Coyote Creek Golf and RV Resort near Sundre has been in operation for almost 10 years and presents a solid challenge for any level of player.

But the 2013 golf season may have been the biggest obstacle the golf course itself faced with flooding on more than a dozen holes putting the brakes on the season.

Things shutdown on June 20th when the Red Deer River paid a visit to the golf course and left behind a calling card in the form of water and heavy silt.

“Every hole on the Deer nine had some damage on it and there were a few holes on Coyote as well and there were a few holes that were fine,” said head professional Dean McBride. “Luckily when we opened the course this spring it wintered really well. Unless you knew what you were looking for you wouldn’t even know that it flooded here.”

The flooding put a crimp in the summer plans of many people at Coyote Creek but through hard work of the staff and some members, the course reopened on 18 holes Aug. 9th to host an interclub tournament.

But the past winter with all the snow in the mountains, residents and members of the resort were on pins and needles waiting to see if there would be a repeat performance.

The course escaped Mother Nature’s wrath this spring but just in case there is a repeat, there are plans to mitigate any flooding in the future.

“There is funding in place, the government is putting in a berm west of us here that is going to protect us down the road,” said McBride. “I’m not sure of the status of that but the good news is that we’re back at it and we’re fully recovered.”

Not only is Coyote Creek back on its feet, the course is moving forward in order to enhance the experience at this very playable golf course.

Drawings are on the table to build a 3,600 sq. ft. clubhouse and transform the current building into a pro shop and offices, said McBride.

“With the new building being kind of all restaurant we will still have a tournament tent facility so as not to disrupt the day-to-day operations of the clubhouse.”

McBride says he hopes the planned berm will ease the threat of flooding and in the meantime he’s pleased to see operations back to normal.

“To see it rolling again, to see people smiling again, out golfing again, just enjoying themselves as opposed to what was happening a year ago at the this time – that’s a great thing for us.”

sports@reddeerexpress.com