Get a grip
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Range finding goes high-tech
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Ponderosa Golf Course gets a new look
A PGA pro designs a new course as part of a $1 billion project in the B.C. Interior.
: The Ponderosa Golf Course will reopen early 2012 and the plan for the surrounding area calls for 2,000 residential units with community amenities over a 15-year period.—Photo courtesy of the Ponderosa Golf Course
Golfers in Peachland may be bummed that the Ponderosa golf course is closed for redevelopment until the spring of 2012, but the finished result is sure to push the facility into an elite category as a world-class golf destination.
Of course, having PGA pro legend Greg Norman's design team on board doesn't hurt.
The current owners, Richmond-based Treegroup Developments Corp., managed to acquire an additional 400 acres and put together a plan to give the course and it's surroundings a completely new face-lift.
Vast potential
Originally a 9-hole course built in 1979, expanding to 18 in 1990, the course boasted mountainous terrain and stunning viewpoints of Lake Okanagan.
Ownership changed hands in 2005 when Treegroup Developments Corp., led by Norm Porter, bought the golf property and selected Norman's company, Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) to create a completely new championship course.
Scott Dawson, general manager of the Ponderosa Golf Course, says Norman was immediately taken with the course potential and surrounding country and approached the project with a personal hands-on work ethic.
"That's the neat thing with Greg, he's been on-site several times, he walks every hole, he makes notes on every hole," said Dawson. "He's very involved with the design and build."
The Shark gets involved
Hailing from Australia, Norman, affectionately and respectfully known as “the Shark,” turned pro in 1976 and went on to secure his name in history as one of the greatest golfers of his generation.
With Norman's golf career spanning decades and his experience playing on courses across the globe, Dawson says Treegroup's management was excited to hear from Jason McCoy, president of GNGCD, "You've no idea what you've got here."
Norman's team went to work and designed the 7,114-yard course to wrap around nearby Pincushion Mountain, utilizing the slopes, forests and benches to offer a variety of hole lengths and challenges. Each hole will have five different tee-off boxes.
While some courses are known for a having a famous signature hole or two, Dawson believes every hole on this course will hold a special place for golfers. He admits the view coming down the final 18th, parallel to Lake Okanagan, will make it "one of the finest finishing holes in the area."
So much to offer
A new clubhouse will be the centrepiece of the course and a driving range and golf academy are in the works to provide first-rate practice facilities for golfers of all levels. Real estate planning and construction by Treegroup Development Corp. includes 2,000 residential units of various styles over a 15-year period, a luxury hotel, an Olympic-sized ice rink, tennis facilities, a cultural centre and a winery—all within Peachland civic boundaries.
The golf course and community will also feature numerous parks and a network of woodland trails designed to link up with existing pedestrian routes in the city. Dawson feels the new course and recreational facilities will benefit the city and current residents and serve as a regional draw for tourism.
Construction broke ground last April and will wrap up between fall 2011 and spring 2012.
Golf a great, green mecca
Immerse yourself in the throes of an exceptional West Kootenay golf adventure
: Wildflowers frame the view at the luscious Champion Lakes course.—photo by Jody Jacob
You are going to want to take a couple weeks off for this one. To fully enjoy the vast golf experience afforded by this lineup of courses you will have to give yourself some time.
Book a stay-and-play. The vast range of courses in this area will both unwind and excite you. The entire region brims with beauty and fun things to do.
Whether you are seeking an immersion in history at a classic course established 90 years ago, such as the pristine Granite Pointe, or you want to enjoy Les Furber’s revision of a classic at Redstone, you are certain to experience excellent golf with loads of character.
Experience unique touches—such as the black sand bunkers at Christina Lake.
When you have finished your round, meet the locals at the clubhouse. Bunker’s Grill at Kokanee Springs is a great example of casual done well, and the motto at the Champion Lakes clubhouse is “where everyone really does know your name.”
If you want to unwind and commune with nature, go to Creston. Their golf club is renowned for its abundance of wildlife. To vicariously live a dream, plan to be in Castlegar for the B.C. amateur tournament on July 20 to 24.
For stellar views, check out Balfour Golf Resort on Kootenay Lake—just try keeping your eye on the ball! For scenic mountain golf with dramatic elevation changes, head to the Rossland-Trail Country Club.
This region is overflowing with amazing golf experiences. Make sure you have enough time to fully enjoy it.
While you're in the area, check out the hot springs, farmers markets, great shopping and wonderful restaurants—if you want to golf a region that has it all, the West Kootenay is certainly the place to enjoy a multi-faceted holiday. It is the ultimate place to play and stay.
Putt it out on the prairies
Look to Northern Saskatchewan for extensive golfing and tourism opportunities
: Waskesiu Golf Course is the home of the Lobstick, a tournament that draws top golfers from around Canada.—Photo courtesy of Waskesiu Golf Course
When golfing season arrives, Northern Saskatchewan might not be at the top of your list of places you’d like to go—yet. It only takes one trip to the area to realize its golf potential, with its many challenging courses, undulating fairways and combination of old and new courses.
Rich with golfing history
For those who like a serving of heritage with their sports, look no further than Waskesiu Golf Course, the host course of the Lobstick tournament and one of Western Canada’s oldest courses. The Lobstick Invitational, a longstanding Saskatchewan tradition, attracts hundreds of participants every year to its four tournaments. Lobstick is a Cree word that refers to a tree with its branches removed halfway up the trunk to act as a trailmarker.
The Lobstick is held at Waskesiu Golf Course, located in Prince Albert National Park. There are many opportunities for wildlife watching, including bison, while in the park. You can also hike to esteemed naturalist Grey Owl’s cabin, built in 1931.
This is only one park in Northern Saskatchewan; others include Meadow Lake Provincial Park and Lac La Ronge Provincial Park. In addition to golfing, there are many places to fish, boat or camp within Northern Saskatchewan. For an unusual sight, check out the Athabasca Sand Dunes, reaching as tall as 30 metres.
The Golden rules
Golden Golf Club’s stunning course is a treat to play for any golfer
: The Golden Golf Club has tournaments throughout the summer.—Photo courtesy of the Golden Golf Club
The Golden Golf Club is an 18-hole, Les Furber-designed course that appeals to any level of golfer. And the course’s signature hole?
“Definitely No. 11,” said Brandyn Statchuk, a pro shop employee. “It was voted B.C.’s most beautiful par four.”
Statchuk said that golfers often comment on the attractiveness of the surroundings and the flawless upkeep of the course. There is always a chance to see wildlife on the course, including deer and the occasional bear.
A world-class wonderland
Stoked? You should be—Revelstoke is a vibrant city with something for all
: Golfers won’t find a more marvellous course than Revelstoke Golf Club.—Photo courtesy of Revelstoke Golf Club
Visitors to Revelstoke will discover what its residents already know—Revelstoke is an exciting place with a prospering tourism sector. Visiting Revelstoke when the sun is blazing? Golfing, fishing, hiking and biking adventures await. Visiting when the snow is flying? This mountain community is revered for its snowmobiling and skiing opportunities. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has the longest vertical in North America, reaching more than 1,900 metres.
While the sun is shining
“Revelstoke offers a wide range of exciting summer activities,” said Alan Mason, director of community economic development. “From hiking in the alpine to golfing along the banks of the Columbia River, Revelstoke has something for everyone.”
Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park offer numerous places for hiking and mountain biking. With so much variety, there is something for all calibres.
When you’re ready to put away your golf clubs, test your luck fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden at Lake Revelstoke and Arrow Lake.
Once you’ve put away your fishing rod, pull out your golf clubs and head for the Revelstoke Golf Club. Nestled among the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains, it’s hard not to get distracted by the amazing scenery while aiming for the greens.
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Welcome to Copper Point Resort
Everything you need to know about an amazing opportunity in the Columbia Valley
: Share time with friends and family in your fully-furnished suite.—Photo courtesy of Copper Point Resort
Slow the pace, change the scenery and bask in the moment. We identify with your longing for the great outdoors. We also appreciate that your time is so very precious; we all want more of it, especially with those we care about the most.
Copper Point Resort encourages you to invest in the opportunity to indulge in everything you want a little bit more of—whether that is dinner with the family, an exhilarating hike, enjoying the restorative beauty in yoga, an afternoon on the golf course, the glistening lake or the fresh powder on the ski hill.
Copper Point Resort will be the most sought-after property in the Columbia Valley. It will be a legacy property for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. Adventure awaits!
The suites
Solid construction, top-quality materials and unparalleled fit and finish were simply the beginning. Add to this a warm palette and the rich textures of cultured stone, granite and hardwood. Barbecue with friends and family on your private balcony. You feel like you already belong here at Copper Point Resort.
All suites include:
- Fully furnished suites
- Gourmet kitchen with five stainless steel appliances including hood fan and microwave
- Stacked washer and dryer
- Sleek granite countertops
- Hardwood and slate floors
- Fireplace with cultured stone surround in living room and master bedroom
- Wall-mounted television
- Private balconies with patio furniture and barbecues
- Air conditioning
- Window coverings included
The resort
Who says you can’t have it all? Time away has just become more attainable and balance more achievable with a property investment at Copper Point Resort.
You need a resort that will evolve with life itself. Your getaway expectations vary and so do the amenities at Copper Point Resort. Whether it is enjoying time by the pool or simply having a relaxing meal on the patio, we will ensure your experience is memorable.
Combine lasting memories of an outdoor experience along with the best event staff and facility in the Columbia Valley.
Educate, celebrate or simply gather at Copper Point Resort.
Resort amenities:
- Indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs
- Fitness facility
- Restaurant and lounge
- Underground parking
- Kids playground
- Designated suites for pet owners
- Outdoor patios
- Banquet hall
- Weddings, corporate retreats, reunions
- Conference and meeting rooms
- 24-hour reception
The Columbia Valley
Delight in the fact that you are now on valley time. That small-town friendliness is what you can expect to be greeted by when strolling down Invermere’s quaint and charming Main Street. All year round, each season offers up changes that will thrill and excite you.
With the mountains, Lake Windermere and nine golf courses all within reach, the possibilities for adventure are endless. Get ready to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer.
Some activities include:
- Golfing
- Lake Windermere beaches
- Watersports
- Natural hot springs
- Downhill and cross-country skiing
- Snowboarding, heli-skiing and snowmobiling
Rohit Communities
Not simply another home builder, Rohit strives to be an active member of the Edmonton area, Fort McMurray and British Columbian communities in which we build. As a partner of the Canadian Home Builders Association and various affordable housing and sustainable community initiatives, we believe in giving back. Rohit has received multiple awards on local, provincial and national levels, including the prestigious title of Edmonton’s 2010 Home Builder of the Year. Please visit www.copperpoint.ca and www.rohitcommunities.com for contact information.
Luxury golf reaches new heights
Take flight to any golf course in the East Kootenay region with a professionally guided heli-golfing business in the southern Rocky Mountains.
: Western Canadian Golf Tours is an innovative business.—Photo courtesy of Ryan McKenzie
The Kootenay region is littered with golf courses—almost too many to choose from for locals and tourists alike. But thanks to an innovative business idea, every single one is accessible no matter where you are in the area.
Meet Luke Haberman, the brainchild behind Western Canadian Golf Tours—a heli-golfing operation providing professionally-guided golf tours based out of Kimberley, B.C.
Haberman grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and got into golf when he was seven years old as his dad was constantly out on the links.
Being that he grew up in a relatively rural area, there was no competitive golf league he could join, but his involvement in the sport was never about making it to a professional league.
"I've always just viewed it as a way to go out and enjoy life," said Haberman.
He became aquainted with the East Kootenay region when he started coming to the area for skiing, mountain biking and other kinds of outdoor recreation in 1983. He set up shop three years ago after noticing there was no service that catered to a niche market like heli-golfing.
With so many courses in the region, clients can fly into the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook and be flown by helicopter to golf courses anywhere between Golden, the Alberta border and Christina Lake.
Innovation gets results
What makes his business unique is that it tailors every aspect of the experience to client wants and needs, such as length of stay and the availability of lessons and guides.
"It's not a cookie-cutter idea so I don't want it to be a cookie cutter product," said Haberman. "If you can dream it up, I can put it together."
He moved to the Kootenay area in 1998 to take the Golf Management and Operations program at Selkirk College in Nelson. He then worked in the heli-skiing industry in Northern B.C. for a while and figured with the right planning, he could set up a heli-golf business in the East Kootenay.
After travelling the world he set his roots down in Kimberley and put his business plan in place and Western Canadian Golf Tours was born.
Haberman contracts Dann Bush to do the flying for him. Bush is a pilot with High Terrain Helicopters, a company based in Nelson with a satellite office and helipad in Cranbrook.
Clients are picked up in a Jet Ranger Bell 206 or an A-Star, and their clubs are vehicle-driven to the course of their choosing. This allows the helicopter to touch down and offload clients and guides in a timely fashion as well as avoid any damage to golf clubs during air travel.
Haberman says course managers were leery at first of allowing helicopters to land on their course, fearing it would be a distraction to players on the course, and requested an out-of-the-way place to set down.
He quickly changed their minds by demonstrating that a helicopter landing and unloading operation can happen in the space of a minute or so before the machine is back in the air and out of the way. He now has business scenarios where a helicopter lands on a particular hole on a golf course and the clients get out with their golf bags already there waiting. He originally targeted the Asian market but he's had a lot of business from Alberta and gets a lot of corporate clients as well.
Things are looking up
With the recession last year, things were tough, but he's confident things will get better and credits the Mountains of Gold promotion—a season-long golf promotion between tourism stakeholders that culminates in a tournament in September—for being a useful business aid.
Haberman likes to provide his customers with an aerial view of the course before landing to point out any challenging terrain or hazards and give a birds-eye view of each hole.
Clients can have CPGA (Canadian Professional Golf Association) guides tag along, and in groups of three or six, the guides can act as a forth or eighth member and play with the group.
Guides are aware of the maintenance condition of most courses in the area and have the knowledge to suggest which ones will provide the best golf experience. Haberman said that they know where the best restaurants and accommodations are, in addition to golf courses, to ensure that clients get nothing but the best.
He also employs professional photographers to document the golf experience, and clients can leave with a DVD of pictures and a video swing analysis.
Heli-fishing is another service the company offers, with guides from the St. Mary Angler or Fernie Wilderness Adventures, depending where clients want to fish. Haberman says the appeal is that customers can go fishing for half the day and spend the rest on the links.
For more information on the company, check out www.westerncanadiangolftours.com.
St. Andrews attracts golf lovers and tourists
This charming location is rich with history and golfing opportunities
: St. Andrews Cathedral and St. Rule’s Tower are must-see tourist attractions.—Photo courtesy of Lisa Vlooswyk
The 139th British Open Championship was recently held from July 12 to 18, 2010, in St. Andrews, Scotland—the birthplace of golf. For golfers who have never been there, the images of the pot bunkers, double greens and the history of the course beckon you to make the pilgrimage.
St. Andrews is a quaint town located on the east coast of Scotland in the Kingdom of Fife. It is bordered by the North Sea and surrounded by open countryside. Once known as the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, it is now known as the home of golf. Thousands of tourists travel each year to St. Andrews to walk the hallowed fairways that every great golfer who has played the game has competed on.
Golf has been played in St. Andrews for 600 years. There are a wide variety of courses in the area to delight golfers of all ages and abilities. St. Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organization, runs and manages seven popular courses—the most famous and revered being the Old Course.
The Old Course is not the most difficult course you have ever played, but it will be the most thrilling. As you stand on the first tee, even the hands of the steeliest veteran will shake a little and images of great champions teeing off from that very spot will distract you from the task at hand. As you meander your way through the links you will surely encounter one of the 112 bunkers located on course. The most famous is the Hell Bunker on the 14th hole or the Road Hole Bunker that has been the demise of a few British Open contenders. The massive double greens are also a signature part of the course and players can face putts of nearly 100 yards.
Favourites among golfers
The Old Course has become the favourite of some of golf’s greatest players. Jack Nicklaus said of the course that has seen him hoist two Claret Jugs, “I fell in love with it the first time I played it. There’s just no other golf course that is even remotely close.”
In addition to the Old Course there are five other fantastic links-style courses. Two championship courses are the New Course built in 1895 and the Jubilee Course, built in 1897. Both courses offer challenging layouts and true links golf. The remaining courses include the Eden, for golfers looking for a more leisurely round, the Strathtyrum suitable for high handicappers and the Balgove, a 9-hole track perfect for beginners and children.
The newest addition to the St. Andrews family is the Castle Course. Opened in late June of 2008 this cliff top course offers spectacular views of the town along with vistas of St. Andrews Bay and the North Sea. The fescue will force you to hit accurate shots and the dramatic greens will test your flat stick. After the round you can treat yourself to a beverage on the deck of the new clubhouse.
There is also a state-of-the-art practice facility and instruction centre located near town for players looking to find their game. Visitors can forge a relationship at the home of golf with one of the pros and continue to send video footage of their swing for in-depth analysis even after they have returned home.
In addition to St. Andrews Links Trust courses, the Duke’s Course is located close by and it also boasts a first class golf academy and an 18-hole championship track that is heralded as one of the British Isle’s best heathland golf courses. It offers challenging golf that ranges from tree-lined fairways to wide open countryside, with expansive bunkers and many well-guarded greens.
Take a tour
In addition to the local golf make time in your schedule to hit some of the famous Open venues located within day trip range including Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Muirfield and Turnberry.
Although there are many bed and breakfasts that dot the Scottish countryside, when you make this trip of a lifetime splurge and stay at the Old Course Hotel. The property offers 144 guest rooms, including 35 suites. Purchased by the Kohler Company in October of 2004, an extensive renovation of the hotel has recently been completed. Rooms are lavishly designed—many featuring private balconies, large bathrooms and chromotherapy baths.
The Kohler Waters Spa offers a relaxing and rejuvenating time after you hit the links. The hydrotherapy pool, plunge pool, Japanese steam room, light therapy sauna and dozens of treatment options will cure any swing fault.
The dining on property is second to none and the Road Hole Grill offers spectacular views of the coastline and the 17th and 18th holes of the Old Course through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Menu items offer a diverse selection of Scottish—and where possible, organic—ingredients including Shetland Organic Salmon, East Neuk Lobster and Suckling pig from Ross-Shire.
Treat yourself to the eight-course menu with wine and champagne pairings for an unforgettable world-class dining experience. Cap the night off by moving down to the Road Hole Bar, famous for the selection of 200 whiskeys in a cozy and sophisticated setting that offers panoramic views of the Old Course. It is a golfer’s paradise.
To make the experience complete, walk out the back door of the hotel and stroll down the fairway after the last group passes through, and sit on the Swilcan Bridge. Take in the history and ambiance of the most famous course in the world and know that as a golfer you have truly come home.
Top attractions
The closest major airport to St Andrews is at Edinburgh approximately 45 minutes by train or car.
University of St Andrews: Attended by Prince William, this is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the UK
St. Andrews Castle: This stunning seaside castle was built in approximately 1400. It served as a home for Bishops, as a fortress and even as a prison. It fell into ruin in the 1600s (open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April to September—otherwise closed at 4:30 p.m.)
St. Andrews Cathedral and St Rule’s Tower: This ruined cathedral was at one time the most important cathedral in Scotland. It has an extensive graveside that is home to the late Tom Morris Junior. The ruins can be explored free of charge and there is a nominal fee for climbing the tower. Spectacular views await those that do (open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April to September—otherwise closed at 4:30 p.m.)
West Sands (beach): One of three beaches in the area. Several scenes from Chariots of Fire were filmed here.
