History

Founders:

Frank Sopracolle Jr. (March 1929 – March 2020) and Phil Sopracolle  

Joeseph and Mary Jean Sopracolle 

Ken and Louise Olan

History

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1980

The Dream

Northern Meadows Golf Club started as the Dream of Frank Sopracolle Jr.; originally a mixed grain and cattle farmer. The idea started in Franks head in the 1980’s after asking some of the resort owners in the area what was the most common question asked by their visitors. The first question was “where is the best spot to fish” the second question was “where is the nearest golf course”; however, it would be over 10 years before Frank’s dream would begin to take shape in the physical world.

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1992

Planning

In 1992 planning for Northern Meadows officially started. It took two years to have the initial plans created and get all the required government approvals to begin the project.

The next 1 1/2 years were spent clearing trees and grubbing rock and roots using only the resources initially available to the founders, farm equipment and manual labour.  This was the point where the Dinosaur was purchased and work shifted to heavy earth moving for another several years.

Image of an excavator
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1997

Driving Range Constructed

It was during the earth moving years for the front nine that the golf course first opened in a limited capacity. The Driving range was constructed and opened in 1997 to start to raise awareness of the golf course construction and allow curious visitors a chance to drive in and take a look. The driving range was opened on a self serve honor system with prices posted and a drop box for payment.  On one occasion a note was found in the drop box. “Sorry we didn’t have the right amount but we will make it up when we come back. Thank you Jim and Ruth”

Clubhouse renovations
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1996-1999

The 19th Hole

During the summer of 1996 the clubhouse was moved from the town of Goodsoil, SK. to its current location on the Northern Meadows property. The clubhouse was the family home of Frank Sopracolle Sr. and Anna Sopracolle. The house sat empty from 1996 to 1998 when renovations began which transformed it into the building currently known to golfers as the clubhouse. AKA 19th hole.  The design and renovation were designed by Franks Son-in-Law Doug Soprovich of Aquarian Renovations.  Doug’s design kept the core of the Sopracolle house which is still visible today and added two wings onto either end with the wrap around roof and covered porch. The 2nd floor was originally restored and used as a five room bed and breakfast. You can still see the original staircase to this day when you walk in the main door of the clubhouse. Renovations completed in 1999 and Anna Soprocolle cut the blue ribbon to officially open the clubhouse.

Clubhouse Before
Clubhouse After
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1998

The First Golfer

It was only after most of the major earth shaping was completed that formal funding was secured for the golf course late in the summer of 1997. It was at this time that a company was hired to do the final earth Shaping and irrigation installation. Due to work completing late in the season, seeding was not completed until May 1998 and the sprinklers were turned on for the first time. Northern Meadows Golf Club officially opened to its first golfer August 1, 1998.

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1999

Cabins

In 1999 the first set of 10 cabins lots were sold to the public.  Nestled against Bousquet lake between #6 green and #7 tee, they were quickly sold and developed.  The “red roof cabin” along hole number 7 was the first private cabin to be built on the golf course. Not long after the initial 10 lots where sold Phase II; another set of 10 lots was put up for sale to the public. Phase II also quickly sold being located against Bousquet lake along the driving range.

Sprinklers on the course
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2000

The Back Nine

Construction on the back nine started in the early years of 2000.  In order to help fund the back nine development Phase 3 containing 70 cabin lots were created and sold to the public in 2005.  These cabin lots are located in the heart of the golf course between the front and back nine with spectacular views of both. construction of the back nine was done primarily with in house equipment and talent. The back nine was completed and opened to the first golfer in 2007.

Image of Back Nine
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2007

Full Season Rental Cabins

2007 saw the addition of three full-season rental cabins to Northern Meadows Golf Club.  Each cabin contains two bedrooms, a kitchen, dining area, sitting area, three piece washroom and covered front deck.  The cabins are fully heated via natural gas fireplaces and make a great place to escape in any season.  In 2008 an addition three cabins were constructed and in 2013 two more cabins were constructed bringing the total to eight cabins. The cabins face into a large circular parking area and have served as a gathering place for creating memories for many family weddings, vacations and golf getaways since their construction.

Rental Cabins
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2007

RV Park

2007 also saw the addition of a 29 full-service RV park with pull through lots. The RV park provided another option for campers in the area, especially those who like picking up and dropping off their clubs and partners via a golf cart directly from their campsite! The RV park has become a favourite destination for many campers and provides easy access to Lac-Des-Isles lake or any of the other 27 lakes in the Meadow Lake Provincial park. All of which are within an approx 45 minute drive of Northern Meadows RV Park.

RV Park
Northern Lights