Located on Highway #4, two kilometres past the tourist information centre on the way to Tofino, The Hollies Executive Golf Course is a golfer friendly, relaxing facility. Gently rolling in nature, quick to play, it is perfect for those wishing to simply stretch their legs between trips.
The course is cradled in a natural setting with a magnificent view of Mount Arrowsmith and the Beaufort Range. It’s “laid back” golf atmosphere have made it a local favorite within the community and the golf industry. The friendly and extremely knowledgeable CPGA staff will help you with suggestions on where to play, offer you a lesson or two, and even fix your clubs within the confines of their comfortable clubhouse and golfer friendly professional’s shop. A definite place to be if you are a golfer or “want-to-be”!
The course itself, is a forgiving layout and can be enjoyable for all golfers, especially beginners, seniors, and those wanting to test their iron play. It’s 1543 yards are divided up into three par fours, and six par threes ranging from 116 to 238 yards, with the babbling Maebelle Creek meandering through and around six of the holes.
On your next visit to or through Port Alberni, come for a leisurely break to enjoy the course, have a lesson, visit with our staff in our golf atmosphere, or just have some of our freshly ground coffee! The Hollies…..”Where only golf is spoken”!!!
The Hollies: Who are we?
Simply put, we are a "Mom and Pop" golf course OR a true current day home based business catering to the recreational needs of today's golfers.
The main difference between us and most all other home based golf businesses is that the owners have a vast experience in the golf industry.
We offer the customer's no illusions of velvet fairways, pristine perfections, or out of this world customer service. But what we do promise is giving the customer value for their money with an added bonus of staff who are their to help you become golfers. There are no gimmicks here and we operate much in the way that President Obama operates....we watch the bottom line close and work with a very tight budget and maintain a hands on environment!
We do not take tee times at the Hollies. Here, it is first come, first serve and the atmosphere works well here for that policy. One might consider phoning or emailing ahead to check for private outings on the day you want to play. If informality is your cup of tea with a flavour for a real golf atmosphere, then the Hollies is where you might want to play golf! It is laid back, but it is not the kind of place where dress codes are violated, or golfers do not exercise etiquette of the game.
This sums up who we are. We would love to have you come on your way through, stretch your legs for an hour and a half, swing the bats, enjoy a beverage, and talk some golf.
Where else in the world will you find a little mom and pop operation where the owner's love golf so much they have travelled the world playing the Pebble Beach's, Augusta National's, or St. Andrew's of the world and have an honest to the bone true Canadian National Golf Champion as an owner as well?
We enjoy a site on Facebook also where we invite you to join us and become a friend of the Hollies.
The Staff
Patrick Little: Owner, General Manager, Club Professional, and Course
Superintendant. Pat is literally a complete hands on
operator with the staff. A Class A -1 member of the
Canadian Professional Golfer's Association, he has been
a Professional for nearly 4 decades. Pat began his
career with both the Glendale and Royal Mayfair Golf
Clubs in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1982 he was appointed
Head Golf Professional to the Semi Private Vernon Golf
and Country Club in the Okanagan Valley, British
Columbia where he stayed for the next 22 years. Here, he
was voted the best Professional in the Okanagan for 2
years and also his junior golf program was voted to be the
best in the province on two seperate occasions. While
there, he taught numerous members who went onto to
win most of the Provincial golf titles including the BC
Ladies Amateur, BC Senior Ladies Amateur, BC Junior
Boys, BC Junior Girls, and BC Public Links Champions.
In 2004, he and his wife, Jackie consolidated their
earnings and purchased "The Hollies Executive Golf
Course", where they have continued to operate for over
half a decade. Passionate about the sport and always
striving to improve the Golf Course for his customers, he
is happily married to his wife Jackie. They have 2
children, Robert and Janine. His personal interests are:
playing the world's top 100 golf courses, photography,
music, bonsai, and cooking.
