The Gilbert Plains Country Club was preparing for the biggest week of the season, but it turned into something a lot worse.
The Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship were postponed last week due to the flooding which occurred in the Parkland.
The two events were to be held at the GPCC, July 1 to 3, but were moved to other locations after the postponement.
GPCC general manager and head professional Scott McCallum called it the worst flooding the facility has ever seen.
“By a mile,” he added.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had our clubhouse compromised the way it was. It’s devastating, to be honest.”
McCallum went to the course Friday morning for the first time since the flooding started.
“We knew that golf carts were floating down the river, it’s obviously, quite a disaster to see,” he said.
The water has started to recede, but that is actually making matters worse.
“The problem is that the force of the water going back into the river is taking some things with it,” McCallum said, adding it is too early to tell if the facility will be able to open again this year.
“Until we can actually, physically get in there and assess the damage that we’re up against, it will be too early to tell. But, as you know, whether it’s a flood or not, the grass keeps growing. So we’re going to have to somehow maintain the beautiful golf course that we’ve got,” he said.
The grounds crew worked hard to prepare to showcase the course to the province during the two provincial tournaments, which is disheartening.
“But I know that we’ll get back on our feet. We’ve got a strong board that’s forward-minded thinking and we’ll definitely get back and be better for it in the future,” McCallum said.
McCallum is not worried about finding money to pay for the repairs that will be needed.
“The Province has been there from the start. They’ve made some good announcements that they’re going to be there for small businesses and not-for-profit businesses. I’m not really worried about that,” he said.
“We’ve got a great MLA in Dauphin. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure that his region is taken care of and I think Wab (Kinew, Manitoba Premier) feels the same way.”
At this point it’s just a matter of waiting for the water to recede.
McCallum appreciates the messages of support GPCC has received.
“All the messages of support, not only to our members, but how passionate people are about Gilbert Plains Country Club, that’s probably the motivation to keep you going,” he said.
The Dauphin Lake Golf Club was also hit with flooding, with most of the course being under water at one point, according to general manager and head professional Shawn Woods.
“Except for some areas. But it’s now subsided. But the lake is up, so who knows,” he said.
DLGC remains closed and conditions will be reassessed Wednesday morning after Sunday’s rainfall.
“It’s very wet. We’ve been pumping nonstop for four days and trying to clean things up. But the golf course and clubhouse has been closed, too. We had water in the clubhouse. So we’ve got lots to do,” Woods said.
Woods hopes to open Monday, but the clubhouse will likely remain closed indefinitely.
The driving range will also be closed and the tournaments scheduled for this weekend were cancelled, however, the pro shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.