DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF

Transcription

DISC VER
GOLF
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD
SPRING/SUMMER 2013
SWEET SPOTS
GOLF MECCAS ABOUND
IN ALBERTA, B.C. AND U.S.
BREAKING BAD
IF YOU’RE A SLOUCHER, IT’S
TIME TO KICK THE HABIT
HIGH AND MIGHTY
GOLF ON THE EDGE ATOP
MOUNT CURRIE DRIVING RANGE
PAGE 2
Saturday, April 20, 2013
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
> CONTENTS
DISC VER
GOLF
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD
A GUIDE FOR GOLFERS EXPLORING THE WEST
SPRING/SUMMER 2013
SWEET SPOTS
GOLF MECCAS ABOUND
THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND B.C.
HOME TURF...................................................... 04
As Calgarians eagerly anticipate the golf season,
they can consider their many options — from full
membership to pay-as-you-go courses.
PERFECT SETUP................................................ 17
Next time you set up a shot, check your posture. If
you’re hunching, Lisa Vlooswyk, seven-time Canadian
Longball Champion, has some tips to break the habit.
MOUNTAIN MAGIC.......................................... 06
Get your mountain fix at one of Alberta’s many resort
golf destinations, where scores take a back seat to
the impressive surroundings.
B.C BECKONS................................................... 18
Let’s face it, there’s plenty to entice travellers to visit
our neighbour next door. Throw golf into the mix and
the prospect is irresistible.
KOOTENAY ROCKIES........................................ 07
With dozens of championship courses just across the
B.C. border, it’s little wonder Albertans are flocking
to the Kootenay Rockies.
THOMPSON OKANAGAN................................. 20
With mountain, desert and grassland courses in the
varied Thompson Okanagan region, who says you
can’t have it all?
RIGHT FIT.......................................................... 16
The right golf club can do wonders for your game.
Thankfully, there’s plenty of technology and
professional help to get you that perfect paring.
FASHION ‘FORE’WARD..................................... 27
If you look good, you’ll play well. That’s the theory
behind many of the fashion options for the greens
that combine high style and functionality.
BEARSPAW COUNTRY CLUB
PAGE 3
In gear
the latest gizmos and
gadgets for golfers
BREAKING BAD
IF YOU’RE A SLOUCHER, IT’S
TIME TO KICK THE HABIT
HIGH AND MIGHTY
GOLF ON THE EDGE ATOP
MOUNT CURRIE DRIVING RANGE
Discover Golf is a publication of the
Calgary Herald Special Projects Department
Special Projects manager:
Barb Livingstone, 403-235-7339
blivingstone@calgaryherald.com
Project Co-ordinator:
Jennifer Worley, 403-235-7110
jworley@calgaryherald.com
Cover photo:
Kimberley Golf tee-box. Photo by Don Weixl
Cover design: Charlene Kolesnik
Advertising inquiries: 403-235-7168
Bushnell Hybrid is a the first of its
kind, a laser range-finder and GPS in
one. This device is considered ideal
for the golfer who can’t commit to
the accuracy of laser range-finders
or the versatility of GPS technology.
The Hybrid is pre-loaded with more
than 16,000 courses in the U.S. and
Canada. Better still, it’s perfectly legal
in competition. bushnellgolf.com
Experience the 2013 Golf Season
at Calgary’s Premier Equity Golf Club
nutes
20 Mi m
fro
town
o
D wn ary
Calg
LIMITED NUMBER OF
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS
AVAILABLE — ENJOY THE FULL BEARSPAW
EXPERIENCE BEFORE MOVING UP
TO EQUITY MEMBERSHIP
For further information, call 403 239 8474
or email: information@golfbearspaw.com
Oakley Golf Sweet Spot Dress for
women offers free range of motion in a stylish short-sleeve pique polo dress. Hydrolix
moisture management will keep you dry under pressure while the 95 per cent polyester,
5 per cent Lycra blend makes for easy care.
sportchek.ca
Anser driver is PING’s first adjustable driver
offering golfers the ability to fine-tune their
shot’s trajectory through a combination of loft
adjustment and shaft selection. With its low-spin
head, the Anser’s design generates ideal trajectories for maximizing distance and accuracy.
The adjustable loft tuning lets the golfer add
or subtract one-half degree of loft beyond the
standard setting with the simple turn of a PING
wrench. The adjustable hosel is lightweight and
small in diameter, which improves aerodynamics for generating clubhead speed and distance.
Four standard shaft options offer distinct profiles
for custom-fitting the golfer. golftown.ca
2013 Share
Price Now
Reduced
EQUITY
MEMBERSHIPS
AVAILABLE
JOIN NOW
FOR 2013
2013 CORPORATE TOURNAMENT
DATES AVAILABLE
CALGARY HERALD
Considered the ultimate care
bag, the TaylorMade Juggernaut features a bold design and
finely engineered storage that
will satisfy the golfer who prefers
to carry any and every piece of
equipment needed on the golf
course. Eleven front accessible
pockets, two back show pockets,
a glove-drying pocket and a large
insulated cooler pocked ensure
there is a place for everything.
golftown.ca
Adidas Golf Adicross II SL Shoes for men
feature classic Adidas-inspired design with fullgrain leather upper. The full-length spikeless outsole has 100 strategically placed lugs in varying
sizes for optimal grip in varying conditions. Shoes
come with two lace options in tonal and contrast
colour. sportchek.ca
Ranked as one of the top Resort courses in the country and nestled
amid a stunning blend of unique terrain, Circling Raven Golf Club at the
Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort offers everything you could want and more.
8 0 0 5 2 3 - 2 4 6 4 | U S H W Y 9 5 , W O R L E Y, I D A H O
C I R C L I N G R AV E N . CO M
DISC VER GOLF
PAGE 5
the
main course
whatever your game preference, there’s a calgary-area
course to satisfy your golf appetite. By Carl Patzel
Membership does have its privileges.
Even though variety is the spice of life, when you find the right flavour course that fits your golfing palate, it may be time to drop a few
bucks on a membership.
With plenty of course options and ample layout designs adding zest
to the golfing experience, finding that right fit may be just as confusing
as getting the right yardage on a tightly tucked pin.
It’s easy to get stuck between clubs with more than 70 golfing opportunities in the Calgary area, spanning from Acme to Vulcan and
Bragg Creek to Strathmore.
For the pay-as-you-go golfer, the average weekend round can cost
between $18.50 for a small, par-3, nine-hole course and $140 for a
premium 18-hole delight, not including a golf cart.
A money-saver in the long run, there is plenty more to member privileges than just saving a bit of cash.
Though options vary from club to club, and from public to semi-private and exclusive private greens, there are some consistencies to your
average golf membership.
Many clubs offer an annual membership, allowing full access to the
course and amenities; a restricted pass holder membership with limited
access at certain times of the day and week; and full equity memberships.
Along with all the privileges and benefits offered by the golf club, an
equity membership entitles the right to retain the profits of any future
sale of the membership or involves a legacy option of passing those
rights to an immediate child or grandchild.
Many courses include a membership in the Royal Canadian Golf Association and other golf organizations, as well as club storage and cleaning.
Barry Ehlert, recent new owner of The Hamptons Golf Club, has put
a new twist on the golf experience by incorporating the unique concept of access to several golf courses under one membership.
“One of the biggest (benefits) is access to tee times. We’re going to
have a limited number of members (at The Hamptons). With that limited number and having access to so many different golf courses you’re
always going to get great tee times,” Ehlert said.
Earlier this season, the Windmill Golf Group was offering unlimited
access to the northwest Calgary course as well as the under-construction Copithorne Club, a Johnny Miller and Stephen Ames-designed
course situated on the western edge of the Calgary foothills.
“It is one membership for six courses. It gives you access to all the other facilities that we own and operate, including the new Johnny Miller/
Stephen Ames course that we are building,” added Ehlert who was hosting receptions and presentations in March for prospective members.
The one-time fee includes access to the Silverwing Links and Boulder
Creek Calgary courses, the Northern Bear Golf Club in Edmonton and
highly touted Wilderness Club in Montana. Windmill also partners with
650 private country clubs across North America.
— Heritage Pointe, Calgary Herald Archive
Uniquely, the flexible players pass to The Hamptons can be used as a
family (open to anyone in the immediate family), corporate with up to three
designees and pass holder membership with 40 flexible green-fee-passes.
Attractive for the travelling golfer, this includes booking privileges
to its 650 partner courses, including top-50 rated Quarry Down at La
Quinta, Calif.
“We’ve worked out a reciprocal network arrangement with some
private clubs in North America. It’s an exclusive club that we can be a
part of,” says Ehlert.
It’s easy to get stuck between clubs with
more than 70 golfing opportunities in the
Calgary area, spanning from Acme to Vulcan
and Bragg Creek to Strathmore.
Although many private clubs don’t offer annual memberships, many
semi-private and public courses have yearly deals.
The Calgary Elks Lodge and Golf Club (beside Fox Hollow Golf Club
off Deerfoot Trail) is offering limited 2013 annual memberships (full
membership benefits excluding voting rights) for $3,650 with unlimited
rounds of golf from April through October.
Country Hills Golf Club has a similar annual weekday membership
offer priced at $3,100 with unlimited golfing Monday through Friday
with a minimum food and beverage spending requirement of $500.
The Lakeside Golf Club in Chestermere, a semi-private facility, listed a
restricted principle membership at $2,370.
Dewinton club Heritage Pointe, one of the top-rated public, 27hole courses in Southern Alberta, is offering an annual adult personal
membership at $4,500, and more modest prices for spousal, twilight,
intermediate and junior ($900) memberships.
Though slight variations, many of these memberships include access to
teaching professionals, clothing discounts in pro shops as well as online
tee time bookings. Most also include participation in member inter-club
tournaments, club championships and a men’s and ladies’ night events.
While the City of Calgary doesn’t offer golf memberships, public
course players can cut costs by purchasing golf passes. A seven-day
pass will run an adult $1,866 with the weekday version at $1,400.
That price drops down to $924 and $510 for seniors and juniors,
respectively.
Weekday passes have time restrictions, and all passes have a 100game limit. Ten-round punch cards can also be purchased at a lower
cost for all city courses including: Confederation Park, Lakeview, Maple
Ridge, Richmond Green and Shaganappi Point and McCall Lake (closing after 2014 season).
PAGE 6
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
CALGARY HERALD
DISC VER GOLF
PAGE 7
Greywolf Golf Course, Photo: Don Weixl
Kootenay Rockies: Canada’s golf destination
Plenty of mountains and a whole lot of golf at world-class courses nestled in nature
By Joel Schlesinger
— Mount Kidd hole No. 4 at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course. Calgary Herald Archive
Elevate your game
No matter how you slice it — or hook
it — you can’t miss with a golf vacation
in the Kootenay Rockies. Just right next
door, B.C.’s eastern border offers some
of the best golfing options in North
American.
And for the most part, this mountainous playground of thousands of square
kilometres of wilderness and dozens of
championship courses is all ours. If you’re
looking for a round — or several rounds
— on any number of courses ranging
from quaint nine-holers to championship
masterpieces with plenty of challenges
including ample wildlife, this B.C. border
region won’t disappoint.
“The majority of our guests are from
Alberta, with the Calgary area being
the most popular,” says Graeme Kreiner,
CPGA head golf professional at Golden
Golf Club.
The 18-hole course is one of the most
northern options in the Kootenay Rockies for golf fans, and it shouldn’t be
overlooked when you’re passing by on
the Trans-Canada.
“There’s very good value for the
course you get,” says Kreiner. “We got
voted last year as the number-one hidden gem in B.C. by the PGA of B.C. in
conjunction with Inside Golf.”
Golden is ideal for a quick vacation
weekend of golf and the many other activities in the area. Or it can be the ideal
place to start an extended tour of the
golfing options the Kootenay Rockies
have to offer.
About an hour’s drive south, you’ll
find the Columbia Valley Golf Trail in
the heart of the Columbia Valley.
“There are nine 18-hole courses
within 30 minutes’ drive of each
other once you get into the valley.
It’s super convenient,” says Andrea
Tubbs, marketing manager for the
Columbia Valley Golf Trail. >>>
take a break from the city at awe-inspiring mountain meccas rated among
The country’s top courses By Carl Patzel
With the opportunity to spy majestic mountain-peak views
and the chance to spot bear, moose, deer and other wildlife,
the Rocky Mountain corridor has become a golfing haven.
From Canmore to Banff, all the mountain courses —
including Fairmount Jasper Park Lodge golf course, the
Kananaskis Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette courses, Stewart
Creek and the Silver Tip golf clubs — have consistently
ranked among the top 100 courses in Canada.
For the golf enthusiast, the Fairmount Jasper Park Lodge
Golf Course is one of the Canada’s top resort destinations.
Sitting at virtually the same elevation as Calgary just a fourto five-hour drive away, Jasper receives accolades for its nice
weather and sits near the top of golf review lists, including its
2012 ranking as fourth best in the nation by ScoreGolf.
“It’s been great to see us keep moving up the charts.
When they created a resort category, we’ve at least been
able to hold down the No. 1 golf resort for all those years,”
says Alan Carter, Jasper director of golf.
A long-time international destination for golfers from
across North America and the world, Jasper has relied more
heavily on regional customers in recent years as southern
economic factors have slowed that market.
“Albertans love their mountains and take advantage of
wanting to come this way,” says Carter. “They have a lot of
memories from when they were young kids playing golf, ski-
ing, hiking and fishing. We’re pretty fortunate that they love
Jasper.”
Open from late April to early October, the 6,663-yard, par
71 course was built in 1926. A Stanley Thompson design,
Jasper is challenging but very playable, with shorter par-5
fairways compared to today’s standards.
Appealing to all handicaps, Carter says the course is generous
off the tees with few hazards, but will test the seasoned golfer
with an entertaining yet demanding collection of par-3 holes.
These tantalizing offerings include long, mid and short par-3s
including the bogey-in-disguise 130-yard, No. 16.
“It has a little green, and many times you think that it is the
pushover on the course. But when you finish writing the score
down on the 16th tee, you’ve made a bogey,” says Carter.
Short challenges aside, Carter says for many visitors, scoring rates second behind the peaceful tranquility and stunning views of the surrounding mountains, flora and fauna.
“When you get annoyed by a squawking crow, that’s about
as loud as you ever hear anything in our area,” says Carter.
“We find a lot of people ending up playing pretty well here
just because they’re very distracted by the beautiful vistas and
incredible views.”
Getting there is half the fun, with the scenic journey from
Lake Louise to Jasper skirting the Columbia Icefield.
A shorter drive along the Trans-Canada Highway through
the Calgary foothills corridor will produce a few other golf
green gems. Set among the painted canvas of blue-sky
framed, jagged rock-face mountains are the Stewart Creek
Golf Resort and the drastic elevation changes and sloped
fairways of the Silvertip Golf Course, both in Canmore.
Those are joined by the Canmore Golf & Curling Club, Kananaskis Ranch Golf Course and the highly rated Mount Kidd and
Mount Lorette layouts at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course.
The Fairmount Banff Springs Golf Resort is another course
that sits on many golfers’ bucket lists. Set in the shadows
of the towering Banff Springs Hotel, this 27-hole set-up has
been home to the 2006 and 2012 Telus World Skins Games,
hosting the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Greg
Norman, Calgarian Stephen Ames and many other professionals.
Despite being an international destination, Steve Young,
director of golf at Fairmont Banff Springs, says the playable,
championship course has also seen growth in the local market.
Inviting for both the high and low handicap golfer, Young
adds there is a lot of discrepancy in the resort course depending on the selected tee box.
And like most of the mountain courses, scores take a back
seat to the picturesque surroundings.
“We’re probably the only club where the instructors don’t
teach people to keep their heads down,” Young adds.
Golden Golf & Country Club. Photo by Don Weixl
KootenayGolfDeals.ca
PAGE 8
DISC VER GOLF
“There’s not a lot of traffic; it consists of small
towns and really good golf.”
Take your pick of top-notch courses: The
Springs Course at Radium Resort, Greywolf
Golf Course at Panorama, Radium Resort
Course, Eagle Ranch Golf Resort at Lake
Windermere, Copper Point Golf Club in Invermere, Windermere Valley Golf Club, Fairmont Hot Springs Riverside Golf Course and
Fairmont Mountainside Golf Course.
You can’t go wrong with any one of them,
Tubbs says.
“We have two courses that were ranked in
the top 100 in Canada for ScoreGolf. The first
one is Greywolf, which is at Panorama, and
it was ranked number 22. The other is Eagle
Ranch, which is in Invermere, and it was ranked
number 97.”
Greywolf is a true mountain course, and it’s
renowned across Canada and the U.S.
“The Springs is probably the third top course
in the valley. It’s at the Radium resort,” she
says. “It’s very similar in terms of views as Eagle
Ranch. It’s set atop of bluffs with very dramatic
drop-offs.”
If you’re willing to drive a little farther south,
you’ll find five more golfing options in the
Cranbrook and Kimberley region.
“We go by the theme that if you’re coming
from Calgary, you have to drive through some
pretty sweet golf areas before getting to Kimberley,” says Jesse Ferguson, executive director
of Tourism Kimberley.
“Once we get people to drive that extra hour
to get here, they won’t be disappointed.”
Value and convenience are two of the area’s
greatest golf assets.
Kimberley’s Trickle Creek Golf Resort,
Bootleg Gap Golf Course and the Kimberley
Golf Club are all within 15 minutes’ drive of
each other — while St. Eugene Golf Resort
and Wildstone Golf Course are in-between
Kimberley and Cranbrook, adding only about
five minutes’ drive time to those who want to
fully explore all the options.
“Cranbrook and the Kimberley area offer
just a great golfing experience,” says Paul
Whittingham, golf professional at Cranbrook
Golf Club.
