Out with the old and in with the new.
That would appear to be the theme this year at the Williams Lake Golf and Tennis Club, which made several additions during the winter for members and the public to enjoy this season.
First, a new director of golf operations, Tyler Brouilette, was hired. The club had been without a head pro for the past two seasons, and Brouilette is excited about the new opportunity.
“I’m really, really happy to be here,” the former Ponoka, Alta., resident said. “It’s a great part of the world, and I’m lucky to have inherited some good staff.”
Pro shop manager Morgan Day will look after the office, food and beverage manager Laura Smith will run the Fox’s Den Bar and Grill and Mark Berg will head up the superintendent duties.
Brouilette and his wife, a Prince George native, are expecting their second child so the move made sense, he said, landing them closer to her family.
This will be Brouilette’s 24th season in the golf industry after working at the Ponoka Golf Club in his home town for 17 years, before moving on to the Innisfail Golf Club — a busy 27-hole course — south of Red Deer, Alta.
“I’ve been teaching private lessons for 13 years or so, and I’ve had many junior golfers go on to be very successful in what they’ve achieved,” he said. “Not only in golf, but in life, which is a nice thing.”
One of the things he wants to focus on this season is revitalizing the junior program at the WLGTC.
“We’ve had some good juniors come out of here and I’m hoping to get it back to where it was in the past,” he said.
Junior drop-in Mondays are free starting May 11 and running through July, and begin at 4 p.m.
Depending on the number of players there may be additional sessions added beginning at 5 p.m.
Also new this year is a brand new fleet of 26 Yamaha power carts, along with a licensed beverage and food cart for the course.
“There will be a lot better service having a proper vehicle to serve golfers,” he said.
Dates to mark on your calendar include Thursday’s men’s night from 2 to 6 p.m., Tuesday’s ladies’ day and Wednesday morning’s seniors day, all held weekly.
The course opened Friday, April 3, with a walkable back nine.
Brouilette hopes to soon be able to have carts out on the course as the milder-than-normal winter kept the grounds in tip-top condition.
“The greens came through nicely, so we’ll play it by ear [for a full opening date,]” he said.
“Really looking forward to seeing everyone.”