Not Everything's Better in the City

In the small, peaceful town of Morden, only a little over an hour southwest from Winnipeg’s perimeter, Minnewasta Golf and Country Club in Morden is an excellent destination for golfers that like a challenge. With 18 holes, the 72 par course is not overly long compared to many of the courses in Winnipeg, but the beautiful course is a little narrower which makes it a challenge.

 “It’s a fairly difficult course, a 7 or 8 out of 10,” says last year’s course grounds chairman, Howard Pauls.

He justifies his rating of the rural course, one mile west of Morden on Highway 3, on 19 Buhler Drive, by saying, “The greens are a cut above. They have more topography than the courses in the city.” The elevation changes in the valley also make Minnewasta one of the best golf courses in Manitoba, says Pauls.

To keep one of the best courses in Manitoba in good playing condition during the hot summer, Minnewasta added a sprinkler system that was in full operation last July.

Head pro at Minnewasta, Chris Worley, says, “Minnewasta is in the top three golf courses in the province, because it’s a Les Furber design.”

The internationally renowned golf course architect, Les Furber, expanded Minnewasta to 18 holes in 1989.

The course has big greens, lots of water, and lots of sand, but Worley says, “People can’t believe all the hills.”

The hills are what cause most people to take a cart for 18 holes, which doesn’t kill you at $56.00 for both.

With the only complaint last year to Worley being, “I just wish it was closer to Winnipeg,” he stands by his top three evaluation.

Although Minnewasta challenges even experienced golfers, the public course is open to all non-members.

Local resident and self-described “hacker” or beginner, Jeannie Nickel, plays a few times a year and says, “It’s a very challenging course, but I’m a new golfer and I have fun there.” She goes on to say, “After you’re game you can enjoy a beer on the patio with a great view.”

The patio is part of the Timbers at Minnewasta Restaurant and was originally a large restaurant near the U.S. border, called Pembina Crossing. The whole building was broken into three giant pieces and moved to the golf course in December 2007.

The event was big enough to be filmed for the show Monster Moves on Discovery Channel. A video of the giant building move is on golfminnewasta.com.

The licensed restaurant opens everyday at 8:00 a.m. and offers a full menu. It’s open for the golf season to the end of the year, April 16 – December 31.

Visit golfminnewasta.com for more information about the course or call (204) 822-4992 to book a tee time. Also visit mordenmb.com for information on the town of Morden.

Photo credits: Minnewasta Golf & Country Club