SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Golfers suffering from winter hangover can now rejoice. After 8 Billiards has installed a brand new golf simulator on its premises. The unit was officially unveiled on Feb. 25 and co-owner Pat McArdle said he's hoping it will become popular with golfing enthusiasts.

After 8 Billiards' co-owner Chris McArdle stands in front of the giant projection screen used by golfers for the new "aboutGolf" golf simulator the sports bar installed on Feb. 25. - James McCarthy/NNSL photo

"When we (he and co-owner Misty Colborne) were looking to buy, we looked at that part of the building where the simulator sits as being wasted," he said. "I thought of a golf simulator right away."McArdle and Colborne officially purchased the building from former owner Pat Dartnell on Dec. 1 and decided to convert it into a sports pub. McArdle said the simulator was a good start.

"Seeing that space gave us the incentive to buy, and with an eight-month winter, it's a long off-season," he said. "I figured the demand would be there for this."

The simulator is made by a company called aboutGolf, based out of Toledo, Ohio. Golfers can either tee up or hit a ball from a carpet fairway into a 15 feet by nine feet projection screen, which picks up the flight path and speed of the ball through sensors. McArdle said the simulator is actually true to life in its simulation.

"It will pick up if you slice or hook the ball and that's where the benefit is as a training tool," he said.

"There are pros who use this as a training tool over the winter to help such things as fix a slice or cure a hook shot. There are a bunch of golfers here in Yellowknife who are about to go on holiday, and they will be using this to work out the kinks and loosen up before leaving."

The simulator right now provides 30 simulated courses from around the world for golfers to play. McArdle said there are some requests he is working on for the future.

"Everyone keeps asking for Pebble Beach and St. Andrew's in Scotland," he said. "The TPC Sawgrass, with the famous island green, is another big one."

Some people have had a chance to try out the new simulator, such as Randy Henderson. He said he likes the various options one can switch between to provide a challenge.

"You can play in dry, wet, cloudy and sunny conditions," he said. "I also like the fact you can have as many mulligans as you want, if you choose it."

Henderson said the realistic nature of the simulator could be a big drawing point for those looking to get in some practice.

"You're rewarded for good shots and penalized for bad shots," he said. "It accurately reflects what you would see in a typical round."

McArdle said he expects the simulator to become a popular item in town and has a bit of advice for those wanting to get in on the action.

"I would book a time," he said. "We're encouraging everyone to bring their own clubs, but we also have some to rent."

Yellowknife Golf Club president Andy Couvrette said he likes the idea and intends to try out the simulator himself.

"It's not the same as a real course, but if it helps get more golfers out, then I'm all for it," he said.

– with files from Guy Quenneville