The clubhouse at Morningstar Golf Club in Parksville
PARKSVILLE – A new Executive Chef means there are more than ‘fore’ good reasons for players to choose to dine and play a round at the championship caliber Morningstar Golf Club in Parksville
General Manager Barrie McWha has hired Chef Brad Wilkinson, most recently of the Coast Bastion Hotel, in to introduce a new menu and bring in new customers to the establishment.
“This is another great restaurant option in the Parksville area,” says McWha, adding that both Morningstar and the Coast Bastion are owned by the Operating Engineers Pension Fund. “We have some of the strata groups in Morningstar hold their events in our clubhouse, and we’re trying to build the restaurant up and provide employment and good jobs year-round.”
Morningstar has held the BC Junior and BC Amateur golf championship tournaments within last couple of years, and are slated to hold the Canadian University Championships in 2027, and the BC Amateur again in 2030.
Morningstar Golf Club has a fully equipped pro shop
“It’s a good golf course for tournaments of excellence,” McWha states, noting that the CPGA, now known as PGA of Canada, held their tour qualification schools at the course, which has also hosted the Canadian Women’s Championship and a Canadian Tour Event. Canada’s only Master’s Champion Mike Weir, who has also competed in the President’s Cup, qualified for the Canadian Tour at Morningstar.
“Morningstar has a history of hosting major events, along with being a golf course that appeals to every level of player,” McWha explains. “We have both members and daily fee pay players; equal parts of both. We also have three or four corporate tournaments here every year.
“Our membership list is about as full as we want it to be. Given the age of the membership, there is always going to be turnover. But from a financial point of view, having a mix of members and daily players is a good thing.”
Morningstar Golf Club is one of Vancouver Island’s most picturesque courses
Morningstar has bounced back from receivership, bringing in Wedgewood Golf Management, a company owned by McWha and long-time friend Ray Riva, in 2019. Both have spent many years managing golf courses.
“Given our backgrounds in golf and in this area, the receiver thought we were well positioned to grow the business, and that turned out to be true,” McWha states, adding the Pension Fund bought the assets from the courts in 2021.
“When we took over, I was quite interested to hear how many people really enjoyed the course regardless of their ability,” he adds. “It has four sets of tees so people can play the course at their appropriate length. Good players enjoy it because it is a test, but if you’re playing it from the forward tees it’s walkable and enjoyable. It has a good practice area, too.”
Real estate development has been a key aspect of Morningstar since the course’s creation, and there are now over 400 homes in the community.
“One final phase of real estate is in the development permit stage, and that will complete the real estate capacity,” and McWha points out it is near the Wembley Mall. “It’s a fairly substantial project and they’ve been working on that for quite a few years. It’ll be a mix of higher density and single family housing.”
McWha has enjoyed his tenure at Morningstar, and looks forward to what the future brings.
“I’ve never really had a ‘job’. . .there’s never been a day I don’t look forward to coming into the golf club, and if that day arrives, I probably won’t be coming in,” he says. “I really enjoy building teams, and we’re employing over 50 people here. The ownership is very solid and the business is doing very well. The future looks bright.”