For the first time in several golf seasons at Minnewasta Golf & Country Club in Morden, operations are once again par for the course. “It’s been a journey over the last couple of years and to be able to sit here, it is surreal,” said Greg Hesom, general manager and head professional at the club. Hesom remembers a cold day in January 2025—the clubhouse in ruins after a second devastating fire, just after they reopened from a previous fire in November 2021. “I actually thought someone was playing a joke on me when they made the call to say there was another fire,” Hesom said, remembering sifting through the rubble in -30 Celsius conditions. The cause of the January 2025 fire was found to be electrical. Membership and the community got together to rebuild yet again. Now—a state-of-the-art clubhouse looks over the ninth hole green with a patio and year-round restaurant run by Santa Lucia. “Started building last June and just finished up here in July and got back into the space mid-summer,” he said. “Unfortunately, we got really well practiced running out of a tent and snack shack.” “We’re a strong community; we gathered, we came together,” said Mayor Nancy Penner. “The community was supportive of the rebuild and look where we are today.” Penner said starting over shows how resilient the club really is. “It’s just so exciting to see this rebuild and to be back in the building,” she said. CTV News caught up with golfers enjoying a round this morning on the course to get their thoughts on the brand-new space. Ryan Wiebe and his friends took some time after their round near the 18th green. “I’m not going to miss that tent,” Wiebe said as he laughed. “We spent a lot of time in that tent, especially after league nights and it’s great to have this. (To be able to sit on the patio, sit inside.” “We got this one up and running; it’s been the best thing for the town,” Keane Boucher said. “What do they say, third time’s the charm,” Steven Baker said with a smile. “It’s beautiful, our course is beautiful, but it’s nice to have a clubhouse that matches.” For Hesom, it’s a full-circle moment after years of hard work giving golfers and the community back a space to enjoy. “It’s the best view in Manitoba, I think,” Hesom said. “The course is beautiful, it’s green, and with all the trees and the pond in the background and with golfers coming through, I think we have a really special spot.”