British Golf Museum: An informative and interactive exploration of the history of golf (open from Easter to October, Monday to Saturday from 9:30a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., otherwise daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Pubs
Top five pubs
The Dunvegan: This is a 9-iron from the Old Course and the favourite of caddies and players after the round. It is chalk full of photos of PGA tour stars and sports and entertainment celebrities when they stopped by for a pint.
Ma Bells Bistro Bar: Overlooks the sea and the Old Course and was Prince William’s favourite haunt.
The Road Hole Bar: Offers phenomenal views of the Old Course and the largest selection of Scotch from every distillery in Scotland.
Lizard Lounge: The closest you will get to a bar/club in St. Andrews.
West Port: A high-end wine bar with trendy atmosphere.
GolfWest publisher takes a swing at Shadow Mountain
This new course is a Rocky Mountain favourite
: Clayton Olah, smashes a big drive off of the elevated 15th tee. Keep it on the fairway and out of the tree on the left or the lake on the right and its an easy approach shot from there. Miss the fairway and kiss your score goodbye.—Photo courtesy of Keith Powell
It’s been open less than a year and it is already considered to be one of the signature courses of the Kootenay Rockies. The spectacular new Shadow Mountain Golf Resort, which lies midway between Cranbrook and Kimberley, is enjoying its first full season.
It is true that the full potential of the course has yet to be fully achieved. The occasional dust storm from the infrastructure work reminded us that the project is still ongoing. Yet the course itself plays exceptionally well and offers up a challenge to every level of golfer.
Last Friday, after touring around the course several times during development, I finally had the opportunity to pull out the clubs and tackle the course head-on. Accompanied by my son-in-law Jonathan Momy of Calgary, and friends Sanford Brown and Clayton Olah, we enjoyed the round immensely.
Our round started off nicely before we approached the first tee, as we headed over to the first-rate driving range, which was equipped with all the complimentary balls you could smack and enough open space to really knock the cobwebs off the old driver.
With a few holes under our belts it quickly became apparent that Clayton was the golfer to watch as he maximized his drives and read the super fast greens with uncanny accuracy.
Going the distance
The rest of us slashed and bashed our way down the fairways with unfettered joy. Even though our game was a bit ugly score-wise, the beautiful scenic surroundings more than compensated for our lack of golf prowess. Still, all of us managed to par two or three holes before we wrapped things up.
The GPS-equipped golf carts were a nice touch as well. Each cart's GPS unit let us track how close (or far) we were from the pin, it gave a nice fly-over preview of each hole and had a running clock to tell us if we were keeping up to average course pace.
Measuring in at 7,412 yards, Shadow Mountain actually out-distances some of the world's best known courses. Augusta is 7,435 yards, Pebble Beach 6,737 yards and the Old Course at St. Andrews (home of the recent British Open), stretches out to some 7,377 yards. Mind you we played off the white tees and still found it challenging at about 6,412 yards.
As a golf writer from the Calgary Sun recently wrote, "You'll likely hear snippets about the state-of-the art practice facility, the restaurant and the real estate development, but it's the golf course your buddies won't stop talking about."
We played all 19 holes, yes 19, not including the clubhouse watering hole. Just to make things even more interesting the Shadow Mountain designers threw in an extra or bonus hole between "the Monster" number 17 and number 18. It's short little par 3, but just as enjoyable as the other eighteen.
Unforgettable fun
Number 15 and 17 both stand out with their elevated—and I mean elevated—tee boxes. Number 17, dubbed "the Monster," is a daunting 606 yards and it is worth the price of a round to watch that little white orb soar forever before hitting the distance fairway below.
Contrary to popular opinion this course doesn't always eat all your golf balls for lunch, I came away losing only one ball over the course the entire 19 holes. That is not to say, I didn't spend more than a few minutes searching thickets of forest which run along the fringes of the fairways.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or causal weekender, golfing Shadow Mountain is an experience you don't want to miss. I can guarantee you that after a round on this exciting new course, you will be dying to play it again and again. In fact, Jonathan, Clayton and Sanford are already lobbying to be part of the foursome the next time I head out to Shadow Mountain.
Oakcreek Golf & Turf and DSG Tag Systems Club Professional Series Event #4
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The sweetness of Sweetwater
GolfWest interviewed developer Craig McMorran about Koocanusa’s newest development
Welcome to the life: It is time for you to enjoy Koocanusa’s wonderful lifestyle opportunities—Photo courtesy of Sweetwater
GolfWest interviewed developer Craig McMorran about the new resort development opportunity at Sweetwater Lake Village at Koocanusa. He outlined the benefits of living at the centre of great recreational activities.
What does this location offer to golfers?
Sweetwater is located in the middle of golf country, surrounded by many beautiful courses including St. Eugene, Fernie Golf and Country Club, Cranbrook Golf and Country Club, Mission Hills, Shadow Mountain, Trickle Creek, Will-O-Bend, Kimberley Golf Club and Indian Springs across the border in Montana.
What other lifestyle benefits can be enjoyed by living at Sweetwater?
Lakefront opportunities including boating, fishing and water sports as well as quadding, mountain climbing, biking, hiking and whitewater rafting. Winter sports include world-class snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and some of the best downhill skiing in the world at Fernie, Kimberley and Whitefish, Montana. There is also a full casino and card room at St. Eugenes only 35 minutes away.
Please describe the setting.
The setting is in a serene valley on a 90-mile winding warm lake in an arid climate that is—most importantly—mosquito-free and only 3.5 hours from Calgary, 35 minutes from Fernie and 40 minutes from Cranbrook.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about the opportunity at Sweetwater?
The most attractive thing about Sweetwater is that each homeowner has the right to marina slip so that boating is very convenient. It is an electric golf cart community, has zero-maintenance landscaping, a full water and sewer treatment facility, first-class restaurant and marina services on site and a commercial area with stores and groceries; all starting at $349,000 for full ownership of a lot and cabin.
Mountains of Gold
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Get wild about golf
Mountain Meadows Golf Course in Elkford, B.C., is home to an abundance of wildlife
Lush greens: The wilderness capital of B.C., Elkford has classic forest scenery.—Photo courtesy of Mountain Meadows Golf Course
Elkford is known as the wilderness capital of British Columbia. This is fitting, as the region is surrounded by lush forested terrain, alpine meadows, clear glacier-fed lakes and streams that house an abundance of furry critters.
Golf amongst deer and elk
Mountain Meadows Golf Course in Elkford is quickly becoming a course that golfers just have to play. Candace Picard, the manager of the Mountain Meadows pro-shop, said the one thing that makes Mountain Meadows Golf Course unique is the amount of wildlife that golfers will see on any given day.
“We are located on the way into Elkford, and it is a beautiful little course,” said Picard. “Anytime that you are on the course you will see deer or elk. I don’t know if there is a day that would go by that you wouldn’t see wildlife go by.”
Picard said that during the early summer, visitors will be treated to the sight of elk with their young calves around the area and on the golf course.
“We have the mom elks with their babies,” said Picard. “Golfers have to stop play to let the wildlife go through because (the wildlife) have the right of way. And it is quite interesting if you are from Calgary or some bigger city, because everything stops dead to let the deer and the antelope play.”
Suited to all levels
Picard said that the course can be challenging for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of players because of all the tree-lined fairways, sand traps and water obstacles.
“There are three holes that are all very challenging,” said Picard. “(On) Hole 4 you have to get over water and stay out of the trees. Hole 5 is a par three but if you are not extremely accurate you will put the ball in the green belt—and on Hole 6 the men go up a few stairs and they have to shoot from way back and get over the water that it is surrounded by trees. (All of the holes) are pretty challenging.”
And that is not all
Mountain Meadows also has the reputation for having the lowest green fee in the area at $23 for a round of nine holes and $35 for a round of 18 holes. For those hardcore golf enthusiasts that keep coming back for more, Mountain Meadows offers a membership package, which includes unlimited golf throughout the entire season for under $550.
Play the gorgeous valley
The Windermere Valley Golf Course gives golfers a bang for their buck
: —Photo courtesy of Windermere Valley Golf Course
In between the Rocky Mountains to the east and Purcell Mountains on the west is the Columbia Valley. Known internationally as a premiere golfing destination, there are many courses around the region, including the Windermere Valley Golf Course. This area is known as the warmer side of the Canadian Rockies and it calls out to any person looking for a relaxing getaway and a challenging round of golf.
Enticing prices
It is easy to become overwhelmed with the plethora of courses in the area, but the Windermere Valley Golf Course offers a distinctive round of golf at a cost that will knock your socks off. Bryan Wilfley, the manager of the Windermere Valley Golf Course, said that one of the main draws of the Windermere course is the low cost.
“It is good value for your dollar in these hard times,” said Wilfley. “People are always looking for value. The greens . . . and the fairways are nice—it is a nice enjoyable round.”
Bigger definitely isn’t better
This family-friendly golf course is a little smaller than the others in the region, and an 18-hole round can be completed in a shorter amount of time. However, this leaves more time to explore the other wondrous attractions that the Columbia Valley has to offer.
The Windermere Valley Golf Course is beautifully maintained and offers an incredible opportunity to bask in scenic viewscapes. Wilfley said that while there is beautiful scenery found throughout the entire course, a few spectacular view points can be seen from Hole 4 and Hole 6. In fact, Wilfley described these two as the course’s signature holes.
“Hole 4 is the signature hole,” said Wilfley. It is an uphill par 4,440 yards, (and it is a) little dog leg left out of bounds, so you have to be careful. When you get up on Hole 6 it is a shared tee with Hole 15 and there you will find really nice views of the valley.”
Redefining the game of golf
Wilfley said that regardless of your skill level and age, everyone should be able to play the Windermere Valley Golf Course—but they’ll have to bring their A game as this course can be harder than it looks.
“You’ve got to apply good shot-making with intelligent putting if you want to score well here,” said Wilfey. “Unquestionably, the greens are extremely underrated.”
A driver’s dream
Meadow Lake Golf Club combines the old and new on its 18-hole course
The 19th hole awaits: Meadow Lake Golf Club’s clubhouse is visible from hole 17.—Photo courtesy of Meadow Lake Golf Club
If you’re looking for a northern golfing experience, look no further than the Meadow Lake Golf Club. Located one mile (1.6 kilometres) south of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, the course was first established in 1952. Its back nine holes were added in 1994, and a clubhouse was built in 2000. Head pro Kyle Duffin said that the front nine is most popular.
“A lot of people like the front nine, as the trees are more developed,” Duffin said. “The back nine is more wide open. But the course appeals to all calibres because it’s not too long.”
The course is a par 72 with a men’s yardage of 6,432 and a women’s yardage of 5,410.
Contact Meadow Lake Golf Course at 306-236-6388.
Cardston has class
Golfing the Lee Creek Golf Course in Cardston is enjoyably challenging
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The Lee Creek Golf Course is an immaculate course that is often free from crowds. Golfers will enjoy this Les Furber-designed hidden gem.
A par 71, 18-hole course, Lee Creek is suitable for experienced golfers who enjoy a challenge or beginners looking to improve their game. Golfers can warm up on the 300-yard driving range before hitting the fairways.
Lee Creek’s signature hole is number 16—one of the most difficult holes on the course. The fairway slopes to the left, requiring golfers to aim to the right as they approach the green. If you make par on this hole, consider yourself lucky—or a talented golfer.
Make the most of your swing
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Swinging in the rain
Pro Trevor Moore ensures that you make good of foul weather
Foreboding: Ominous stormclouds loom over a pristine golf course—be prepared—Courtesy of Copper Point Golf Club
Considering how the weather has panned out the past two months, odds are you will end up playing golf in the rain at some point this season.
Playing in the rain does not need to be a bad experience, and with a change in attitude and a little preparation you will be surprised to find that it is just as enjoyable as playing on a nice day.
Keep it in perspective and always remember that golf in the rain is still golf. Maintain a positive outlook on the day and take solace in the fact that the course will be wide open, quiet, peaceful and serene. There is plenty to be said about having the course all to yourself and not having to wait on another group all day.
Many golfers literally invest thousands of dollars on their clubs but then turn around and spend very little on their rain gear. Spending money on good gear will make your rain days all the more enjoyable.
Start from the ground up; purchase leather golf shoes that have a waterproof warranty. Canvas shoes are not going to keep your feet dry and when your feet are feeling drowned, you will too. You don’t have to break the bank—although high-end options exist—you can get a great pair of shoes for around $150.
Not just an umbrella
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that an umbrella is just an umbrella; this couldn’t be further from the truth. Umbrella canopies come in all sizes and you must remember that the canopy has to keep both you and your clubs dry, so factor your bag and/or pull cart into the size consideration.
Remember that a broken umbrella is a useless umbrella, so don’t be afraid to invest in a good one. Your umbrella must be able to withstand strong winds or it will snap at the least opportune time. Cheaper varieties are very prone to breaking in high winds as they have a single canopy that traps the wind. Higher-end options are designed with a dual canopy, which allows the wind to vent through the umbrella rather than trapping it. Dual canopy options are more expensive but far less susceptible to breakage.
With a good umbrella you will still get water on your hands and clubs, so you must carry more than one towel. Keep one on your golf bag that is dedicated entirely to keeping your clubs clean, and another one hanging under the canopy of your umbrella that is dedicated to keeping your hands and grips dry.
Rain suits come in all shapes, sizes and price points, but simply owning one is a good start. You would be surprised to find out how few people actually have one in their bag. The sky is the limit for pricing and you must weight your budget with the options and benefits of higher end brands. Simply remember that fleece jackets and wind breakers are not going to cut it if the rain starts to fall, so bottom line, get something in your bag that will.
It is not if you will play in the rain—it is when—so don’t be surprised when it happens. Embrace it with a positive attitude knowing you are prepared with all the equipment you need to enjoy the day.
A dream at Pebble Beach
Lisa Longball surprised her husband with a life’s dream—they golfed Pebble Beach and met Arnold Palmer
A dream come true: Arnold Palmer poses with Lisa and Anton Vlooswyk at Pebble Beach—Courtesy of Lisa Vlooswyck
The 110th US Open was held on June 14 - 20, 2010, at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the sixth time. It is heralded as one of the most spectacular US Open venues. A bucket list course.
I knew I had to play it, some way, somehow. I started squirreling away for the trip and I ended up surprising my husband Anton for a milestone birthday. Pebble Beach Golf Links was a gift like no other.
We were greeted at the front gate by a valet who took our clubs and parked our car. After passing a beautiful garden we came around a corner and saw the first tee. We were awestruck—there was the first tee at Pebble Beach where the legends of golf had gone before us.
As we enthusiastically went to check in, we were informed that Arnold Palmer would be playing in front of us. At that moment a large crowd was beginning to form behind us. We turned around and there he was.
He was very approachable. After introducing ourselves he shook our hands and graciously posed for a picture with us. It truly was an honour.
After kindly signing autographs for admiring fans, Palmer stood on the tee and split the fairway with his drive to a thunderous applause.
After recovering from our celebrity sighting we warmed up and hit the first tee. We were assigned a wonderful caddy named Chris. He had been a veteran at Pebble for the last 13 years and has caddied for the likes of Clint Eastwood, Joe Pesci, Jane Seymour and Don Johnson.
After a slight disagreement with the starter when he told me I should hit from the “ladies tees” (you can imagine how well that went over) we teed off with a wonderful father and son twosome from Toronto.
Luxurious surroundings
The first two holes of the course boasted beautifully manicured fairways, lush rough and homes starting at $20 million US. Celebrities ranging from Gene Hackman, Bing Crosby and Charles Schwab own or have owned homes on the course. This is definitely not a course where you want to duck hook a shot into a backyard.
As we rounded the corner on number three to hit our approach shot we got the first breathtaking views of the ocean. The salty air, ocean breeze, surf crashing and sun beating down on you were enough to distract even the most focused golfer.
Once we got over the views it was back to business. That little white ball does not fly as far at sea level as it does in our fair and elevated city of Calgary. Club selection was a challenge but we were comforted by the fact that the ocean played as a lateral hazard.
The immaculate condition of the course, the unforgiving and small greens, the club catching rough, massive sand traps with looming edges and the strong ocean breeze make this seemingly tame 7,040-yard course a force to be reckoned with on tour.
We too felt as if we were pros as our caddy coached us through the course. He read greens, selected and cleaned our clubs, carried our bags, washed our balls, informed us of unforgiving traps and passed on the local gossip.
Memory of a lifetime
Every shot was a challenge but a joy at the same time. We were saddened as we rounded the last corner to number 17 and 18.
As we approached 18 we decided that we had to play that last hole from the tips. The ocean coast guarded the entire left side toward a narrow fairway.
After we holed out we shook hands on the green and we stood for a moment trying to freeze-frame that moment into a lifelong memory. We knew that many more future greats of the game would stand in that very place.
If you are interested in playing Pebble it will cost you a pretty penny. Green fees are $495 US plus a caddy (which is not mandatory but highly recommended). To book a tee time prior to 24 hours in advance golfers must stay two nights at one of the three Pebble Beach accommodations. The “dirt cheap” room is $595 and can go up to $2,750. Reservations are recommended for one year in advance. For more information go to www.pebblebeach.com.
Although the trip is a small fortune it is well worth it! Jack Nicklaus was once quoted “If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach. I’ve loved this course from the first time I saw it. It’s possibly the best in the world.”
Pretty and functional
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A vibrant destination
The Flathead Valley is dotted with some of the U.S.A.’s top golf courses and clubs
Be entranced: The Flathead Valley will take your breath away with its unmatched scenery.—photo by Paul Spade
Nestled in northwest Montana, the Flathead Valley has a shining reputation among golfers.
Boasting several championship courses and picturesque attractions such as Glacier National Park, the valley offers plenty for visitors to see and do.
“(People visit due to the) quality of so many courses at reasonable rates,” said Steve Dunfee, general manager of Buffalo Hill Golf Club in Kalispell, “ease of access to courses (and the) natural beauty of the area, with the largest fresh-water lake (Flathead Lake) west of the Mississippi.”
Courses with class
The quality courses in the Flathead Valley make it stand out as a destination, especially given their convenient locations in close proximity to each other.
Village Greens Golf Club offers stunning views of lake and mountain scenery. For a reasonable price, golfers can enjoy the greens and take advantage of the full-service pro shop, all-grass driving range and the ever-popular Spike’s 19th Hole.
At Polson Bay Golf Club, 27 holes keep golfers busy amidst sublime playing conditions. After a few rounds, they can take a break and enjoy a mouthwatering meal at the Bay Club Bar & Grill.
The Big Mountain Golf Club was created by two-time US Open Champion Andy North. Two different types of landscaping make this course unique and challenging.
Glacier View Golf Course provides a fun and affordable golf experience for all ages and ability levels. Glacier View welcomes the whole family to enjoy its lush greens.
At Buffalo Hill Golf Club’s course, you can play on a sprawling expanse of Flathead Valley terrain and relax in a classy, full-service, air-conditioned clubhouse.
“The Stillwater River runs through the golf course offering challenging shots and awesome views,” said Dunfee. “The . . . elevation changes drastically, offering incredible views of the valley and Glacier Park.”
Mountains and meadows
At the base of the Mission Mountains in Ronan, the Mission Mountain Country Club incorporates a challenging course layout, restaurant, pro shop and rental facilities.
Cabinet View Country Club has been doing some renovations. They have reconstructed nine greens and tee boxes with new designs to improve playability.
Meadow Lake Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course that has been awarded 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest and is enveloped by the glorious Rocky Mountain territory.
Settled beside Whitefish Lake, with a view of Big Mountain, Whitefish Lake Golf Club is another favourite course in the Flathead Valley.
