New Oak Island Resort and Golf Course owner aims to improve visitor experience

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/03/2017 (3295 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

From a driving range to the big leagues, Trevor McGill’s Mulligan’s Ventures Ltd. took ownership of Oak Island Resort and Golf Course effective March 1.

It was too good a deal to turn down, McGill said of the recreational venue about a half-hour west of Brandon.

Fans of the 18-hole golf course, marina and 400-spot campground can expect more of the same for the immediate future, with McGill committed to not rocking the boat too hard as he eases into its leadership.

He plans on retaining the same number of employees at the Westman vacation spot, of about 15 to 20, and is currently running interviews with new and current employees to fill the roles.

“For this opportunity it’s got to be a really good fit,” he said, adding that his customer-focused business model should prevail as along as the customers are satisfied.

One of the first big hurdles will be letting people know how close and accessible Oak Island is to Brandon, he said. Also owner of Brandon-based Vector Promotions, McGill said that he knows full-well the important role that promotional efforts have in finding and maintaining success in business.

McGill built and has operated Mulligan’s Driving Range and Practice Centre for the past 18 years at its Victoria Avenue location near 50th Street, west of Brandon.

Maintaining a Level 3 USGTF golf teaching certificate, McGill’s passion is golf, and he considers the course at Oak Island a unique find.

Designed by renowned golf course architect Les Furber about 10 years ago, everything has been kept to a high standard McGill said that he’s eager to see continue and strive to improve upon.

“We just want to improve the whole general experience,” McGill said. “From a golf course standpoint, we’re going to allow fivesomes. Typically, over the years, there’s been mixed ideas about that, but to me, if the general public are keeping a pace of play that’s good, that’s where the rubber meets the road.”

On a similar note, McGill said the course would also allow walking, which some courses have disallowed in favour of cart-only travel.

A lot of people prefer to walk, he said, adding that as long as the pace of play is not affected it should be an easy policy to find acceptance.

McGill also hopes to cross-promote Mulligan’s Driving Range and Practice Centre with the Oak Island Resort and Golf Course, with golf lessons offered between the two centres.

There’s also opportunity to promote Oak Island as a venue for events, with the golf course featuring a restaurant sporting food options McGill hopes to expand.

While the golf course will remain a priority, so too will be the marina and campground, he said, noting that they’re preparing some special events for Canada 150.

Discounts will be offered during Canadian RVing and Camping Week from May 23-28, and a fireworks display and 52-foot inflatable obstacle course will be set up for Canada Day.

» tclarke@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB