New Golf Pro Alex Fisher Brings Fresh Energy and New Events to Elkdale Country Club
New Golf Pro Alex Fisher Brings Fresh Energy and New Events to Elkdale Country Club
Approaching its 100th anniversary, Elkdale Country Club is embracing new traditions, expanded women's programs, and a renewed focus on community under Head Golf Professional Alex Fisher.
Elkdale Country Club in Salamanca may be a familiar staple on the Southern Tier golf circuit, but if you have not been in a while, you may have noticed that things are changing. The semi-private club dating back to 1927 is getting a refresh of sorts by a newHead Golf Professional, Great Valley native and Ellicottville Central alum, Alex Fisher, now in his second year in the position. EllicottvilleNOW caught up with Alex to discuss what’s new at the club.
“Everything has been good here,” he said on his joining Elkdale as head golf pro less than two years ago. “[As far as] the direction of the club, what I have been trying to provide for the facility is a little more personality,” Alex continued. “One thing that I think is interesting about this place is that we are a semi-private facility, so we pride ourselves on being close with our members and getting to know our members while being open to the public as well.”
Adding more personality is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the changes in store. Alex explained that several events have already been added to the calendar. “We’re definitely doing more events – a lot of our events have been revamped since I came in; we have added a lot of new ones, like the Member’s Cup for the men, which we started last year and was received well. Same with our Ryder Cup.”
“Our ladies’ programs got a big facelift this year,” Alex said, adding that the league grew from 13 teams of 26 ladies last year to 23 teams at 46 ladies this year, doubling in participation. “I decided to offer a complementary lesson for 12 of the days which helped get some new people at the facility, and get some new faces playing golf.”
As for upcoming events, the club will host its inaugural Winks & Blessings Invitational on Thursday, July 9. “That’s a new event for us this year,” Alex shared. “It is in support of God Winks, Inc. with Nadine [Saviano], who has spent some time over in Ellicottville.”
And that is not all that is planned for events, according to Alex. “We have our first inaugural women’s Play for P.I.N.K. golf tournament that supports the Play for P.I.N.K. Foundation where 100% of the profits go to breast cancer research,” he explained, adding that he had worked with the foundation in the past. “They are great to work with and it is a great cause, so I was happy to bring that event over here to Elkdale.”
As for existing events, Fisher said that many have been revamped as well, like the Elkdale Open. “All in all, everything has been good. Just trying to bring different ideas [here]. I’m a relatively young professional that worked at a big facility and I am trying to bring some of those more unique events that got people together to this facility,” he shared.
Additionally, Fisher said that another new offering for the club are “fitting days” which he holds seven annually. “We partner with Callaway, Cobra, and Srixon and invite them out to the driving range for four hours,” he said. “They come and they fit our members, sell them clubs, show them what a proper fitting is – because that is one thing in this area that I think we lack – getting fit and the knowledge of it. I always like to express that fitting doesn’t always mean more, because a lot of companies have a lot of stock options that are not an upcharge. It only takes 20 to 30 minutes and it is a good experience – it opens the doors to some fun conversations, and I have a blast doing it too, which is great!”
In addition to doing his own fittings with Callaway and Cobra, Fisher also offers clinics and private golf lessons which can be booked on the club’s newly refreshed website at www.elkdalecc.com. The club’s history page has also been updated in anticipation of its centennial next year.
Last but not least, two new reciprocal courses were added this year to Elkdale’s reciprocal program, bringing the total courses to 10. This allows current members to use their membership to access other reciprocal courses for a discounted fee. The two new reciprocal courses for 2026 include Shorewood Country Club in Dunkirk, NY and The Pennhills Club in Bradford, PA.
Elkdale Country Club is located at 4676 Route 353 in Salamanca. Pro Shop hours can vary so check the website or call 716-945-5553 for updates. Typical hours are weekdays from 8:00am-6:00pm, and 7:00am-6:30pm on the weekends. Members get first pick tee times on Saturdays and Sundays until 10:30am before times become available to the public. For membership information or for additional club or course information, contact Alex Fisher, Head Golf Pro at 716-945-5553 or visit the website at www.elkdalecc.com.