North Ridge in Birtle, MB Officially open

It took eight months, days and days of volunteer labour, and a bit of good luck, but the ribbon was officially cut to open the North Ridge Disc Golf Course in Birtle, MB. Saturday,

The course overlooks the community from the valley wall of the Birdtail River. Golfers wind through the trees, and up and down the hills as they play 18 tonals (there are already plans afoot to upgrade to baskets).

The course is a lengthy one at just more than 6000-feet, but trust us it plays longer with all the elevation changes.

The course opens with 'Moon Shot' a drive, at least from the mens' tee that is straight up a steep hill. (Blame designer Trevor Lyons, who worked with Calvin Daniels on the course lay-out last October, for the difficult opening.).

Get used to that as #16 'Sharp Left' is up an even steeper hill with a weather vane mando right perched on top - it might best be called 'widow maker' or 'backbreaker' that late in the round.

Add in challenges such as 'Brenda's Boomerang' (#9), 'Calvin's Revenge' (#12) and 'Lost Pine' (#7), and the course is both fun, and yet difficult enough to push you to be a better disc golfer.

This is a course which should become a destination pilgrimage course for disc golfers in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Congratulations to Brenda McKay and her entire crew for the work to get the course installed, and for the great opening day.