Indian Springs Ranch Golf Course is located on the western edge of the Rockies. With 18 holes and a challenging links-style course, this destination is sure to please.
Titleist FootJoy PGA of BC Championship presented by Loft 8
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The greens beckon
Camrose Golf Course boasts stellar conditions and a head pro with supreme dedication to the sport
Sunset on the green: The conditions at Camrose Golf Course invite golfers of all experience levels.—Photo courtesy of the Camrose Golf Course
The Camrose Golf Course has an impressive history—and the future is looking bright. This year the course opened early, greeting golfers with splendid greens that rivalled those of any top-of-the-line course throughout Canada.
“We’re off to a great start,” said Bill Penny, CPGA pro and manager of the course. “We opened around the 17th of April, which is really early for us—two weeks earlier than the last two years—and what a difference. It opened in pristine conditions and we’ve been busy right from the get-go—membership is up.”
The first choice in golf destinations
The course has been improving steadily since its origin in 1922, and despite the challenging economic times we live in, it continues to get better every year.
“It’s had a few facelifts over the years,” said Penny, “but this year in particular the greens are as good as anywhere in the country. It really came through the winter well and couldn’t be better. We have roughly 350 annual pass holders and probably 150 junior pass holders.”
Golfers who visit this facility can relax and grab a bite to eat at the Gallery—a full-service restaurant that caters for weddings, corporate events and tournaments, to name a few. Penny also owns an on-site pro shop that features a range of equipment, and offers club storage. The course will be hosting the upcoming McLennan Ross Sun Junior Golf Tournament on July 22, 2010.
A pro with passion
Penny has been a CPGA member since 1970, and has never faltered in his devotion to the sport. His wife joins him at the pro shop and is involved regularly in its operation. Somehow amidst all the other activities at the club, Penny finds time to teach aspiring golfers the tricks of the trade.
“I’m actually doing golf lessons for about six communities,” he said, “smaller communities like Daysland, Forestburg, Viking and Bashaw—so I keep pretty busy teaching. I’m the only master golf professional in Alberta that’s a general manager, I think. I’ve been at it a long time.”
Keep track of your stats
Being straight with yourself will improve your game
Keep tabs: Your scorecard can be a powerful tool for improving your game—Photo courtesy of Lisa Vlooswyk
Most golfers record their score on each hole, tally it up after the round and reminisce about the good, the bad and the ugly at the 19th hole with their playing partners. Your scorecard can actually be used as a key tool in better understanding your game and reducing strokes. There are four main statistics you should keep track of on your card. # Score # Putts # Greens in Regulation # Fairways Score: Keeping track of your score is important if you are serious about establishing a handicap and improving your game. Make sure to include all of your penalty strokes, even whiffs (when you intend to hit your ball and you miss). When you record your score you can use symbols for quick reference. The pros typically put a circle around their birdies, a diamond around their eagles and a square around their bogies. If you are a single digit handicap this might be a good system for you. However, if you are a regular golfer, birdies and even pars are pretty exciting. Therefore you could circle your pars, diamond your birdies and square your double bogies. It is also a good idea to keep track of your equitable score. This is the maximum number of strokes over par you can take per hole for handicap purposes. If you are a zero or plus handicap the maximum score you can record is 1 over par, 1-18 handicap: 2 over par, 19-32: 3 over par, 33+: 4 over par. Putts: Focusing on your total number of putts will help you realize just how those missed three-footers add up. Assuming you two-putt every green, you should have 36 putts. Even that is too many. Top touring pros average 27-28 putts per round. By honing in on your short game skills you should be able to chip it close and one putt or get up and down from the sand more frequently. Greens in Regulation: This is an easy statistic to keep. Did you reach the green in regulation (GIR)? On a par 3 GIR is being on in 1, a par 4 GIR is being on in 2 and a par 5 GIR is being on in 3. You can also consider being on a GIR if you are on in fewer than the required strokes (eg: hitting on a par 5 in 2). Fairways: This is a statistic that you keep just for par 4’s and 5’s. To count being on the fairway you must land on the short grass, not in the rough. This is a good area of your game to focus on. The more you are on the fairway off the tee with a good lie, instead behind a tree, in a bunker or in the bush, the better your scoring opportunities will be. Keep track of your stats and you will be pleasantly surprised how much more you focus on your game during your round. Make sure to celebrate your success when your stats improve! Lisa is the six-time Canadian Long Drive Champion, a golf entertainer and motivational speaker. Lisa can be reached through her website at "www.lisalongball.com(http://www.lisalongball.com)":http://www.lisalongball.com
A lifetime on the links
Dale Wilder, a lifelong golf aficionado, is the new superintendent at Radium Resort
Tees please: The Springs Course is one of two excellent golf courses at Radium Resort.—photo courtesy of Radium Resort
Some people might have found it overwhelming to be the superintendent of five golf courses—but not Dale Wilder. He’s been on a golf course since the age of 12, working at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort that his family built. “When I started, I was picking rocks because in those days it was all family business at Fairmont,” said Wilder. “We’d pick rocks and do the raking—it was all built in-house by our family, so we had experience doing everything as we grew up, from picking rocks to mowing greens to driving a Cat. It was a great experience—I enjoyed it then and I still enjoy it now.” Wilder began managing courses at 19, and eight months ago he became one of the owners of Radium Resort. He began working as the resort’s golf superintendent eight weeks ago. For a short period of time, he was superintendent for both Fairmont’s three courses and Radium’s two, until his successor at Fairmont was appointed. h3. Hands-on experience Having been a hands-on manager for much of his life, Wilder has seen many changes in the industry. The most significant has been the shift to environmentally-friendly methods of maintaining the courses. Wilder has been a longtime proponent of employing green techniques. “At Riverside Golf Course, National Geographic (visited) when they were investigating the endangered rivers of North America, including the Columbia River,” he said. “They did a piece on us—they could have found a lot of things wrong, but they found a lot of things right. They were so impressed that they did an article in National Geographic, about eight years ago. I had phone calls from all over the US to help (with) environmental stuff.” h3. Current affairs The current state of the golf industry in the Kootenays has both benefits and drawbacks. The vast number of courses causes a lot of the same people to go between the courses, and the economic downturn was hard on some of the newer courses. However, the high-quality golf found in the area makes Wilder’s long-term outlook exceptionally positive. “Golfing in the Kootenays is one of the most spectacular places you can golf,” he said. “We have some of the best golf courses in the country in our own valley and it gives the people that come here a great golfing experience. If (the golf course management teams) work together and sell together, we’ll do well together. We’re learning to do that better—I think everyone can survive and do well if we stick to those kind of (ideas).”
A classic Kimberley golf experience
Bootleg Gap is a treat for B.C. golfers, offering playability in a scenic environment
Kimberley charm: These peaceful surroundings are typical of Kimberley, B.C.—Photo courtesy of Bootleg Gap Golf
"Bootleg Gap Golf(http://bootleggapgolf.com/)":http://bootleggapgolf.com is located in the scenic town of Kimberley, B.C. Surrounded by mountains and greenery, golfers here can truly appreciate the beauty of the province and the joy of their sport in a serene setting. Darrell Burak, the general manager at Bootleg Gap, kindly took the time to answer our questions. h3. What makes Bootleg Gap an exceptional place to golf? Bootleg Gap Golf is a good pace to golf because of the playability of the two courses. It is big off the tee with accessible greens that do not have a lot of dramatic contour. h3. What would you say is the most challenging aspect? The greens at Bootleg Gap are large. Putting your approach shots close to the pins is a challenge. h3. What kind of scenery surrounds Bootleg Gap? There are panoramic views of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains as well as the St. Mary river valley. h3. Is your course suited to all skill levels, or is it geared toward a particular type of golfer? Bootleg Gap plays short or long depending on which of the four sets of tees that golfers decide to play from. There is also an additional 9-hole course at Bootleg, which is referred to as the Rec-9. It has a collection of short par 4’s, three par 3’s and one of the best par 5’s at the facility. h3. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know? Bootleg Gap Golf has one of the best practice facilities in the region. The clubhouse provides a fully stocked pro shop as well as a great restaurant and patios in the Bootleg Grill. The Bootleg Grill offers great food, and can cater to large or small functions. The restaurant overlooks the 18th green and is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.
Video analysis caveat
Using video analysis can be helpful to your swing—if applied correctly
Practice putting: Analyzing your golf technique is a great way to improve your game.—photo by Joni Krats
Video golf analysis can be an incredible tool when it comes to sourcing out weak areas in your swing; however remember the old saying, garbage in is equal to garbage out, so be sure you approach it with caution. With all the cost effective video technology – cameras, cellular phones, etc – available today, I am seeing more players attempt to analyze their personal video footage in hopes of finding out what is wrong with their swing. Self analysis is often futile and frustrating. Having the capability to capture swings on tape is only helpful if you know what you are looking for when you view it. The overwhelming majority of players don’t understand how to assess and prioritize the sequence of events that takes place throughout the golf swing. Viewing your swing in hopes that something obvious will jump out at you is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. Professionals are trained to find the sequence of events that ultimately lead to the obvious mistake; fixing the obvious is only helpful if it happens to be the root issue. h3. More than just pricey equipment Don’t be fooled into thinking that professional training begins and ends with simply spending money on expensive cameras, tripods and computer analysis software. It is not uncommon to see people videotaping from the wrong positions. Having the camera out of place by a few degrees or inches will create illusions that don’t let you see the image for what it really is...and trust me, from my other profession I also happen to know a little bit about creating illusions! Although it only takes a few degrees or inches to create an illusion, I have personally witnessed people taping swings from as much as 90 degrees off the required position. You see significantly different things from a camera facing the player as you do from a camera positioned to their side. To give you a medical analogy, if you had a sore arm and the technicians x-rayed your foot, would you feel that the pictures were going to tell you the real story? Would you trust the plan of action used to remedy the issue? Not likely. Let’s assume your camera angles are correct and you do find something wrong with your swing, do you know how to fix it? Finding a problem is often the easy part; finding the appropriate solution and correction is another. Sticking with the medical example above, if you had an arm that was obviously severely broken, the doctor would still take an x-ray. Is it to decide if it really is broken? No, it is to help establish any collateral damage that may have been done and create an accurate treatment option. It could mean surgery, pins, tissue repair, plates, casting or in extreme cases even amputation. The simple answer is that it was broken and both you and the doctor knew it; however it is the doctor’s specialized training that really helps you positively correct the situation. I am not suggesting that you abandon your personal video use all together, just be certain you use it appropriately. Ideally you should use it to augment your lesson program and monitor your progress along the way…it shouldn’t replace a teacher. Trevor Moore is a CPGA professional and a TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor (CGFI) with the Titleist Performance Institute. Based in Medicine Hat, he runs the Advantage Golf Academy at Cottonwood Coulee Golf Course, coaches the Medicine Hat College (ACAC) golf teams and is the lead instructor with Notre Dame Academy. For comments or questions, you can contact him via his "website(http://www.advantagegolf.ca)":http://www.advantagegolf.ca.
Protect your clubs
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Boulder Creek Villas at Wildstone—complete and for sale
Enjoy carefree living at Boulder Creek’s lovely villas
Relax and enjoy: Now you can enjoy carefree living at Boulder Creek—photo by Joni Krats
h3. What is the projected timeline for completion of the Boulder Creek build—right down to the landscaping? The final road works, driveways, and landscaping works are all underway, and if the weather co-operates, they will be complete in early July. At that time all 43 villas and the entire site will be 100 per cent complete. h3. Although most of these units are attached, they don’t feel like condos. Please describe how that was achieved. We worked at length with our architects and engineers to achieve that feel. You are correct that seven of the units are single detached units, but the remaining 36 are comprised of 18 duplex units. The majority of the duplexes have been designed such that the garages and entry to the units are visually and physically separated from the other side of the unit. That gives each unit its own sense of arrival as well as some degree of privacy at the entrance. h3. The project went dormant along with the golf course last year. Now that golf course construction is going full swing, please describe the impact on your development. The commencement of the completion of the golf course is of great significance to the entire development. The past couple of years have been challenging to developers throughout North America and we are no different here. We are pleased that the golf course will be completed. With the many projects that were halted or stalled as a result of the economic downturn, it is the only golf course project in Western Canada that at this time is being completed and scheduled to be opened. This is of course very important to all the existing owners at Wildstone, but also an integral part of our message as we re-launch the sale of some of the units here in Boulder Creek. Cranbrook and the East Kootenays are well positioned to lead Western Canada out of the downturn and we are hopeful that the new investment in this project in Cranbrook will position us to be a big part of that. h3. Please discuss the main-floor living concept. While all the villa units here have a full walk-out basement, we recognize that there are people who prefer not to have to go up and down stairs to live their daily lives, so these units have been designed so that you can live completely on the main floor. The master bedroom—complete with closet and large en suite, kitchen, dining, great room and laundry—are all on the main floor. There is also at least one additional room that can be used as a den or additional bedroom on the main floor, along with some storage space. The deck is off the main floor, and there is a patio on the lower level off the walk-out basement. The garages access the main floor as well. h3. Please discuss the title/ownership of these homes. Are there strata fees? While these units are designed to feel more like a detached home or perhaps townhouse, for the purpose of delivering a fully maintained property it has been registered as a condo-style strata project. One of the things we consistently heard from clients is their wish for a carefree lifestyle, so that’s how this project has been developed. The strata is responsible for the insurance of the units, all exterior maintenance, all landscaping and yard maintenance and snow removal. This allows the owners to come and go at their leisure for short terms or extended periods if they like, and the unit and surrounding areas will be fully maintained, along with no worries about the exterior of the units. For this level of service we feel that the strata fees as budgeted are very reasonable at $242 per month. h3. Is there anything else you would like to say to western Canadian golfers about Boulder Creek? A number of things of course. They are located right on and overlooking the Gary Player Design Companys’ first course in Canada, which has been designed to be a great track, walkable if they wish, and designed specifically to allow a great experience for all levels of golfers from the beginner to the scratch golfer. The majority of us who are 20 plus handicappers will find it to be very playable. The intent was that it would be not only a visually rewarding round with the Rocky Mountains and Fisher Peak prominent in the design of many of the holes, but also an enjoyable experience for all. All that and as a bonus Boulder Creek is located in the middle of a mecca of great golf here in the East Kootenay region. Within an hour’s drive, owners here can enjoy more than 14 great golf courses. It is a true golfer’s paradise, to say nothing of the ample additional four-season recreational opportunities that abound all around us.
A gift for the literate, thoughtful golfer
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Construction moves forward in Fairmont
Homeowners build equity at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with DIY options
Built for buyers: These houses are designed to be flexible to your needs.—photo courtesy of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
Following a successful sales season in 2009, construction is moving forward on home sites at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort launched its Mountainside Ridge home sites in June of last year with amenity-based incentives including golf, ski and hot springs passes. Now they are continuing to offer value for buyers with a variety of home building options. “We’re working to take the uncertainty out of building a vacation home by working with local builders to give homeowners the flexibility to choose the option that meets their needs,” said Dan Oliver, resort property specialist at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. “Our strategic partnerships allow owners at Fairmont Hot Springs to either build the luxury home of their dreams, or build on a budget and even put in their own sweat equity.”
Customizable options
One of the innovative options being offered by Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is custom homes from Timko Developments. These custom homes are designed with homeowners before they are built at an Alberta plant, then the stick frame walls are transported to Fairmont Hot Springs for final construction. “Due to our manufacturing process, construction time is reduced significantly compared to other options in the Columbia Valley,” Ron Davidson, Columbia Valley project manager for Timko, says. “Home buyers also have the option to finish their homes themselves after we complete the exterior construction.” A fully constructed 1,500 sq. ft., three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage-style home from Timko starts at $350,000. But if buyers want to finish the interior of the home themselves, the exterior and framing of the same home is only $155,000. Construction time for a fully finished Timko Home is four to six months, but the exterior shell can be completed in only two months. “Homes from Timko are very flexible and homeowners can choose anything from a complete home, to a shell, and everything in between to meet their budgets,” Oliver said. “This gives homeowners the chance to save money in areas where they may have the ability to do the work themselves, or simply stretch the time line as funds allow. Home site prices at Mountainside Ridge start at $114,900 for 1/3-acre home sites and there is a flexible construction schedule, allowing owners to break ground up to five years after purchase.
Supportive partnerships
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is also working with Ski Home, a custom home builder based in Invermere, B.C. to provide complete design and construction services for home buyers to make their dream home a reality. Construction has begun on a 2,400 sq. ft., three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom contemporary mountain style bungalow at Mountainside Ridge that is setting a new architectural tone for the Columbia Valley. The home has finishings with bamboo flooring, maple cabinets, stone and timber exterior and a steel roof. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort offers 45 holes of golf with Mountainside, an 18-hole par 72 CPGA, the stunning 18-hole Riverside golf course set on the majestic Columbia River with the rugged Rocky Mountains as its backdrop and Creekside, a par 3, 9-hole golf course. Located In the heart of British Columbia's Columbia Valley, on Hwy 93/95, Fairmont Hot Springs is one hour north of Cranbrook, B.C. and three hours west of Calgary.
Crowsnest Pass Golf & Country Club
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Swing it rich
Billy-Jo Case and many others are playing for more than bragging rights this summer
Perfecting his swing: Billy-Jo Case is dedicating a lot of time and energy to practicing for the Mountains of Gold Tournament.—Photo by Christy Case
Billy-Jo Case could soon say that he is a millionaire. But then again, so could a lot of people—especially those that are competing in the Mountains of Gold Tournament from May 14 to September 14. At the minimum, the tournament includes three rounds of golf at Shadow Mountain and St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino near Cranbrook, B.C., and has people like Case very excited. Understandably so—the grand prize of this tournament has six zero’s at the end of it. “(We will drive down on) June 6,” said Case, “and we play Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. “It spans over three days and this is when you try to qualify for the $1,000,000 tournament in September.” h3. Meant to be Case found out about the Mountains of Gold Tournament when he was in the East Kootenays over the winter holidays with his wife, Christy. He went into a pro shop in Cranbrook to buy a new club and the rest is history. Case and his friend, Tony DiPaolo, are in the competition to win. While it is really anyone’s prize, Case does have a good shot. He has been golfing for more than 20 years, and each year Case and his friends make a point of getting together for a golf trip. Collectively, Case has played at many courses around Canada. “We tend to travel where our friends in the group are, because we stay at their place,” said Case. “We have golfed in London, Ontario, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Edmonton, Calgary and Prince Edward Island.” Most recently, Case and his friends have golfed at the El Camaleon Golf Club at the Mayakoba resort near Cancun, Mexico—the same place the 2010 PGA Tour was held. “My buddy is a director of golf in Mexico,” said Case. “Now it looks like we will be going to Cancun quite a bit—probably at least once a year.” But for now, Case is focused on the task at hand and will be swinging his clubs any chance he gets. He has also promised to buy a new flashy golf outfit for the competition and said that if and when he wins the $1,000,000, GolfWest magazine will get the first exclusive interview. h3. Working out the odds This is how it works. Each day of the golf season, two people participating in the Mountains of Gold Tournament will win a cash prize or an invitation to play in the $1,000,000 Gold Rush Tournament from September 16 to 19. Case said he is very excited about the competition because it offers an equal opportunity for everyone, regardless if you are an amateur or a pro. “I think it is about playing three good rounds of golf more than anything,” said Case.
