Sagebrush coming back (retitled)

[Ben Malach]

I was wondering if anyone had heard of an official opening date for Sagebrush this year as I will be making a trip through the area next week and would love the chance to see it.

[Pete_Pittock]

I was wondering if anyone had heard of an official opening date for Sagebrush this year as I will be making a trip through the area next week and would love the chance to see it.

Checked their website earlier today and didn't see anything new. I'd suggest going thru the contact info on their website, noting that it is time sensitive, or try  1-778-549-8038 .

[Ben Malach]

Thanks Pete I did call today. Me and my family have been invited for a walk. I am super excited to see the course that I have heard so much about from my friends.

[Pete_Pittock]

The website at www.sagebrushlife.com is up. That is the seventh green. A lot more information than the old one.The course superintendent is Neil Pilon. The Hideout is now the TapRoom. As I suspected the four single bed rooms (which I utilized) are gone.

[Mike Bowen]

Changing the name of the Hideout has me shaking my head.  Is it going to be more popular because of the new name?  Will it irritate some of the golfers who have been visiting for years?  Seems like poorly planned change for change sake.

[Pete_Pittock]

From what I've read they totally rebuilt the old hideout. The ambiance and wilderness feel of Terry's Hideout is probably long gone.
 

[Jeff_Mingay]

Glad to see the place up-and-running again ... I can attest that a lot of heart and soul - blood, sweat and tears, too! - went into building the course.


Awesome.

[Mike Bowen]

Does anyone have any further updates?  I thought they would be open by now but the website says differently.

[Pete_Pittock]

Maybe Ben Malach could chime in. He was supposed to have a family tour.

I tried to make a reservation, but website said they were not open at this time because the construction is not completed.  Whenever it opens it will be a pretty short season, and that puts a crimp on employment and service.

One reason that Terry's Hideout worked was because of its relative smallness. The access was either via carts on the golf course, or by the winding road that in part parallels 14 and 15. I have seen a stretch limo make it there, but then you have limited parking and turn-around space.

[Ben Malach]

I was invited to go for walk early last month. The property looks in great shape and is in need of a little repair work that I am sure is well on its way by now. As for opening dates from my quick conversation it seemed to be at some point this summer. I have heard that Rod and an associate might be coming out to do a couple of changes but nothing to huge. I hope this helps. I can't wait for it to open again for play. On my walk I could tell that it was a special place and I wish that more people would make the trip to play it rather than Tobiano or any of the other more bland resort courses in the area.

[Pete_Pittock]

Ben,
Could you figure out why they missed their opening date? Have they completed moving the pro yurt into the lower level of the last cottage. How big a structure are they building at the Hideout, access, and does that impact the routing?  I saw on facebook a while ago that they were building a new tee for 13. 

[Ben Malach]

They have moved the proshop to the lookout. As far as construction at the hideout effecting play I doubt it. I looked more like a refresh on the existing structures and an additional couple of huts. But as it was my first time there I cannot comment on how much it changed.
As far as the missed opening date I feel like I can't comment as I was on site for 4 hours and did not spend time with the management more than a couple handshakes and a quick chat.   

[Pete_Pittock]

http://www.merrittherald.com/sagebrush-opening-delayed-by-construction/

The Merritt newspaper article above tells how much construction is going on, way more than before mentioned.
New parking lot, new maintenance building, two clubhouses, which I think means moving the pro shop into the lower level of the easternmost cabin, as well as building  the 20000+ clubhouse uphill from the pro yurt. There also is a driving range.

They mentioned improvements to the golf course, specifically a new fairway on #7, the par 5 running past the cabins with a drop shot approach.

[Bob Montle]

“I would like people to see it, but I’m not concerned in the grand scheme of things. I mean, golf courses are amenities to promote real estate and things like that — we’re not going to make any money by being open,” he explained.

I feel like such a fool.   

I had always thought golf courses were for golfing.

[Pete_Pittock]

The local paper Merritt Herald reports that Sagebrush will not open for general play until 2017. Everyone knew it, but management was mum.

http://www.merrittherald.com/sagebrush-stays-closed-second-consecutive-season/

There is a new 7th hole (the par 5 that ran below the lodges and pro yurt. They have added a driving range.

