Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
On Aug. 13, the Stuart Lake Golf Club in Fort St. James continued to celebrate its 25th anniversary on a warm sunny summer’s day.
Everyone was invited to share in the festivities which included a four man best tournament, BBQ, prizes and dinner.
Janna Gainor, manager of the golf club-a not for profit organization-says that this is only one of the events to mark the club’s 25th anniversary.
“We’ve been celebrating all summer,” Gainor said.
“There are lots of people here who have really made an impact to the club. There are many volunteers who have helped keep the club running who are here. So far, this year, it’s been great. We are lucky to have this recreational activity in our town,” Gainor said.
The idea of Stuart Lake Golf Course began at the Klassen Residence in the spring of 1979 with about 20 people from Fort St. James who were interested.
In May of 1982, the golf club approached Takla Forest Products Ltd. in regards to the property which was purchased by the club and clearing began in the spring of 1984.
In the spring of 1985, the club house came to be. Today, with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, the clubhouse is used to cater banquets to help pay for fuel and electricity.
According to the club, in 1986 they began to disk and harrow the soil to level it from the stump holes. They seeded the fairways and prepared for the irrigation program.
The club applied for a lottery fund for materials. Toro and Rainbird sprinklers put in bids to supply material for the club and Toro was chosen and Bernard’s Plumbing was the successful low bidder on the installation.
The club now had a way of distributing water to the course. The lottery grant covered the irrigation, piping and the bid.
In 1988, the only need left was greens to go golfing.
A turf company from Langley supplied it and about 30 volunteers started to lay the sod.
In 1990, golfing at Stuart Lake Golf Course began.
Since then, it continues to draw golfers locally and from afar as they enjoy the game along the stunning scenery of Stuart Lake.