Changes are coming to the Willows Golf Club in South Saskatoon.
Dream Unlimited, the owner of the golf focused community is proposing a third residential development that would see the course transitioned from 27 holes to 18 plus with updates to the clubhouse and other infrastructure. General Manager Wayne Fairbairn says after 25 years the current clubhouse is showing its age and needs to be refreshed.
The timeline of the changes is still to be determined, but Fairbairn couldn’t be more excited for the clubs future. “To have Dream willing to invest into the golf course and clubhouse is pretty exciting.” he said. Dream will begin development on the Islands nine first and while that is happening the course will continue to operate as 27 holes. Once development moves into the other nines is when we will go down to 18 holes.
The Xena portion of the course won’t change Fairbairn explained. The Bridges, Islands and Lakes section of the course is where the development will take place. World renowned designer Doug Carrick plans to use some original fairways and tee boxes but golfers will be treated to essentially nine great new holes.
The Willows hosts a few large-scale tournaments every year including the Synergy 8 and Sask. Party golf tournament. The 36 and 27-hole facility was ideal for those types of events, but Fairbairn said there’s options to keep those tournaments manageable, with a little creativity.
Fairbairn predicted the clubhouse will remain unchanged for the next year at least. While he is unable to provide an actual date, when the alterations do begin, the Willows will enhance the experience of the players and community. The Willows will ensure their members, homeowners and event coordinators are in the know, once they have firmer timelines.