Review: Green Par Practice Range, by Jeffrey Reed
June 2006

A main ingredient necessary to surviving the golf industry is customer service. At Green Par Practice Range in south London, service is the name of the game.

Green Par may not be a fancy, high-end practice facility, but it offers everything you need to properly work on your game, and you won’t find more friendlier staff anywhere in the city. The Wellington Street South centre opened in August 1995 under owner Rene Muylaert. Designer of more than 50 Ontario golf courses, including The Oaks G&CC, Greenhills GC and Westhaven G&CC in London, Muylaert died last May at age 69. Today, his daughter, Susan Lebel carries the torch at Green Par.

Muylaert was my friend, always greeted me with a smile, was always ready to chat about the Canadian golf industry – a passion we shared – and he often wore an Oaks golf shirt while tending shop at Green Par. He would be proud of the way Lebel, family and staff continue to operate Green Par in a friendly manner.

Six staff members at Green Park include head groundskeeper Bob Edwards. It’s not easy maintaining a practice facility, but Lebel says Edwards is to be applauded for “keeping the place looking so great.” And despite rural surroundings (which in fact add to the facility’s rustic, idyllic atmosphere), the grounds are always immaculate. Take it from me: I spend enough time taking divots from Green Par’s turf. The place is always in top-notch condition.

Sarah O’Melia also helps with day-to-day operations, serving a very loyal clientele hailing predominantly from south London, St. Thomas, and even as far away as Aylmer. Each day during the season, they line up along a large grass tee area measuring about 35,000 sq. ft. Lebel estimates there are about 10,000 practice balls, too. Admit it: you’ve tried to hit the ball picker with your shots, haven’t you? We all have. Just be happy the pin doesn’t dance on the green during your approach shots. Collecting all of those balls can be a time-consuming and tedious task, but Green Par is always tidy.

There are a few tee mats, too, at Green Par. A large practice green with bunkers provides ample space for putting and chipping. Lebel says future plans call for the addition of a second practice green. The price is right, too, at Green Par. Buckets cost $4 (small), $8 (large), and $16 (jumbo). I’ve carried enough jumbo buckets to know there are 170 balls inside. Alas, I have yet to make it to the tee without spilling at least one ball, but I’m working on it, along with my flop shot.

The biggest challenge for Lebel and staff? She says, Green Par faces the same do-or-die situation as every other golf facility: the weather. “It is so hard to predict. And when it’s bad, there are no customers,” Lebel says.

Pick your target (not the ball picker): 110 yards, 160 yards, 190 yards, 220 yards and 250 yards, all into a background of forest and farmland. It’s a great way to spend a few hours away from the office and work on those putts, sand saves, flop shots, irons and tee shots.

The only thing lacking at Green Par is a clubhouse with warm food offerings like hot dogs and burgers. The putting green can be slow a times, too. But overall, a big thumbs up for Green Par Practice Range. It’s a facility which the local golf industry can be proud of, thanks to courteous staff, good prices, great turf, and a relaxed family atmosphere.

Green Par Practice Range
4680 Wellington Rd. S., London
(519) 685-3208
Buckets $4 - $16
Lunch Special 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Large Bucket $6