In late September 2011 the Bowen Island Golf Club started constructing a new practice putting green that was part of the winning application submitted to the First Credit Union $10K Giveaway. A team of backhoes operated by Frank Seaberly and Garth Meeres began clearing the site and preparing it to bring in an additional 180 cubic yards of fill to construct the green surround. Frank donated another week's worth of machine time to shape the surround, install the drainage and irrigation and shape the growing medium.
The green finally saw some seed in mid-October and we began to see some growth a couple weeks later. After a horribly wet grow in season, we are excited to announce that the practice green is now open for play along with the new practice bunker. The practice green officially opened on Friday, July 22, with LPGA Teaching Professional Jeri O'hara giving a lesson on "chipping" to over 25 students. Just prior to the opening of the new additions, we were able to have a small ribbon cutting with BIGC Vice President Mardy Duncan, FCU Branch Manager Kevin Manning, FCU Director Murray Atherton and yours truly. We would like to thank Dave Craigen from the FCU for initiating the 10K Giveaway contest and to all the members and public who voted for our project. If you are planning to come down to try out the practice green and the practice range, please remember it is an "irons only range", as the range is only 180 yards long and it is dangerous to use long irons or woods in the small space provided.
A special thanks to the First Credit Union, Frank and Garth for making the project possible.
See you on the green.
SPENCER GRUNDY
B. I. Golf Club
