The storied Abbotsford Club has gone through a lot in the past few years but, as they say in a Facebook post, “It’s short-term pain for long-term gain.”

When their clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 2016, Ledgeview members and staff were devastated. After that came the announcement of the possibility that a pipeline would be built right through the property.

Fast forward to 2022 and the situation likely could not have turned out any better.

Somewhat ironically, the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline helped. Trans Mountain was offering “Community Benefit Agreements” to stakeholders along the pipeline route and, in an agreement signed in 2016, committed to providing $3.1 million towards the revitalization of the course.

Pipeline approval would take another three years while the city (which owns the land) and the non-profit Ledgeview Golf and Country Club Society (which leases and runs the clubhouse and course) tried to figure out a plan to come up with the remainder of the $6.8 million needed. $2.1 million would come from insurance proceeds and eventually, $200,000 from the Society with the rest from city coffers. Mayor Henry Braun acknowledged Trans Mountain’s contribution to making this happen saying in a press release, “The City of Abbotsford is grateful for the generous contribution from Trans Mountain toward our new Ledgeview clubhouse.”

Work on the building began in late 2019 and, just under two years later, the official opening took place in September 2021. The result is a first-rate facility that includes views across the golf course and banquet seating for well over 200 people.

Pipeline construction followed in January, a process that will result in a buried pipeline and the right-of-way returned to its original grade. Originally scheduled for completion by the end of April, it is now expected to take until around the end of June.

During the construction, they have been still able to offer an 18-hole golf course, albeit with some adjustments (as illustrated below).

This will not be the end of the course renovations, however. A remodel to holes 12 and 18 will immediately follow.

To start, the 18th fairway will be graded to offer a more level lie for approach shots.

Much more dramatic are the plans for the green complexes for the two holes. In a post on Facebook, the Club acknowledged that the “previous 12th and 18th greens weren’t everybody’s cup of tea due to their chest-high ridges and sponge-like surfaces.”

It started as an idea from Superintendent Chad Burns and the Club’s greens committee who together came up with the concept of “an intriguing double-green complex” for the two holes.

The Club then brought in well-regarded golf course architect Les Furber to put together a report on the pros and cons. The benefits were many, the downsides few, and the project was easily approved. Furber’s eventual design submission would see smoother and more subtle slopes that would better harmonize with other greens on the course.

This Watercolour Rendition By Jayson Noftle Only Teases What Is Currently Being Created. (Image Courtesy Ledgeview GC)

Furber and Design Associate Tim Birnie will be conducting all reclamation work once the pipeline project is complete with the project expected to take until early 2023.

Les Furber Onsite On March 10, 2022.

Still, this does not mean the layout will be getting much easier.

As they say on their website, “If you’re looking for flat greens and an easy, boring layout, Ledgeview is not for you. It may only measure just over 6,100 yards on the scorecard from the tips, but it may very well be the most challenging and exciting 6,100 yards you’ll ever play.” It is no accident that two of Canada’s best players — Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin — grew up honing their skills at Ledgeview.

In a press release related to the new clubhouse, Board President Travis Oddy summed up where Ledgeview has come from and where they are going, “With the tragic fire that burned our clubhouse down in April 2016 now behind us, we are approaching the 60th anniversary of our Society and are so thrilled to be entering the new era of our great club in a brand-new clubhouse. Our golf club is so rich with history; we look forward to adding to it.”

Current “Construction Rate” green fees at Ledgeview are being kept at a very reasonable $40 on weekdays and $45 on weekends. Those aged 60 and over get $5 off. Juniors can play after 12:00 p.m. for just $25.

Find out more at ledgeviewgolf.com.