Location: 1 km south of Highway 44 on Range Road 12, 2 km east of Fawcett, AB
HISTORY
2000
Concept of a rural recreation project was initiated with feasibility study completed that included cost and operating projections. Municipal and Provincial guidelines as well as impact on the environmental quality, wildlife and human health studies completed. Initial course layout design completed. Groundwork started with the breaking of old sod, clearing and clean up of the land.
2001
Development Permit application made to County of Westlock, Alberta Environment, Alberta Transportation and Alberta Permit Pro. Attended Development Appeal Board hearing and received Development Permit. Initiated contact with materials suppliers and had lab analysis of various local sands and peat moss completed. Dirt work commenced with the building of reservoirs and sculpting fairways and bases for greens, utilizing track hoes, cats and trucks.
2002
Seeded fairways to oats for further breakdown of old sod. Baled oat crop and prepped fairways for grass, amending with decomposed manure, fertilizers and herbicides. Continued dirtwork with final finishing of berms, knolls and fairway contours. Finalized plans for clubhouse and bridges for creek crossings.
2003
Seeded fairways to grass blend and hauled in approximately 2,500 tons of sand and 30 truckloads of peat moss for construction of the greens. Continued working on retaining walls and the bases for the greens. Initiated tree planting program and moved in several hundred 6 – 8 ft. trees. Began cutting the fairways mid summer. Started construction of the clubhouse late in the fall.
2004
Worked on the clubhouse throughout late winter and early spring. Mixed and screened sand, peat moss, top soil blend for greens and moved onto the bases. Leveled, contoured and packed the greens. Started installing irrigation system - lines and sprinkler heads. Cut fairways two to three times weekly throughout the summer. Worked on clubhouse throughout the summer as time and weather permitted. Seeded greens in late August and watered daily to promote germination and grow in. Cut greens first time in late September then prepped them for winter. Continued work on the clubhouse and installations of systems throughout the winter.
2005
Completed clubhouse construction and inspections. Acquired permits from Aspen Health, Permit Pro and Alberta Liquor Commission. Worked on the greens daily promoting grow in of creeping bent grass and achieving final contour and smoothness of putting surface. Installed bridges and completed railings. Hauled in large amounts of gravel for parking area and trails around the course, leveled and packed. Held a private function June 24 that included a golf tournament and steak supper. Opened to the public July 1st, 2005. Official grand opening with full tournament was held July 16th.
MAIN BUSINESS
Hidden Valley Golf Course is a recreational facility, built to USGA and RCGA standards catering to those who enjoy the sport of golf.
This challenging and picturesque, regulation par 36, 9 hole course, nestled in a valley on Hwy 44 just 1/2 hour north of Westlock offers both a relaxing and fun-filled chance to challenge the game. A beautiful, licensed clubhouse with a guest capacity of over 100, features food services and a fantastic view of the course and winding French Creek! Centrally located, in a triangle encompassing Barrhead, Westlock, Athabasca and Slave Lake, Hidden Valley caters primarily to enthusiasts from within this area, but has had visitors from nearly all provinces in Canada and other parts of the world including Australia and several European countries.
For the camping enthusiasts, fully serviced R.V. sites are currently under construction for day, weekend and seasonal usage.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Fawcett Pirates Reunion Golf Tournment and Steak Supper approximately 40 people
Grand Opening Tournament with 120 golfers and 235 supper guests
Children’s Stollery Kid’s For Cancer Fund Raiser Tournament with 90 golfers
Dapp St. Finnan Parish Fund Raising Tournament with over 100 golfers
Fawcett & Clyde Fire Department Tournaments and Steak Suppers
Numerous private and corporate golf tournaments and steak suppers including Westlock U.F.A., Lehman Trikes, Westlock Seed Cleaning Plant and Slave Lake Seniors Group
Numerous wedding groups, birthday celebration groups, baseball team windups
Web site currently being developed with completion expected Spring of 2006
www.hiddenvalleygolf.ca
Surpassed projected volumes and revenues for opening year!
WHAT DO CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT THE BUSINESS?
Fantastic course with drastic elevation changes
Beautiful, inviting and comfortable fully licensed clubhouse
Unbelievable greens, comparable to the best
Friendly, country atmosphere with great staff and superb food
Creative landscaping of both course and clubhouse
Unique artistic features, ie signage, benches and décor
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES YOUR BUSINESS HAS BEEN THROUGH?
Continued transition from agricultural endeavors to a recreation and tourism facility
PLEASE TELL US ONE THING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?
Hidden Valley is not only a beautiful golf course but offers a genuine experience for the nature partisan. Sightings of bald eagles, blue herons, cranes, numerous bird species, (including ball thieving ravens) deer, coyotes, beaver and other creek wildlife are commonly reported.
ADDITIONAL NOTE
Hidden Valley Golf Course has offered new employment opportunities for residents of the area. With a permanent full time summer staff of some 8 – 10 employees and an additional 4 – 5 part time students, Hidden Valley is now offering employment alternatives in an area where employment opportunities have not been abundant.
Hidden Valley Golf Course is also considering the addition of several winter programs including cross country skiing, toboganing and skating as well as the possibility of outdoor curling. The addition of these programs in the future would require the services of additional employees as well as services provided predominantly by businesses in the local area.
