GolfNorth Properties, the Ontario-based golf course operating company, has acquired Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka, Alberta.
Home to two golf courses designed by Rod Whitman, Wolf Creek entered receivership in September 2022 following financial turmoil at the hands of the previous owner, Ryan Vold. Located just off Highway 2 connecting Calgary and Edmonton, the two golf courses offer distinct styles and portray the evolution of Rod Whitman’s style.
The Old, opening in 1987 as the East and West loops, draws more from Whitman’s time under Pete Dye, with smaller, heavily-contoured greens, pot bunkers, and railway ties. The Links, comprised from the South loop added in 1992, and the back nine added in 2012, showcases Whitman’s old style on the front, and the modern, blowout bunker, large-scale features of current.
Recently, Wolf Creek had both courses rated within the Top 20 of Beyond the Contour’s Top 100 public courses list. The Old course featured at #19 and Links at #13. As our own Andrew Harvie stated in the announcement of Wolf Creek’s receivership, losing two excellent public options would be a national shame; we at Beyond The Contour are happy to see it is back.
Aside from the Old, Whitman’s first solo design, and the Links, ‘The Great Whit’ has put together an impressive portfolio, including Sagebrush, Blackhawk, Cabot Links, renovations at both Algonquin and Brantford, and the upcoming Cabot Pacific, which will open to preview play in 2024.
Based in Conestogo, Ontario, GolfNorth currently operates 37 properties in British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Wolf Creek will mark their first foray into the prairie landscape, and add to their growing portfolio, which is the largest public-golf operating company in Canada. Notably, their list of courses includes 4 of the Top 100 public courses in Canada: #4, Highland Links, #24, Ridge at Manitou, #68, Salmon Arm (Champions), and #71, Club at Bond Head (South).