[Pete_Pittock]

The local Merritt newspaper published another article, saying there is no timetable for opening the golf and lake resort. Last few months spent introspecting.
http://www.merrittherald.com/no-opening-date-sight-sagebrush-golf-course/

[Pete_Pittock]

Foreclosure hearing in the works per https://www.aldergrovestar.com/news/langley-firms-golf-course-faces-possible-foreclosure/


This could be a good outcome.

[Wayne_Kozun]

It looks like the course will not be open again this year and Troon Golf is no longer involved. Not quite stillborn but it seems to have died in its toddler years.


http://q101.ca/news/11436-construction-to-continue-at-sagebrush?platform=hootsuite

[Brad Tufts]

Well that last link seemed to have some optimism, although they have been in that position before.

Must be such a tough thing for current/former members.  Amazing that they couldn't allow some play, seems silly to have the course just sit there.

Had one of my favorite golf days ever there with Bob Jenkins and a couple of my buddies about 5 years ago, complete with bald eagle sightings, a Hideout steak and Zokol time after...hope to go back someday!

[Bob Jenkins]

Brad,


I too enjoyed our day at Sagebrush and wish it could open up again.


I have obtained a copy of the foreclosure order which includes an order for sale. They are looking for a purchaser and there are a few prospects so hopefully something can come together this year. The developer who bought it a few years ago has had huge legal problems and it looks as though he may be deported in the future to face charges in California over some projects down there. He appears never to have had the money in place to complete the new clubhouse and open up again.


I really miss the place and hope to have even more GCAers up there in the future.


Bob

[Jim Franklin]

That really is a shame. Bob was gracious enough to host me as well and it was one of my favorite rounds ever. Just a fun course from start to finish. And The Hideout will go down as best halfway house of all time.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Bit of an update on one of the previous owners of Sagebrush:
https://www.aldergrovestar.com/news/trial-date-set-in-u-s-fraud-trial-of-langley-condo-builder/


Anyone have an update on a potential reopening of the course?

[Keith Cutten]

Anyone have an update on a potential reopening of the course?

Wayne:  The new ownership is from Vancouver.  They have a mindset to get Sagebrush back into the top-20 in Canada.  Thankfully, superintendent Neil Pilon has been onsite for much of the downtime.  Sadly, there was a time that he was not onsite due to the ownership turmoil.  Rod and myself have submitted a proposal to help them get things open for next year (their desire).  I had thought we would be doing Phase 1 of that now.  Hopefully, they see the need to include us in the restoration, as many of the bunkers need a serious overhaul.  It would be great to see it open again for play, as it was my first project with Whitman.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Thanks for the update Keith.  It would be so great to have this course open again

[Bob Jenkins]

I was at Sagebrush in late July to meet with the new owner and with superintendent Neil Pilon.


It was very encouraging when I drove onto the site to see sprinklers on many green fairways and to just look around the site where I have so many good memories. I walked portions of the course and the fairways are coming along well but the greens are going to need a fair amount of work as are the bunkers. The plan is to open up again next spring.


The last owner, ie. Mr. Chandler who is now resting in a jail in California, had started to do some work but from what I could tell, none of it enhanced the site. The Hideout, including the yurt and the wooden dock and walkways are gone. At that location is a partially constructed building, essentially with concrete slabs and some framing. Not sure what was planned at that time but there is some home that a rustic looking structure could be finished to take the place of the old Hideout, which was enormously popular. A new stock of trout has been purchased and are in the lake.


One of the cottages had been partially converted by the past owner which was to become a restaurant and possibly a pro shop. The other yurt which served as the original pro shop is also gone. Currently, the new owner is hoping to complete the restaurant / pro shop as to convert it back to a cottage is not practical.


Andrew, the new owner, is very intent on the project succeeding this time and is in a position to bring it back even better. He has plans for a lodge which will be adjacent to the cottages and other plans as well.


I plan to keep in touch with Andrew and with Rod Whitman who has been meeting with Andrew and Neil.


I will try to post news of the progress from time to time but from what I saw, I was very encouraged with the work which was taking place and the approach Andrew was taking to the project.