Nestled onto the side of Highway 11 almost centered between Prince Albert and Saskatoon lies Valley Regional Park at Rosthern. Home to an 18-hole golf course and many more amenities for a getaway from the “hustle and bustle” of city life.
Conner McGill is into his third year at the course that features has ‘large mature tree lined fairways, rolling terrain, and the peaceful atmosphere of the country’ according to their website. He said the first year on the job was a learning curve meanwhile year two was a “blur” with the huge uptick in golf and the COVID-19 pandemic but now the course is driving straight ahead.
“We’ve basically picked up right where we left off last year,” McGill said to Golf Saskatchewan following a course visit. “Everything is basically the same procedures, and everything is the same except the mandatory masks inside. Other than everything has been pretty smooth.”
The Valley Regional Park website also states the course features ‘wide fairways, large, soft, undulated greens, white silica sand bunkers, and numerous natural and man-made water hazards make this a favorite course for all calibers to enjoy.’ McGill said the course should be highly regarded in the province.
“It’s one of my favourite golf courses that I’ve played in this province. The back nine especially, it is more the older holes, and every hole is so unique, it’s a good test. It’s not the longest golf course but it will test you in many ways,” McGill explained.
The course plays from either just under 5,300 yards up to 6,600 yards from the tips at par-72.
McGill said they have several signature holes spread out across the course and it’s hard to choose just one to showcase.
“Hole nine, a little par three over water, it’s a picturesque hole,” he said. “There’s so many, 10 is a great hole, short par four that’s risk reward, both par fives on the back are big risk reward. 17 is a drivable par four, another risk reward, any of the par fives and 17 you can make eagle or a pretty quick bogey or worse.”
Another benefit to the course is its central Saskatchewan location. Pinned between two of the biggest cities in the province if the larger centre courses are booked up you can potentially enjoy a road trip and a great round on any given day.
“We’re definitely a hidden gem,” McGill added. “It’s a great golf course. Every golf course is busy so if its busy in P.A. or Saskatoon, hop in your vehicle with three friends and come on down, or up, or whatever direction you are coming from.”
McGill said the club does not normally host larger tournaments but do have some events that will feature about 80 golfers. He said their facility is popular for corporate events in the 30 to 50 attendee range. The course did build up a solid men’s night but COVID interrupted that and rebuilding the weekly league without gatherings allowed yet under guidelines McGill has focused on more greens fee players. The course does boast some of the best daily specials in the area.
Being a regional park, the amenities do not end at the golf course. Valley Regional features a full-service park with plenty of entertainment for the family.
“We have our signature zipline and our big red slide that draws lots of attention for pictures. Every weekend our playground is just buzzing, you can hear the kids just screaming, running around and having a blast. Our campground is pretty much full every weekend, again just being so close to the city but you are still getting away from the hustle and bustle of what’s going on,” McGill concluded.
To learn more about Valley Regional Park at Rosthern visit their website.