The Cranbrook club is a semi-private, 18-hole
course in the heart of the small B.C. city.
“It’s a very playable golf course — one that’s
good for golfers of all level,” he says. “It
certainly requires you to use every club in your
bag.”
But the golf options don’t stop there for the
Kootenay Rockies. Dozens of other courses offer
world-class golf without the exorbitant price tag.
In fact, west of Cranbrook is the start of the
Kootenay Golf Trail.
“The best thing about golfing along the
Kootenay Golf Trail is the unhurried pace and
casual elegance of our golf courses,” says Brian
Miller, general manager at the Castlegar Golf
Club. >>>
CALGARY HERALD
ENVY REALLY IS GREEN.
Two glorious courses gently carved from the best of Mother Nature.
Holes that will challenge your nerve and ones that leap your game to another level.
Fine dining that is an unexpected welcome. And service unmatched within the realm of an 18 hole day.
Is it any wonder that others envy our resorts?
But you can ﬁnd it all waiting for you.
Join us for world-class golf and ﬁne dining at Eagle Ranch and Silvertip Resorts.
Book your tee time or make reservations at SilvertipandEagleRanch.com
or by calling 1.877.877.3889.
eagleranchresort.com
silvertipresort.com
Bootleg Gap. Photo by Don Weixl
PAGE 10
The Trail includes eight courses:
Balfour Golf Course, Birchbank
Golf Club, Castlegar, Christina Lake Golf Club, Creston
Golf Club, Granite Pointe Golf
Course in Nelson, Kokanee
Springs Golf Resort in Crawford Bay and Redstone Resort in
Rossland.
“These are mainly member courses and are all quality golf courses
that are virtually never crowded.
The scenery is spectacular and air is
clean and pure,” says Miller.
For those looking for golf paths a
little less trodden upon, they should
check out the Slocan Valley.
“The Slocan Valley is like stepping
back in time, dotted with funky
nine-hole courses, a contrast to the
championship 18-hole courses of
the Highway 3 and 3A,” he says.
Farther east along the Crowsnest
Highway are a handful of other
great options, including the Fernie
Golf and Country Club and the
Sparwood Golf Club.
While the Kootenay Rockies offers plenty of golfing options, they
DISC VER GOLF
also provide great value.
You can find green fees from
the low $20-range up to more
than $140 at some of the highend courses — great value deals
compared to some of the more
renowned golfing options in North
America.
“There are your top courses, and
then there are others that are completely walk-able like Windermere
Valley, which is much more of a family course,” says Tubbs.
Courses are busy throughout the
summer, so it’s always best to book
tee times as soon as possible to assure you get your desired days and
tee off times.
But you’ll likely find walk-on
times during the week throughout the region, says Whittingham,
especially in the Cranbrook and
Kimberley area courses because
they’re a little bit of a farther
drive.
“The Kootenays are kind of a
golfing mecca of sorts because the
courses outnumber the golfers in
the region.”
CALGARY HERALD
*Note: Quoted price range is for 18 holes,
adult, non-twilight (taxes extra).
Price may include extras such as cart and/or
practice facilities. For additional green fees,
please visit each course’s website.
Balfour Golf Club. Photo by Don Weixl
Spectacular Golf
in the heart of the Canadian Rockies
for 4 !
*
Located
2.5 hrs from
Calgary
The GeTAwAy inCludes:
• 9 rounds of golf per person • 8 nights of accommodation for 4
(to be used in the 2013 season, 1 round per CVGT course)
And more... enTer ofTen for A beTTer ChAnCe To win!
*restrictions apply
Book your golf vacation at ColumbiaValleyGolfTrail.com
Ranked #2 Best Public
Golf Course in BC
• Fully stocked pro shop
• Power carts
• Club Rentals
• CPGA lessons
• Practice facility
•Tournaments & GroupsWelcome!
Tee Times: 250
T
250.423.7773
423 7773
www.golffernie.com
w
g
photo courtesy Terry Parker Photo Graphics
Balfour Golf Course
Balfour, B.C.
Services: Power carts, club rentals,
concession with licensed dining and
outdoor deck, pro shop, lessons, driving
range, putting and chipping greens.
Tee Times: 250-229-5655 or 1-866-669-4653
2013 Rates: $63
www.GolfBalfour.com
Set in picturesque meadows and forested
woodlands overlooking Kootenay Lake,
Balfour was designed by noted Canadian golf
architect Les Furber, the man behind gems such
as The Springs at Radium, Trickle Creek and
St. Eugene. Several holes perfectly frame the
lake and Purcell Mountains, including the par3, ninth, while the final six holes are deemed
by many to be among the best finishing
stretches of golf in the Kootenay Rockies.
Birchbank Golf Course
Trail, B.C.
Services: Power carts, CPGA lessons, driving
range, club rentals/storage/repairs, licensed
dining & lounge.
Tee Times: 250-693-2255
2013 Rates: $60
www.BirchbankGolf.com
With the mighty Columbia River, Selkirk
and Monashee mountains as a backdrop,
Birchbank Golf Course is another Kootenay
Rockies classic. Large greens and generously
contoured fairways combine with dramatic
elevation changes to make for a memorable
round of golf.
Bootleg Gap Golf
Kimberley, B.C.
chipping/practice area, driving range,
licensed restaurant and lounge.
Tee Times: 250-427-7077 or 1-877-427-7077.
2013 Rates: 18-hole, $52 to 62; nine-hole
recreational, $19
www.BootlegGapGolf.com
With 27 isolated holes in a gorgeous setting
along the St. Mary River, Bootleg Gap Golf
is one of the most exciting golf facilities
in the Kootenay Rockies. Quiet, peaceful,
laid-back, beautiful, well-maintained and
natural: these are just some of the words
that have been used to describe Bootleg
Gap Golf. And, by those same definitions,
Bootleg Gap represents all that is good
about playing golf in this region.
PAGE 11
Tee Times: 250-428-5515; 1-888-928-2582
2013 Rates: $56
www.CrestonGolfClub.com
Featuring a layout that challenges all
aspects of your game, the Creston Golf Club
stands as an enjoyable test of golf. The
diverse nature of each hole also makes for
an interesting round, while abundant local
wildlife can often be seen. In fact, a cougar
once wandered onto the course a few years
ago during the B.C. Senior Championship.
Here’s a look at the major courses in the
region: For more information, including
a complete list of green fees or any
specials, visit: KootenayRockies.mobi and
kootenaygolfdeals.ca
A ColumbiA VAlley
Golf TrAil GeTAwAy
*Play any one of our 9 courses before June 25, 2013
and you can enter the contest for free!
DISC VER GOLF
GOLF COURSES
Win
GOLF TRAIL
CALGARY HERALD
Eagle Ranch Golf Resort
Invermere, B.C.
Services: CPGA lessons, driving range,
colour GPS-equipped power carts, club
rentals, practice area, licensed restaurant,
golf shop, banquet and meeting facilities
Tee Times: 250-342-0562; 1-877-877-3889
2013 Rates: $105 to $139
www.EagleRanchResort.com
The thrilling up-and-down layout, designed
by Bill Robinson, incorporates deep ravines,
hoodoos and exposed bluffs. Nothing tops
the awesome closing run. The 18th, a wild
par-5 with a huge ravine bisecting the
fairway, will give you an opportunity to leave
a hero.
Castlegar Golf Club. Photo by Don Weixl
Castlegar Golf Club
Castlegar, B.C.
Services: Power carts, premium club
rentals, CPGA pros, practice facilities,
licensed clubhouse and on-site camping.
Tee Times: 250-365-5006 or 1-800-666-0324
2013 Rates: $44 to $64
www.GolfCastlegar.com
Rated four stars by Golf Digest, Castlegar is
known for its excellent course conditions.
Set in the pine forests, the track has a
stellar variety of holes, and often serves as
a venue for major golf tournaments in the
region. Castlegar hosted the B.C. Amateur
Championship in 2010, the fourth time the
club has hosted the event. An on-site RV
park and campground was added in 2011.
licensed dining and golf shop, adjacent
Copper Point Resort hotel.
Tee Times: 250-341-3392; 1-877-418-4653
2013 Rates: The Point, $90 to $137; The
Ridge, $55 to $75
www.CopperPointGolf.com
Thirty-six holes of spectacular golf. Both
courses at Copper Point are outstanding
examples of how good golf can be when
architects let the design complement the
terrain they’re building on and accentuate
its natural beauty. Combine this with
dramatic elevation changes, lush fairways,
strategically placed bunkers and undulating
greens, and it’s clear why The Point and The
Ridge are two of the finest, most exciting
courses in the Kootenay Rockies.
Christina Lake Golf Club
Christina Lake, B.C.
Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA
lessons, practice facility, club repairs and
licensed dining, RV sites.
Tee Times: 250-447-9313
2013 Rates: $44 to $56
www.ChristinaLakeGolfClub.com
A summer hot spot for water-sport enthusiasts,
Christina Lake is also known for its local
golf course, which, due to the region’s mild
climate, stretches from mid-March to October.
