Country Side Golf Course - Prairies

This enjoyable parkland style course opened for play in 1985 and is located a short drive south of Sherwood Park on Range Road 232. An impressive clubhouse presides over the 1st and 10th tees and provides an initial opportunity for visitors to revel in the scenery of this 28 hole golf course.

Friendly staff got us through the registration process quickly and had us on our way in short order. The starter had a golfing buddy and I pair up with a father and son who were visiting from Ft. Saskatchewan.

Practice facilities include a full length driving range and a large 6,000 sq. foot practice putting green.

These parkland holes, complete with maintained rough, enormous bunkers and numerous water hazards make up a portion of County Side's character. Other holes are lined with trees and provide a contrast to the rolling terrain. All holes feature four sets of tees, which allow a variation from 7,039 yards from the tips to 4,258 yards from the forward markers.

The opening hole is a gentle introduction to your round. From the elevated tee, you look out at a slight dogleg-left that culminates at a green 412 yards away. The second is another dogleg-left requiring a drive across a large pond into a generous fairway that stretches uphill to a small target green. Hole 3, a 539 yard, par 5 characterized by a pair of mounds fronting a tiered green. The holes follow each other nicely and there is great variety in how each hole unfolds.

Tee boxes are large, flat and were attended too. Fairways are of a generous width, are plush and provide relatively flat lies for approach shots into receptive greens. The rough was manageable, but depending on your lie, it may cost you a stroke. The elevation changes on the course aren't significant.

The well manicured greens varied in size and the putting surfaces have an abundance of swales, tiers and undulations to navigate. Putts rolled consistently throughout the round. Several of the greens have false fronts and if you aren't paying attention, you could easily come up short.

The bunkers were groomed and numbered 16 in total. The 8 water hazards are split evenly between the front and back nines. Cart paths are looked after and made for a smooth ride between holes.

Great weather, good conversation and good company made for a quick and enjoyable round. Holes 3, 5, 9, 14 and 18 stand out. The variety of holes and the numerous challenges at the Country Side Golf Course provide great value and easily warrants a return visit in the future.

Country Side borders a cow pasture on a portion of the north side but don't let that fool you; it offers something for all skill levels and provides relief every now and then with wider fairways and limited hazards on some holes. Greens were in exceptional condition on date of play but very slow as we surmised they were combatting dry conditions by leaving the grass a little longer. Still, it was nicer than having rough, dry patches to navigate. Recent upgrades to various areas are also nice to see.

Well golly gee I can't think of anything I wouldn't go back for to play the Prairie/Meadows track. Presently my handicap is 9 (think stock market), so with white tees playing 6350 yds, that's plenty long for me. What the layout gives in generous landing zones, it takes away in length, so you have to be consistently long and toward the target to have par opportunities. I'm not used to playing 585 yd par 5s, 415 par 4s and 215 par 3s, but the course designers thought differently. Fairways and greens in great shape - just right for the height of summer. A beautiful facility and a pleasurable challenge!

I enjoy the variety of styles available and the speed of play. The blues make the couse long enough for long hitters.