SPORTS FLASHBACK 1971: Premier cuts ribbon for new Fly-In golf course

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This article was published 09/07/2023 (713 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Any new enterprise isn’t really launched until a politician cuts the ribbon. The more expansive the enterprise, the loftier the politician called on to do the honours. That was certainly the case when Steinbach golfers, teeing off at their new facility for nearly two years, officially bid farewell to their old course with its sand greens and the pasture they called fairways.

The Steinbach Fly-In Golf Course, considered by many to be the finest nine-hole golf course in Manitoba, was declared officially open by Premier Ed Schreyer, last Saturday afternoon.

“It is important for the people of any community to have pleasant recreation facilities and surroundings,” the premier said.

“The men who had the dream of a golf course in close proximity to an air strip and the Mennonite Heritage Village museum deserve both praise and gratitude.”

The government has not been involved in the financing of this course, Premier Schreyer told the crowd at the opening ceremonies, but has given a modest amount of financial support to the museum complex next door.

“When the museum is completed, you will have one of the most historically important complexes anywhere.”

The premier concluded by thanking the mayor for the invitation to attend the opening of the golf course. He then cut the ribbon and declared the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Course officially open.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Peter Barkman, president of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, unveiled a permanent plaque on the golf course and presented plaques to 32 founders. Barkman said most of the credit for the construction of the course should go to Mayor A.D. Penner, who was the spark plug behind the venture.

Mayor Penner replied that he may have been the most enthusiastic supporter of the idea of the golf course, but he had plenty of help from the community in its construction.

Also taking part in the opening ceremonies were a 35-piece high school band from Roseau, Minnesota, under the direction of Don Hindsberg, master of ceremonies Don Slade and three professional golfers from Winnipeg.

Four junior golfers, Billy Parker, Niakwa; Gary Kullman, Rossmere; and Vic Peters and Randy Reimer from Steinbach, participated in an accuracy competition at the driving range before playing the course ahead of the pros.

The three pros teed off after the junior competition and a large gallery followed their play as they tried to better par on the 2,914 yard front nine. Steve Cikaluk fashioned a three under par 33, while Al Paterson and Jerry Hollins managed one over par 37’s.

The four junior players also posted low scores. Gary Kullman matched par with a 36, Randy Reimer and Billy Parker had nine holes totals of 37, and Vic Peter shot a 38.

The par 36 lay-out complete with grass greens, automatic sprinklers and thousands of trees and shrubs, is in excellent condition.

The idea of a fly-in golf course was first broached in 1967, when 10 aircraft owners in the area purchased a quarter section of land for the purpose of building an air strip. Mayor Penner got the idea of replacing the existing nine-hole sand green course, built a dozen years earlier by a small group of enthusiastic golfers. The old course was seldom used, and the mayor wanted it to be replaced with a golf course the whole community could be proud of.

The fly-in golf course was designed by C.E. Robinson of Toronto, who also designed the John Blumberg course in Winnipeg. Construction using Mayor Penner’s construction company’s equipment, began in 1968. By the fall of 1969, the course was ready to be played on.

The financing of the course has been managed by the sale of shares.

Active golfers in Steinbach number about 125, in addition to the many juniors that golf here.

The Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club is pleased with the number of out of town golfers who come to play the course, as Steinbach is not yet big enough to support this project alone.