GO TO MACGREGOR FOR SOLITUDE – AND SOUP!
July 4th, 2010 | Posted by 
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One hour west of Winnipeg, just off the Trans-Canada Highway, is the town of MacGregor. Known as the ‘heart of the keystone province’, MacGregor prides itself on a heritage that started with the coming of the railway in the late 1800s.
The first newspaper in the community began publishing in 1897, and their second CP station was built in 1902. In 1934 they received electricity, and one year later they welcomed their first hard surfaced highway. MacGregor was officially incorporated as a village in 1947, and since then, more changes have continued to shape the community – including the addition of a golf course in 1981.
The moment we arrived at MacGregor Town & Country Golf Club, we experienced the kindness and comfort of rural hospitality. Even though black clouds threatened to come pouring down, and gale force winds caused us to run straight from the car into the tiny clubhouse, it turned out to be a cozy place. Clubhouse manager Pat Hyde kept the coffee hot and conversation friendly, and welcomed us with bowls of delicious homemade minestrone and cream of potato soup – garnished with fresh dill from Pat’s own garden.
While we waited for the impending storm to pass, Pat told us about the new community-owned multiplex being built right beside the existing clubhouse. It would be open soon, housing a restaurant and social hall that would replace the town’s current gathering place. It’s been a long time in the planning, and building, and the town is looking forward to finally being able to use it later this year.
Meanwhile, we were looking forward to finally getting out golfing, as the doomsday darkness departed a half-hour after it arrived. Weird weather indeed! Soon we were out in our golf cart, exploring the nine holes that make up MacGregor Golf Club. While the fairways were in decent shape, it was apparently a tough winter for the greens. Covered in little brown patches, putting in a straight line was a challenge. On the bright side, I could now blame all my errant putts on the little brown patches.
Can’t say the same for my golfing partner and fiancée, who, despite the little brown patches, managed to somehow sink a 35-foot putt on the 483-yard par-5 fourth hole. Needless to say it was the best putt of the day. The best approach shot of the day came on the next hole, a 163 yard par-3. After making a terrible shot off the tee, I redeemed myself with an 80-yard pitch shot that landed less than a foot from the hole. It was close enough to give me par for that hole – and the only par for me that round.
Overall, the golf course is pretty standard, with few obstacles to contend with. If you like straight-ahead golf, you’ll love this course. The fairways are fairly wide and the greens are not too difficult. There is also an abundance of poplar trees lining the cart paths, and mostly staying safely out of play. Which, if you ask me, is what trees should do on a golf course. At least most of them.
You can tell that the course is proudly community owned, with immaculate landscaping located around each and every tee box, boasting an array of fragrant wildflowers. Since they are closely monitored by wasps and other assorted flying things, try not to get too close! And just so you know, wasps CAN keep up with golf carts.
You’ll get a view of the Trans-Canada Highway on holes 7 through 9. Here you can watch the high-speed world of cars and trucks whizzing past, while you enjoy the slow-paced serenity of the little golf course that could. And does. So if you decide to make the drive to MacGregor, take it from me. It is worth the trip.
And there will always be plenty of soup for you.
NEXT!
MACGREGOR TOWN & COUNTRY GOLF CLUB
MacGregor, Manitoba
2901 yards from white
less than 2901 yards from red
Special – ask about their ‘frequent player program’
http://www.macgregor.ca
204-685-3100