A new era begins
Crowsnest Pass Golf and Country Club welcomes a new pro with exciting vision
A rich background: Peter Stewart has valuable past experience—Photo courtesy of the Crowsnest Pass Golf and Country Club
On March 22, Crowsnest Pass Golf and Country Club (CNPGCC) welcomed a new pro to the helm. Peter Stewart’s last position was associate golf professional at the Board of Trade Golf and Country Club in Toronto. He also owned a catering company, which he sold, and he still owns a golf school for which he hired a manager. In addition, he has a background as the director of a ski school. While his last position was in bustling Toronto, Stewart is familiar with small-town living, as he grew up in Parry Sound, Ontario. “I’m enjoying (the transition),” said Stewart. “My wife, Amy and I just decided that we’re tired of the city life. We came to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains. We vacationed here in the past.” The Stewarts are both skiers and snowboarders and love what the region offers them. “Castle is an incredible hill,” said Stewart. “My role (at CNPGCC) affords me time to have time off in the winter and ski for myself.” Stewart is wholeheartedly embracing his role at the club. “Our goal is to take the club in a new direction,” said Stewart. “You don’t get to see much from the highway, but once you come over the hill, it is an entirely different course. It really can compete with anything out there. It is beautiful.” The club has a new superintendant, whose agronomic practices are enhancing the course. “(The club is) making big leaps with some changes that will be phenomenal for turf conditions,” said Stewart. Steward said that he is happy to be in the mountains, enjoying the views. “I look forward to taking the club in a direction that will help it be successful,” he said.
Slope revealed
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The mystery of backspin
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When rugged individualists take up golf
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I love the smell of jargon on the course
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Breaking ground
The first phase of building lots at Whiskey Jack is now available for purchase
Phase one: These generously-sized lots are situated in the midst of excellent golf and recreation.—Photo courtesy of Whiskey Jack
Whiskey Jack, the 18-hole Fred Couples course near Sparwood, B.C.—which is slated for completion in November 2011—has now released its first phase of single-family dwelling lots. h3. Mountain living Situated in the Elk Valley, in the midst of the Rockey Mountains and near the Elk River, the property offers a lot for year-round recreationists. Four-hundred thousand hectares (one million acres) of Crown land, and endless opportunities to hike and explore, back the property. Realtor Frank Hughes said that the 268-hectare (6700-acre) parcel will offer lots up to a generous .2 hectare (half an acre). “You’ve got valley and mountain views,” said Hughes. “It’s a great site.” h3. Construction underway A few foundations are in already, and Hughes anticipates that the showhomes will be completed shortly. The sewer and water systems are in place, with hydro and natural gas underway. Purchasers of a lot at Whiskey Jack will be committed to build within a five-year window after purchase, and must have their chosen builder approved by the Homeowners Association. The property offers 119 lots, and the development is approved for 1,000 units in total. More information on this offering can be found at "www.sparwood.com(Sparwood website)":http://www.sparwood.com.
A diamond in the rose
Challenging fairways and exciting opportunities await you at the Camrose Golf Course
What a sunrise: Surround yourself with beauty like this at the Camrose Golf Course. —Photo courtesy of Camrose Golf Course
Camrose, Alberta, is situated 90 kilometres from Edmonton and is known for its scenic beauty. It is often called the Rose City due to its parkland containing a large number of wild roses. And like the roses that can be found all around Camrose, golf opportunities abound in this prairie community. h3. Setting high standards The Camrose Golf Course was established in 1922 and has paved the way for golf in the region. This 18-hole course with undulating greens and winding fairways has many challenges for advanced players, while beginners will feel at ease with the course as well. In addition, the Camrose Golf Course is situated close to Stoney Creek, which runs through the city and flows adjacent to some select fairways. This creates fantastic scenic shots. The Camrose Golf Course plays host to social events for ladies, men’s, juniors and seniors. These tournaments offer both social and more competitive golfing experiences through weekly events, tournaments and scrambles.
Cranbrook Golf Club
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Bootleg Gap Golf
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Kimberley Golf Club
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Trickle Creek Golf Resort
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Golfing green
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Ten years of great golf and entertainment
The year 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the golf course at the St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino.
Construction team: Plenty of time, effort and energy was devoted to make St. Eugene a top notch location. —photo courtesy of St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino
The year 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the golf course at the St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino. What many people are not aware of is the work and dedication to an ideal that transpired years before the first golfer took the first swing at the course. “The first year I was here was in 1995,” said Graeme Douglas, CGSA, manager, golf and hotel facilities. “I had been working on courses in Europe and Les Furber wanted me to come see the project. The Mission building was a shell, but the land was spectacular. It had a very special feeling to it.” After initial work, Douglas was called to Cuba, where he and his team completed the now-famous Varadero golf course. Shortly afterwards, in 1998, he came back to the St. Eugene and began work in earnest. “Myself, Les (Furber) and GDS (Golf Design Services) made a commitment and pulled in a lot of expertise. We pushed hard to get the project shaped and seeded. We soon found that the first nation’s component would help us a lot. The Ktunaxa were comfortable in shaping the grounds and the work that needed to be done. We had 80 per cent first nation’s people working on the course.” Despite the work, the project stalled. It is important to remember that the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Tribal Council, under the leadership of former St. Mary’s Indian Band Chief Sophie Pierre, was going into an undertaking unheard of in Western Canada. They had to raise $40 million for their dream of a world class resort, casino and premiere golf course. Another hurdle was that many members of the band at the time, wanted to see the old mission building destroyed. h3. A tremendous project “We could not afford to just let it drop,” said Pierre, chief commissioner for the BC Treaty Commission. “There was so much invested. I felt responsible not just for aboriginal economic development, but for the social justice side too because this was on the site of a former residential school. It was also a huge project for the region.” Helder Ponte, director, economic investment for the Ktunaxa Nation Council and key figure in the development of the golf course, casino and resort, explained that resources had to be found. “With respect to the golf course, the Columbia Basin Trust helped immensely. It would not have been possible without them. They agreed to build the course ahead of the rest of the resort. It opened in May 20, 2000. Because we had the golf course, it helped us get what we needed for the other two components.” said Ponte. Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation chair, agreed with Ponte about the economic and social aspects of the course. “This is a real recognition of doing business on Ktunaxa territory,” said Teneese. “But more than that, it shows we can do business while maintaining the land and giving something back to our people.” She added that the annual June charity golf tournament that has become a mainstay event of the area and is a clear example of the business working for the community. h3. A new hot spot The work was completed and the development team soon realized that their best tool in attaining investment was just to drive potential investors and season pass holders to the 13th hole and have them survey the grounds. Season packages soon became the hottest tickets for golfers and the course took third place in Golf Digest’s Best New Canadian Golf Course in 2001. And the group managed not only to create a unique golf destination, they did so without sacrificing the values of the land or the people who have called it home for 10,000 years. Today the course features holes named in Ktunaxa, (with phonetic pronunciations) and entrance to some hazards are prohibited to protect fragile environments. (Errant golf balls are recovered by the grounds crew and given away freely to help prevent damage to the area). It is also the cornerstone that helped raised investment for the 4½ star resort and casino. “I didn’t really relax until the fifth anniversary of the resort, when the partnership (Ktunaxa Nation, Samson Cree Nation and Chippewa’s of Rama First Nation) took over management,” said Pierre. “In the future, I’d like to see the other plans we have for development to be there. Those include a tipi village, a golf academy and convention centre.” h3. Return customers For Isaac Birdstone, who was born and raised in the area surrounding the resort and a man instrumental in the creation of the golf course along with the SEM Development Board, the popularity of the course comes as no surprise. “There is a circle here and that exists because people are always coming back and that’s important,” explained Birdstone. “They come back because they realize this place is special. It is the gem of the Kootenays.” St. Eugene has 125 beautifully appointed guestrooms. Dining choices include the Purcell Grill, Fisher Peak Lounge, 19th Hole Bar & Grill and Fred’s Saloon. The St. Eugene 18 Hole Championship Golf Course and Ktunaxa Nation Council Interpretive Centre are located within the resort and the Health Club contains a fully equipped gym, steam room, sauna, year round heated pool and hot tubs. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary a variety of events and special prizing contests will be taking place throughout the season. Call 250.420.2060 or visit "www.steugene.ca(http://www.steugene.ca)":http://www.steugene.ca for more information.
Golf’s golden ticket
Anyone can play to win a million dollars at an event that showcases Kootenay courses
Golden days: St. Eugene and Shadow Mountain golf resorts are hosting tournament play. —photo courtesy of Mountains of Gold
Instead of booking a stay-and-play package this summer, why not make things even more exciting? You can do that by entering the PGA-endorsed 2010 Kootenay Rockies Mountains of Gold golf tournament in the East Kootenay. The season-long tournament was conceived as a way to lure golfers to the heart of East Kootenay golf, located between Cranbrook and Kimberley. The event, comprised of three-day matches, is being hosted by Shadow Mountain and St. Eugene golf resorts. Golfers will have the option of playing one non-tournament course, such as Bootleg Gap, Kimberley Golf Club or Trickle Creek Golf Course, for their third day, or may re-play one of the host courses. On each of the three days, the golfer with the lowest score, plus one other randomly drawn, will be entered into the final round. Colin Jones, marketing and communications spokesman for Mountains of Gold, said that this event is as special as it is unique. “It’s a better deal than many stay-and-play packages,” he said. “But the fact that anyone could conceivably win $1 million is pretty compelling.” The golf is deluxe enough, but the accommodations will only heighten the experience. “It’s a three-night, three-round luxury golf package for anyone to come and have fun,” said Jones. “The price is a great value, and the $1 million adds a little spice.” Golfers of all abilities are welcome. Dates are filling up, so be sure to book early at the "Mountains of Gold website(Mountains of gold website)":http://www.mountainsofgold.com.
A preview of the Masters gallery
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On par with success
Selkirk Saints Golf Camp had an excellent turnout
Record attendance: The fifth annual Selkirk Saints Golf Camp hosted the most kids ever with help from sponsors such as Nelson Ford’s Russell Stock.—photo courtesy Selkirk College
The fifth annual Selkirk Saints Golf Camp, which ran from July 6 to 10, hosted the most kids ever with help from sponsors such as Nelson Ford’s Russell Stock. More than 60 individuals aged seven to 17 years old participated in the golf camp this year, with kids coming from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Reno, Salmon Arm, Kelowna and of course, the East and West Kootenay regions. h3. A great opportunity Two of the youth attending the camp were given the opportunity to participate in the Selkirk Saints Golf Camp through the Nelson Ford Golf Camp Sponsorship Bursaries. “The cost of participating in some organized sports can be a financial challenge and barrier to some families,” explained Kim Verigin, Athletics and Recreation Co-ordinator at Selkirk College. “Thanks to Russell Stock’s (of Nelson Ford) commitment, a couple of the kids had an opportunity to partake in a positive, skill-building, fun experience—one that would otherwise be unavailable to them.” h3. Plenty to do Early bird fees for the camp were $320 or $520, with the latter including lodging, 24-hour supervision and evening activities. Each individual was provided with meals, signature golf balls, tees and a golf shirt. The camp focused on skill development for every ability level. It included instruction on the history of the game, etiquette, course management, specialty shots, penalties and rules. A video analysis was included and students were able to bring home a CD and frame-by-frame printout of their swings. Students also benefitted from a new grass-top virtual swing analyzer that provided technical feedback, including stats such as swing speed and club face angle. h3. Outstanding support Other sponsors included Kootenay Savings, the Castlegar Golf Club and Selkirk Beverages. Their in-kind donations contributed significantly to the camp’s success. “I feel elated with the response to the camp and the support of our sponsors,” said Verigin. “Now that we have the numbers, we can refine the structure to maximize one-on-one instruction from the beginners to the more advanced—providing even more opportunities for the youths. I am really looking forward to next year!” Individuals and companies interested in becoming sponsors for the Saints Summer Camps (which will feature a volleyball camp in late August) are invited to contact Kim Verigin at 250-365-1304 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
A preview of the Masters
This legendary event brings joy to all who participate
The place to be: Golfers gather excitedly to witness this coveted tournament.—Lisa Vlooswyk
As the first major of the year, the Masters not only marks the true beginning of the golf season, but is arguably the most revered and sought after title. This year’s event will be held April 5 to11, 2010, in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament will be highlighted by Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf since November, 2009, after personal scandal rocked the number one player’s world. It may be the highest rated Masters telecast in history. The Masters itself is bigger than Tiger Woods, it is a tournament steeped deeply in tradition. There is a mystique about the tournament that surpasses all others. Every golfer wants to go and every player wants to win it. I have attended Masters week, Monday to Sunday, sun up to sun down—and I learned many interesting facts and tidbits firsthand. h3. Exclusive entrance The Masters truly is one of the toughest tickets in sports to get. The applications for series badges were closed in 1972 and a waiting list was started that was then closed in 1978. It was reopened briefly in 2000 and has been shut down since. Unless you are a member, player, guest of either, on the list for series badges, have media accreditation, have LPGA, PGA or GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America) credentials, or are willing to sell your first born, you aren’t getting in. Many of the patrons I met had parents, grandparents or friends that have had series badges for over 40 years. The badge holders don’t usually go every year or on all four days and often give their passes to loved ones. If you aren’t one of these beloved people, your options for tickets are to go through a lottery process for practice rounds by mailing your letter of interest to Augusta National prior to July 15, or to pay between $200 and $2,000 per day per ticket through e-bay, scalpers or event planners. The actual face value of ticket prices for Monday and Tuesday practice round tickets are a measly $36, Wednesday tickets are $41 and Thursday through Sunday badges are an incredibly low $200 for all four days. If you are interested in tickets for this year, go through an accredited event planner. Be prepared to pay top dollar for this experience. Quint Events still has tickets available along with access to lodging, hosting and transportation (866-834-8663). h3. A few regulations Once you get through the gates, the trick is staying in. The rules there are very strict. Running and cell phones are not allowed and cameras are not permitted on tournament days. If caught, the patron is immediately taken by security to the gate to be removed and has his/her badge confiscated. Fifteen people were escorted out of the tournament the day I inquired. Any other behaviour considered inappropriate, such as booing or removing/damaging property, would also warrant the loss of credentials. If you lose your credentials you are black listed for life and will never get a badge or ticket again. Every badge has a number on it that corresponds to the owner of the badge. Thus, the owner—regardless if he/she is the one who broke the rules—loses the credentials for good, even if he is a member. If you can follow the simple rules and etiquette at Augusta, it is a glorious experience. Food and beverages are served at depression era pricing, with sandwiches for $1.50 and beer for $2. Spectator guides are provided free of charge, and picnic facilities, water fountains and grandstand seating are available. Those who are smokers are in carcinogenic heaven. Smoking is permitted on the course, including cigars. Entrepreneurs capitalized on this and were quietly selling Cohibas out of their private humidors. h3. More perks Other fringe benefits of being a patron include the option to bring or purchase a chair and place it anywhere on the course. You pop your business card in a slot and once you leave your chair it will remain untouched for the remainder of the day. Although, be prepared for the crowds. Trying to find a front row seat to place your chairs first thing in the morning is a challenge. Grown men can often be found pushing, shoving and exchanging choice words to ensure their prime spot. The chair placing was so competitive, corporate attendees were paying the litter collectors $20 per chair to hide their seat under the grandstand and set it up the next day before the gates opened. The security guard on Hole 16, also a former FBI agent, discovered the “crime ring” after uncovering 32 chairs stashed under the grandstand on the 15th hole. The litter collectors were apparently being prosecuted but had made quite a tidy sum in the process. It is a haven for creative entrepreneurs. John Daly has been known to park his trailer on the front lawn of Hooters all week. His merchandise sells like hot cakes and he has sold out of his trademark boxers early in the week that say “Grip it” on the front and “Rip it” on the back. Professional e-bayers see the Masters as a treasure trove. Hoping to sell Masters Flags with the winner’s autograph, scalpers have bags and pockets filled with over 50 flags and get each one signed by a different player in hopes to hit the jack-pot. Autographs are only allowed near the driving range so scalpers were even paying off children to squirm their way to the front row and play the “innocent kid” card to players. It worked. Many players are well aware of the autograph sellers and have strict policies. Tom Watson wouldn’t sign flags, Jim Furyk wouldn’t sign balls and 1987 Masters Champion Larry Mize insisted on personalizing his autograph and adding a biblical reference. h3. Tricks of the trade Practice rounds are also a great way to see trick shots. Monday through Wednesday any player coming through the 16th tee will receive a loud chant, “skip, skip, skip.” Players then skip the ball across the water on the par 3 hole much to the joy and amusement of the patrons. If after the cut there are an uneven number of players in the field, a “non-competing marker,” Augusta National’s reigning Club Champion, will be called up to play so that no Tour player plays alone. Augusta National truly is considered hallowed ground by most golfers. One of the patrons was spotted pouring a jar full of dust in the rough on Amen Corner. He was overheard saying, “Now you’re in heaven, Dad.” Overall the Masters experience is magical! Amen Corner is every bit as breathtaking as you imagine it to be. The azaleas in full bloom are like perfectly perched brilliant pink butterflies. The greens are a delightful combination of rolling hills and skating rinks and the fairways look like lush pristine emerald green carpets without a hair out of place. You would be hard pressed to find anything that remotely resembles a weed on the entire course. It is a must-see. Make it one of your 10 Things in Life to Do, before you are sprinkled there, you won’t be disappointed!
Precision golf
Set in the St. Mary Valley and the Purcell Range, Kimberley has great, scenic golf
Insider advice: Restraint, prudence and accuracy pay off at Bootleg Gap.—photo courtesy Bootleg Gap
Avid golfer Chris Andrews recalls two favourite holes in the Kimberley area, one that is intriguing for its beauty and the other for its technical play requirements. Andrews, who works for Kootenay Rockies Tourism, offered his pointers on how to play the two holes. He finds the par four Hole 13 at Kimberley Golf Club very scenic. The 375-yard hole offers a nice challenge to go with the view. “You stare right down the St. Mary Valley and right at the cliffs and bluffs and Bootleg Mountain on the left. Those cliff walls make the dramatic backdrop and it’s a very good little golf hole. It is a precision-type golf hole. You want to hit it to a certain spot, then hit it to a two-tiered green. It just angles a little bit to the right. Most golfers fade the golf ball or hit a bit of a slice. If you do that, you leave yourself in a bit of trouble. But yet, you can’t go too far because there is a bunker way up on the left-hand side. You want to leave yourself back where you can hit a shot into anywhere on the green, because if it’s a pin on the right-hand side up on the second tier, you want to be on the left-hand side so you have a good angle of approach.” On the 13th tee, Andrews usually uses a three wood versus a driver, just to be precise. h3. A fascinating challenge While Hole 5 at Bootleg Gap is also very beautiful, Andrews keeps going back to the par five, 520-yard hole because of its fascinating challenge. “Very challenging tee shot—it’s just the tightness of the tee shot. You have to be very accurate. It’s a par five. If you do hit that perfect tee shot you are then left with an even more challenging approach to a green if you are trying to get there in two. With a bunker on the right, and a bank on the left, to a green that is kind of saddle-shaped, peaked in the middle, that faces you—it is a very challenging golf hole if you get aggressive. It’s one that you like to hit a good drive or a three wood, then hit a good lay-up and then try to get it up on the green and make a birdie if you can. If you get away with par, then you’re happy. Every shot is pretty challenging on that hole. If you get aggressive you can make a big number. “There are great golf courses all over that just don’t share the same scenic backdrop that we enjoy,” concluded Andrews. h3. Mountain golf The rolling terrain on pine-forested fairways at Trickle Creek is renowned for its balance of challenge and playability, which is the great achievement of Les Furber-designed courses. Golf instruction at Trickle Creek is excellent, providing private, group and on-course playing lessons. Cost-effective packages are a great option, as are intensive clinics.