Secluded in a ponderosa pine forest near the
Kettle River, the course is a beauty with several
unique features, such as black sand bunkers.
Cranbrook Golf Club
Cranbrook, B.C.
lessons, practice green, driving range,
licensed dining and banquet facilities.
Tee Times: 250-426-6462; 1-888-211-8855
2013 Rates: $39 to $55
www.GolfCranbrook.com
With a reputation as a mature course with a
parkland-style layout, Cranbrook provides a
great game of golf without a lot of hassle. The
course is easy to walk, and the efficient layout
and multiple tee box choices mean a four-hour
round is the norm. And, thanks to Cranbrook
boasting the most sunshine hours of any city in
B.C., the golf days and season are long.
Copper Point Golf Club
Invermere, B.C.
Services: Electric power carts with GPS
monitors, golf academy with CPGA lessons
and driving range, full-service clubhouse,
Creston Golf Club
Creston, B.C.
lessons, driving range and licensed dining.
Fairmont Hot Springs
Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C.
lessons, practice facilities, licensed dining
and lounge, spa, beverage carts, pro shop,
RV park, resort accommodation and natural
hot springs.
Tee Times: 250-345-6070 or 1-800-665-2112
2013 Rates: Mountainside, $30.99 to $69.99;
Riverside, $49 to $84.99; Par 3, $15.99 to $19.99
www.FairmontHotSprings.com
With 45 holes of golf — all nestled
between the Purcell and Rocky Mountain
ranges — the facility includes two
championship courses (Riverside and
Mountainside) and the par-3 Creekside
course. The spectacular Riverside course
offers beautiful emerald greens. The
Mountainside course, which was revitalized
by famed designer Doug Carrick in 2012,
features velvety fairways and a host of
riveting holes that will test every club in
your bag.
Fernie Golf & Country Club
Fernie, B.C.
lessons, practice facility, club storage,
club repairs, lounge, licensed dining,
tournaments and groups welcome.
Tee Times: 250-423-7773
2013 Rates: $56 to $65
www.GolfFernie.com
One of the oldest courses in the Kootenay
Rockies, the Fernie Golf & Country Club is
close to downtown, yet also the majestic
Rocky Mountain setting with views of the
grand peaks that line the valley. Silica sand
bunkers, impeccable greens and water on
several holes makes for a fun and fair round
of golf for all ages. >>>
PAGE 12
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
GOLF COURSES
Golden Golf Club
Golden, B.C.
lessons, driving range, licensed dining,
RV park and soft-spike facility.
Tee Times: 250-344-2700; 1-866-7277222
2013 Rates: $61 to $71
www.GolfGolden.com
Unlike some courses that are lined
by residential development, Golden
remains mostly surrounded by untouched
wilderness. Golf architects Les Furber and
Bill Newis did a masterful job of creating
a course that honours its natural setting,
highlighted by the wondrous 11th hole
that is dramatically lined by the raging
waters of Holt Creek.
Stay
Granite Pointe at Nelson
Nelson, B.C.
Services: Power carts, club rentals, club
repairs, CPGA lessons, driving range,
club storage, licensed dining and tennis
courts.
Tee Times: 250-352-5913; 1-877-6776077
2013 Rates: $49
www.GranitePointe.ca
With some of the best scenery in the
Kootenay Rockies region, Granite Pointe
is a favourite golf destination for people
visiting Nelson. Views include towering
mountains, glistening Kokanee Glacier
and the deep blue waters of Kootenay
Lake.
Greywolf at Panorama
Panorama Mountain Village, B.C.
CPGA lessons, licensed dining, hotel and
condominium-style lodging, as well as
driving range.
Tee Times: 250-341-4100; 1-888-4739965
2013 Rates: $109 to $129
www.GreywolfGolf.com
Located in a spectacular alpine setting at
Panorama Mountain Village, Greywolf is
the kind of course that wins people over.
Recognized by Golf Digest as one of the
Top-100 Courses in the World Outside of
the United States, Greywolf is about as
impressive as mountain golf gets.
Kimberley Golf Club
Kimberley, B.C.
Services: Power carts, cub rentals, CPGA
lessons, driving range, club storage,
licensed dining & soft spike facility.
Tee Times: 250-427-4161; 1-877-427-4161
2013 Rates: $49
www.KimberleyGolfClub.com
Since opening in 1924, Kimberley has
become known for its gently rolling
™
|
& golf
at Kokanee Springs Resort
in Crawford Bay, B.C.
Greywolf at Panorama. Photo by Don Weixl
well-maintained fairways and greens,
and a layout that requires accuracy more
than great length off the tee. Kimberley
wanders in and out of pine forests with
views of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains.
Kokanee Springs Golf Resort
Crawford Bay, B.C.
club storage, CPGA lessons, practice
greens and traps, driving range, dining
lounge with patio and on-site resort
accommodations.
Tee Times: 250-227-9226; 1-800-9797999
2013 Rates: $89
www.KokaneeSprings.com
Golf architect Norman Woods crafted
a course with his signature mix of
lengthy fairways and large undulating
greens with space for a variety of pin
placements that make each round a fresh
challenge.
Radium Resort
Radium Hot Springs, B.C.
lessons, licensed dining, patio and lounge,
banquet and meeting facilities, fitness
centre, pool, spa, as well as course-side
accommodations at both the Resort and
Springs courses.
Tee Times: 250-347-6266 or 1-800-667-6444
2013 Rates: Resort Course, $43 to $65;
Springs Course, $69 to $110
www.RadiumResort.com
The Resort Course, built in 1957, is
undergoing redevelopment, with three
new holes and three modified holes
already completed. The course offers
amazing vistas and unique golf holes on
a rugged, mountainside site. The Springs
Course is a Les Furber design that opened
in 1988. It skirts the Columbia Valley
wetlands and features an unforgettable
finish along the bluff. The tantalizing
17th, a short par-3 over a chasm, could
make a strong case as the best of its kind
in the region.
Redstone Golf Resort
Rossland, B.C.
Services: Power carts, club rentals, pro
shop, CPGA lessons, licensed dining and
patio.
Tee Times: 250-362-9141; 1-877-362-4555
2013 Rates: $45 to $61
www.RedstoneResort.com
Rossland’s former nine-hole course has
been transformed into a Les Furber
championship 18-hole course. With the
revitalized and renovated original course
as the back nine, and a new track created
for the front nine, the result is an instant
classic of mountain golf.
Revelstoke Golf Club
Revelstoke, B.C.
Services: Power carts, club rentals, club
repairs, CPGA lessons, practice facility,
driving range, chipping/putting greens
and licensed clubhouse with patio
dining.
Tee Times: 250-837-4276
2013 Rates: $59
www.RevelstokeGolfClub.com
Revelstoke opened in to the early 1920s,
and has been a local favourite every
season. A tree-lined layout flows gently
through the cedar forests and along the
Columbia River. Yet don’t let your guard
down; holes such as the par-4 sixth with
the river protecting its left flank can take
a bite out of your game. >>>
kokanee springs
aMeniTies
• Championship
18 Hole Golf Course
• Pro Shop / CPGA pros
• Signature 5 Day Golf School
• Driving range / putting area
• On-course beverage cart
and snack bar
• Bunker’s Grill
• Outdoor hot tub
• Meeting & games rooms
• Internet access
• Local beach area
• Trail network
Kokanee Springs Resort is one of Canada’s finest championship 18 hole courses,
residing on Kootenay Lake near the Kokanee Glacier.
Kokanee Springs is a Norman Woods original, characterized by its long driving fairways, immense rolling
greens, immaculate course upkeep, and ability to interest and challenge golfers at all levels. Kokanee
Springs offers onsite accommodations and a relaxed environment surrounded by beautiful vistas, great
amenities and friendly staff. The Resort’s 750 acres includes over a mile of lake front on Kootenay Lake,
as well as natural wetlands and soaring forests.
For reservations or more information call 1-800-979-7999,
or visit www.kokaneesprings.com or www.bellstar.ca.
For tee times call 1-250-227-9226.
11
93
1
DISC VER GOLF
Plan a golf
vacation
Wildstone Golf Course
Cranbrook, B.C.
Services: Full practice facility, CPGA lessons,
power carts, club rentals, practice facility,
licensed clubhouse and deck, pro shop.
Tee Times: 250-489-1282;
1-855-565-4653
2013 Rates: $65 to $75
www.WildstoneGolf.com
Located on the scenic highlands above
Cranbrook, Wildstone is the only Black Knight
course by Gary Player Design in Canada. This
incredible 7,100-yard layout features generous
rolling fairways and a one-of-a-kind 350-plus
yard range.
St Eugene Golf Resort. Photo by Don Weixl
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PAGE 15
23
5
facilities are also only a short walk away.
Windermere Valley Golf Course
Windermere, B.C.
Services: Power carts, licensed dining, CPGA lessons,
club rentals, club storage and driving range.