Jackie Little: Owner, and bookkeeper, when Jackie is not out on the
tournament trail, she can be seen helping out behind
the bar or selling green fees. Jackie is well known in the
amateur golf scene at all levels including zone, provincial,
national, and international scenes. At the height of 4'10",
it is hard to imagine this woman has won 2 Canadian
Women's Amateur Championships, 9 BC Amateur
Championships, numerous Zone championships,
and golf tournaments around the province that total nearly
200 in the past 25 years. She also made her impact on
the international golf scene when she represented
Canada as team captain at both the Women's World
Amateur Championships and the Commonwealth
Games. In addition, she added the Pacific Northwest
Senior Women's Amateur Championship in 2008 and
made it to the quarterfinals at the United States Senior
Women's Amateur in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Blessed with an
engaging personality, a pleasant demeanor, and a golf
swing to truly die for, she sets a high standard for
friendliness and playing accountability for all customers
at the Hollies.
Barry Ensor: Originally from Victoria, Barry has spent most of the past
5 decades in Port Alberni in the forest industry and
joined the staff as the course's right hand man on the
golf course in 2008. Always prompt, always pleasant
and even tempered, he loves Golf and is very gifted with
a wide variety of skills required to help operate the
Hollies.
Charlene Warner:
The Services
Teaching: The Hollies offers a wide variety of opportunities for both
newcomers and advanced golfers to improve their skills.
Our focus is on the new golfer and introducing them to
good solid fundamental basic techniques. No gimmicks!
We offer private individual sessions as well as the
popular 5 class series. All equipment is provided as
are individually tailored practice programs designed to
work with the lesson and the individuals. Book an
appointment by phoning the Hollies.
Junior Instruction: The Hollies has a junior program that is specific to
children under the age of 12. Our goal is to provide an
environment where each student will have confidence
to play longer courses after that age. We have 5 class
programs offered in the spring of each year. Our
approach is to gently move the children into introductory
swing techniques without the burden of too much
theory. We began the the program which we call "Small
Fries" in 2006 and have never looked back. In 2009,
we are shifting gears to accomodate those who have
been with the program for several years by advancing
them.
Events: The Hollies will book for own private golf outing. If you
want a pleasant golf outing for a small group that caters
to include those with little golf experience, the Hollies is
the place. With the added bonus of having staff who
are skilled to help those with no experience, it is a place
perfect for your event. If you want us to organize and
score it, we are easily skilled to look after your group's
needs comfortably also. We will book the course for
your group and supply any rentals that may be needed,
including clubs, hand carts, balls, and any other
essentials. The Hollies also will BBQ for your event at
the end of your golf. Choose from hearty sirloin
hamburgers, chicken breasts, or our incredible steaks
including our secret marinade. Packages for everything
including golf, food, and organizing are also available.
Club Repair: Have a favorite club needing repair? Bring it in.
Chances are it will be fixed by the end of the day for your
next golf outing.
Golf Equipment: Do you need equipment? Here is our strength. We will
fit you to your need AT NO COST TO YOU! We naturally
sell basics to your needs. If you require top of the line,
we order it in at very competitive prices. Generally,
however, we simply provide good equipment that will
last at an extremely attractive price. There is some
equipment you just should not be purchasing outside
of a pro shop. These include golf clubs. Take a chance
and try us. Do not be intimidated. We are friendly and
are committed to offer you honest answers.
Golf Advice: One of our other strong assets is our ability to answer
your numerous questions on the sport of Golf! The
owners have been around the world playing Golf.
We have seen the best players in action, and we have
been involved in the Golf Industry for many decades
and if you want advice whether it pertains to instruction,
equipment, where to golf, etiquette, or rules, use us!
It costs NOTHING! We are here for you!
Licensed Facility: Our modest and charming clubhouse can look after
small groups of 30 or less in a comfortable way.
Whether it be a seminar group, meeting, or a wedding
shower, we are happy to accomodate you and your
group. Give us a call today!
Our Events
Mens Night: Mens night is Thursday evenings at 6:00 (5:30 in spring
and fall). The guys play in groups that we shuffle from
time to time enabling everyone to meet new golfers.
