The calendar has yet to turn to April but the Chinook Golf and Country Club hasn't wasted any time making improvements to the course.

Recently several members of the course and a number of volunteers have donated time and equipment to make very visible improvements to the overall look of the course.

March has been full of great golfing opportunities at the course and while those opportunities have been enjoyed by a large number of players, many other things have been going on as well.

The Chinook high school golf team began practice last week, getting on the course the first scheduled day of practice, something that hasn't happened very often in recent years.

In the past it has been late March or early April before the team or the courses members have had the opportunity to play complete rounds on the 9-hole course and work the kinks of the winter layoff out before any scheduled competition.

Club president Jeff Finley has expressed excitement in the many improvements being made to the local course. "It's neat to see this much activity going on at the course, especially in March. We have a good number of people willing to step forward and offer their services and time in any way they can"

The most noticeable being a new tee box and sand bunker on hole number 3. The hole is a short Par 3 and a unique signature hole of the club.

Also in the works is a putting green adjacent to the clubhouse and hole number 1. In addition, trimming of trees, brush and debris have been added to the work list to help put the finishing touches on the seasons early improvements.

As of now the sand bunker on hole number 5 is in place and the groundwork for the tee box is well underway.

The old railroad tie sand bunker to the right of the green has been removed and is in the process of being repaired.

Plans are in place to improve and redesign the hazard on hole 9 where the fairway doglegs left. Currently the area has been cleaned out and already presents a new look through the hole.

Also work is in progress along hole number 2 where loose debris and dead Caragana's and brush have been removed. Several areas along all the fairways have been cleaned up and cleared of garbage.

While it is a tremendous opportunity to be able to make improvements to the course this early in the calendar year the need for moisture is great.

The water pump may be able to be in place by the second week of April and begin watering. In the meantime hauling water is the only way for the greens to get the head start they need for a great season. Like everyone across the Hi-Line moisture is much needed and a few good rain showers would certainly help.

The club is owned and operated by its members and it has a board in place, but like any organization of its type, its well being relies heavily on those individuals to be active so the club continues day to day..

When work was done on hole number 5 it involved the efforts of several club members including Course Superintendent Jim Gallus and Greens-keeper Dennis Downs.

Downs looked at hole 5 as a project that needed to be completed as soon as possible, "It's just been a pet peeve of mine for a long time and I figured now is the time to get it done. The weather is good, it's early in the spring and the course is not so busy. Right now we have plenty of people willing to donate their time and equipment to help.

Joining the work party was Kris Parsons, Clayton Parsons, Ben Parsons, Don Parsons and Jack Goodrich of Goodrich Excavation who supplied his own equipment to help with the project.

Goodrich along with the help of other members removed the old bunker and dug the new one in front of the green while also leveling out the new tee box.

Also involved we're Jeff Finley, Brent Schellin and Mike Seymour.

Goodrich is working with the club to secure enough sod to repair the location of the old bunker and cover the new tee box.

Goodrich expects to be able to deliver the sod by then end of March. He and his crew of volunteer members will then begin finishing work on that project.

While the project on hole 5 is one of the bigger ones going on the practice green is also something to look forward to being completed.

Schellin began the project late last fall and plans are to work with Goodrich on procuring sod for that as well.

BCJ Staff

Jack Goodrich stands in the newly created bunker in front of the green on hole number five at the Chinook golf course. Work began last Saturday to remove the old railroad tie bunker to the right and replace it with the sand bunker in front. Goodrich and several member volunteers also layed the groundwork for a new tee box on the hole and cleaned up debris along the course. Plans are also in place for a practice green between the club-house and hole one.

Little projects and basic upkeep of the course is a day to day requirement but the big projects are expected to be completed by the first week end of May at the latest.

The high school host their annual tournament May 7 and League Golf generally starts about the same time allowing those seeing the course then for the first time to enjoy fully the new renovations.

The course is a busy place during the season as it is a popular spot for social gatherings, graduations and receptions.

The club also hosts several tournaments throughout the season including the Fireball and Maurice Harshman which have become staples of the course.

Several smaller family friendly tournaments also take place throughout the spring and summer.