Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club

My second visit to the Cold Lake/Grand Centre area in two weeks to play. This visit was to participate in the Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club's 2025 Seniors Tournament. The field was half the size of the Grand Centre tournament a few weeks ago, but there were still plenty of familiar faces.

The course is a conglomeration of parkland style with a hint of links elements thrown in for good measure. The course is a fair test from the middle tees (5,892 yds) and transitions into an excellent championship course from the back tees (6,573 yds) without tricking up the greens, rough or approaches.

There is an opportunity to gain a few strokes early as there are two reachable par fives in the first four holes. Another hole that can give up a birdie is the shorter par four, 8th. Hole 9, is a 351 yard, dog-leg right with a well earned reputation for ruining score cards. It requires an exacting, semi-blind drive to a tight landing area that feeds right and downhill towards the water hazard. Passing that test leaves you with an uphill approach shot to a small, well protected green with a penchant for giving up bogeys...on a good day.

Upon reaching the final three holes on the inward nine, you may regret not having scored on any earlier birdie opportunities. Cold Lake's strong finishing holes start on hole 16, a dogleg-right, par 4, that stretches out to 387 yards. Followed by the 17th, a sweeping dogleg-left, par 4, 381 yard test which requires an accurate drive down a narrow, firm fairway that feeds any misses right or left into the trees that run up both sides.

The final hole, a 517 yard, par-five, which turns left as it carves it's way through thick forest before opening up some 300 yards from the tees. There is a pair of bunkers that guard the front of this large, wavy green that will attract off-line or short approach shots. 

The fairways played fast and firm and noticeably were in need of irrigation in many areas. Greens rolled true and speeds were consistent throughout the course. 

The tournament was well organized. It was a great day, perfect weather, good golf, good fun, good company. The days activities were followed by a hearty roast beef supper with all the trimmings. As a bonus, there were plenty of jets flying around the air base during today’s round.

The Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club has been on my tournament schedule year in & year out. I played 3 rounds here in July, their two day Men's Open, July 13/14 followed up by the Seniors Open July 24.

I enjoy the challenge & layout of this track. Conditioning of the course has steadily improved over the years & this year the course is in stellar shape.

Holes 1 through 10 is a traditional parkland style setup, wide carpet like fairways, rough that is forgiving & green side bunkers that will trap wayward approach shots. The greens are very generous in size & good approach shots will stick. Holes 7 & 8 on the front nine provide back to back birdie opportunities. Score well there as Holes 9 & 10 are stroke index 1 & 2 on the card for good reason. Both holes require accuracy off the tee & your full attention with your approach shots into slightly elevated greens.

Holes 11through 18 have a bit of a links feel to them. The fairways slightly firmer & tighter fairways framed by Jack Pines & Poplar trees. There are a few elevations changes, doglegs right & left that will favour those golfers that can work the ball either way. The greens rolled consistently throughout the course. Good ball striking is rewarded & any lapse in concentration can run up your scores.

Hospitable staff provide quality service at the fully stocked pro shop. The restaurant out did themselves again. This traveller appreciates all the time, work & effort that Mike & all the staff at the Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club put in to host these tournaments.

The Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club is a military course situated on the grounds of Canada's largest and busiest air base, CFB Cold Lake. Playing here provides some awesome entertainment in the air as well as on the ground.

At just over 6600 yards from the tips, the course provides a great golfing experience with its parkland surroundings that challenges and satisfies in equal parts. Holes 9 & 10 are appropriately listed as stroke index 1 & 2.

Hole 9, a sharp dogleg right that demands a pair of accurate shots to find the small green in regulation. A hole that can routinely derail a good front nine score.

Hole 10, a tight dogleg left that requires steady nerves off the tee to place your drive in just the right spot to have any chance of guiding your approach shot through a narrow chute of trees and shrubs onto a green that slopes from every angle. Completing 9 and 10 without any blemishes on the card is an achievement.

The overall conditioning of the course is pretty good, fairways are plush, the bunkers are placed in all the right places, the greens are healthy and receptive to approach shots. Find the right line on your putts and birdies are available.

A well stocked pro shop with attentive and friendly staff will look after your golfing needs. There's plenty of room in the clubhouse for after round refreshments and banter.

Also known as the Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club. Interesting track as the front 9 plays & feels completely different than the back 9. The front is a typical parkland style, fairly flat, wide fairways, not too much trouble other than some rough & a few bunkers here & there but make the turn and you notice that the trees lining the fairways become a little claustrophobic, some uneven fairway lies, tighter doglegs & the greens have much more break. Limit your errant shots, make some putts & your post round pint will taste that much sweeter. Good pro shop & restaurant. A good place to spend an afternoon chasing a white ball.