The ground will be broken later this year in the final phase of the championship golf course at Silver Brooke Golf Club.        

“The whole thing started in 1997,” says general manager Gail Burrows, when it was decided to turn her grandparents’ property (which is just west of Base Borden) into a golf course. “My father is a contractor, so he developed a subdivision on the property and the golf course was a natural fit.”

The front nine holes, which opened in 2005, and the clubhouse were part of Phase II, she says. The completed half of the course was carved out of a hardwood forest, says Burrows, and features bent grass tees, fairways and greens.

The back nine will be a links-style design with “lots of rolling fairways,” describes Burrows. “It makes it difficult because the wind comes into play a lot more. There’s also at least one major water hazard that comes into play on virtually every hole.”

The design of the greens and tees will remain consistent between the two phases, so “it’ll feel like a cohesive course even if it was built at different times and designed at different times.”

When complete, the course will be a par-72 circuit with approximately 6,600 yards. She likens the difficulty to the Ridge course at the Nottawasaga Inn.

In the meantime, Burrows has registered the club with the Golf Association of Ontario so the course can be handicapped.

“Our members now have that privilege – it’s an important step for us this year.”

The course is complemented by a seven-acre practice academy featuring a bunker, chipping and green area. There are also two grass tee decks. An independent CGTP is available for beginner lessons at this time, and there are summer camps planned for children in July.

The pro shop carries a full stock of accessories and clothing, but only sells clubs on demo days or by special order. However re-gripping, re-shafting and re-fitting can all be handled in-house.

Burrows, an independent event planner by trade, came on board to run the semi-private facility on behalf of her parents who still own the club. This is a useful background considering the clubhouse features a banquet room that is rented out for weddings, Christmas parties and other special events. It accommodates 90 people with a dance floor and head table, or 150 without. The room will overlook the back nine when the course is completed.

The restaurant, which is open year round and caters to the snowmobile crowd in the winter, features “typical” casual golf food like hamburgers and wings, says Burrow. But the service goes beyond the norm.

“We like to make our members feel like part of the greater family around here,” she says. “I know the names of every member and their kids, and their favourite drink – and my staff does, too.”

One of the reasons it’s about family is because Burrows’ children (five-year-old Katie and Will, two) were almost literally born on the course and have grown up nearby. Their grandmother watches them while parents work and both visit mom regularly.

“I was nine months pregnant and working at the club,” she recalls. “I’d had dinner with my husband Friday night and had gone home while he’d stayed to play. My water broke later that night, and I was back at work with Will in a basket Monday morning.”

The oldest of four, Burrows’ elder brother runs one of their father’s other businesses, while the other two younger siblings are just finishing college and getting established in their careers.

While she longs to spend some time at the cottage she hasn’t seen for two years, she’s looking forward to continuing with the career shift. She is also anticipating getting her children more involved.

“Both of them are quite into golf,” she recognizes. “It would be nice to get them into lessons.”

Not surprisingly, the club is a big supporter of the annual Take a Kid to the Course week – happening this year from July 7 to 13.

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