Aiming high
Redstone is ready for the next round
On par: Cary Fisher has seen several changes at Redstone resort in Rossland —Photo by Tanya Laing Gahr
The course Redstone Golf Resort in Rossland has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful and challenging mountain-style courses in B.C., even as a nine-hole course. But according to managing partner Cary Fisher, while visitors would talk about the great surroundings and the tough play—along with the automated bag tow similar to a ski lift on the fifth hole—many didn’t return to be tested by the course again. But Fisher envisioned Rossland as a four-season destination—and that vision included golf. Formerly known as the Rossland Golf Course and owned by Teck Cominco Metals Ltd., the course was put on the auction block in 2003. Fisher approached a local developer, Robert Felsch, about the potential in the area. “We started walking up the mountain and all over the place,” said Fisher. “And (Felsch) said, ‘There’s a lot of flat land here,’ and then he said, ‘How much is it?’” Fisher said the final decision was made that afternoon. “We got back to the parking lot and (Felsch) said, ‘How much money do you have?’” said Fisher, “and I said, ‘Nothing.’ So he said, ‘Tell you what—you do all the work, I’ll put the money up and we’ll be partners.’” Famed golf course designer Les Furber was brought on board and the course was redesigned to include nine more holes and was made more playable. A condo development is gaining attention from locals and investors from outside the region. And this season, the challenging original nine will reopen to great anticipation. In the midst of all of the change and development, two things remain the same: the tremendous mountain scenery is worth any lost balls—and Fisher promises the bag tow will be installed for the sake of history.
Inside pointers at Kimberley and Bootleg Gap
Stroke-by-stroke guidance for two classic Kimberley holes
Fun challenge: Hole 5 at Bootleg Gap requires precision and restraint.—photo courtesy Chris Andrews
Avid golfer Chris Andrews recalls two favourite holes in the Kimberley area, one that is intriguing for its beauty and the other for its technical play requirements. Andrews, who works for Kootenay Rockies Tourism, offered his pointers on how to play the two holes. h3. Scenic Kimberley He finds the par 4 Hole 13 at Kimberley Golf Club very scenic. The 375-yard hole offers a nice challenge to go with the view. “You stare right down the St. Mary Valley and right at the cliffs and bluffs and Bootleg Mountain on the left. Those cliff walls make the dramatic backdrop and it’s a very good little golf hole. It is a precision-type golf hole. You want to hit it to a certain spot, then hit it to a two-tiered green. It just angles a little bit to the right. Most golfers fade the golf ball or hit a bit of a slice. If you do that, you leave yourself in a bit of trouble. But yet, you can’t go too far because there is a bunker way up on the left-hand side. You want to leave yourself back where you can hit a shot into anywhere on the green, because if it’s a pin on the right-hand side up on the second tier, you want to be on the left-hand side so you have a good angle of approach.” On the 13th tee, Andrews usually uses a three wood versus a driver, just to be precise. h3. The challenge of Bootleg Gap While Hole 5 at Bootleg Gap is also very beautiful, Andrews keeps going back to the par 5, 520-yard hole because of its fascinating challenge. “Very challenging tee shot—it’s just the tightness of the tee shot. You have to be very accurate. It’s a par five. If you do hit that perfect tee shot you are then left with an even more challenging approach to a green if you are trying to get there in two. With a bunker on the right, and a bank on the left, to a green that is kind of saddle-shaped, peaked in the middle, that faces you—it is a very challenging golf hole if you get aggressive. It’s one that you like to hit a good drive or a three wood, then hit a good lay up and then try to get it up on the green and make a birdie if you can. If you get away with par, then you’re happy. Every shot is pretty challenging on that hole. If you get aggressive you can make a big number. “There are great golf courses all over that just don’t share the same scenic backdrop that we enjoy,” concluded Andrews.
72 holes in five days
John Reid from Redstone takes five writers on a memorable West Kootenay golf tour
A great course: The West Kootenay golf tour included a stop at the beautiful Castlegar Golf Club. —photo by Andrew Zwicker
“It really is a gem to have so many gorgeous golf courses in such close proximity to each other, with all these great little towns sprinkled amongst the mountains,” said Roy Wood, a freelance golf journalist based out of Edmonton, as we putted out on our 72nd hole in five days. Travelling with a fearsome foursome of writers from San Diego, Edmonton, Trail and Rossland and hosted by Redstone’s marketing and sales manager, John Reid, instructional pro Loretta Bulfone and Kootenay Rockies marketing and communications manager Chris Andrews, we toured the West Kootenay playing six of the eight jewels on the Kootenay Golf Passport. We spent the first night in Rossland, in the wonderfully renovated, comfortable ski kitsch charm of the Ram’s Head Inn at the base of Red Mountain Resort. Recent new owner and top-notch chef Rose prepared our gourmet breakfast to fuel the adventure ahead. An hour’s drive later along the mighty Columbia River and through serene Kootenay River valleys, we pulled into the clubhouse at Granite Pointe high above Nelson. Here, you begin to catch the first glimpse of the spectacular mountain backdrops that define golfing in the West Kootenay. Overlooking the peaceful west arm of Kootenay Lake, the Big Orange Bridge and peek-a-boo views of Kokanee glacier, the par four signature hole 16’s elevated tees left even the most seasoned golfer in our group speechless. Finishing up on the 9th green, adjacent to the bright and airy clubhouse patio, we were rewarded after a wonderful morning with refreshments and delicious wraps before continuing up the shores of Kootenay Lake for an afternoon rendezvous with the Les Furber-designed Balfour Golf Club. Winding through the spruce and cedar forests of the Purcell Mountains high above the lakeshore, the magnificent and challenging 6,510-yard course is loaded with character. Featuring dramatic elevation changes, the large greens make the tree lined course playable for all ability levels. The undulating course emits a real romantic feel as it wraps neatly into the geography of the land frequented by whitetail deer and soaring bald eagles. Situated on the high point of the property at the 10th tee, the quaint gazebo and Adirondack deck chairs offer a welcome rest spot to take in the towering Selkirk skyline high above the sparkling waters as you prepare to take on the back nine. Just around the corner from the golf club and built into the side of the mountain is McQ’s restaurant, where we finished the day with delicious steaks and seafood fettuccini in the log cabin-style facility. “This has got to be the most incredible free tourist experience I’ve ever seen,” said San Diego-based Rosanne Zinnigan regarding the Osprey 2000 ferry. Plying through the silky smooth waters of Kootenay Lake from Balfour aboard the longest free ferry ride in North America is an experience not to be missed as you make your way over to Kokanee Springs in the artisan rich village of Crawford Bay. Originally planned to be a major tourist destination complete with multiple ski and golf resorts in the ’70s, the land was rezoned with a change in government, maintaining the majestic middle-of-nowhere wilderness feel of the area. The immaculately maintained course, lined with 68 varieties of wildflowers, white-water creeks and stunning vistas of the north face of Kokanee Glacier, is a truly one of a kind experience for all golfers. From the rock wall elevated tee boxes of the first tee, to the uphill stadium-like 9th hole, this 18-hole 6,604-yard masterpiece left no detail unfinished. Forgivingly tree-lined, with most holes containing water features along the creek, each hole affords a different aspect to the surrounding white-capped peaks of the Selkirks to the west and Purcell Mountains to the east. Rounding the bend we stopped to enjoy the monster burgers cooked up on the grill by the outgoing staff at the 10th hole tee box, basking in the sun before heading out on the back nine. As the sun rose again on the third day of our adventure, we found our way to the Castlegar Golf Club, hidden behind town on a secluded plateau looking out to the Rossland range in the distance. Castlegar’s open fairways, blossoming cherry trees and mature spruce and pine-lined holes are a testament to the history awaiting discovery behind this course. Rounding the corner of the 4th hole we were lucky enough to meet one of the local black bears that make their home in the area enjoying the beautiful green spaces as much as we were. Making our way back along the Columbia River, 30 minutes from Castlegar brought us to the newly redeveloped golf course in Rossland. Now known as Redstone, it was named in honour of the 1920’s course designer Reg Stone. Unique to the region, this Les Furber-designed course features elevated tees and tight aspen and cedar-lined holes on the upper back nine, with a completely different feel on the more flowing, undulating front nine with its mature willow trees. Currently under re-construction, the front nine is scheduled to open late in the 2008 season, creating a 6,800-yard championship style course complete with new residential development just minutes from downtown Rossland. As Australian-born owner Robert Flesch and his wife Robyn showed us around the facility, it was easy to see where the extremely courteous staff get their motivation. Rob and Rob, as they’re known, are fountains of energy and their bubbly, welcoming personalities have clearly invigorated the staff at the club. Waking up early on the final day of our tour in Rossland’s Prestige Hotel with views down to the Redstone course, we stumbled into our van and chugged through the Nancy Greene Pass 45 minutes southwest of Rossland to the summer sports mecca of Christina Lake for our final round at the Christina Lake Golf Club. Highlighted by stately ponderosa and lodgepole pines, the first thing you notice as you approach the first tee is the unmistakably fresh scent of the pine forest. It’s a pleasure playing around the forgiving course that has been well brushed out making it easy to find balls on the occasional accidental nature walk as our tired bodies put a few balls into the woods. With its relatively new clubhouse well situated behind the ninth green, our crab and shrimp wraps were a succulent way to quite literally wrap up our West Kootenay Golf Tour. Dozing off on the trip home after an inspiring tour, my golf partner Marilyn’s quote kept ringing in my ears, summing up what golfing in the West Kootenay is all about: “How can you not feel great out here—-blue skies, mountain views, beautiful courses and wonderful people—that’s what it’s all about!”
A lucky ace
Way-Lyn Ranch is the ideal spot to score a hole-in-one—just ask Mark Riegert
A good mix: Way-Lyn Ranch Golf Course boasts superb scenery and a friendly atmosphere.—photo by Jody Jacob
After 12 years of playing golf, Mark Riegert of Kimberley, B.C., finally shot a hole-in-one on October 17, 2007; it came as a surprise to Mark and his wife Jayne, who were enjoying their last game of the season at Way-Lyn Ranch Golf Course when it happened. “We were having fun and taking in the scenery atop the back nine when we came to hole #15, par 4, at 279 yards,” said Mark. “Throwing caution to the wind, the driver was selected to take a chance of hitting the green. The swing was made, the ball was struck and the flight was high and straight. The ball landed short of the green, then it trickled onto it and fell out of sight.” After taking a closer look, Jayne quickly informed her husband that he had scored his first ace. “(It was) more luck than skill on this one but nonetheless, still a hole-in-one,” said Mark. “I still have the ball and the score card.” Located between Cranbrook and Kimberley, Way-Lyn Ranch Golf Course is a challenging 18-hole executive course that provides a delightful golfing experience for players of all levels. The course’s layout allows golfers to brush up on both their short and long games. With tall native grasses in the deep rough areas, the course’s newer nine is reminiscent of Scottish-style links. Along with the warm hospitality and scenic country setting, Way-Lyn is a favourite golf destination for locals and visitors alike. “The views are fantastic,” said Mark, “and (I like) the challenge of the small greens.”
Welcoming a new pro
Paul Whittingham is the new head golf professional at Cranbrook Golf Club
Meet the pro: Paul Whittingham is the new CPGA head professional at the Cranbrook Golf Club.—photo by Lorna Schiefner
The Cranbrook Golf Club has many exciting things to look forward to this season—including a new head CPGA pro. The club welcomed Paul Whittingham this past March; Whittingham brings with him an extensive background within the industry. Whittingham fell in love with the game of golf at an early age and has been a golf professional for the past 15 years. Prior to his move to the East Kootenay, he spent the last 10 years at Calgary's Heritage Pointe Golf Club—three years as the head pro with the Golf Academy at Heritage Pointe. h3. What’s your favourite hole at the Cranbrook Golf Club? I would have to say Hole No. 1. It’s very rare to have a driveable par four on your first hole. You can take a safe approach or step up and knock it on the green. The opportunity to make a par or a birdie can really start your game out on the right foot. In giving a golf lesson, what is a common problem? Tension! People often grip the club too tightly, which does not allow for a natural swing. When you are not able to think your swing through properly, it will obviously make for a poor swing. h3. What’s your choice of driver? The Taylormade Tour Burner has to be one of my favourite drivers. The Tour Burner lets you hit straight and is very forgiving. It’s a much lighter club featuring SuperFast technology, and it has lots of clubhead speed. h3. How do the golf courses in the East Kootenay compare to those in Alberta? There are so many unique golf courses in both provinces which I enjoy playing. I like the idea of playing on a woodland course. Each hole is your own hole where you feel there is some separation. The natural golf courses tend to offer fairways and greens that are carved into the landscape, which makes for a very appealing golf experience. Some other attractive benefits is that we have a much better price point in the East Kootenays, and availability is another great feature—compared to some of the comparable golf courses in Alberta. h3. What was the oldest and youngest students you have taught over the years? The youngest was four years old and full of energy. Believe it or not, the oldest was 75 years—come to think of it, he was also full of spunk and energy. It really makes you realize that golf has become universal with every generation. h3. Are you enjoying living in Cranbrook? Do you miss living in Calgary? There is a real sense of community here that I enjoy—you really feel like you belong. We have two small children, so my wife is meeting lots of parents and really enjoying herself. Unfortunately, I won't get to enjoy many of the summer activities but I am looking forward to getting the family out skiing during the winter months. h3. What do you like best about being a golf professional? The interaction with the people and the diversity of the job. For the most part we deal with people that are playing a game that they love and are at a location they enjoy being at. In regards to the diversity of the job, each day is a unique day, no day is the same. There are many different aspects of the job and there are many different hats the golf professional needs to wear. Some days you are stuck in the back doing paper work but other days you may instruct for a few hours, fit someone for new golf clubs, work the front counter for a few hours, run a corporate outing for a few hours and attend a board meeting for a few hours. Each day is different which keeps the golf professional on his toes for the entire summer.
Get your driver out
There's a new Head Golf Professional in town - and he would like to meet you
Family man: Mel Dies (L) is the new Head CPGA pro and general manager at Fernie.—photo courtesy Fernie Golf Club
The Fernie Golf Club has many exciting things to look forward to this season - including a new Head CPGA Pro and General Manager. The club welcomed Mel Dies this past March. Prior to his move to the Elk Valley, Mel has spent the last 10 years as the Head Pro and General Manager at the Ft. McMurray Golf Club. Mel fell in love with the game of golf in his early teens and graduated from the much respected "San Diego Golf Academy". It was pristine lakes, the mountains, and abundance of golf courses that lured him to the Elk Valley. Originally from Saskatchewan, Mel has been a frequent traveler to the East Kootenays for many years and is excited to now be living in the area - and to be part of the Fernie Golf Club. It was a during summer vacation in 2007, while soaking up the sun, Mel thought why not enjoy this wonderful lifestyle 12 months out of the year. What Mel is looking forward to the most is meeting and getting to know all the club members. "This was a big reason why I was interested in becoming a part of the Fernie Golf Club, is because it's a member club. It's nice to see familiar faces every day, where at a resort course it is more difficult." From what Mel sees, Fernie is the perfect mix of both. Another big pull was the idea of a smaller community atmosphere. "The idea of raising our young family in a smaller community was appealing," said Dies. "Ft. McMurray has been very good to us, but the it was time to make a change." Although we have been in the area for such a short time, we have really enjoyed the atmosphere of Fernie. Everyone is very friendly and willing to help in any way possible. "I am very excited to be part of such a great community, I am looking forward to a great season ahead." The Pro's Assistants Kylan Borton and Craig Blackler will be heading up the Junior Program and are already hard at work setting up some clinics for the summer. There will be many other group clinics for specific training as well as a wide range of private and semi-private lessons available. Beginners and seasoned golfers look forward to these lessons which enhance their game, improve their confidence and fix a problem. They are cost effective and not limited to members only. Anyone can participate by calling the Pro Shop and registering. For more information on the Fernie Golf Club, please contact the pro shop at 250-423-7773 or visit their website at "www.golffernie.com(Fernie golf website)":http://www.golffernie.com.
Golfing in Ktunaxa Country
Golf a round and save a language—Ktunaxa words at St. Eugene
Preserving a culture: The new signs at St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino are an attempt to assist in the preservation of the Ktunaxa language.—photo courtesy of St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino
There is a new, exciting challenge at the Les Furber-designed St. Eugene. Golfers can now pronounce a Ktunaxa word at each hole. The rustic wooden signs show the layout of each hole and give the yardage—but the interesting twist is that the names of these holes are written in Ktunaxa. First the name is given using the phonetic symbols, and in brackets there is a spelling for English-speaking golfers to pronounce. The English translation is given underneath. Ktunaxa is not traditionally a written language, but in the late 1970s, steps had to be taken to record the language that was critically endangered. The Ktunaxa Nation has been striving to preserve their language and pass it on to their children by creating a book of Ktunaxa words. Having these signs on the golf course is an opportunity to share the language with more people—and also increase awareness of the challenges the Nation faces in preserving their language. “If you look at the history of our people or the condition of our language today—I could be the last of the fluent speakers,” said Dorothy Alpine, a Ktunaxa elder and language expert. “If we don't do what we can to preserve what we know and hopefully pass it on to the younger generation, this language is going to be extinct. I get a special kind of good feeling when I hear people trying to speak it. On the course, with the phonetic spellings, people who don't understand can at least try and say the words. We are in Ktunaxa country and I want people to know that.”
Fun in the sun and the rain
Koocanusa Publications enters the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament
Team Koocanusa: (L to R) Mike Dale, Murray Potyok, Joni Krats, Linda Powell and Keith Powell.—photo courtesy of Linda Powell
Despite intermittent rain, the tournament fundraiser for the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce was well attended and very fun. On June 23 Koocanusa Publications participated in the Cranbrook chamber’s annual golf tournament. The tournament was held at Way-Lyn Ranch Golf Course, a Scottish links-style course near Wycliffe. As usual, the event was very popular. “It is always a great opportunity to network and raise funds for the Chamber,” said Karin Penner, manager of the Chamber. “We get a tremendous response.” The Koocanusa team included members from publishing, sales, distribution and editorial departments. The tournament was a shotgun start and had many hole-in-one prizes. It was a best-ball scoring system, much to the relief of greener golfers such as me. Jody Burk of the East Kootenay Community Credit Union won a Lay-Z-Boy recliner from The Bedroom Furniture Galleries by getting a hole in one on the 188-yard Hole18.
