Collicutt Sidding

I can't think of a better way to spend a Thursday afternoon than out on the links, and fortunately June 18^th, that's exactly what I was able to do. We decided to take the one hour drive from Calgary out to Crossfields to play Collicutt Siding Golf Course. Nestled amongst numerous farmers fields, industrial plants and surrounded by train tracks, Collicutt offers a unique golf setting.

We roll into the golf course with little time to spare, which always gets me a little uptight. Thanks to the friendly staff, and a very laid back atmosphere on this sunny mid-week day, I'm able to breath a sigh of relief before heading over to the first tee box.

As we make our way over to the first tee box, I take a moment to enjoy the fact that there are no groups visibly in front or behind us. We tee off as a twosome, and I happily card a par on the first hole, which helps me settle into the round. The course offers some long and narrow fairways with few to no opportunities to drive any of the par 4 greens.

The course is very picturesque, and is in great shape as we continue to play through our front nine. The power plants in the background and the ocassional honk from the train conductor, gives the course somewhat of a unique feel. As we roll up to the 8^th tee box, for the first time we wait for the group in front of us, we notice a twosome also catch up behind us. We greet the twosome and ask to join us. After a little chit chat and introductions, I drive my ball over the water hazard safely onto the fairway. My playing partner Jesse, also manages to find the fairway with one of his best drives of the day. Our newly joined twosome step up to the tee box touting how great their round has been. Perhaps a little nervous, they both club their balls into the water hazard coming up short of the fairway. I appologize for bringing them some unintended bad luck and toss them each a ball, only to feel a sense of deja-vu as they proceed to find the same water hazzard one more time. They decide to take a drop, and we head on our way.

We finish the ninth hole and our twosome decides they were having better luck on their own, and we say our goodbyes. After grabbing a hot dog and beverage from the club house, we make our way to the tenth tee. Greeted by another twosome, we're a little nervous of spreading more bad luck, but nonetheless decide to pair up with the father/son duo.

The back nine compliments the front nicely offering several challenging holes. We finish our round in a comfortable four and a half hours. With only a cafeteria sized clubhouse, we pack up and head to Crossfields for an apres golf wrap up.

The bottom line... With a weekday rate of $50 including cart rental, Collicutt Sidding offers a relaxing ambiance away from the hustle and buslte of Calgary. When all is said and done, I give Collicutt Sidding 3.5 out of 5.