Tee Times: 250-342-3004
2013 Rates: $31 to $34.95
www.indermereValleyGolfCourse.com
More people are realizing that
a shorter round on a sporty,
family-friendly course makes for
a perfect golf experience. Enjoy
great bang for your buck on a challenging,
beautifully maintained course.
Mountain
Time
te
in
W
ed
os
Cl
Trickle Creek Golf Resort
Kimberley, B.C.
Services: Power carts, club rentals, practice
facility, licensed dining and lounge, lessons, golf
packages including nearby Trickle Creek Lodge.
Tee Times: 250-427-3389; 1-877-754-5462
2013 Rates: $99 to $125
www.TrickleCreek.com
Once named the number-one-daily-fee course
in B.C. by Acura World of Golf, Trickle Creek
intertwines with the rugged landscape of
forests, creeks and majestic mountains for a
stunning and challenging golf outing. Resort
Pacific
Time
ne
me Zo
ain Ti
Mount me Zone
Ti
Pacific
St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
Cranbrook, B.C.
Services: Power carts, club rentals, putting
green, driving range, CPGA lessons, tournament
and group bookings, food and beverage and a
full-service casino resort hotel.
Tee Times: 1-877-417-3133
2013 Rates: $45 to $95
www.StEugene.ca
Featuring a striking 7,007-yard Les Furber-designed
golf course, a beautiful boutique hotel and the
only casino in the Kootenay Rockies region, the
St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino is one of the
most inclusive and exciting resorts in the region.
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
per
Jas
GOLF COURSES
CALGARY HERALD
Edmonton
PAGE 14
2
22
2
PAGE 16
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
What’s your stick?
nitely hinder your ability to perform to the best of your ability.”
In many cases, off-the-shelf clubs will get players into the
swing of things, especially beginners. For the more advanced
golfer, many equipment outlets can now use the same technology as teaching professionals to find that correct fit.
James says they use launch monitors to measure club head
speed, ball speed, launch angle and the ever-important spin
rate to help maximize swing and club performance.
“We try to optimize a person’s carry with the golf club
and also their roll out. Basically we don’t want a club where
the shaft is too stiff and they spin the ball too much.”
Most golfers walk into the CNGA pro shop looking for
more distance, especially from the driver. Gaining an extra
10 to 15 yards off the tee can be the difference of a club
face tweak or changing shaft stiffness.
Almost all companies — including Nike, Callaway, Taylor
Made and PING — etc. now offer adjustable-head drivers,
which is a major advantage to the progressive golfer.
“If they’re playing, taking lessons and progressing, then the
By carl patzel
adjustability starts to become a factor as they get better.”
Apart from the adjustable driver, the greatest advancement
in golf clubs has been with the rescue hybrid. Three and four
irons are becoming a thing of the past as this part-iron, partwood design has become the most popular club in the bag
for everyone from the novice to touring professional.
“A lot of players say they’re like cheating because they
are so easy to hit. There is a lower centre of gravity with the
club designed to get the ball up in the air,” says James.
When it comes to putting for dough, James adds those
who play tournament golf should avoid the controversial
long-shaft, anchored putters which may be banned from
the competitive ranks.
And while full club sets start in the $300 range, that can
elevate quickly with some individual shafts priced over the
$1,000 mark, says James.
“For most people who are beginners, we don’t like to see
them spend tons of money to start with until they know they are
going to stay with the game. Then the sky is the limit.”
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PAGE 17
SIMPLE DRILL WILL HELP improve your stance AND GAME
By Lisa “Longball’ Vlooswyk
If you are struggling with hitting crisp
iron shots and making consistent contact,
check your posture. It is a key element in
the golf swing that is often overlooked for
golfers of all ages but it is one of the easiest and quickest fixes to make.
The most common posture fault is having a hunched back in setup. Many people
watch TV or sit at the computer without
a perfectly straight back. They sit relaxed,
with shoulders slightly rolled forward
and a curve in their spine because it feels
comfortable.
Golfers who work in an office or have a
desk job, could be sitting in this position
upward of eight hours a day. Therefore,
this hunched back becomes “normal.” This
explains the reason why when many players go to set up for the golf swing and address the ball, their shoulders roll forward
and there is a curve in the spine because it
feels comfortable.
Having a curve in your spine will limit
your ability to make a good turn. To make
a proper swing, it is imperative to have a
straight flat back in setup. Your torso is
able to turn effectively when it can rotate
around the axis of your spine.
If your spine is hunched it restricts your
mobility. When it is flat, it is easy to make
a good turn. The ability to turn is what will
create coil and torque in your backswing,
and will help you add distance to your
game.
An easy way to help you set up with
perfect posture is to stand up nice and
tall, shoulders back and feet shoulder
width apart. Keeping your shoulders back
and back flat, bow only at the waist.
Once you achieve a 45-degree angle, stop
and then slightly bend your knees. I like
to refer to it as cracking your knees. If
you bend too much you get into a sitting
position. You only want to slightly bend
(crack) your knees. This simple setup will
make it so much easier to rotate around
your spine.
Practise doing this drill every time you
set up to a shot, whether it is an iron
shot, hybrid, fairway wood or driver.
Continue to practise it until it becomes
a habit to set up with a flat back at a
45-degree angle and slightly bent knees.
To emphasise the difference, try setting
up with a hunched back and turning.
Note how far you are able to turn, then
try it with your new posture setup and
see if you have increased your rotation. I
bet you will be amazed at the difference
and thrilled with the result.
Have a fabulous season on Calgary and
area golf courses.
Lisa Vlooswyk is seven-time Canadian
Long Drive Champion currently ranked top
5 in the world. Vlooswyk is a golf entertainer, keynote speaker and golf journalist.
She can be reached through her website
at www.lisalongball.com or follow Lisa on
Twitter @lisalongball.
A straight back is imperative to
having a good golf swing and
maximizing rotation. Left, Lisa
Vlooswyk demonstrates the setup
for proper stance, by standing tall,
bending from the waist and slightly
bending the knees. By repeating
this simple drill whenever setting
up a shot, golfers will see the
difference good posture makes in
their golf game.
Photos courtesy of Lisa Vlooswyk.
3 week ownership from $28,500
Whole ownership from $399,900
2 or 3 bedroom
town home: 2 nights for
Posture perfect
finding the perfect club will help you play your best game
For every player there is the perfect golf club.
Finding that proper-fitting, elusive stick can be as challenging as carding that first eagle. That is unless you have a
little help.
According to many teaching professionals and golf-club
fitters, the key to productive golf is measuring yourself first:
your wants and needs and even the length of your arms.
Forget about which driver Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy are
teeing up on a money-making Sunday.
“We try to take the golf club out of the equation as being
a problem. Then we know your issue is something to do
with your golf swing because we’ve had all the equipment
fit specifically for you,” says Calgary National Golf Academy
(CNGA) instructor, Darryl James.
The 2007-08 PGA of Alberta Player of the Year spends
much of his time finding the right golf club fit for players at
all levels, whether it’s replacing a complete set of 14 sticks
or just a minor tweak in club face angle.
“If you don’t have a golf club that is right for you, it can defi-
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
Calgary National Golf Academy instructor Darryl James hits out of the sand trap on 10th hole at
the Canadian PGA Championship at Cottonwood Golf Club in 2011. Calgary Herald Archive
DISC VER GOLF
PAGE 19
Golf junkie’s fix
one-of-a-kind golf vacation experiences from the
mountains to the ocean By Joel Schlesinger
— Victoria Golf Club in Victoria, Tourism B.C. photo
British Columbia’s “super natural” reputation takes on a
whole new meaning for avid golfers looking for the ultimate
golf getaway.
With hundreds of world-class courses, many with adjoining resorts with top-notch accommodations, dining and
entertainment, the only problem a links-loving tourist faces
is this: so many great courses, yet so little time.
“When golfers are thinking of golfing B.C., they often
think ‘I’ve got to go to the Okanagan; I’ve got to go to Vancouver Island, and I’ve got to go to Whistler.’ Sometimes,
they do it all in the same trip,” says Jason Lowe, general
manager of Arbutus Ridge Golf Course near Victoria.
Lowe is also president of Golf Vancouver Island, representing
12 of the island’s best courses from Victoria to Campbell River.
The consortium is the perfect one-stop shop for a golfing
weekend or extended golf-centred vacation on the numberone rated island vacation destination in continental North
America by Travel + Leisure magazine.
For those making a weekend jaunt to B.C.’s capital, Arbutus
Ridge offers golfers dual opportunities: great golf and fine wine.
“We’re surrounded by nine wineries,” he says. “Vancouver Island is in its infancy, but people will feel like pioneers
discovering some very nice wineries.”
Also near Victoria is Olympic View Golf Club. This public,
18-hole golf course will get you as close to nature at you
can get. And it’s only 20 minutes’ drive from Victoria.
“It sets itself apart from others in that it takes the golfer
in the wilderness,” says Ken Langdon, sales and events coordinator at Olympic View Golf Club. “You wander off into
the forest and you don’t come back until the 18th hole.”
The nice thing about golfing in Victoria, he says, is it’s
golfing in Victoria.
