Manitoba Golf Guide

04 GOLF GUIDE 2024 M A N I T O B A 4 FOR 3 GREEN FEES Based on regular rates. Valid anytime. Must bring in coupon. Not valid with other coupons or promotions. Expiry date: Oct. 31, 2024. 2 FOR 1 GREEN FEES Valid weekdays with power cart rental. Must bring in coupon. Not valid with other coupons or promotions. Based on regular rates. Expiry date: Oct. 31, 2024. 18 Holes La Broquerie, MB | 1-204-424-5046 Toll Free: 1-888-424-5046 Book tee times online: www.labgolf.ca MONDAY MADNESS SPECIAL $ 33 WALKING $ 45 RIDING 3:00 pm DAILY TWILIGHT RATES Start @ TAXES INCLUDED The success of Southside has been a real team effort, say Kibsey and Mandryk. (Photo by Todd Lewys/The Free Press) By Todd Lewys W hen Tracy Kibsey and Wendy Mandryk purchased an 80-acre parcel of land on Southside Road in Grande Pointe in 1991, they had short and long-term visions in mind. "The first thing we wanted to do was open a nice range so that I could teach," recalls Kibsey. "We eventually opened the range in 1993, and also started a winter golf school." Once the 20-acre natural grass range was established – it took about four years to do that – Kibsey and Mandryk then turned to part two of their vision: building a golf course. Aer purchasing another 20 acres of land from a nearby farmer, they set about making the long-term vision a reality. The first thing they determined was that they didn't want to build an ordinary golf course. "Our concept for a golf course was an executive-style course," says Kibsey. "At that time, Manitoba didn't have one so we thought it would be something new and different." With course design ideas in mind but without the expertise to design a golf course themselves, they hired Haliburton, Ontario's Golf Green Industries to design the course – with their input, naturally. Construction started in 1997 once everything cleared up aer the spring's devastating Flood of the Century. "A lot of earth was moved," notes Tracy. "We created 11 ponds – some are quite big and as much as 25 feet deep. They're all interconnected so we can use them to water the course." As for the golf course itself, the goal was simple. "We wanted to provide golfers with a first- class facility with affordable prices," says Mandryk. "We wanted to do something unique." What they did was create a course that consisted of 10 par-three's, seven par-four's and one par-five. With four sets of tee boxes to play from, the course ranges from 4,696 yards from the back (blue) tees and 3,263 yards from the forward (yellow) tees. Par ranges from 63 to 65. The overarching idea was to create a course that was fun to play for the average player and challenging enough for good players. And with the course's shorter yardage and clever mix of holes, it was designed to be played in significantly less time than a standard course, ideally three hours or so. "The first two years were hard on us – it was very rainy," Kibsey says. "We had to deal with drainage issues but dealt properly with them. The changes worked. We haven't had to modify it since." As the years went by – with increasing numbers of golfers playing the beautifully conditioned golf course – Southside turned the corner aer its slow start and established itself as a favourite of a wide range of golfers. "We built it for baby boomers and women, but today, all kinds of different golfers of different abilities play here because it's such an enjoyable course to play," she says. "It's a good course for couples to play." Kibsey adds there's a reason why the course is such a pleasure to play. "From day one, we've done everything to the highest standard. On the range, we clean the golf balls aer every use, and our course superintendent, Evan Zacharias, works hard to keep the course in great shape. The greens are always in great Southside Golf Course: A Labour of Love Continued on Page 06 "We built it for baby boomers and women, but today, all kinds of different golfers of different abilities play here because it's such an enjoyable course to play." — Wendy Mandryk

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