show that average attendance rates for all Calgary municipal courses in relation to optimum potential use is 94 per cent.
Translation – they’re full every day it’s possible to play.
That high usage stresses the courses and golf staff. At the same time, the public’s expectations of a quality experience have grown, while Boldt always has to watch the bottom line.
Indeed, operating a city course isn’t like operating a private course where clubs can make special assessments on members in order to pay for improvement projects.
“What we have done is take a slow and patient approach to the work we’ve done,” says Boldt.
“We have a great team here, and I think, over the long term, the citizens of Calgary will really appreciate what we are accomplishing.”
The most tangible product of the new autonomy is obviously Shaganappi. Opened in 1915 as the city’s first municipal course, tens of thousands of golfers have marched around the southwest course. Perched high above the Bow River, it provides stunning downtown views.
But the patchwork of greens, fairways and tee boxes built over the years had to be brought up to current standards, says Wilson.
He arrived as the head professional in 1978 fresh from the Jasper Park Lodge, and before that, the prestigious Victoria Golf Club.
“The work done here has been hard on the staff and the public players,” he says. “But it needed to be done, and it’s been carried out in a proper fashion.”
Work is also beginning on tee boxes at Confederation Park, and renowned Canmore designer Les Furber will turn his eye toward Maple Ridge this summer for what’s called a “critical analysis.”
The city is also doing a feasibility study at the northwest Spy Hill landfill site. The area occupies 640 acres, and 170 acres are ready for a change of use.
The city is charged with taking care of the land in perpetuity, and it could become a golf facility.
Boldt explains that the city wouldn’t necessarily build the course at Spy. Like the contractual agreement at the Fox Hollow golf course, a deal could be made with a developer-operator to use the land and provide affordable public play.
Like Shaganappi, it would serve generations of Calgarians to come.
