A lot of people enjoy coming out here so we just couldn’t close the doors. It’s basically business as usual.
Two days after the late afternoon fire destroyed Wellview Golf club’s clubhouse the golf course was, back up and running says Jason Routledge, Wellview’s course manager.
A big beautiful events tent with seating is ready for the tournament crowd. A few tables and lawn chairs accommodate the day’s golfers who come off the fairways. Drinks are served and green fees taken care of in the business trailer.
“To be honest with you, we were back in business about the second day after,” says Routledge. “The executive was a major help in it all; it just kind of all came together so we could continue the operation. A lot of people enjoy coming out here so we just couldn’t close the doors. It’s basically business as usual.”
Wellview Golf Club executive member Graham Freeman explained, “We got to work the day after and started to look around for temporary [structures]. We have a bathroom trailer, a full sink, hot water, and air conditioning.
With water and power at the temporary site and drink coolers expected soon, Freeman says they are working to create a menu and carry on with the tournaments as planned.
The executive are dealing with insurance, waiting for the final assessment of the building and the release to begin demolition of the burned structure.
“In the very near future, we are looking at rebuilding,” stated Freeman, adding he was optimistic that next season would start with a new clubhouse.
With a membership base of about 250, Wellview course is busy. There are many green fee players, ladies and men’s golf nights with players coming from the area as well as from Virden.
This means – book ahead in order to be assured of a tee-time on a typical summer Saturday, Sunday and even evenings as well, advises the course manager
“We have a lot of tournaments, a lot of functions, so the course is booked for many days throughout the summer. It was very important that we got back up and running as soon as we could.”
The club relies on the food and beverage services under the direction of Dennis Tough. “We tried and set it up so he can still provide the service he did before, and we’re almost there,” he says.
While Dennis Tough is planning to cook out of the Curling Club kitchen, Routledge says, “If we could find a cook trailer we would have everything here that we needed. We’re still on the look-out for that.”
The first major tournament this weekend, May 27 and about 90 golfers will try out the new temporary facilities.
The two-man spring tournament is a best ball tournament with a 25-year tradition on the Virden course.
