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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Pulling a mat over sand greens to remove footprints and ball tracks will soon be a thing of the past at the Seven Spruce Golf Course.

The golf club in Fort Simpson is undertaking a project worth almost $290,000 this summer to convert its remaining seven sand greens to artificial greens. The project, which is the club's main endeavor for the season, will be the fulfilment of a dream, said Shane Thompson, the club's president.

Dave Walsh putts his ball on the artificial green at Hole 9 at the Seven Spruce Golf Course during last year's opening tournament. The remaining seven sand greens at the Fort Simpson course will be converted to artificial greens this summer. - NNSL file photo

In 2007 the greens on the fourth and ninth holes were topped with an artificial covering. Since then the club has wanted to finish the remaining holes, the club president said.

The project's details were outlined during the club's annual general meeting on April 23. Thanks to funding from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Department of Industry Tourism and Investment, local contractors and businesses, all of the materials have been purchased and are stockpiled in the village, Thompson said.

The project is scheduled to take place between June 21 and July 22. Volunteers will be an important part of the process.

Starting on July 7, after all of the preparatory work is finished, work bees will be held daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. to assist with the laying of carpet. The carpet is the labour-intensive part of the process, said Thompson. A hole can be done in one-and-a-half to two days, depending on the number of people assisting.

"The more hands, the better it is in this case," he said.

The sooner the work is done the sooner people can use the holes, Thompson pointed out.

The course will remain open as work is carried out, and temporary holes will be put in place. Golfers are asked to be patient, said Thompson.

Despite the month of greens construction Thompson said the club is expecting to have another successful year.

Last year the club saw a marked increase in usage and membership, with a total of 54 of them sold compared to 32 in 2007. Every tournament also drew a higher than average attendance.

"It was pretty cool," said Thompson, who was acclaimed for what he says will be his third and last term as president of the club. Executive members Pat Rowe, who is serving his third year as vice-president, and Lauie Ozmun, who is returning for a second year as the club's treasurer, were also acclaimed.

Other initiatives for the season were also discussed during the meeting. The popular Friday steak nights will now be a weekly event. The club left the membership fees unchanged but also added booklets of five day passes that can be purchased for $100.

The annual golf course clean-up has been scheduled for May 9. The opening day tournament is set for May 30.