New-look Maple Ridge golf course reopens after partial closure in 2022
3 holes had to be moved and redesigned to make way for road project
Golfers get the chance to enjoy 18 holes at the City of Calgary's Maple Ridge course again starting Wednesday.
The city is reopening holes 13, 14 and 15 of the 18-hole golf course after changing part of the course to accommodate the widening of the Southland Drive and Deerfoot Trail interchange, an Alberta Transportation project.
Those three holes have been closed since last fall while that section of the course was rebuilt.
"The anticipation for the golf course to be back to 18 holes has been overwhelming," said John Faber, acting lead for golf course operations with the City of Calgary.
"We looked at several options. Do we shut the golf course down? Do we turn it into a nine-hole course? And we figured a 15-hole option would be the best outcome. We really didn't see a decline in the number of people golfing there," he said.
Hole 13 has been rebuilt with more variety to the tee box lengths and an easier-to-reach green.
Hole 14 has been shortened to a long par 4.
"Thirteen really hasn't changed. The site of the green shifted slightly to the south but the yardage really hasn't changed. Fourteen has become a long par 4 instead of a shorter par 5," said Faber.
The course is now a par 71.
