It may only be the end of January, but odds are that if you spoke to anyone who does a lot of golfing in their spare time, they’re always thinking of warmer temperatures because they can’t wait to get back on the green for another season.
This year, there may be new attention paid to a local course in the Lake Diefenbaker region after it took top honors in an online article that ranked the best courses for their value.
The website GolfAdvisor.com has listed the Harbor Golf Club located in the resort village of Elbow as the number one-ranked Best Value Golf Course in all of Canada, taking the top spot on a list that includes 24 other facilities. The ranking was done by combining the averages of a course's overall and value star rating as submitted from reviews by the golfing community throughout 2019. Essentially, it’s a list of the best golf courses as determined by the people actually using them.
Elbow’s course, built in 1988, is one of only two greens in Saskatchewan to make the list, the other being the #4 ranked Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton.
One of the reviews of the Harbor Golf Club labels it a ‘hidden gem’ among other courses across the country, stating that golfers should take the time to play the course and enjoy the uniqueness that it has to offer.
“You should not miss a chance to play this course. Forgiving but many unique holes make it a place for new and seasoned golfers to enjoy. Relaxed atmosphere and dress code means anyone can enjoy a round here. Definitely NOT a stuffy old style experience. Come as you are and have a great day. Food is amazing and the views are not anything you would expect from Southern Saskatchewan.”
Mark Patterson of Elbow, who also happens to serve as the President of PGA Canada and Harbor Golf’s head pro, emailed this reporter to give his thoughts on the course taking top honors on the list.
“Needless to say, the Harbor Golf Club and Resort is very proud of being selected as ‘Best Value Facility’ in Canada by golfers across Canada as posted by GolfAdvisor.com,” said Mark. “In order to be considered, there had to be 10 or more reviews done on the facility and rated on course condition, friendly staff, cleanliness, meals and scenery. Although the award is for ‘best value’, which some people might feel it indicates what people pay for playing the golf course and the condition it is in, it is more than that. It is an entire team effort that makes each customer’s experience just that much better. Our goal here at Harbor Golf Club and Resort is to ensure each customer is treated like they would want to be treated.”
Taking the number one slot on any list that recognizes a facility as the best for customer value isn’t something that the Elbow course takes lightly. In Patterson’s view, it’s up to Harbor Golf to maintain that title and continue to make the course the top one in the eyes of golfers and customers.
“We are over the top about being recognized and have rolled up our sleeves even further to improve on the customer experience,” said Mark. “This award is an entire team effort, from golf shop staff to maintenance staff and from kitchen staff to the cleaning staff. Our staff truly has a deep commitment to our members and green fee players.”
For more on Elbow’s Harbor Golf Club, log on to harborgolfclub.com.