“Victoria is a real vacation destination, and golf is at the
top of the list for many people as a vacation activity.”
As one of the top tourism destinations in Canada, Victoria
has so much more to offer than golf.
Indeed, a visit to Bear Mountain, Cordova Bay, Arbutus
Ridge and Olympic View for some rounds of golf shouldn’t
be missed, and plenty of tour agencies — Golf Central Tours
and Golf Vancouver Island — can arrange a worry-free,
golf-filled tour of the region, he says.
“They’ll really go out of their way to get you a well-priced
inclusive vacation that includes travel, green fees and accommodation.”
On the mainland, the pinnacle golfing experience for many is
a trip to Whistler — another mecca of tourism for the province.
Golf Whistler offers deals on golf packages at the regions
premier golfing destination, such as Nicklaus North, Chateau
Whistler, Whistler Golf Club and Big Sky Golf and Country Club.
“We know when people come to Whistler, they’re not
just coming to play Big Sky, or Nicklaus North,” says Chris
Wallace, general manager of Big Sky. “They’re playing three
or four courses.”
“For Big Sky, the thing that makes us stand out is last year
we were British Columbia’s PGA Facility of the Year, so we
were ranked the number-one public course and number four overall in the province when you include private
courses.”
It’s also ranked in the top 30 by GolfDigest.
“Those are two awards that were really huge for us.
GolfDigest is almost the Bible of all golf magazines,” says
Wallace.
Most hotels in Whistler offer discounts on tee times
during the season. And Big Sky will pick up golfers from
town to drive them to the course. It also offers a unique
experience called the 19th Hole, in which guests are
flown by helicopter to the top of Mount Currie to drive
balls off a 3,000-metre peak before heading to play the
course.
Of course, when it comes to golf destinations in B.C,
you can’t forget the Thompson-Okanagan region, an area
about the size of Ireland that features 74 courses, says Ellen
Walker-Matthews, spokeswoman for Thompson-Okanagan
Tourism Association.
“People like Greg Norman, Richard Zokol, Fred Couples,
Robert Trent-Jones and Dave Barr have all designed courses
in this region,” she says.
“That’s pretty significant for golfers who want to try some
amazingly challenging courses.”
And the region is more than happy to oblige golf junkies
who could golf them all but maybe only have a weekend or
a week for just a taste of what the region can offer.
“There are several hotels that offer golf packages,” says
Walker-Matthews, adding Tourism Kelowna and Tourism Kamloops offers packages through their websites. “They have
options where you can golf at a number of courses where
they can get you special rates.”
Those looking for a truly unique experience may want to
try staying at Sparkling Hill Resort, next to Predator Ridge
Resort, one of the top golfing destinations.
“Sparkling Hill is European-inspired spa with the only cold
sauna where you can go in at -30, -55 and -100 C for five
minutes into the sauna,” she says. “The whole experience
between golfing at Predator and staying at this Sparkling
Hill is something that can’t be duplicated in Canada.”
If heat is more your style, you can head south to Canada’s
only desert in Osoyoos, featuring Nk’Mip Canyon Desert, Osoyoos Golf and Country Club and Sonora Dunes Golf Course.
“There’s fabulous accommodation either at Spirit Ridge,
Watermark or Walnut Beach.”
The simple fact is a golf lover can’t go wrong in B.C, says
Walker-Matthews.
“There are a wide variety of topography and golf courses
throughout,” she says.
“You can have almost as many golfing experiences as you
can think of.”
PAGE 2-
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
CALGARY HERALD
Walker-Matthews recommends
people make use of several websites to help plan a vacation, with
a complete listing of nine- and
18-hole courses available at
travelthompsonokanagan.com.
Other great online resources to
help with your golf vacation are
bcgolfguide.com, golfkelowna.
com and tourismkamloops.com.
Of great appeal to Albertans
heading to Thompson Okanagan
to golf is the lengthy season compared to the prairies.
“Some years some of our courses
are (open) year-round,” says
Walker-Matthews. “However, the
golf usually starts on permanent
greens in March or early April, depending on the year, and finishes
in mid November.”
At the beginning of the golf
season, visitors can often ski on
champagne powder one day and
golf on championship greens the
next, due to snow remaining high
up at local ski resorts while the
valleys below are already green
and summer like. While dedicated golfers may
Predator Ridge Golf Course Resort in Vernon. Photo by Henebry
You’ll be at home on the ranges
of Thompson Okanagan
With more than 70 courses in a vast array of geographical settings, there’s plenty for golfers in the Okanagan region
By Gerald Vander Pyl
The old saying “variety is
the spice of life” certainly applies to the golf scene in the
Thompson Okanagan region
of British Columbia.
Thanks to a scenic combination of majestic mountains,
shimmering lakes and rivers, verdant valleys and even
Canada’s only desert, there is a
wide variety of different styles
of golf courses to enjoy.
Ellen Walker-Matthews,
market experiences specialist
with the Thompson Okanagan
Tourism Association (TOTA),
says given the expanse of the
region, from Valemount in the
north to Osoyoos in the south,
it offers a veritable buffet of
golf options, from mountain,
desert and grassland courses to
ones set along rolling hills lined
by apples trees.
In total, there are more
than 70 nine-hole and 18-hole
courses in Thompson Okanagan, and golf is definitely a
big draw for visitors.
“Over 25 of these courses are
championship golf courses and
definitely ones that should be
on a true golfer’s bucket list,”
says Walker-Matthews.
With golf courses spread
throughout the valleys, visitors can create their own golf
trail by sampling courses as
they travel throughout the
region. >>>
Rivershore Estates & Golf in Kamloops. Photo courtesy TOTA
DISC VER GOLF
choose to plan a golf-only vacation in Thompson Okanagan, the
region’s wide variety of attractions
make it ideal for a trip that combines a number of activities.
For instance, visitors can build
getaway packages to include wine
touring, a day or two at a spa, or
rounds of golf.
Golf courses have also unveiled
new packages aimed at bringing
more female golfers to the region.
Last year, Predator Ridge’s package for women called Swing Like
a Girl was a huge success, says
Walker-Matthews.
The Thompson Okanagan also
benefits from having an excellent
range of accommodation choices,
making it possible to plan a golf
vacation for almost any budget,
says Walker-Matthews.
“The accommodation is as
varied as the courses, and we have
incredible selection for the very
discriminating quests to those that
may be more budget oriented. “We even have courses that are
located along side of RV campgrounds.”
PAGE 21
Waterfall at the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna. Photo by Don Weixl
PAGE 22
GOLF COURSES
Here are just a few of the courses you
can visit on a Thompson Okanagan golf
vacation. *Note: Quoted price range is for
18 holes, adult, non-twilight (taxes extra).
Price may include extras such as cart and/or
practice facilities. For additional green fees,
please visit each course’s website.
Black Mountain Golf Course
Kelowna, B.C.
Services: The Grill at Black Mountain
Restaurant, golf carts, premium Callaway
rental clubs, practice greens and hitting
warm-up nets.
Tee Times: 250-765-6890
2013 Rates: $62.99 to $92.99
www.BlackMountainGolf.ca
Named a finalist as Best New Course in
Canada by SCOREGolf 2010, Black Mountain
takes its cue from the natural topography
and vegetation of the land. The course is
dramatically sculpted into the Okanagan
landscape, and features a signature
island green. Designed by Cooke Carleton
International, Black Mountain’s challenging
par-71 Championship layout consists of six
par-3s, seven par-4s and five par-5s, and has
four tee box locations on each hole.
DISC VER GOLF
Canoe Creek Golf Course
Salmon Arm, B.C.
Services: Club rental, golf cart rental,
driving range, putting green, teaching pro
and golf school, bistro.
Tee Times: 250-832-3285 1-866-431-3285
2013 Rates: $80
www.CanoeCreekGolf.com
Like a bit of traditional British Isles golf
brought to the Shuswap, Canoe Creek has
a wondrous mix of grassy fields, pot-faced
bunkers and enough creeks, waterfalls and
marshes to give pause to even the most
accurate golfer off the tee.
The Club at Tower Ranch
Kelowna, B.C.
driving range, putting green, teaching pro.
Tee Times: 250-491-8211 (ext 209) 1-877491-8211
2013 Rates: $95 to $115
www.GolfTowerRanch.com
This semi-private, 18-hole championship
course is conveniently located just minutes
from downtown and Kelowna International
Airport. Designed by Thomas McBroom, the
course boasts spectacular views from every
hole and playability suitable for all levels. The
clubhouse feature more than 10,000 square
feet of amenities, including the pro shop and
CALGARY HERALD
Carrington’s Restaurant and Lounge.
the course to explore after a round.
The Dunes
Kamloops, B.C.
Services: Club rental, golf car rental, driving
range, practice facility, dining, pro shop,
restaurant and banquet facilities.
Tee Times: 250-579-3300 1-888-881-4653
(ext 1)
2013 Rates: $50 to $75
www.GolfTheDunes.com
Truly nature’s golf course, The Dunes features
lush fairways carved through the sand that
was once the riverbed of the North Thompson.
