The Interior News
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Wednesday, March 18, 2015
S PORTS
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3980 Railway Ave
New head golf pro brings fresh ideas to country club By Kendra Wong
Fully Certified Auto Glass Technician and Glazier 24 Years Experience
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The Smithers Golf and Country Club has introduced a new member into its ranks. Dave Belling is the new head professional and general manager and he already has big plans to modernize the club. “I’m trying to make it more of a 12-month facility, trying to keep the golf club itself in everybody’s minds 11 or 12 months a year,” said Belling. “I realize that Labour Day hits and this is a big hockey town, and what tends to happen is kids go back to school, parents go in other directions and kids go to hockey or soccer and golf becomes secondary again . . . We still have a club house facility that can be used or rented.” Belling came to Smithers in February and has roughly 35 years of experience in the golf business, working at both public and private facilities around North America. He has worked at Fountain of the Sun Country Club in Arizona, Oak Island Golf Resort in Manitoba and St Clair Parkway Golf Club Mooretown
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Dave Belling, the new head pro and general manager of the Smithers Golf and Country Club, hits a few balls at the club.
Kendra Wong photo
in Ontario. “I was always looking for the opportunity to come home. B.C. has always been home for me,” said Belling, who grew up in Vancouver. Belling is hoping to transform the club into a year-round facility. “My vision for the club is that two or three years down the road, we are an 11-month season, we’re active with both seasons — summer and winter,” he said. Some of his ideas also include reinventing the junior program, hosting theme nights, Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties and establishing a winter golf school.
He has already put up an indoor hitting cage in the club restaurant that golfers can use until April. “I want this to be a happening place to be. I want people to want to come here, whether it be for lunch, whether it be for dinner, for nine holes of golf, or to watch their kid be a part of the junior program,” he said. Belling has also created a new program called Swing into Spring for golfers to take indoor lessons. The club will host an open house later this month as well. To book lessons call 250-8473591.
Everyone is welcome to attend the release of the report.
• Thursday, March 26th • Old Church - Smithers • Presentations - 3:00 and 7:00 pm • Open House & Information Sharing - 3:30 to 6:30pm Come learn about about homelessness in our community space donated by the Interior News
2015 Bulkley Valley Soccer Registration Dungate Community Forest Limited Partnership is holding the
www.bvsoccer.ca Houston/ Smithers/ Telkwa/ Hazelton
Annual Information Meeting at 7:00PM on
March 24th, 2014 Check out
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847-3266
at the District of Houston Council Chambers, 3367 12th Street, Houston, B.C. The agenda will include a review of harvesting to date, planned harvesting for the near future as well as financial statements.
Everyone is welcome to attend Smithers Junior Softball Association
softball REGIstRatIoN T-Ball / Softball age 5 to 18 Registration and payment can be done at Dan’s Source for Sports.
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Registration Deadline: May 1 st
Save on late fees if registered by April 24 th For information call: Scott Groves 250-877-8431
Online Registration Now Available! www.bvsoccer.ca
Course info available online.
Registration Deadline April 1st Soccer Season: Early May to late June Ages 5-18 (Time & locations on the registration form)
Info available at: www.bvsoccer.ca Or Contact: bvsoccersociety@outlook.com