'Predator' Ridge changes name

Photo: Contributed - Maritza Reilly

Predator Ridge has undergone a temporary name change to Canucks Ridge and staff at the golf resort are in full support.

Predator Ridge is undergoing a name change -- at least temporarily.

For the next two weeks, the Vernon golf resort will be known as 'Canucks Ridge.'

The temporary change was made as a show of support for the Vancouver Canucks who are facing the Nashville 'Predators' in round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"It was a challenge from a local radio station, SUN-FM. Somebody thought it would be a good idea because our name is the same as the Nashville Predators," says 'Canucks Ridge' General Manager, Rod Cochrane.

The promotion is similar to one undertaken by Boston Pizza which changed its name to 'Montreal' Pizza during the Canadiens playoff series with the Boston Bruins.

More than 200 people signed a petition endorsing the name change.

Cochrane says guests who visit the resort will be greeted by a new 'Canucks Ridge' sign and staff will don Vancouver Canucks jerseys as their new uniform.

The golf courses will be revamped to reflect the name change as well with 'Canucks Ridge' flags on the greens, new golf cart signage and even the Canucks logo cut into the 18th fairway.

A Vancouver car dealership has been asked to remove Canucks logos from its business because of copyright infringement, however, Cochrane says the course has been working with the Canucks and doesn't expect to have a problem.

"The problem with that I think is the Canucks already have a vehicle sponsor in GM. They don't have any other golf courses so they want to work with us to make sure we do this right."

He says the promotion is not necessarily designed to drum up more business but as a way to have some fun with the playoffs and with their clientele.

"The local community kind of put the pressure on for us to play along and we don't want to be seen as this stuffy resort that doesn't get involved." 

Despite the name change, Cochrane says everybody is welcome at 'Canucks Ridge', even fans of the Nashville Predators.

"The green fee structure is a little bit different for them, it may even be bordering on the unaffordable," adds Cochrane with a chuckle. The tee times may also be undesireable."

We will also donate $25 to the Canucks Place Children’s Hospice for every goal scored during the series…. So let’s hope our boys out shoot the Predators by a lot!!