The Lakes Golf Club - News
Ceremonial 1st Tee Shot
May 7th, 2010
BEN EOIN — A ceremonial first ball screamed down the centre of the No. 1 fairway of the Lakes Golf Club Friday morning to begin a new golfing tradition in Cape Breton.
Topics : Cape Breton
Hitting off the tee was Jason Sweeney, who considered the drive the successful culmination of years of hard work for many people.
Sweeney, the club’s director of golf operations, said he has seen the quality work paid staff put into the project.
“It’s also our shareholder group and their dedication for many years prior to my arrival has been extraordinary.”
Construction on the Graham Cooke-designed course that is overlooking the Bras d’Or Lakes began in June of 2007.
It was due to open last summer, but heavy rains in late June washed out sections of the No. 10 and No. 18 fairways.
Sweeney said 125 plus shareholders and contributors, including ECBC, have continued to contribute to the project.
“It has been a passion of many to get this going well beyond any financial aspect of their involvement and any kind of financial gain. It is not about them, it is not about a membership, it is about bringing this to Ben Eoin and to Cape Breton.”
Sweeney also tipped his hat to Cooke, the course designer.
“The challenge for an architect when you have a great piece of property is to not make it look like it stands out. You want to use the terrain and shape the holes around the existing terrain as much as possible.”
“It was a long time coming, but we are really thrilled to reach this point today." - Glenn Brann, president of the board of directors of The Lakes Golf Club
Even though the course has “some pretty good hills,” he said people who like to walk will enjoy it.
“There is definitely some elevation change, but he’s done a good job of making the holes go horizontal to the hill, gentle up the hill, and then dramatic down hill holes.”
The club has plenty of carts for those who don’t wish to walk, he noted.
“It was a long time coming, but we are really thrilled to reach this point today,” said Glenn Brann, president of the club’s board of directors.
“All of our professional staff believe it is important for people to come out to play the course once or twice before they make their choice. We feel that when they do, they’ll want to access a membership here.”
Brann couldn’t pinpoint a favourite hole when asked. Instead he pointed to two stretches of play.
“Five-six on the front nine and 16-17-18 on the back are two great stretches of golf. There are not many weak holes at all out there. It is a strong course, but very playable. People are going to love it.”