Behind the scenes—on the grounds
The bunkers and turf at your course need specialized care
Sharing info: Kevin Schiefner, superintendent at Cranbrook Golf Club, shares some of his behind-the-scenes knowledge.—photo by Lorna Schiefner
Behind the scenes at your course, on the grounds, there are many technical and scientific factors at work. From maintaining consistent sand particle size in the bunkers, to reducing compaction while mowing the greens, the maintenance staff at your course controls many aspects to keep your course looking and playing well. Kevin Schiefner, the course superintendent at the Cranbrook Golf and Country Club, discussed some of these details with GolfWest. With his diploma in turfgrass management from the University of Guelph, Schiefner has intensive knowledge of grass cultivars. h3. Bunkers—smooth, with uniform particles A good bunker is smoothly constructed and has a uniform depth of sand. While some courses prefer the pure white silica sand, the main issue is that whatever sand is used, it should have uniform particle size. The sand particles must also be large enough that the sand does not compact and also does not produce dust. The Cranbrook course replenishes its sand from the same location in southern Alberta as needed. This sand is screened and sifted so that the particles are uniform. “You want the sand to be very consistent,” said Schiefner. Schiefner recently wrote an article to assist members in knowing the correct way to rake their way out of a bunker. Since many golfers pull the rake behind them, the sand depth changes over the course of several weeks. The centre of the bunker may have a depth of only one inch, while the edges of the bunker may have a depth of five. The action of playing the ball in the bunker also displaces the sand. In order to offset this, it is recommended that the rake be pulled toward the edge of the bunker, then pushed toward the centre. This smooths the surface without moving too much sand to the edge. It is also important to enter the bunker at the lowest spot on the edge of the bunker. This will prevent leaving deep tracks and displacing unnecessary amounts of sand. Players should leave the bunker by the same route and carefully rake their way out. Periodically, maintenance workers will probe the sand to gauge its depth and will move the sand to even the depth. h3. Turf—you either love poa or you don’t At the Cranbrook course, the greens have a variety of turf species intermixed. Cranbrook’s greens include various cultivars of bentgrass as well as poa annual bluegrass. This grass reseeds itself and provides the velvety fine-grained texture required on the green. Not everyone loves poa, since its texture changes when it goes to seed, which affects the ball roll. The seeds also infiltrate other areas of the course. It also doesn’t handle cold weather as well as other species. “You’re definitely pampering it more,” Schiefner said. The fairways are mowed to the same length as the fringes or collars around the greens. If the grass length wasn’t uniform, it would affect the play of the ball. In order to reduce compaction on the greens, the outer edge is mowed one day and the inner part is mowed the other. Another tactic is to rotate the mowing direction every time. Good green construction reduces the risk of compaction. The best constructed greens are built on a sand base. Many courses that built greens on soil are now phasing them out and are upgrading to sand-constructed greens. “That also helps with water filtration and nutrient uptake,” said Schiefner. h3. Pine needles—a useful commodity The Cranbrook course is beautifully treed with mature ponderosa pine. The one drawback of these stately trees is that they drop an abundance of needles on the course. Schiefner’s crew uses backpack leafblowers to remove these needles from the fairways. “We do a heavy cleaning of needles in the spring,” said Schiefner. The needles are then carted away and stored, since they are very useful for mulching the cart paths. The result of mulching the paths with pine needles is a reduction of weeds and also a nice, attractive surface to drive on. “We just did an area on 14, and it looks fantastic,” said Schiefner. The Augusta, Georgia, course that hosts the Masters makes good use of its pine needles—it uses them as a pretty mulch around their azaleas, which love an acidic environment and the cool, moisture retaining insulation over their roots. Next time you are raking your way out of a bunker, or are appreciating the smooth roll of your ball as it heads into the cup, consider the work and knowledge that went into making your course so beautiful. There is a team of people with specialized knowledge who get up very early in the morning to create the fine conditions you enjoy. “We’re the unsung heroes,” said Schiefner.
St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
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Mission Hills Golf Course
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Way-Lyn Ranch Golf Course
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Shadow Mountain Golf Club
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Revelstoke Golf Club
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Golf at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort gets an early start
New green fees and upgrades at Mountainside and Riverside golf courses
Putting away: Golfers gather on the green at the Mountainside Championship 18-hole golf course at Fairmont Hot Springs. —Photo courtesy of Scott Henderson, dHz Media
Riverside Golf Course at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is opening a week earlier than last year thanks to mild temperatures in the Columbia Valley. Weather permitting the course will open this Friday, March 19. “Spring is definitely here at Fairmont Hot Springs and Riverside is in excellent condition thanks to a mild winter,” said Peter Smith, executive vice president and director of golf at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. “While many areas are still waiting for the snow to melt off the fairways, we’re working hard to get the course in game shape for Friday.” Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is focusing on course condition this year for all three of their courses—Riverside, Mountainside and Creekside—to ensure golfers receive maximum value. New tee box markers have also been installed at Riverside to improve visibility from the cart path and the pace of play will be improved at Mountainside thanks to a new starter shack. “We’re focusing on getting the little things perfected (on) the courses at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort,” Smith said. “Our courses are in great shape every year but we’re taking the little suggestions from our golfers to heart, and implementing them.” Green fees at Riverside are $80 for 18 holes on the weekend, and $75 on weekdays. Mountainside has a newly adjusted green fee of $70 on weekends and $65 on weekdays. The nine-hole Creekside course is $19 on weekends and $17 on weekdays. Buying bulk tee times is another option Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is offering this year. Golfers can buy 10 tee times for $499 before March 31, and $599 after for Riverside and Mountainside courses. With three courses, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort offers 45 holes of golf at its picturesque location on Hwy. 93/95 in the majestic B.C. Rockies, one hour from Cranbrook, B.C., and three hours west of Calgary, Alberta. The Riverside Golf Course is an 18-hole course set on the majestic Columbia River with the rugged Rocky Mountains as its backdrop. The winding Columbia River creates a natural and peaceful water challenge as fairways roll gently along its sloping banks. Mountainside Golf Course is an 18-hole par 72 golf course with fairways skirting towering peaks and a view of Columbia Lake. This meticulously maintained mature course was the first 18-hole course to be built in the Columbia Valley. Creekside, the par 3, nine-hole golf course, is the perfect choice for a family golf experience, for those looking to learn the sport, or just to brush up on their skills. h3. About Fairmont Hot Springs In the heart of the Columbia Valley, Fairmont Hot Springs is a historical four-season resort destination located at the headwaters of the mighty Columbia River in the Rocky Mountains. World renowned for its natural beauty and its mineral hot springs, the 2,600-acre resort features a 137-room lodge with spa and conference center. It offers championship golf, a ski resort and ski school, hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing and river rafting on the Columbia.
Not one disappointed kid
Kids get golf instruction and wilderness adventure at Fairmont’s new three-day program
Learn from the best: Participants in the Youth Golf and Adventure Programs get instruction from CPGA professionals. —Photo by Andi Dzillums
There are still opportunities to enroll your kids in the newly developed, three-day Youth Golf and Adventure Programs at Fairmont Hot Springs. The program was designed to introduce and expand the golf skills of kids aged seven to 14, while also giving them the chance to explore a variety of exciting adventures. The three-day program includes professional golf instruction—for beginners or intermediates—three rounds of golf (nine holes each) at the family-friendly Creekside Golf Course; lunch, a t-shirt, pool access and a fun adventure. Kids in the program have learned bear awareness, animal track identification, shelter building and other wilderness skills. Crafting and hiking are also included. Nadyia Fry, who works with the kids in the program, said that the offerings are customized to suit the interests of the children in each group. She has seen them go from unsure beginner golfers to avid learners. A few kids continued to golf with their parents outside of the program and saw their skills increase dramatically. A big part of the program’s success has been that it is not entirely focussed on golf, so that children aren’t intimidated by working on one activity only. With professional naturalists and certified guides, the kids get an enriching experience that is both active and educational. “I haven’t had one disappointed kid,” said Fry. The program continues this August, with offerings on August 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27.
Sculpted by masters
Golden’s playable golf course is the creation of Bill Newis and Les Furber
Tough rough: Golden Golf Club is completely surrounded by wilderness. —KPI file photo
Marcus Parney, pro at the Golden Golf Club, said that the Les Furber-designed Hole 11 is considered the course’s signature hole; it is interesting for the challenges provided by Holt Creek and elevation variations and for its exceptional beauty. Hole 11 is often used for wedding portraits because of its setting, which includes a backdrop of Mount Seven. The 377-yard, par four requires players to tee off with an iron or hybrid off the tee to a short iron approach shot. The green has three bunkers: one pot bunker along the front-middle and two on the right. The green is sloped slightly from back to front. “The effect can be visually deceiving,” said Parney, explaining that some golfers might perceive the green’s slope to be more pronounced by visually comparing it to the sloped fairway.
PGA show’s top picks
Lisa Longball finds the best in Canadian golfwear and products
Fantastic golfwear: Golfers like to stay fashionable too.—Photo courtesy Quagmire Golf
The PGA Show in Orlando is the biggest show in golf held each January to kick-start the official beginning of the golf season. Last year I was a rookie attendee and was caught like a deer in the headlights with over a million square feet of every golf goodie, gadget and garment available. This year I came armed with comfy but stylish shoes and a planned route. Here are some of the top Canadian finds that impressed me: h3. Keeping dry and warm One of the leaders in outerwear technology, Sunice has proven its merit. In addition to offering high quality base and mid-layers, this Canadian company is most well known for their four categories of Sunice shells from their Storm and Hurricane lines that keep players dry and warm in any condition and on the course longer. Their top line offers a lifetime waterproof guarantee and specialized technology in their products. Some features include: Flex vent, an anti-odour and moisture-wicking Xstatic fabric. These garments are thermodynamic, anti-static and have in-pocket ball and club cleaners. Sunice boasts one of the most extensive lines for women’s outerwear with the Evelyn jacket being a top seller for 2010 ("www.sunice.com(http://www.sunice.com)":http://www.sunice.com). h3. Hip and youthful Quagmire Golf is a hip, youthful and unique clothing line designed to be worn casually for both men and women with a skateboard and surf-style flair. Two young Canucks started this company, which has been in the golf apparel market for the last four years and has experienced tremendous growth and success. The unconventional necklines, board short look, creative use of striping, skewed chest pockets, large Q logo and staple plaid bottoms are some of the signature looks of Quagmire. The 2010 lineup continues with those traditions along with adding front gathering polos for women, golf dresses, skorts—both pleated and safari-style—along with casual leisure and outerwear including blazers and hoodies. The men’s line sports contrasting coloured collars, flat-front pants, retro-style activewear, plaid button-down short-sleeve shirts and Castro and trucker-style hats "(http://www.quagmiregolf.com((www.quagmiregolf.com)":http://(http://www.quagmiregolf.com). h3. Performance artwear Catwalk debuted in 2006 and the vision for the line was to create clothing that celebrated the female form but was as comfortable as it was practical. This Canadian company brands themselves as “performance artwear.” The fitted aspect to the clothing has been very popular amongst many women who were tired of the men’s-style baggy polos and the XXL tees LPGA player Becky Iverson used to wear. The clothing looks stylish, comfortable and attractive and has a yoga flair to it. Although it definitely fits the woman who is sporting a hard body, owner and creator Lauren Demerling said confident plus size-women wear her tops too. The creative use of striping is flattering to the figure as is the open neckline. ("www.catwalkartwear.com(http://www.catwalkartwear.com)":http://www.catwalkartwear.com) h3. Great glasses Sundog Eyewear has been a staple in the eye wear industry for more than 25 years and is well known for quality product and great value. A strong focus of the company is ensuring there is a variety of product to meet individual customer’s needs. A multitude of lenses are offered including polycarbonate, polarized, melanin-infused and transition lenses. Lens shapes are designed to fit different faces: large, small, shallow and deep, and a variety of frame materials are used to best compliment the wide range of head shapes. Top golfers have endorsed this product, including LPGA sensation Paula Creamer and Canada’s own Mike Weir. Both have their own lines, which are widely popular both on and off the course ("www.sundogeyewear.com(http://www.sundogeyewear.com)":http://www.sundogeyewear.com). h3. Stay and play Fox Harb’r Golf Resort is a high-end Canadian golf resort located in Nova Scotia. Created by Tim Hortons founder Ron Joyce, it was a gem at the PGA Show and a must-play. Tiger Woods held a televised celebrity event there this past season that highlighted the breathtaking views and championship golf. Stay and Play packages are offered with on-site luxury accommodation, dining, a spa and a sporting lodge for hunting, fishing and shooting, along with access to a multitude of fitness and lifestyle pursuits such as tennis and kayaking. The season runs from May 15 to October 31 and the hunting season goes from October 1 to March 31. This is a bucket list course and a great golf experience ("www.foxharbr.com(http://www.foxharbr.com)":http://www.foxharbr.com).
The stakes are high
Playing the 17 on The Springs Course at Radium is as sketchy as it is beautiful
Lethal beauty: Hole 17 at The Springs Course is a signature hole for its breathtaking setting and nasty bite. —photo courtesy Radium Springs Golf Course
Beautifully situated against the bluffs of the Columbia Valley, 149-yard Hole 17 has earned its status as a signature hole at The Springs Course. Brent Taylor, who is the head pro at The Springs and at The Resort courses, described, stroke-by-stroke, how best to play this par three hole. “The approach to the green is all carry,” said Taylor. “You cannot miss-hit the shot or you are down into the Columbia Valley. For an average golfer playing from the back tee it’s about a seven or an eight iron. Because of its location, it is a fun and unique hole to play. The stakes are very high, and there are always some prevailing winds that make it even trickier. Although it is very short, the consequences of a miss-hit shot are that you have to play another ball. There is no place to drop it. You have to hit the shot again over the gully. It’s totally penalizing. “(In approaching the green) a couple challenges would be going over the gully, as well as the large front bunker that helps to protect it. (The green) slopes from back to front where the ball can easily spin back off the green and put you into the gully or in the bunker. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. It is a long, narrow green, quite shallow in design…so if you do carry five or 10 yards too far, you can be punished by hitting over the green. It has a bunker in the back. When you are in that back bunker the trick is that when you hit out of the bunker everything is downhill and away from you. Playing out of that bunker, you are facing the gully as well. The play is nothing but trouble.”
Th’ Flats Golf Course
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Windermere Valley Golf Course
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Generating club head speed
Use your whole body to increase the speed of your club head
Keep it strong: Proper exercises can help prepare you for the course.—Photo courtesy Lisa Vlooswyk
To hit long, straight shots it is imperative to be properly warmed up beforehand. Whether you are just practicing or going out to play 18 holes, take five to ten minutes to warm up your muscles. Warm muscles lead to increased flexibility and mobility, which in turn leads to increased distance and accuracy. The biggest misconception in golf is that distance comes from swinging your arms faster. In fact, according to PGA Tour player Stephen Ames, power is generated from the ground up. Your legs are key in generating club head speed, thus it is important to warm them up. * Stand up straight with your shoulders back holding a club parallel to the ground, at chest height and close to your body. * Bend your knees into a squat position keeping your chest up, try to get your quadriceps parallel to the ground and simultaneously push the club away from your body. This movement will actively stretch your calves, and quadriceps along with warming up your shoulders. * The shoulders and surrounding muscles are also the keys to getting into the proper positions to make a power move and a good turn. Take a club behind your back and grip the club with your right hand on top, palm facing toward your body and your left hand on the bottom—palm facing away. Pull up towards the sky with your top (right) hand only. This will stretch your deltoid (front of the shoulder) and your triceps. * Finally, put your right arm straight out in front of you and pull it with the back of your left hand towards your chest. Ensure that your right hand thumb is facing down. Hold for two to five seconds, then using your shoulder muscles, swing your right arm away from your body rotating your thumb up towards the sky. Focus on keeping the arm straight and standing up tall. Repeat this motion 10 - 15 times, then switch arms. Flexibility is extremely important to achieve a full range of motion maximizing your distance. Practice these stretches the next time you are on the range and hopefully you will add key yards to your game. Hit it hard!
Summer dreaming
Lisa Longball leads you on a mid-winter sunny golf fantasy
Enjoying the sun: Get rid of the winter blues and take a golf holiday—Photo courtesy Lisa Longball
When you are a golfer and you are stuck dead in the middle of a Canadian winter, your mind wanders to sunnier locations. You haven’t hit balls in what seems an eternity and there may actually be dust accumulating on your sticks. You asked Santa for Pro V1s and a subscription to Golf Digest. It is obvious you are in desperate need of a golf fix and the re-runs of Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf on the Golf Channel aren’t doing it for you. The only cure…a golf holiday. One of the top destinations picked by western Canadians is Palm Springs. There are direct daily flights from most major cities and it is a golf mecca. Palm Springs, California, lies on the western edge of the Coachella Valley, within the Colorado Desert. It has more than 350 days of sunshine and less than 5.2 inches of rain, winter temperatures average in the 20’s with nights that do not lead to frost delays. The dry desert heat of summer pushes daytime temperatures into the unfathomable mid 30’s which is often a great time to find golf bargains. It’s a dry heat and if you tee off first thing you beat the mid-day sun. There are more than 100 lodging properties in Palm Springs, ranging from boutique hotels, historic bed and breakfasts, private villas and full-service hotels, to vacation home and condo rentals. Famous for being the past destination of the stars, many celebrities had holiday homes there—including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and former Mayor Sonny Bono. It was also the honey moon destination of Elvis and Pricilla Presley. A PGA Tour stop, the Bob Hope Classic continues to bring celebrities to town and will be played in late January, 2010, if you want to plan your golf holiday in conjunction with watching tour golf. But what Palm Springs is truly known for, is its fabulous golf courses and resorts. There are more than 125 courses in the Palm Springs and Palm Desert areas in an array of price ranges. A favourite amongst players is the picturesque Indian Wells Golf Resort. It holds the distinction of being the only 36-hole public golf facility on Golfweek’s Top 20 "Best Courses You Can Play" in California. The 7,050-yard Celebrity Course was home to the LG Skins Game for many years. There are spectacular mountain views, contoured fairways and greens, elevation changes, scenic water features and breathtaking flora and fauna. You will be pulling out your camera on every hole. The Players course is equally popular but doesn’t have the glitz of the celebrity course. It is merely straight-up unabashed good golf. It has wide inviting fairways but the deep undulations make you think your way around the course offering many risk reward opportunities. It is a course for the discerning golfer and stretches out to 7,376 yards. The club house and putting green are not to be missed. A fun 18-hole mini putt course it set up to test your skills and warm up your flat stick before the round. After your game, stop by and have a seat on the patio and enjoy the mountain and golf course views that will beckon you back for more. The Indian Wells golf resort also offers four stunning properties including Hyatt Grand Champions Resort Villas & Spa, Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Miramonte Resort & Spa and Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa. All properties focusing on customer service, delectable food and a relaxing atmosphere. Another famed course and resort that is a must-see is the La Quinta Resort and Club. It boasts five championship-length courses—all unique and spectacular in their own right. The Mountain Course is well known for its creative design and playability. It was ranked as one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play. Also a very enjoyable and well designed track is Pete Dye’s Dunes Course. If you really want to challenge your game, take a drive to sister property PGA West and tee it up at the two courses bearing the namesake of two legendary players and course designers; the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course and the Greg Norman Course. Both offer dramatic and spectacular backdrops and darn right challenging golf. End your trip at the famed Stadium course at PGA West. Also a Pete Dye design, it has held high profile events such as the Bob Hope Classic, the Skins Game and the PGA Tour final qualifying school. It was named by Golf Traveler magazine as the second most challenging course in America. You will want to take in the stunning views and use the first 16 holes to prepare for the famous 17th hole also nicknamed Alcatraz as it is a par 3 green surrounded by water. Hit the green or take a penalty. An outstanding hole and must play course. The La Quinta resort also offers luxurious accommodation. It boasts 800 guest rooms and suites in Spanish style casitas with either garden or mountain views. A plethora of pools and whirlpools are on site along with a state of the art spa and savoury restaurants. Palm Springs has a laid back atmosphere perfect for the vacation golfer or even for the snowbird. It’s never too early to think about retirement…especially when you are scraping off your windows with your credit card on a brisk minus 20 degree morning. Go Long! Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is the reigning six-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for Women and can be reached through her website at "www.lisalongball.com(http://www.lisalongball.com)":http://www.lisalongball.com
From cliffs to valleys
In Radium Hot Springs, the golfing possibilities are endless
A real gem: The Resort Course at Radium Resort sparkles like an emerald in the sunlight. —photo courtesy of Radium Resort
Radium Hot Springs is a haven for golf enthusiasts. The area offers three different courses within close proximity of each other and each is unique and rewarding in its own way. Radium Resort consists of two 18-hole courses—the Resort Course and the Springs Course—and just north of the village of Radium Hot Springs is Spur Valley Resort, a nine-hole course. The Resort Course at Radium Resort is the smaller course of the two and is one of the oldest golf courses in the region. Surrounded by mountains—with some holes situated on top of a cliff—the Resort Course is absolutely stunning, said Kris Cunningham, golf professional for the Springs Course. “It is very scenic,” he said. “There are a couple of par threes where you are up on a cliff and you can see a good part of the valley.” Cunningham also said that because of the size of the Resort Course and the average par for each hole, the course is ideally designed for average or elderly golfers, whereas the Springs Course is larger with more ground to cover. “The Springs Course is a championship- length golf course,” said Cunningham, “so that is a full-length par 72 course.” Cunningham said the course can accommodate any calibre of player, and he encourages people to come during the spring and fall months to catch a glimpse of some of the bighorn sheep that frequent the course. “In the shoulder season we also call this our ‘running grounds’ for the bighorn sheep,” said Cunningham, “because our golf course gets taken over by hundreds of bighorn sheep in the spring and fall. It’s awesome to see bighorn sheep banging heads right outside the office.” One of the best things about the Springs Course, according to Cunningham, is the setup of the course and the natural beauty of the mountainous area. “The course is basically on a cliff that overlooks the Columbia Wetlands, which is the largest protected wetlands in North America,” said Cunningham. “So you get the Purcell Mountains on one side and the Rocky Mountain Range on the other side.” Spur Valley Resort, situated 18 kilometres north of Radium Hot Springs, is a charming golf course hidden away in the beautiful river valley. Owned by Ron and Audrey Csokonay, this facility has 102 RV camping spots for a more laid-back getaway. The nine-hole golf course offers a range of difficulty levels—from par three to par five holes—and has gentle slopes, making it walkable for everyone. A new 300-plus housing development proposed to be constructed next to the Spur Valley subdivision is currently being discussed, but Audrey said that plans have not been finalized. “The Regional District of East Kootenay seems to be supporting it, but we don’t know how long it is going to take,” she said. “They tentatively planned another golf course as well, and it seems like it is going to be a go—we just don’t know when.”
