b'BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLFgolf getaways. We have been able to take advantage of working with some tour operators like B.C. Golf Guide and B.C. Golf Safaris and capture a lot of people who are doing trips. They are going to Tobiano or up to Kelowna or Predator Ridge or whatever and they are adding Sagebrush to their itinerary.Sagebrush got good news just the other day when it finally received the occupancy permit for the new building at The Hideout, which is located just below the 13th tee. A new deck has been built next to the fly-fishing lake, where guests can try to land a trout after (or during) their rounds.A big goal for Sagebrush this year was to up its food and beverage game and getting The Hideout in full operation goes a long way toward attaining that. Sagebrush also has its Ranch House restaurant on the lower floor of its clubhouse. We have a full kitchen at The Hideout, so we can do special events, Hood says.But golf will always be the focus at Sagebrush and considerable work has been done on the course the past two years. People arent going to travel here just because the food is great, Hood says. Its important to have a good burger and a great steak, but they are coming for the golf, so the golf course has to be No. 1, Hood says. recent years, so especially in shoulder season the course does not Prior to present owner Andrew Knott of Langley gettingplay as firm and fast as it once did.control of the property, Sagebrush had been in hibernationEvery time we over-seed, we are over-seeding with fescue, but for several years. The course needed some tender lovingthe bent grass has been incorporated a little bit and it is hard to get care and its now in excellent shape. Its huge greensait out, Hood says. We are going to work at that, for sure. We want couple of them are 50 to 60 yards longare smooth andit to play firm and fast and fescue is the right grass for that.fast, the fairways are firming up and the bunkers are beingAs for our rounds at Sagebrush, B.C. Golf summer intern returned to their original jagged-edged design. J.P. Kahlert, who in his other life is a member of the UBC Course founder and co-designer Richard Zokol stillThunderbirds golf team, shot a tidy two-under 70 from the 7,400-drops in three or four times a month to play Sagebrushyard back tees. For myself, I was happy to scratch out a handful of with friends. Hes delighted to see it back up and runningpars (from the blue-white combo tees) and enjoy the Sagebrush but hopes the new owners can find a way to return fescueexperience again.grass to its fairways and tees. Bent grass has taken over inVisit SagebrushGolfClub.com for more information. SEPT 2024|BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF7'