Pars a plenty in The Pas

North of Lake Winnipegosis, just on the Manitoba side of the Saskatchewan border, lies The Pas.

The town is one of the oldest of Manitoba’s northern communities and was once a thriving pulp and paper town. Most of the community is still in good shape, although showing its age.

Across the river is the impressive Opaskwayak Cree Nation, with its new mall and impressive hotel and casino. VIA Rail services these communities which makes for a nice mid-week or long-weekend getaway without the stress of driving.

If you do take the train, throw your sticks onto the platform. There are many activities to take in while you are there, and one of those activities is golf.

Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club is on The Pas side of the twin communities, south off of the junction of Provincial Road 283 and 3rd St. West.

It is a well kept nine hole course with a large clubhouse and restaurant. They have a putting green, driving range and a large fleet of rental cars. Surprisingly, despite what one will experience getting to The Pas, the course is very flat, so walking is no problem.

However, despite the lack of topographical variance, there are many mature trees, water hazards and sand traps to keep your game in check.

The first hole is wide open and straight forward. If you do choose to ride, hold on to your kidneys — the fairway is uneven and the car bumps along like the fairways at Tuxedo. Walkers do have the advantage here.

The second hold is a par 3 but if you stay away from driving left you will be fine.

And the third hole also requires you to avoid going left as there is a large pond in that direction. Five pokes are the suggestion here, and if you can avoid the water hazard, this hole is a good chance for a birdie.

The fourth uses that same water hazard to try and keep you from getting to the green.

Hole five is the second and last par 5. It is a long one, but not much in the way of trickery.

Meanwhile, hole six suggests three strokes will do, but the two sand traps and the undulating green may force a few more notches cut out of the score card.

Coming home on seven shouldn’t be too tough if you can stay out of the out of bounds on the fairway left.

And, while hole eight is a par 4, it has a dog leg to the left near the green. It also requires a pop over the creek just before the dance floor.

To finish the game, number nine also has a creek hazard, but this time it’s mid fairway.

The course is very busy, as it’s the only one for miles! And, on a final note, show patience with the course staff — the folks behind the desk are young, but you’ll be out on the links in due time.

Take Nine is is the sports section newest edition where freelancer Ryan Desjarlais highlights nine-hole golf courses around the Keystone province.