After 5 outings, each golfer is given a non portable
handicap certified by the Royal Canadian Golf
Association and unique only to the Hollies Golf Course.
A delicious meal is provided, but not mandatory. Our
great local merchants provide our group with wonderful
prizes which are presented at the end of the evening.
Golfers are awarded points and the winner annually
joins the owners for a year end wine and dine golf
experience. Each week also a significant portion of our
revenues are collected and at the year's end donated
to the course's charity, Ty Watson House, Port Alberni's
wonderful Hospice House. Normally the men pay a
green fee, a mens night fee, and a dinner fee which in
all does not exceed $30.00. Everyone tees off in a
"shotgun" format where each group tees off at the
same time each on a different tee assuring all will
finish at the same time. New comers are always
welcome.
Ladies Night: Ladies Night is Wednesday evening at 6:00 (5:30 in
spring and fall). A dinner is served each week and the
golfers phone in ahead of time with the groups. We
assign each group a tee location as we tee all at the
same time. Newcomers are always welcome and
encouraged. Ladies Nights are not about how well
you play as much as just "being there". It is meant to
to be a social outing, but also a forum to see how well
you can play for those who want a little competition.
Golfer's pay for a green fee, a dinner, and a portion is
used for a 50/50 draw and draw prizes donated by
a host of great merchants in and around Port Alberni.
It is a very relaxing evening for you ladies. Come out
and join us.
Seniors Day: Are you 50 years of age, want exercise, and a sporting
and social outing with your peers? Come out for
Seniors Morning. Tuesday morning is for you. Play
begins at 9:00 AM (10:00 in spring and fall). Seniors
Day is as relaxed as you can get. No one gets too
serious out there and we want you to come out and
enjoy the company of other seniors. Men and women
play in a variety of groups. In 2009, our format is
changing a little. The focus is still on fun, but we want
to introduce more golf fun games based on the scores
we collected in the 2008 year. Play begins in a
"shotgun" format where everyone begins at the same
time and finishes at the same time. Golfers pay a
green fee, and $2.00 which gets them into some
draw prizes donated by our helpful local Port Alberni
merchants. Each week we have different little
competitions, but the focus is strictly on the social
gathering and golfing of senior golfers. Come out and
enjoy meeting new Port Alberni golfers, and have
freshly ground coffee.
2 for 1 Night: Friday evening is always 2 for 1 night unless booked
for a private outing. 2 golfers may play for the price
of 1. The fee is $18.00. 2 for 1 night is a very
relaxed evening. The concept encourages all couples
regardless of gender, however, the Hollies does
discourage slow play on this evening. Enjoy yourself,
but always respect the other golfers. Always keep up
to the group in front! 2 for 1 night begins at 4:00
sharp!
Our Fee Schedule
Annual Memberships
Single Adult (with Tax) $710.00
Adult Couple 1,313.25
Single Adult Restricted * 654.00
Adult Couple Restricted 1,199.95
* Restricted means no play on weekends or holidays
Golf Fees
Adult 9 Holes (with Tax) $18.00
Adult 18 Holes 27.00
Adult All Day 30.00
Adult 10 Round Pass 153.00
Junior 9 Holes 11.00
Junior 18 Holes 15.00
Junior All Day 20.00
Junior 10 Round Pass 94.50
Club Rental (7 pc) 6.75
Hand Cart Rental 3.50
Lesson (CPGA) 30 minutes 35.00
Lesson (CPGA) 1 hour 50.00
Power Carts /9 Holes * 13.00
Power Carts /18 Holes 20.00
* Please reserve a day in advance
Clubhouse Fees: Clubhouse rental for non related
golf groups per day 100.00
BBQ/Beverages rates Inquire
The Course
The Course Rating: 57.2
The Course Slope: 81
The Course yardage: 1560 yards
Hole #1: (135 yards) A tricky opening hole with out of bounds
on the right and a severe right to left slope
on the green.
Hole #2: (145 yards) Most golfers underclub here due to a
changing wind. An invisible ditch behind
the flat green causes an easy hole to
yield high scores.