Meet golf’s eco-pioneers
Granby River Golf features one of only a few organic golf courses in Canada
Environmental heroes: For Philippe and Joyce Thevenaz running a chemical-free golf course seemed only natural.—photo by Andrew Zwicker
Having moved from their native Switzerland to British Columbia in 1990, Joyce and Philippe Thevenaz have a long history of treating the land with respect and reaping its rewards. Philippe, a skier and farmer at heart while growing up in the Alps, spent numerous years in the wine industry where he learned the value of organic farming first-hand. When he visited B.C. to purchase property, Philippe found a 330-acre ranch north of Grand Forks and he and Joyce began running a small-scale organic cattle ranch on the property. In the mid 1990s, after extensive research on golf courses followed by three years of construction, the Thevenazes transformed their organic cattle ranch into an organic golf Eden. The long championship links-style course measures in at over 7,200 yards when played from the black tees, but with five sets of tee boxes, the course plays well for all levels of ability. Deceivingly open in appearance, the Granby River course will test the best to keep their shots straight, as the narrow fairways are lined with three types of slew grass that grows thick and tall by midsummer. The land itself used to be a lake bottom prior to 1947, when the valley was dammed by the smelter operation in Grand Forks. After a freak log jam threatened to burst the dam and flood the city, the decision was made to dynamite the dam to avoid disaster; this brought the property back above water. Being a former lake bottom comes with several benefits: for instance, the course is flat and level, making the cart paths easily walkable. The unique geography also means that the sandy ground could be used for all of the sand traps on the course, as the former lake-bottom sediment meets the PGA standard for fineness. The sand plays a starring role on many of the holes, with unique and monstrous waste bunkers coming into play on the first, third, 14th and 17th holes. Planted with another variety of slew grass that resembles the elephant grass found in Dubai, the waste bunkers have been a big hit with players. The 543-yard, par five signature hole—Number 14—features the largest of the waste bunkers on the dogleg right that finishes on one of the many large greens built into the dike on the Granby River. The river wraps around the property, affording serene pastoral views of the valley, and is lined with several white sand beaches that provide possible swimming holes for a quick dip along the course. “The funniest story that happened here,” said Philippe, “was last summer we had one group go out to play 18 holes and they didn’t get back until 7 1⁄2 hours later. They saw the white sand beaches from Number 14 and stopped to have a swim and a barbecue.” For the Thevenazes, running the golf course chemical-free seemed only natural, with the Granby River so close to the course, and because of the numerous creeks and wetlands that dot the property. Much of Philippe’s research came out of Florida, where 60 per cent of the golf courses are chemical-free due to the high water table. Although building a golf course organically and chemical-free takes longer, the grass product and the surrounding land are healthier and stronger in the long run, as the soil is enriched with nutrients through the natural process. Granby River Golf also brews its own organic fertilizer, which contains mostly composted turkey manure, kelp, alfalfa, glacier rock dust from a moraine in Chilliwack and a bacterial culture to activate the enzymes in the ground. The theory behind the process is to spread the natural bacterial culture, which essentially eats the dirt and produces the nutrients to feed the plants. As the course becomes more popular and business picks up, the Thevenazes plan to continue to develop the course at a slow and steady pace. Big plans include a unique clubhouse set on the banks of the Granby River near the course entrance. The pro shop, restaurant and clubhouse will be housed in separate small buildings interconnected by a large patio system protected by strung-up sailboat-like shade sails similar to those commonly seen in Europe.
Lakeside greens
The golf course in Balfour has beautiful scenery and fantastic views
No place like home: The Balfour Golf Club is home to Canada geese and great golfing.—photo by Andrew Zwicker
Continuing on in the tradition of great Les Furber-designed championship courses in B.C., Balfour Golf Club is an exhilarating layout carved into the Selkirk Mountains along the side of Kootenay Lake. Elevated tees are plentiful on this tree-lined course in combination with large tiered greens giving Balfour a wonderful mix of challenge and playability on all holes.
Encompassing lakeside meadows and high mountainside terrain, Balfour maintains a natural feel as the course cosies up with nature at every bend. Whitetail deer regularly wander the course as ospreys soar above to complete the perfect West Kootenay picture.
The high point of the course at the tee box on Hole 10 features a romantic gazebo complete with oversized Adirondack deck chairs overlooking the white-capped peaks of the Purcell Mountains in the distance high above the lake’s smooth surface, just begging for pictures to be taken.
This showpiece of the Kootenay region winds up in typical show business fashion by saving the best for last. The par four 18th winds its way around the edge of a plateau looking down on the lake, finishing on a bunker-guarded green that is close enough to the clubhouse to hear the drinks calling from the patio.
A 30-minute drive north of Nelson, Balfour is ideally situated as a summer getaway location. Ainsworth Hot Springs, just 10 minutes up the road, provides a rewarding and unique way to relax your golf muscles after a day on the course, and the Kootenay Lake ferry five minutes south of the golf club links to the artisan-rich village of Crawford Bay and Kokanee Springs golf course with a half-hour scenic lake cruise that is an attraction all on its own.
A place for everyone
Tall trees and wildlife give the Kokanee Springs Golf Course a secluded feeling
Take a swing: The Kokanee Springs Golf Course is a well manicured masterpiece.—photo by Andrew Zwicker
Celebrating 40 years of spectacular lakeview mountain golf under the ever present white expanse of the Kokanee Glacier, Kokanee Springs Golf Resort is a one of a kind golf resort in a spectacular setting.
Just up the road from the artisan-rich town of Crawford Bay, where you can stop in and observe or learn art styles ranging from glass blowing to blacksmithing, lies the 700+ acre paradise of Kokanee Springs Resort. Originally developed in the ’60s, there was a major focus by the B.C. government and local entrepreneurs to turn this undiscovered paradise into a worldwide tourism destination with plans for a new highway and multiple ski and golf resort developments. After a change in social attitudes and a change in government however, the land was rezoned, and the project fell by the wayside. The wilderness, middle of nowhere feeling still permeates at Kokanee Springs today as every hole of the course features stunning mountain views of the Selkirk range and the imposing Kokanee Glacier to the west, plus lake views of the largely undeveloped shorelines and the white-capped peaks of the Purcell Mountains to the east.
The course itself is a well manicured masterpiece dotted with 68 varieties of wildflowers and impeccably maintained gardens by the friendly grounds workers who stop to say hi and ask how your day is. The slow and friendly pace of the area will rub off on all players as the pace of life is dictated by the babbling of the white water creeks that snake through the course and the screech of the bald eagles that soar above.
The 501-yard par six rates up there with the most scenic holes in golf. Teeing off towards the steep, white-capped peaks of the Purcell Mountains and laying up before the white-water creek, golfers will then hit up onto the large, elevated, stadium like green. Bordering the back of the green Kokanee Springs is spelled out in floral form in one of the many well manicured gardens along the course.
Looking to the future, Kokanee Springs has big development plans in the works to begin realizing a new take on the original big plans of the ’60s. With pre-sales opening this summer, and construction beginning in summer 2009, the Springs is poised to become a major golf and lakeside destination resort and residential development. Initial plans are to begin with a 60-unit one- and two-bedroom villa style development along a ridge overlooking the glaciers and the back nine. Next up will be a 60 unit cabin village along the creek side in the spruce and cedar forest. An interesting and unique addition to the resort will be a partially man-made hot springs on site. With old faults running the length of Kootenay Lake, the ground water in the area is hotter than normal allowing a drilling operation to essentially create a natural hot spring on the property. The vision for the development is to be a car-free , golf cart/pedestrian village linked up with golf cart trails and featuring chargers in front of each unit allowing guests to leave their car at the entrance and not have to see it until they depart. Targeting the retirement/multi- generational market, course general manager Greg Garbula is passionate about the experience they are creating at Kokanee Springs.
“This will be not just a fabulous golf destination, but a recreational lifestyle experience where grandparents can go on nature walks with their grandchildren, have backcountry picnics, play on the lake, and just have fun,” he said.
With future plans to develop a lakeside resort village on the property as well, things are looking up at Kokanee Springs where you can still play an outstanding golf course in a spectacular location at an affordable price.
Golf to perfection
From perfect greens to accommodating staff, Castlegar has its bases covered
Pleasure to play: The Castlegar Golf Club is a serene oasis.—photo by Andrew Zwicker
Tucked away on a hidden plateau behind the town of Castlegar lies a mature, well manicured golf course that is not to be missed on a golf trip to the Kootenays. A mere five minutes from downtown, the Castlegar Golf Club with its cherry trees in full blossom is a serene oasis away from the high pace of everyday life.
If you haven’t played Castlegar in a few years or if you are a first timer, you will be impressed with the renewed emphasis on course maintenance and returning Castlegar to its past championship status. As you make your way around the mature fruit trees that dot the spruce and pine forest, it is evident that the details have been covered. From the friendly staff asking how the greens feel today to the freshly raked bunkers and crisp rock work around the ponds, the Castlegar Golf Club is a pleasure for all ages.
Continuing its championship tradition, the golf club which successfully hosted the 2007 B.C. Senior Amateur Tournament, is preparing to entertain more local stars at the 2010 B.C. Amateur Tournament.
Looking south from the course over the mighty Columbia River Valley, views of Red Mountain Resort and the Rossland Range loom in the distance as you chip onto the scenic greens. On a lucky day, especially in the fall don’t be surprised to see one of the black bears that frequent the
The world of Lisa Longball gallery
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The world of Lisa Longball
A rare glimpse into the real life of a Canadian athlete
A sweet moment: Prior to competition, Vlooswyk shared some fun with Luke—Photo courtesy Lisa Longball
The 2009 Women’s World Long Drive Championship was held October 2 and 3 in Palm Springs, California. This is the pinnacle event for the sport of Women’s Long Drive. Typically the event has been organized and run by Long Drivers of America (LDA) and the championship finals for women have been held since 2000 in Mesquite, Nevada. The LDA removed the Women’s Division from their roster after the 2008 finals citing lower enrolment and a lack of economic feasibility. The Open Men’s, Seniors’ and Super Seniors’ Division World Championships continue to be hosted by the LDA and will take place in Mesquite from October 26 - 30, 2009. The women’s event is now run by the International Women’s Long Drive Alliance headed by Pamela and John Joseph. The inaugural event was a huge success and was a World Class experience. I recently returned from the competition and would like to share my journey with you. To give a little background, my nickname is Lisa Longball (because no one could spell or pronounce my last name—Vlooswyk). I am a born and raised Albertan and I won my first Canadian National Long Drive Championship title in 2001 and have retained it every year since. I won the 2004 LDA Tour Championships and my top finish at the World Championships was third place in 2005. The following year, I was the first pregnant athlete at World Championships and teed up six and a half months pregnant and still squeaked in a top ten finish, a place I have become familiar with the last two years. Athlete and mother My son is now 2, and I am the only competitor that has a young child, which presents unique and interesting challenges. In addition to the pressure of picking cute outfits that will look good on TV (reader note: white on the bottom is not tremendously slimming on television, I found that out the hard way once) and packing my clubs with sawed off hockey sticks and concrete form sonotubes (ok, yes, can you tell I married an engineer?) to ensure the sticks will arrive safely with unsnapped over length shafts was the least of my worries. We arrived at Calgary International Airport at 6:00 am on Friday October 2. In addition to luggage and my clubs we had two backpacks filled with children’s toys, books, snacks, and games. I snuck a few Golf Digests and Golf magazines in there but who was I kidding…no time to read on the plane with a little one. It took over an hour to get through customs and security. There are only so many times one can sing Dora the Explorer songs and make a bag tag look interesting to an active toddler. Apparently Diego yogurt is a potential bomb hazard and was confiscated, but a small yogurt drink under 100 ml, once placed in a plastic Ziploc bag…was now no longer a threat to National Security. Once through to the gates my husband Anton and I were able to tempt our son Luke with nutritionally sound egg sandwiches from Harvey’s and what appeared to be hash browns. Luke has flown many times for my competitions and or events but this was the first time he had his own seat. Like any good parent we purchased a DVD player for the flight to try to entertain our little man on the journey to Denver then onto Palm Springs. The trick worked magnificently until the flight attendant asks for all electronic devices to be turned off during decent. You can imagine the hullabaloo that ensured. That’s when Dora the Explorer sugary snacks come in very handy as a bribing technique. Hitting the greens Once in Palm Springs it was off to find a driving range. This proved to be a difficult task as most of the courses in the Palm Springs were overseeding and ranges were closed. While I was practicing, Luke hit balls for the first time with non plastic shafts. It was pretty exciting. Even though he has a bit of a hockey player move—a true Canadian—and his shafts were too long, he seemed to have a good swing. We hope to use the pictures at his wedding one day. That evening it was the Players’ Welcome Reception held at the Spotlight 29 Casino just out of Palm Springs. We were treated to martinis, and scrumptious appetizers and we each were taken aside for individually recorded interviews with a cameraman. We went over the rules of the event which included one on the tee at a time. Each competitor receives six balls, has three minutes to hit the balls which must land in and stay within the grid that was 380 yards long and 40 yards wide. The longest ball of each set would be officially measured. We then all received forms to fill out so that the announcer would have some fun and interesting tid bits to share about each of us as we came to the tee. Upon leaving we all received a gift bag with a beautiful collapsible putter (drive for show, putt for dough…heard it before) and many other fun goodies. Prepping for competition It was off for a good night’s sleep before competition day. The sleep was slightly interrupted as Luke got up at his standard 6:45 in the morning but with the time zone change it was actually 5:45 am desert time. My husband kindly got up and took Luke for a drive so I could get a bit more sleep before the big night. They checked out Home Depot and with a lack of the standard Saturday morning stop at Tim Horton’s, went to Starbucks instead. Once they got back it was off to another driving range to have a short practice session and prepare for the evening. The focus of my practice was to get into a rhythm of hitting sets of six balls in three minutes and a pre-shot routine. I practiced hitting solid shots and pretending to have the pressure to have to make it happen on the last ball, if need be. At 5:00 it was off to the grid. A large electronic sign welcomed the competitors and had each of our names scrolling waiting for numbers to be posted beside. We warmed up and chatted on the range complimenting each other when we knew a ball was well struck. We stayed hydrated as it was over 30 degrees Celsius and the cooler night air would be a blessing. After each girl was introduced to the crowds in the grandstands it was off to the first round. The field was smaller than in previous years but was stacked. There were no easy rounds this time as in the past. All the girls except one had international experience in long drive competition and had all won an event at one point. Former World Champion and Los Angeles Fire Fighter, Sheila Keller, European Champion Sandra Carlborg and former Swedish National champion Helena Rhodin were all among the competitors that were looking to bring home the title. Taking on the challenge We went through a series of six rounds with a double elimination format. The winds continued to increase in intensity through the competition and unfortunately were in our face. After three rounds the field continued to get whittled down until the final round which would be a fresh start final with the top three seeds from the round. We competed in reverse order and certified instructor and physical trainer on the PGA Tour Leanne Quinn from the United States was up first. She hit a great ball—256 yards into a 50-70 km/hr head wind. I was next to go. I looked over at my husband and son and couldn’t believe how good my little guy was being—as he to be there for over three hours in the stands—and how supportive my husband was. I felt very lucky at that moment, like I had already won. I had a great set hitting four of my six balls in. I smashed a ball 276 yards which felt like 330. I knew it was a great number in those conditions but I was nervous with one competitor left. Current European Tour player Carlborg who lead the competition came up and hit her first three balls OB. She killed her fourth ball and the crowd went nuts thinking it may be the winning drive. It was called back one foot short of mine. The excitement built. I couldn’t believe I was two balls away from potentially being the World Champion. She hit her fifth ball and it started to drift right. It landed in at 281 yards and she won the event. She was a gracious champion and it was well deserved. We stood up for the cheque presentation and Carlborg received a Happy Gilmore-sized cheque. We teased that she should take it into the bank like that. All of the girls were fantastic and extremely supportive of each other; the way the sport should be. We celebrated as a group afterwards and I am already excited about training for 2010 to try to move up one spot and bring the World title back to Canada.
Christina Lake Golf Club
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Rich in history
Historical Elk Valley is a wilderness and golfers paradise
Mountain bliss: The Elk Valley region offers a golf course for all levels.—Photo by Jeffrey Cooper
Elk Valley is located in the extreme southeastern corner of B.C. The region is rich with history and remains a place where natural beauty prevails.
Elk Valley’s pristine natural wilderness is highlighted by proximity to Elk Lakes Provincial Park, and the Canadian Rockies wilderness area which runs along the continental divide. With ecotourism in the forefront to the community, the Elk Valley is quickly emerging as a popular destination, offering something for everyone. World class fly-fishing in the Elk River, skiing or snowboarding at the top-rated Fernie Alpine Resort, and hiking in the Kootenay Rockies.
The economy is based predominantly on coal mining and had played an important role in the history of the province for over 100 years.
Today, tourism is becoming a key focus in the area as the Elk Valley is discovered by people from around the world.
