Canada's first Black Knight Design Opens June 1

(CRANBROOK, BC) – With the finishing touches in place Wildstone Golf Course is set to open for play on Wednesday.

The pace has been hectic to say the least over the last few weeks leading up to the opening of Canada's first Black Knight Design by Gary Player Design. Nobody will be more pleased to see the first group tee off on Wednesday at 8:12 a.m. to kick off the summer season than General Manager Chris Andrews.

"We have had so many calls and so many people dropping by to check things out and walk the course, that we can really feel the excitement and the anticipation in the air," says Andrews. "The feedback that we're getting is that the course looks absolutely incredible and everyone is looking forward to giving it a swing."

Construction of the 7,100 plus yard, par-72 layout was completed in 2010 with Jeff Lawrence, the Senior Designer for Gary Player Design on site to oversee the finishing details.

"The course is very walkable and the routing is very playable and that differentiates Wildstone from some of the other courses in the Cranbrook area," says Lawrence, who will attend a Grand Opening event at Wildstone with other members of the Gary Player Design team on June 11.

Wildstone has been designed as a player-friendly resort-style course with spectacular views, a forested, parkland layout that golfers of all levels will enjoy. When they walk off the 18th green, with stunning Fisher Peak in the background, Lawrence says they will experience a sense of satisfaction and a job well done.

"There isn't a lot of elevation change on the course, about 200 feet, so we have tried to add a little mystery to some of the holes and the bunkering is strategic with different looks and experiences that they have not seen in the area," he added. "As a design feature we always have an option for the golfer to go directly for the green. We don't cut it off with a hazard, but we have been a little bit creative with the greens to make them challenging in places."

The gently rolling routing will play from five sets of tees measuring 7,127 yards from the tips, 6,669 yards for Blue, 6,233 for White, 5,629 for Red and 4,947 yards for Gold. The club also features a wonderful range and practice area. Prime time 2011 green fees are $59 Monday through Thursday and $69 Friday through Sunday, plus HST with discounted twilight fees and Member Passbooks available this season.

With a population of about 20,000 people, Cranbrook is situated in the southeastern region of British Columbia known as the Kootenay Rockies. Wildstone is nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Canadian Rockies. It is highlighted by stunning, panoramic views of Ponderosa pine tree forests and snowcapped mountains with Fisher Peak as the backdrop to No. 18. The four-season playground boasts unbelievable beauty, a bevy of recreational activities, world-class skiing, golf and all the convenience of being close to a bustling urban center. It's about a three and a half hour drive from Calgary and is just minutes from Cranbrook's Canadian Rockies International Airport.

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