Killarney Lakeside opens up to fabulous season
BY JAY STRUTH
It’s been a fabulous season so far at the Killarney Lakeside Golf Club.
Manager Tim Mitchell, in the clubhouse Lakeside Grill, said they’ve basically doubled cart rentals and green fees this year, and memberships are also way up.
“We’re trying to bring out the best that the golf course has to offer,” said Mitchell, who was hired by the Killarney Golf Club Board of Directors back in January. “We’ve got close to 30 staff here this year, which incudes six or seven on the Greens Team.”
Mitchell first trained in the two-year Hospitality Tourism Administration program at Assiniboine Community College, before heading off to the prestigious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, where he worked as a bartender.
“Then I went to Hecla Island where I was head bartender, and then assistant food and beverage manager,” said Mitchell, whose experience includes managing the clubhouse at the Carberry Sandhills Golf and Country Club. “I’ve been in a lot of hotels and restaurants managing big groups of staff, banquets, and things like that. That all applied well here.”
Superintendent Rick Penner is new to the Killarney Lakeside team as well, and also brings a wealth of experience to the club. He was hired on in the fall, after previously heading up the greens team in Boissevain.
Both Penner and Mitchell are excited about the direction the Killarney course is taking, and the momentum is not slowing.
“We’ve got the Cattlemen’s Tournament, the Senior Men’s Open, Ladies’ Open, and so much more coming up in August,” said Mitchell.
“And the leagues are doing great. The Men’s League is every Wednesday night, and it’s always a strong group. It’s been at least 50 or 60 guys right from the first Wednesday that they started golfing. This Wednesday was their scramble, and there were 86 golfers. So it’s been really good.”
Mitchell added that the club members have been very supportive and helpful, from bussing tables when it gets busy, to just generally trying to boost up the golf leagues.
“Tuesday night is Ladies Night, and they’ve been running theme nights and things, just trying to build up that league,” he said. “They’re usually hovering between the 30 to 40 players, and they sure have a lot of fun.”
Tim also owns and operates The Computer Place in Killarney, which also comes in handy around the clubhouse.
“You can apply customer service to any role, for sure,” said Tim, who admitted his computer knowledge also helps out with things. “Our point of sale system is all on iPads. And I fix the network and the printers, and the whole bit.”
Tourism is also near the top of the list for Tim, who’d like to see the course increase out of town traffic.
“Our golf course is very well supported by the locals, and we also get tourists from all over the place here,” he said. “The Hidden Jewel of the South slogan is really a good one. If golfers haven’t been here, they think ‘what am I missing.’ We’d like to see more busloads from the city, like we had last weekend. We’re even working on a stay and play package with the Wilderness Inn. Just whatever we can do to keep the momentum building.”
OPEN CONCEPT – The Killarney Lakeside Golf Club has opened right up this season, removing walls, and hiring more staff. It’s a completely open concept clubhouse, with only the pro shop sectioned off. The Lakeside Grill and pro shop staff are eager to serve you (from left): Karen Berg, Janaye Keyes, Tim Mitchell, Tricia Boston, Alyvea Sutherland, Dylan Bomford, and Scott Lawson.
PRO SHOP PROWESS – Scott Lawson, over in the club’s pro shop, will be happy to book your tee times and sell you anything else you might need for your round of golf at Killarney’s Hidden Jewel of the South.
SMOOTH SAND – Greens Team member Landon Lockhart rakes a nice bunker on Hole 18. See the rest of the team, working to keep the bunkers smooth and the greens green, below.
GREENS TEAM – Superintendent Rick Penner (left), and greens crew members Landon Lockhart, Cody Shackel, Dawson Andries, Ashton Cuvelier, and Mario Kummer. The course is in great shape, and the Greens Team is happy to keep it that way.
TRIUMPHANT RETURN FOR OLD FOUNTAIN – The old fountain beside the number 10 tee box, which had been out of commission for over a decade, sprung back to life this season thanks to another dedicated group of golf club members.