Hole #3: (158 yards) Over a ditch to a sloping front to back
green. Recoveries are rare from behind
the green.
Hole #4: (210 yards) Long tee shot over ditch. Long grass on
the right along with a forest will cause
havoc to the slicer. A long straight tee
shot to a flat pear shaped green will earn
a much sought after 3!
Hole #5: (235 yards) An interesting dogleg left tee shot to an
inverted saucer green makes a 3 very
difficult to attain. The tee shot is wide
open with a ditch and out of bounds on
the right. A tee shot hit too far straight
will also find the water!
Hole #6: (117 yards) Shortest hole on the course and one
which has yielded the most aces!
Play short and allow the ball to run on.
Overshooting makes a recovery very
difficult.
Hole #7: (150 yards) Out of bounds on the right along with a
future bunker right of the green make it
a convenient nightmare for slicers!
Balls overshooting the green are almost
guaranteed a non recovery for par!
Hole #8: (180 yards) Most difficult hole on the course! Golfers
hit over 2 grass mounds to a hidden
green with a ditch menacing the right
side of most of the fairway.
Hole #9: (230 yards) A drive over 2 ditches to a severe green
sloped front to back and flanked by a
nasty pot bunker affectionately called
"the devil's A**hole", this is a finishing
hole that has ruined many, many
potentially good rounds.
Official Course Record: Mary Ann Lapointe (Toronto)
(29) Jim Lawler (Port Alberni)
Lloyd Fairley (Port Alberni)
Brad Asher (Port Alberni)
Ladies Course Record: Brittany Mallam (Port Alberni)
(33) Ilona McLeod (Port Alberni)
Suzaanne Jones (Port Alberni)
Seniors Course Record: John Fader (Port Alberni)
(30)
Junior Course Record: Nick Bordeleau (Port Alberni)
(33)
History of the Course
The Hollies was built on its present site in 1965 by Jack Luckhurst of Port Alberni.
Originally, Mr. Luckhurst operated a motel and driving range business just off River Road across from the Somass River near where "Luckhurst Road" is now located.
In 1964, when the tragic Tsunami struck Port Alberni, Mr. Luckhurst's motel and driving range were unfortunate victims of the swelling flood waters.
A year later, Mr. Luckhurst acquired the current site, which was a dairy farm on higher ground located peacefully at the base of Mount Arrowsmith on the then Old Nanaimo Road. In addition to the driving range, he also laid out a nine hole golf course which over the years has evolved into the existing layout.
The flat roofed building located on the west side of the current clubhouse is one of the original buildings relocated up from River Road which suffered at the hands of the Tsunami. Also, old cement foundations east of the existing ninth green are the original building sites of the previous dairy farm. The name of the Hollies was adapted from the orchard of Holly trees which used to occupy part of the dairy farm. Some of those trees can still be seen lining the front lawn of the clubhouse from Johnston Road.
The course is comprised mainly of six Par 3 holes ranging from 117 to 158 yards and three short par 4 holes. The course, while appearing to be flat, is in fact a jewel for the beginning golfer. There is a minimum of trees and sand traps making golf life for the player new to the game unintimidating.
The current owners purchased the course and the business in the spring of 2004.
The top 5 things we do best!
1. Instruction: While we are only a small course, our knowledge,
availability, and concern for those who TRULY wish
to improve is without compromise. We not only
have the history and the capability, we are as
accomplished as anywhere in the country!
2. Caesars: Caesar drinks are caesar drinks?? Not so here!
Our caesars are known to be the best in the city.
There is a good reason also, but it is one that is
hidden.
3. Marinade: We have a special and secret steak BBQ sauce
which we use especially for our group outings.
Please do not ask us for the recipe.
4. Golf Info: It doesn't matter what the topic relative to Golf is,
I think you will find us an incredible source
regarding such topics as teaching, equipment
purchasing, rules of the game, or etiquette.
5. Friendliness: Tired of staff and employees who are rude,
unapproachable, or uncaring? You will not find
this type of behaviour here. Our philosophy has
always been to "treat everyone the way we would
wish to be treated!
