First-time owners generate early buzz for new course

Golf Course News, Nov 2002

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada -After building and designing courses for years, architect and builder Grant Puddicombe finally has a course of his own, and he wants everyone to know about it.

Although RedTail Landing Golf Club won't officially open until July 2003 (GCN May 2002), Puddicombe and Associates, which will operate the course, is distributing a limited number of "Early Birdie" passes to allow golfers to play the track, which measures 7,330 yards from the back tees.

Puddicombe said the program should generate growing interest in the course. Along those same lines, earlier this year, Puddicombe lobbied for the club to host the resurrected Alberta Open, which will return next summer at RedTail June 24 through 26, a week before the scheduled opening.

Operation of the course is a family affair for Puddicombe. He co-owns the course with his sons Tod, Mike and Grant, who is also the company's managing director. Grant's wife, Kimberly SchickPuddicombe, serves as the club's director of sales and marketing.