From receivership to getting back to pristine conditions, Wolf Creek is howling again

You can’t miss Wolf Creek Golf Resort.

You can see it from Highway 2 on the way to Ponoka.

Wolf Creek has a rich history.

It’s one of the top public golf courses in Canada and has hosted 13 Alberta Opens.

But in 2022, ownership was running out of money and the course went into receivership.

Jim Boomer, general manager at Wolf Creek, says the course lost its bite.

“When you have that situation where the conditions are deteriorating and the people just go away,” said Boomer.

“Whether it be they get tired of having their corporate tournament in poor condition and so on.”

Wolf gets its teeth back

In 2023, GolfNorth properties out of Ontario bought Wolf Creek and Boomer says the turnaround was immediate.

He says the Wolf got its teeth back.

“After GolfNorth bought it out of receivership, they set up programs for fertilizer and all of the best programs for the golf course,” said Boomer.

“Some things to take care of—water and so on—and now, three years later, the place is coming back just the way we remember the old Wolf.”

Golfers happy

Rob Jurina has been playing at Wolf Creek for a long time.

He admits he wasn’t sure what the future would be when it went into receivership but is happy the Wolf is howling again.

“It’s absolutely awesome,” said Jurina.

“The course has come a long way from the state it was in, and you can see the ongoing investment and the improvements that are being made.

“I played the Wolf when I was quite young. I’m an Alberta boy, and to see it coming back to where it was in its pristine days is absolutely awesome.”

36-hole facility

Wolf Creek is a 36-hole facility designed by renowned golf course architect Rod Whitman.

There’s the Old course, and there’s the Links course.

Golfer Tom Koep says he loves both.

“It’s such a variety and such a difference between the two courses,” said Koep.

“I love both of them. I prefer the Old course, but only by a bit. They’re both fantastic courses to play.”

Comments like that are music to Boomer’s ears.

He knows all of the hard work is paying off.

“It’s really been rewarding to see the look on people’s faces when they come and they say, ‘This is the place I remember,’” said Boomer.

‘That means a lot to hear on a daily basis.”