This natural wilderness haven has become a favourite weekend getaway, and it’s easy to see why with such golf courses including the Fernie and Sparwood Golf Club’s, Mountain Meadow Golf Course, located in Elkford, and Will-O-Bend Golf & RV Park, located in Jaffray, and Whiskey Jack Resort, located in Sparwood
Fernie Golf & Country Club
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Whiskey Jack Resort
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Sparwood Golf Club
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Mountain Meadows Golf Course
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The importance of having a putting process
Lisa Longball shows how to increase your short-game success
: Lisa Longball shows how to increase your short-game success—
Every golfer should have a putting process. It is much like a pre-shot routine. It is a set series of movements that you do every time without fail when you approach the putting green. Having a putting process has allowed me to make more putts—from four-footers to 40-footers, has cut down my three-putts tremendously and has given me confidence that has extended to the rest of my game. The process should start with taking your glove off to feel better connected with the putter. As you walk up to your ball, survey the green and the break, noting undulations and the high side of the hole. Place your marker down behind the ball and clean off the dirt and debris. Place the ball back down, lining up a mark on the ball (pre-drawn with a Sharpie pen) to your target line. Your target line is directed either to the apex of the break (if you are going to die it into the hole), or to the heart of the left or right edge (if you are going to firmly stroke it to the cup). At this point each person’s routine may vary. I take three or four steps back and double check that my line is right. I then remove my marker and stand beside my ball, making four practice strokes consecutively, with no stopping. This allows me to get a feel of how far I should take my putter back, and the distance to the hole. I keep my eyes on the hole the entire time I do this. I then glide my putter along the green up behind the ball, and match my alignment line on my putter to the mark on the ball. I have already picked my line so I trust it. I take one last look at the hole, visualize my ball dropping, then bring my eyes back to the ball and make my stroke—ensuring to accelerate through the putt; I stare at the spot my ball once stood for at least two to three seconds before looking up at the cup. I judge a successful putt based on how I rolled it versus whether it went in. If I hit it where I was aiming, and it rolled end-over-end smoothly, then that was a success. In addition to the general routine, here are a few tips you can incorporate into your putting process to help you play like a pro. * Put your glove in your back pocket with the fingers hanging out loosely. If you don’t have a back pocket tuck the bottom of your glove under your belt. * Bring a damp towel to the green so you can wash your ball off before you putt (pre-wet your towel prior to the round). * Draw a straight line on your ball or use a plastic tool to assist you. Also—always mark your ball with a distinctive pattern so that you can identify it. * When you compliment a playing partner’s putt, say “good roll.” * Most players use a significant item to mark with. Some players like to have a circular metal marker of a special event such as attending a Major or perhaps one with their home course logo or a logo from another special course. Either way, the marker should have some significance to you. Avoid using plastic markers or the button on your glove. * After the ball leaves your putter face, hold your finish, looking at the hole until it drops in the cup or misses. No body English. Hopefully these tips will help you shave key strokes off your game and help you to play like a tour player—or at least score like one!
Will-O-Bend Golf & RV Park
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Improving power and strength
Golf performance coach for Stephen Ames helps golfers find their maximum kinetic link
The triangle: This exercise improves core lower body stability, shoulder and chest flexibility, and hip flexibility. —photo courtesy of Rob Connelly
A great fitness program for golf must address rotational core stability and speed, lower body stability, flexibility and kinetic sequencing (the ability to transfer power from the ground to the hands). The exercises below will help you create a more consistent swing and power. h3. The triangle: To do the movement, use a light dumbbell. Stand with hips square, shoulder width apart. Turn your feet 45 degrees to your right. Holding the dumbbell in your left hand, extend your left arm over your head and lock the elbow. Shift body weight onto your left hip. Rest the back of your right hand along the inside of your right thigh. Slowly slide your right hand toward your ankle. The left knee stays locked; the right knee is slightly bent. Keep two-thirds of your weight on your left hip. Go down as far as you comfortably can. Pause at the bottom, brace your abs and pull yourself back up using your left oblique muscles. Perform six reps and switch sides. h3. Good morning: 
Start by standing upright and holding a light dumbbell in both hands. Your knees are slightly bent, feet are hip width apart. Keeping your chest open, slowly fold through your hips by pushing your tailbone back. Keep your back neutral (avoid bending through the lower spine). At the bottom of the movement, squeeze the back of your legs and butt muscles to bring you back to the starting position. h3. Hip shoulder turn: 
Start by standing in your golf posture. Push your feet into the ground and brace your abdominal muscles. Keeping your hips square (don’t let them turn), rotate into your backswing using your core muscles (not your shoulders!). Return to address, again using your core muscles. h3. Impact bag drill: 
Use an impact bag (pillows or cushions in a garbage bag will work). Stand with the impact bag four inches inside your left foot (or your right foot if you are a left-handed golfer). Rotate into half of your normal backswing, starting the turn with your abs, not your hands. Release the club into the bag by keeping the lower body still and starting the downswing with the ab muscles. Allow the club to release into the bag—do not swing through the bag. Imagine you are snapping the club head into the bag like you would a towel. Do three sets of 10 of each exercise. Rotate into your backswing, using your abs. Only go into one-quarter of your backswing: your hands are just above your waistline/belt. Keeping your lower body still, snap the club into the bag, using 40 per cent speed. Focus on your core being solid and the acceleration/deceleration of shoulders and arms, allowing the club to release into the impact bag. Increase speed to 60 per cent with second set. Perform two sets of 10.
Richdale earns LPGA tour card
Constant improvement has paid off for this talented Kelowna resident
Devoted golfer: Richdale has a high level of dedication to her sport —photo courtesy of Samantha Richdale
Kelowna’s Samantha Richdale achieved an important goal this summer. She is exempt from qualifying school for the 2010 LPGA tour. During a most successful season, where she won two events—the Turkey Hill Classic and the Louisiana Pelican Classic—and earned $54,391 in winnings, Richdale has shown herself to be a productive professional.
While on tour, Richdale made time for an interview with GolfWest:
How do you feel about golf becoming a legitimate career?
It is a really great feeling to know that I will be playing full-time on the LPGA next year and the potential is there to make a lot more money playing for bigger purses.
In what ways has your game improved from last year?
I think it has been just a steady improvement of all aspects of my game. I started working with a sports psychologist Dr. Gio Valiante this May and he has helped me have such a better mental game. I have learned to score well without hitting the ball well. I constantly work hard with Craig Harmon on improving my swing and improving my short game. My caddie Paul Maggiore and I have worked hard over the past year and half to learn about my game and my tendencies.
What do you mean when you say your mental game has improved?
I have a different thought process and outlook on the course. I focus on different things and have learned how to calm myself down a bit better.
Please describe the emotions that come with getting your card.
There is a bit of relief because when you are in a professional sport there is always a bit of doubt as to whether you can be successful and make a living at it. It feels very rewarding to know that I played well all year and received a card through the futures tour. It feels like all the hard work (over) the past few years has paid off.
How do your sponsors feel about your performance?
My sponsors, Prasco, are the best sponsors anyone could have. They are so supportive and encouraging and they are very excited for me and my accomplishments. They have helped tremendously and I think it shows in my improvement since they began helping me in July of 2008.
Please talk about the friends and family who support and cheer for you.
My parents are amazing. They are so supportive of my journey to play on the LPGA and have always encouraged me. They have made it very easy for me to pursue this career and it feels good to prove to them that it is going to be worthwhile. I have met a lot of great people throughout the years playing on tour and through college that have also supported me. I have a few fans that have made some trips to come to multiple tournaments which is incredibly special!
Athletic development
UBC Okanagan in pursuit of the best golf program in Canada
Putting practice: When it's not golfing weather Stefan Bigsby, a member of the UBC Okanagan Heat varsity golf team seen here putting at the Okanagan Golf Club, can now train indoors using a golf simulator at iQuest in Kelowna. —photo by Jody Jacobs
With the support of local business, UBC Okanagan is putting together one of the best student athletic golf programs in the country, according to Rob Johnson, director of Athletics and Recreation at UBC Okanagan.
“One of our goals was to develop our golfers on a year-round basis,” said Johnson. “In support of that vision, iQuest Healthcare and Fitness Centre in Kelowna offered to provide our student golf athletes with a very generous sponsorship program worth nearly $12,000.
“In addition to that we have partnered with one of the most well-known golf facilities in the Okanagan—the Okanagan Golf Club—which also gives us access to their golf professionals. So from coaching, training and development perspectives we have all the components to become one of the best university golf programs in the country.”
At iQuest, members of the newly established UBC Okanagan Heat golf team have access to a state-of-the-art training facility and professional staff, enabling them to work on both their physical and mental conditioning.
Team members have already received personal assessments and took part in a series of mental coaching sessions. The team has full use of the iQuest Golf Academy, which includes a golf simulator and short-game practice area, providing the student athletes with cutting-edge technology to help them improve specific fitness areas that relate to their individual golf swings.
“The team has the opportunity to train and continue to develop all aspects of their golf game during the off-season, so they are more prepared for the season when it starts again in the spring,” said Adrienne Vedan, coach of the varsity golf team.
“This is the first year that we have had a golf team,” she said, “and knowing that there is support and interest from the community is critical in the development of our program. It raises the profile of our team in addition to helping them become better athletes.”
Lorne Friesen, director of iQuest, said the health care and fitness centre was eager to offer its support to the varsity golf team, and he believes the student athletes have the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage.
“Golf is a lifestyle in the Okanagan and we wanted to do our part to support the development of our student golf athletes, as well as help attract top talent to the valley,” said Friesen. “When you look at the top athletes in the world, the physical and mental preparation they put into a game is exceptional. Golf is no longer just a sport—it is a science. Every athlete is looking for an edge. The UBC Okanagan golf team will find theirs at iQuest, and we have every intention of helping them reach the high goals they have set out for themselves.”
Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club
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The home of golf
Join Lisa Longball as she plays St. Andrews in Scotland
Interesting architec: The clubhouse on the Castle Course seems to be part of the low, rolling topography.—Photo courtesy St. Andrews Links Trust
St. Andrews, Scotland, is a golf mecca known primarily for the Old Course, “the home of golf,” where the game was first played 600 years ago. Since inception five other courses have been in operation on site including the New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathyrum and Balgove courses. Opened officially on June 28, 2008, and now in its first full season, the Castle Course is an exciting and welcome addition to the St Andrews Links family. The seventh course is the first 18-hole championship-length track to be opened at St Andrews Links in over a century. Located a short drive southeast of the town of St. Andrews, the Castle Course spans 220 acres and is perched atop the dramatic coastal shoreline above Kinkell Braes. There is more than one mile of waterfront and the contrast of vast fescue-lined fairways and jagged coastal shoreline combined with cliff-top views makes this one of the most desirable and must-play courses on any golfer’s to-do list. The panoramic vistas of the town of St. Andrews, St. Andrews Bay, the Grampian Mountains and the North Sea are stunning and add a great deal to the overall experience and enjoyment of the course. The name of the course, the Castle Course, pays homage to the 16th-century Kinkell Castle that formerly stood on the grounds in close proximity to the current location of the impressive 9th and 18th double green. The official opening ceremony for the course was held on July 2, 2008, and was presided over by 150 leading figures from the world of golf and by the Duke of York, Prince Andrew. Course architect David McLay Kidd was also on hand and gave Prince Andrew a personalized tour. Kidd, a leading Scottish course architect and designer of the famed Bandon Dunes in Oregon, recently commented that the Castle Course “is probably my best work.” Considering the accolades Bandon Dunes has received, this is extremely high praise and a credit to the layout. The course is a par 71 and stretches out from 5,460 yards from the forward tees to an intimidating 6,759 yards from the tips. Each hole offers five different teeing locations and it is imperative that players tee it up from the appropriate length to match their ability level. Although the course does not crack the 7,000-yard mark it can be as punishing and daunting as a PGA Tour major on final round Sunday from the wrong set of tees. Many of the fairways are undulating and are lined with tall thick fescue that is virtually guaranteed to lead to a stroke and distance penalty for errant shots. Any balls that are actually findable will require a mighty whack to even slightly advance them to the fairway. Although the fairways appear quite tight and restrictive from the tee, it is in fact Kidd’s design element of visual intimidation playing a hand. Many fairways have generous landing areas although it would behoove players to follow the Architect’s Advice section in the Player’s Guide Book handed out upon check-in. Find out the ideal target location on tee shots and approach shots to save valuable strokes. If you are looking to go low, treat yourself and hire a caddie familiar with the local knowledge of advantageous spots for kicks, bounces and rolls. The caddie will come in very handy on the massive, undulating and, at times, roller-coaster-like greens. Finding the line and trusting it is key to avoiding three jacks. Picking a line to die the ball into the hole is a tough task and the more committed you are to your line and the more aggressive you are with the putt the more success you may have. In addition, pray for uphill putts. It is difficult to pick one signature hole. It would be a close call between the views of St. Andrews town and harbour from the 6th hole and the challenge and vistas of the finishing 18th. The incredible 17th hole may just edge them out. One of the best par 3’s in golf, it truly is a cliff-hanger. It is certain disaster if you are short and/or right. The rocky gulf between the tee and green and the stunning jagged coastal cliffs bordering the North Sea are truly breathtaking and are sure to test your shot-making skills. The Castle Course is open annually April 1 to November 1. When you make the pilgrimage to the home of golf be sure to add" this(http://www.standrews.org.uk)":http://www.standrews.org.uk track to your itinerary.
Pristine scenery
Lush fairways and natural surroundings make for a great day of golf
Water oasis: With the many bunkers and water features this course is sure to challenge.—photo courtesy Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club
The combination of spectacular greens, warm weather and stunning views exemplify Vernon and the north Okanagan golf courses, attracting thousands of people every year.
This scenic area is a four-season vacation destination. Surrounded by Okanagan, Kalamalka and Swan Lakes—Vernon is truly is a golfers paradise. The Okanagan Valley offers spectacular views of rolling hills, mountains and has many picturesque golf courses to choose from.
Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club is one of many impressive golf courses in this region. Located across from the historic O’Keefe Ranch, along the northern end of the Okanagan Valley just north of Vernon, B.C. This semi 27 hole facility offers two distinct challenges—a 9 hole executive length course (2624 yards), and an 18 hole championship layout of 6423 yards.
Three new lakes and water coming into play on 12 holes—and more than 60 bunkers will both refresh and challenge seasoned golfers alike. The club offers full practice facilities, including a full driving range and two putting greens. The clubhouse has been completely renovated, which includes a beautiful outdoor patio.
Desert golf country
The Sonora desert is home to orchards, vineyards and beautiful golf courses
Stellar views: This Les Furber designed golf course offers great play and stunning views. —photo courtesy Fairview Mountain Golf Course
Oliver was established by BC Premier John Oliver, who planned it as a settlement for veterans of World War One. An irrigation system was built and the desert was soon a prosperous fruit growing area. In addition, the Thompson Okanagan region boasts more than 40 golf courses.
Fairview Mountain Golf Club is located just 35 minutes south of Penticton, B.C. on highway 97—in the heart of Oliver, B.C. Oliver is known as the wine capital of Canada, having the largest concentration of both vineyards and commercial wineries in British Columbia.
Built in 1925 and redesigned in 1990 by Les Furber, this 18 hole championship golf course has established a reputation for distinctly spectacular golf. Score Magazine has rated Fairview Mountain #18 on its list of top 100 golf courses in Canada and is widely acclaimed as one of the best in the province.
With distinctly different holes and constant elevation changes, this layout is a challenge for any level of golfer. Fairview Mountain is an excellent choice for your desert wine country vacation.
Fairview Mountain Golf Club
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Get fit to hit
Improve your distance, consistency and accuracy with golf performance training
The Right Moves: Dr. Ryan Emmons (L) instructs Nate Lemay, who is a GOLFFIT student, on how to use medicine ball Russian twists to focus on core strength for the golf swing. —Photo courtesy Dr. Ryan Emmons
Take one look at Tiger Woods’ physique and it is apparent that he is the quintessential athlete. Gary Player and Greg Norman started the fitness revolution in golf and Mr. Woods has made it a must have in your arsenal in the new millennium to stay at the top of your game. However the old school notion of fitness, which loosely involved going for a jog, doing crunches and push-ups for the ultimate beach body, won’t do much for your golf game. Every sport involves key muscles and movements that are sport specific. Doing bicep curls will definitely not help you shave strokes off your game; thus the evolution of the golf performance trainer. Dr. Ryan Emmons is one such specialized trainer operating in the city of Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Emmons became fascinated by the sport of golf while training to become a certified chiropractor. He saw the need for strength and conditioning in golf after witnessing many patients warming up and training improperly. “When it comes to muscle activation and level of excursion, golf is comparable to sports such as hockey, baseball and martial arts. If people in those sports condition their bodies why don’t golfers?” commented Emmons. Emmons believed so strongly in this notion that he moved from Toronto, Ontario, with his wife Angela to help spearhead and develop a program entitled GOLFFITT, aimed at educating golfers on the need and benefits of golf specific conditioning and to coach personal trainers to become golf performance trainers. The premise behind the program is that golfers often believe they have swing faults when in fact they have body faults, which in turn leads to limitations and weaknesses in the swing. A golfer who has trouble adding distance to their game may attribute it to technical issues when in fact their body may be limited by its physical mobility inhibiting a good shoulder turn which, in turn, leads to lack of power and distance. The common body faults in golfers range from lack of active flexibility (range of motion), improper body awareness, inadequate muscle activation and lack of coordination and control. These issues typically present themselves in three distinct areas of the body: hips, shoulders and spine/torso. These are the three areas of the body that require rotation in the golf swing and are most commonly the tightest and most restrictive, inhibiting the ability to achieve proper swing positions. Dr. Emmons addresses these concerns for golfers on an individual basis. The first step of the program is a formal assessment. The assessment involves a series of tests to determine muscle activation, strength, posture, balance, flexibility, stability and power. All of these areas are related—thus, if one is lacking it will affect your swing. The key muscles in the golf swing that are focused on are the gluttes, lats, obliques, pecs and hamstrings. The next phase of the program involves the golfer being given formal training recommendations. The recommendations will include exercises that will be golf and swing specific and some that aim at strengthening key golf muscles. Stretches will also be recommended to improve flexibility and range of motion. A trainer will be assigned to ensure proper technique and to offer support. In addition, treatments will also be recommended that will aid in loosening up the muscles to create balance in the body and eliminate compensation of overused muscles. These treatments range from active muscle release (deep tissue massage) to address muscle tension, acupuncture for nerves and internal imbalances and/or chiropractic treatments for restricted joints. This comprehensive program is offered to golfers of all ages and abilities and the prime purpose is to prevent injury and improve golf performance. However, Dr. Emmons warns this program is designed for golfers serious about improving their game. “The bottom line is, it is about consistency and effort you put into the program,” he said. “What you get out is what you put in.” Ideally, golfers will have one to two treatments per week and will perform the individualized exercise regime four to five times per week, either at home or with the trainer at a gym. Improvements in distance, consistency and accuracy in your game should be evident after a few short weeks but will require maintenance. If you are interested in finding out more about this program contact "Dr. Emmons(Dr. Emmons email)":mailto:drryanemmons@gmail.com by e-mail. Golf is a sport. Get active.
Montana key contacts
Cranbrook, BC
The easiest way to plan your Kootenay Rockies golf vacation
Welcome to Kootenay Golf Vacations, now under new ownership. We invite you to explore the golf mecca that is the Kootenays! We boast as many sunshine hours as the Okanagan and spectacular panoramic views with golf courses nestled in valleys and perched on mountainsides. We offer exceptional accommodations, fine dining and more to enhance your vacation experience. We at Kootenay Golf Vacations specialize in event management. Whether corporate, leisure or the incentive traveller, we look after all your vacation needs. Welcome to our Kootenay playground. Let us help make your visit memorable. Please feel free to browse our website further to learn what we and the Kootenays can offer you, your group or your family.
Flathead Valley, Montana
A golf mecca
Well known for its world-class golf, the Flathead Valley is a beautiful open valley surrounded by lush forests and remarkable Rocky Mountain splendor. Nine championship golf courses lie within a 45-minute drive, and these unique courses offer something for every golf enthusiast. But don't limit your visit to golf the region boasts plenty of other reasons to stay and play.