Hole #4 at Alberta Springs Golf Resort in Red Deer County. (Kevin Watson)

By Kevin Watson

"Very Playable"

Teeing it up and tippin ’em back at Alberta Springs Golf Resort

Jul 7, 2021 | 10:39 AM

Check out Kevin Watson’s latest summer feature, brought to you by Troubled Monk, highlighting great local golf courses and delicious craft beverages. #sponsored #featuredcontent

Golfers in Central Alberta have a full menu of choices when it comes to picking a course to play.

Last time out, we played Lacombe which is closing in on its 100th Anniversary. This time around, we hit up Alberta Springs which will celebrate 25 years in a couple months.

If you were heading west on Highway 11 in 1996 you would have seen the steady progress of the golf course being built and you probably were thinking to yourself, “Are they going to have an aquatic driving range?” August 6, 1996 Alberta Springs Golf Resort officially welcomed their first tee-timers and yes, they warmed up their swings by hitting balls into the aquatic driving range.

Current Head Professional Al Norlin has been there since day one and has seen “The Springs” which measures 6,801 yards from the tips to 5,141 yards from the red tees, mature into a great track.

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“It’s very playable. It’s an easy course for all skill levels. We’ve got four sets of tee boxes, so if you pick the right tee boxes, you’re really going to enjoy your round out here. We’ve got an aquatic range where people can pound balls into the water. Just a fun place to play!”

Golf courses are always making a few tweaks here and there to the course every year, but Norlin says you will notice a big change on one of the holes on the back 9.

“The trees on number 16 are gone! The two trees in the middle of the fairway are gone. People are hitting the ball so far now, it was a safety thing. Taking the trees out, it’s a more playable hole for all abilities.”

There are a few holes you could pick as a signature hole, but Norlin picks #4.

Hole #4 at Alberta Springs Golf Resort in Red Deer County. (Kevin Watson)

“It’s risk, reward. When you stand back on the tees at the back, it’s very intimidating. It looks really narrow through a shoot, you get out past the shoot and have a look backwards to check out where you teed off from and it’s the widest fairway out here. It’s a short par 5, very risk, reward.”

Alberta Springs is always in great shape thanks to head superintendent Greg Sugden and Nick Robichaud, along with it being a “cart path only course”. Some complain about not being able to drive to their ball, but it’s hard to argue when the fairways are so nice to hit off of.

And some would say golf courses were intended to be walked. When you walk the course you can think about your next shot or you can sip on a Troubled Monk beverage. Hey Bud Kelly, what do you recommend while walking and pondering your next shot?

Check out all “Monk” products at www.troubledmonk.com.

All golf courses encourage people to get their children involved in the game and Alberta Springs takes it a step further with their Family Golf Promo. Kids under 16 golf free with a fully paid accompanied adult after 3:00 pm on Sundays.

And some of the top young golfers will be on display as Alberta Golf stages the U17, U15 and U13 Championship August 23 and 24 at Alberta Springs.