Thrills and spills had at opening day for Northlands golf course By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer “YOU guys are sadists. Every green is surrounded by bunkers!” _ ‘The unsolicited comment comes as Supervisor of Golf Play Sarah Cruse is driving a News reporter around some of the just-opened Nerthlands Public Golf Course. Like every other public utterance made this Sunday afternoon, it’s deliv- ered with a wide smile. Indeed, the talk quickly turns to whether there will be a practice bunker (there will) and how quickly che needed sand will arrive. People can’t wait to play Northlands. Many, like North Shore Public Golf Course Society (NSPGCS) vice- president Don Davis, have waited 10 years. That’s how long it has been, according to Davis, since Anne Macdonald stormed into his office on a mission to organize the drive for a municipal -golf course. “You could always tell when Anne was on a crusade — sails all up and.gunports open,” said : Davis Sunday. ‘ Davis and cthers carried Macdonald’s fight forward after she finally fost a bartle ro cancer. *Macdonald’s name was recently adopted by North: Vancouver: District Council to grace the new entry road: to the’ Northland’s course. :Her name. was’ recalled: Sunday by. Coun. Ernie’ Crist who, like. Davis, was singled out by the INSPGCS to receive a-green.golf jacket in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the society. “AILT can say is: [wish-Anne*Macdonald was here. She was the great inspirer.. But she is here, iher spirit is here,” said Crist. ‘The sun is weak today and the sod squelches underfoot but summer spirit abounds as over.200 -golf. enthusiasts. gather onthe spectacular par-5-fourth fairway. of the newest-golf course in the : Lower’ Mainland. ~“You are standing on the spirit of Seymour,” announces Mayer Murrav. Dykeman, who will later sslip.and fall on it for. the.second: time in less than a week. ~“Think:aboutwhat is here that is yours. The most gorgeous, the mast uplifting of any place that iT know of” “Somehow, Dykeman’s words.avoid political hyperbole. The landscape. works its magic:and the werds ring true. : Everyone. breathes. ‘deeply.and: nods in appreciation. as the.council members collectively unveil ‘the memorial plaque which-simply states: ~¢Created in harmony. witlr the natural setting for the enjoyment of all.” \Water tumbles over the imposing granite outcropping behind the assembled dignitaries right on NEWS photos Cindy Goodman COLLEEN Andrews, 16 months old, retrieves a ball from Northlands‘Public’ Golf Course's fourth hole. It’s impressive but serves to remind that the. natural setting has been somewhat manipuiated. Still, that’s why they pay golf course architects and Les Furber is justifiably proud of Northlands. “If the second nine is as good as the front nine the results will have exceeded our expectations,” says Furber who has designed. courses:all over Canada. “Instant landscape made it-very-easy to create.” He emphasizes that the coursé’s 300-foot (91 m) elevation change is spread over.18 holes.and that power carts won’ be a necessity. Cruse says some golfers will have to. get used to losing balls. Red and green stakes delineate many areas of “dedicated natural environment” that are. off-lim- its, whether or not you can see-your ball. There are four tees for each hole. “If you play off the cee that reflects your ability you will havea wonderful time,” says Cruse. Implicit in her advice is the notion thar if you don’t, Northianus will eat you alive. Several councillors had trouble just putting Sunday. A “closest-to-the-pin” competition saw: Coun. Pam :Goldsmith-Jones collecting ‘the dubious honor of the first putung divor while managing to drive right over the green. Meanwhile, Coun.’Pat' Munroe, a leftie, came. up well short. -Perhaps not-surprisingly,' Crist went left.while councillor.and. mayor-apparent ‘Don Bell went right. ne looked like Coun. Jim Cuthbert had a lock on the.coveted prize ‘ofa free round of.golf (was that nine holes, or-18-sometime in‘ May?).until.Dykeman pulled off a: remarkable comeback from his earlier.cuamble anda mulligan on his first putting attempt and rolled closest to the.cup. Dykeman’s nor sure whether he will claim his prize but is pleased to'have survived “a most excit- ing opening.” : ‘ ; : ccc, News wins ‘BGYCNA awards ‘STHE‘North Shore News picked:up. a: pair of awards vat:the recent 1996 British © (Columbia. and Yukon iCommunity’ Newspapers ‘Association’ (BCYCNA)