GC HIGHLIGHT & MEMBER PROFILE
Chelmsford Golf Course 99 Golf Course Rd Chelmsford, Ontario (705) 855-0232 chemmygc@gmail.com www.chelmsfordgolfcourse.com
About the Course About the Course: The course is known as the hidden gem of the North. It’s situated on 360 acres. Narrow fairways with little room for error, but also forgiving. It was only 9 holes in 1975, then became 13 holes and eventually 18 holes designed and built by Howie Schnarr. The scenery of peaceful wildlife, surrounded by pure nature at its finest. Private, semi-private, public, municipal, resort? Public Architect: Howie Schnarr Number of holes: 18 Number rounds annually: 25,000 Practice Facility: 350 yd driving range, 4,000 sq ft putting green Number of staff year-round, seasonal?: 8 How many mechanics, assistants: Wade Baltessen (Jr. Assistant)
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Sixth Hole Member since 2009
William Baltessen Owner and Superintendent Chelmsford Golf Course By Chris Lecour, Senior Turf Sales Representative, BASF. Photos provided by William Baltessen.
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orthern Ontario is blessed with some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Canada and happily for many northern golfers, some exceptionally picturesque golf courses. It also happens to be home to some of the most down-to-earth and hospitable superintendents around. Chelmsford Golf Course is just that kind of golf course and William Baltessen is just that kind of superintendent. William or Willy as he is affectionately known, is also the owner at Chelmsford along with his wife Tracey. Together they, along with their children Wade and Sydney are the heart and soul of this family operation. Willy grew up in Grand Bend, Ontario and spent his earlier years as a heavy equipment operator, working on large projects throughout Southern Ontario. He was even involved in construction projects at Sand Hills GC in Lambton Shores and River Valley GC in St. Mary’s long before the thought of golf course maintenance as a career even entered his mind. It was in Southern Ontario that he met Tracey, love of his life for 27 years who
William Baltessen, Owner and Superintendent Chelmsford Golf Course.
originally hailed from Northern Ontario. Those long days working construction and spending hours on the road driving to and from job sites began to wear thin on Willy, especially when his children were young. Fortunately a new opportunity came calling one day in 2004. The owner of Chelmsford GC and Tracey’s father, Howie Schnarr, approached the couple and asked if they would