History

In April 1964, about the time when the golf courses around Gilbert Plains were nothing more than cut pastures and sand greens, a picturesque lot of land was purchased from a man named R. A. Logan, with the promise of a successful, cooperative 9 Hole Golf Course. June 1964 brought a decision to build a Centennial Park and Golf Course together. With the help of architect Harold MacIver, construction began the very next month.

On Sunday July 9, 1967, Gilbert Plains Country Club was officially opened for play. Today's number 7 hole was then the first hole and the 9 holes ended at the present 6th hole. The seven doglegs and winding Valley River made Gilbert Plains Country Club one of the finest and most difficult of its time.

Nearly 30 years later, in November 1993, the decision was made to add the second nine holes. Construction of the new nine began in the fall of 1994 and continued for 2 years until the fall of 1996 when it was ready for action. Play on the new nine began after Labour Day. On July 12th, 1997 the official opening of the new nine was held, opening the 18-hole course to its anxious public and members. The new nine brought about a whole new challenge with its lush rolling landscape, generous bunkers, water hazards and large greens.

Following the 1999 season the Club formed a Long-Range Planning Committee to deal with, among other things, rebuilding the front 9 tees and greens to modern standards. Having made the decision that sodding the rebuilt areas would be the best option; we proceeded to develop a turf nursery. Five acres or about 215,000 square feet of turf was planted in late spring of 2000, with the anticipation that it would be ready to harvest in late August of 2001. The nursery was made up of 65,000 square feet of bent grass for the putting surfaces and 150,000 square feet of semi-dwarf blue grass for tee decks, tee and green surrounds.

A contractor was hired, planning and budgeting progressed, and a start date of August 2001 was chosen for the quarter million dollar project. In early August the front nine was closed, tees and greens plowed up, and construction started. After 9 weeks of excellent weather and an outstanding volunteer effort the project was completed in early October. On the May long weekend in 2002, the front nine holes were re-opened and quickly gained approval of the membership and the public. With a reputation spreading like wildfire across Manitoba and beyond, this golf course is sure to climb its way to the top, alongside Manitoba's most attractive courses.