Measuring 7,131 yards in length with four
different tees, the course can fit any skill level.
Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club
Kelowna, B.C.
Services: Championship 18-hole course and
mid-length nine-hole Pinnacle Course, club
rental, golf cart rental, driving range, putting
green, chipping area, practice bunker,
teaching pro and golf school, bar and grill.
Tee Times: 250-861-4240 1-800-446-5322 (5)
2013 Rates: Gallagher’s Canyon, $79 to $99;
Pinnacle 9-hole, $27
www.GolfBC.com
Another Kelowna-area legend, Gallagher’s
Canyon takes golfers on a majestic round
of golf along the edge of its picturesque
namesake canyon, while challenging them
with many well-protected greens. The
Pinnacle is a par-32 course with a layout
suitable for everyone from beginning
golfers to experienced ones looking to fine
tune various aspects of their game.
Fairview Mountain Golf Club
Oliver, B.C.
Services: Cart rentals, CPGA instruction,
banquet and lounge facilities, grill and patio.
Tee Times: 250-498-6077 1-866-534-7264
2013 Rates: $55 to $71.50
www.FairviewMountain.com
Established in 1925, Fairview Mountain
has seen several dramatic upgrades over
the years, the latest by Les Furber in 1990.
Constantly changing elevations make for
an exciting round, while the setting in the
midst of orchards is unparalleled. There are
also 20 wineries within a 20-minute drive of
The Harvest Golf Club
Kelowna, B.C.
driving range, putting green, chipping
area, practice bunker, teaching pro and golf
school, restaurant.
Tee Times: 250-862-3103 1-800-257-8577
2013 Rates: $75 to $120
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
GOLF COURSES
www.HarvestGolf.com
Holes that meander alongside more than 24
hectares (60 acres) of working orchard and
vineyard make The Harvest a golf experience
with a difference. The 7,109-yard Graham
Cooke-designed layout can test the best, or be
whittled down thanks to a variety of tee areas.
Hyde Mountain on Mara Lake Golf Course
Sicamous, B.C.
driving range, putting green, chipping area,
teaching pro, golf school, dockside shuttle
service, campground, restaurant.
Tee Times: 250-836-4653 1-877-677-4653
2013 Rates: $65 to $85
www.HydeMountain.com
Leave room in your golf bag for a camera at
Hyde Mountain. With some lofty viewpoints
and towering, cliffside tee boxes, phenomenal
is the only way to describe the surrounding
scenery. The Les Furber design also provides a
golf challenge equal to the views.
Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course
Oliver, B.C.
Services: Rentals, practice facility, dining,
pro shop, CPGA lessons, resaurant.
Tee Times: 250-498-3635 1-800-656-5755
2013 Rates: $45 to $50
www.NkmipCanyon.com
Reflecting the Osoyoos Indian Band’s reverence
for nature, Nk’Mip blends into the desert
landscape and canyons of the extreme south
Okanagan. The Canyon Nine provides elevated
golf at its finest, while the Grove Nine stretches
out on lush fairways on the lower lands.
Okanagan Golf Club
Kelowna, B.C.
Services: Two 18-hole championship courses
(The Bear and The Quail), club rental, golf
cart rental, driving range, putting green,
chipping area, practice bunker, teaching pro
and golf school, restaurant.
Tee Times: 250-765-5955 1-800-446-5322
2013 Rates: $79 to $99
www.GolfBC.com
The Bear is a Nicklaus Designs course that
has been an Okanagan golfing masterpiece
since it was built in 1998. The Quail is a
Les Furber-designed course known for its
dramatic elevation changes. Both courses
offer impeccable conditions combined with
stupendous scenery.
Osoyoos Golf Club
Osoyoos, B.C.
Services: Two 18-hole courses, club rental,
Predator Ridge
Vernon, B.C.
Services: Two 18-hole courses, club rental,
golf cart rental, driving range, putting
teaching pro, golf school, resort with
accommodations, spa and dining.
Tee Times: 250-542-3436 1-888-578-6688
2013 Rates: The Predator Course, $115 to
$145; The Ridge Course, $135 to $165
www.PredatorRidge.com
A brand-new Doug Carrick-designed course,
The Ridge, opened in 2010, and was named
Best New Course in Canada, meaning
Predator Ridge is now home to 36 holes of
scenic golf. One of only two public courses
in Western Canada to rank in SCOREGolf
Magazine’s Canadian Top 25. >>>
Stay

Sonora duneS
aMenITIeS
• Golf Club Rentals
• Pro Shop
• Golf Carts
• Clubhouse with
Restaurant & Patio
• Tournament Play
SPIRIT RIDGe aMe
enITIeS
• Onsite Restaurants
• Rooftop Patios
• Private Beach
• Beach Rentals
• Spirit Seeker Kid’z Kamp
• Fitness Centres
• Outdoor Pools
& Hot tubs
• Poolside Cabanas
• Walking Trails
• Nk’Mip Cellars Winery
• Nk’Mip Desert
Cultural Centre
• Solterra Desert Spa
• Indian Grove
Riding Stables
PAGE 23
golf cart rental, driving range, putting
teaching pro and golf school, restaurant.
Tee Times: 250-495-3355 1-800-481-6665
2013 Rates: $46 to $65 (plus mandatory cart
on Desert Gold course)
www.GolfOsoyoos.com
Osoyoos has two 18-hole tracks, each with
a distinctive flavour. Park Meadows is a
walking-friendly resort-style course, while
Desert Gold works its way along the desert
mountainside and rewards pinpoint accuracy.

™
|
Osoyoos Golf Club. Photo by Don Weixl
& golf
the Sonora Dunes
at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa
Fine tune your golf swing with the one-of-a-kind
golf experience at the Sonora Dunes Golf Course.
Nestled among the rolling desert hills and lush vineyards of Osoyoos, this par-35,
2523-yard golf course is surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of Canada’s
only true desert. Two sets of tees give golfers the option of playing 9 or 18 holes.
Golfers of all abilities will enjoy the solitude offered by this one of a kind natural setting.
Visit www.spiritridge.ca or call 1-877-313-9463 to book!
DISC VER GOLF
GOLF COURSES
The Rise
Vernon, B.C.
Services: Rentals, practice facility, Freddy’s
Patio restaurant.
Tee Times: 250-545-7425 1-877-243-7417
2013 Rates: $75 to $115
www.TheRise.ca
The Fred Couples Signature Golf Course is
a mostly desert links-style course set with
unparalleled views of nearby highlands and
Okanagan Lake. The par-3 sixth has quickly
become the signature hole as golfers tee
off beside a cliff face to a green far below
guarded by a shimmering pond.
Fairway at the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna. Photo by Henebry
Luxury Beachfront Rentals
Golf Packages Available
MISSION SHORES
Kelowna’s Luxury Waterfront Resort Accommodations
WOOD LAKE VILLAS
Brand New Waterfront Homes!
1-866-448-STAY (7829)
reservations@okanaganlodging.com • www.okanaganlodging.com
Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Club
Vernon, B.C.
Services: Club rentals, power car rentals,
pro shop, driving range, practice greens,
practice sand bunkers, restaurant and
lounge.
Tee Times: 250-675-2315 1-800-661-3955
2013 Rates: $60 to $72
www.ShuswapLakeEstates.com
Nestled on the western end of the majestic
Shuswap Lake, Shuswap Lake Estates
offers an 18-hole professionally designed
championship course with well-bunkered,
undulating greens and generous fairways.
Summerland, B.C.
putting green, chipping area, practice
bunker and teaching pro, VP Grill
restaurant.
Tee Times: 250-494-9554 1-877-955-7955
2013 Rates: $51.43 to $60.95
www.SummerlandGolf.com
An example of the many fine but lesserknown courses in the region, Summerland
is a classic loved by locals and appreciated
by golf vacationers who discover the
course. Overlooking the Okanagan
Valley and nearby Trout Creek Canyon,
Summerland is a splendid escape from the
busy lake scene only a short drive away.
Sun Peaks Golf Course
Kamloops, B.C.
driving range, practice facilities and lessons,
resort village with accommodations and
dining.
Tee Times: 250-578-5431 1-855-574-5474
2013 Rates: $65 to $80
www.SunPeaksResort.com
Located in the mountains near Kamloops,
the Sun Peaks Resort golf course is a
mountain beauty, with alpine vistas that
stretch into the distance. So too will your
tee shots, in the thinner air at an elevation
of 4,000 feet. The Graham Cooke-designed
layout will also tempt you with several risk/
reward holes.
Sun Rivers Golf Resort
Kamloops, B.C.
CALGARY HERALD
practice facilities, dining, pro shop.
Tee Times: 250-571-7888 1-866-571-7888
2013 Rates: $54 to $74
www.SunRivers.com
Considered to be one of Canada’s few
“true” championship desert courses. Voted
Golf Digest’s Best New Course in Western
Canada in 2003, Sun Rivers is truly a course
for all skill levels, with up to five tee boxes
in strategic locations. The 18-hole, 7,023yard course offers dramatic elevation
changes, sagebrush, natural sand dunes,
classic bunkering, wide bentgrass fairways,
gently contoured greens and natural
canyons in the shadows of Mounts Peter
and Paul.
Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club
Kelowna, B.C.
Services: Pro shop, cart and equipment
rentals, teaching pros, dining room, bar and
grill.
Tee Times: 250-765-7700 1-877-606-7700
2013 Rates: $56 to $69
www.SunsetRanchBC.com
Named Kelowna’s best value for
championship golf by Golf Digest, Sunset
Ranch is truly a course for all golfers.
Exceptional course conditions are the norm,
and the typically beautiful Kelowna-area
scenery provides plenty of diversion while
navigating the rolling terrain and avoiding
Scotty Creek. The location — only minutes
from the Kelowna airport — is also a major
benefit.
Talking Rock at Quaaout Resort
Chase, B.C.
area, practice bunker, restaurant, newly
renovated lodge.
Tee Times: 250-679-3098 1-800-663-4303
2013 Rates: $67 to $72
www.QuaaoutLodge.com
Since opening in 2007, Talking Rock has
showcased both an impressive golf track
and the rich history of the Little Shuswap
Indian Band (owners of the resort).
Winding through a mature sandy forest,
the course flirts with bigger views before
emerging on the shore of Little Shuswap
Lake.
Tobiano
Kamloops, B.C.
area, practice bunker, teaching pro and golf
school, restaurant.
Tee Times: 250-434-5858 1-877-373-2218
2013 Rates: $80 to $130
www.TobianoGolf.com
Named the best new golf course in 2008 by
both SCOREGolf Magazine and Golf Digest,
Tobiano sits atop a bluff overlooking
Kamloops Lake, the surrounding grasslands
and desert plains. The sheer contrast
between the lush green of the course
against sun-baked hills under deep blue
skies is truly spectacular.
CALGARY HERALD
DISC VER GOLF
PAGE 25
Swing over to the south
Basic training
Perfect your swing with Some
instruction from the pros By carl patzel
Launch angle. Spin rate. Velocity.
No, it’s not the formula for propelling
an Earth-orbiting space shuttle. We’re
talking about the golf swing.
Golf instruction has come a long way
since “keep your left arm straight and
your head down,” and though it’s not
yet rocket science, it’s becoming as technical as getting to the moon and back.
But before you begin strapping on
body-manipulating cords
or other swing
apparatus,
it might be
worthwhile to
first see a golf
professional.
For many new
and seasoned
golfers, the
hands-on approach may be
Jay Myren
the best cure for
baskets of bogies and that high handicap.
“Most common thing I hear is, ‘I want
to be more consistent and I want to hit
the ball further,’” said Jay Myren, director of instruction at the Golf Canada
Calgary Centre.
A golf professional for more than two
decades and 2007 Alberta PGA Teacher
of the Year, Myren believes in teaching
sound golf fundamentals for a consistent, repetitive swing.
At the RCGA facility, pros utilize several resources to break down the golf
swing in helping to reveal inconsistency
and power leakage issues. Among those
tools are high-speed video, specialized computer software and a Doppler radar launch monitor, the later of
which which analyzes ball speed, launch
angles and both sidespin and backspin.
“Ultimately you are trying to maximize performance out of the ball. When
we get real specific numbers (ie. spin
rate) we can see how the club contacts
the ball ... angle of attack coming into
the ball, club path and club face angle.”
From there, it’s a walk-through process
of massaging swing tendencies and helping students understand golf club path
and how it relates to body movement.
All the Golf Canada Centre professionals are certified from the Titleist
Performance Institute, which concentrates on the golf swing and how it
relates to the limitations of an individual’s own body mechanics.
Not everyone will be able to emulate
the professionals.
“If a person physically can’t do
something, then we’re not going to
try to get them to do that in their golf
swing,” said Myren, who screens his
students — from junior and senior to
beginner and professional and for their
physical limitations.
“It can (include) a fairly seasoned
good player who may have had some
hip issues and can’t turn into their left
hip very well on their downswing. It
will show up as certain swing fault.”
Whether it’s four lessons, year-round
tweaking, or an off-season swing
change, Myren attempts to give the student a systematic, fun and enthusiastic
approach to practice.
“If someone has showed up here and
doesn’t even really know which end of
the golf club to hold, it’s going to be a
very nice, slow, easy process to get them
to learn and understand the basics. For
(intermediate players) it may be more
specific.”
Myren focuses on helping the golfer
acquire a simplistic, healthy swing that
doesn’t negatively effect the body over
time.
“People aren’t necessarily always
looking to get a whole lot better today
or tomorrow. It’s about wellness and
being a good golfer 20 years from
now.”
montana, idaho great golf getaways
Northern Montana, known as Glacier
Country, is as abundant with golf courses as
its neighbours to the north, Alberta and B.C.
Areas such as the Tobacco Valley, home
to several courses including the Wilderness
Club’s Nick Faldo-designed track, are less
than a four-hour drive from Calgary.
There are 23 golf courses in Glacier Country, including some recent additions in the
last few years: Canyon River Golf Club, east
of Missoula, Mont.; Indian Springs Ranch
Golf & Active Living Community near Eureka, Mont.; and the Ranch Club in Missoula.
Many courses take advantage of Montana’s diverse landscape, with Indian Springs
incorporating natural grasslands, Buffalo Hill
near Kalispell, Mont., providing panoramic
views of the Flathead Valley and Rocky
Mountains, and Polson Bay Golf Course featuring incredible views overlooking Flathead
Lake.
Canyon River Golf Gourse winds alongside the Clark Fork River in beautiful rolling
terrain, while Whitefish Lake Golf Club
— Montana’s only 36-hole facility — has
views of nearby Big Mountain and sparkling
Whitefish Lake; and the exciting Northern
Big Mountain Golf Club in Kalispell features
7,015 yards of golf for a par-72.
Equally inviting, Idaho is also home to
some excellent and unique courses, and has
several distinct “golf trail” loops. Of particular interest to Canadians is the Northern
Loop, centred on the community of Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho, a two-hour drive south of
the border crossing at Kingsgate, B.C.
Included in the Northern Loop is Circling
Raven, a spectacular course winding through
woods and wetlands and part of the Coeur
d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel; along with
several other well-known courses.
Other golf trails are the Central Loop near
McCall, Idaho, the Southern Loop in the Boise
area, and the Eastern Loop near Idaho Falls.
In total, there are 14 courses in the all
encompassing Idaho Golf Trail, representing the top resort, urban and mountain golf
experiences in the state.
.
.
.
S
I
N
U
F
GOLFING WITH A VIEW
Photo © Paul Spade
PAGE 24
Golf & Sta
Stay - Early Season rates starting at $85*
*Rate is per person/night and based on double occupancy. Subject to availability.
Regular season rates start at $115 per person/night. Regular season starts June 15.
Visit skiwhitefish.com/calgarygolf or call 800.858.4149 for details.
W H I T E F I S H , M O N TA N A
PAGE 26
DISC VER GOLF
CALGARY HERALD
Golfer’s high
forget the post-game cocktails, for a
true adrenaline rush, visit the 19th hole
atop mount currie By CARL PATZEL
CALGARY HERALD
Country Club to help guests obtain a rare bird’s eye of
the course and surrounding vista.
This short, seven-minute chopper ride, will get you
much higher than a couple of after-round cocktails.
The Blackcomb Aviation bird will pick up golfers
directly from the bent grass and majestic greens of the
Big Sky club, or Whistler Village, and shuttle groups to
the craggy edges of this picturesque mountain top.
“You get a group of guys on the patio, they’ve just
done their 18 holes and it’s something to finish it off,”
said Physick.
High above the valley floor, golfers also gain a clear
view of golf course layout, gaining a new perspective
on fairways, bunkers and greens.
This heli-golf adventure may cause a few wobbly
knees, but a controlled, easy swing off the golf matt will
produce 1,000-yard plus drives and ultimate bragging
rights.
“Even a bad drive is still a good drive on this 19th
hole. No one can see where it ends up. They’ll also
have a small competition on top of the glacier,” says
Physick, adding participants, from individuals to large
groups, can still always celebrate their golf outing with
a cocktail or small lunch.
“It’s pretty laid back on top of the world, if someone
wants to have a beer after their 18 holes. It’s a great
way to finish the day.”
Several other whirlybird companies scattered throughout British Columbia and Alberta offer short flights over
golf greens. Glacier Helicopters Ltd.(1-800-316-7790),
based out of Revelstoke, B.C. and Calgary offer tours
through Three Valley Gap and Roger’s Pass. Based in
Langley, B.C., TRK Helicopters (1-888-TRK-HELI) offers
helicopter golfing tours through Kelowna, Whistler, the
Kootenays and even Vancouver Island. Sky Helicopters
(1-855-759-4354) cruises through the Pitt Meadows river
delta surrounding Surrey, B.C. and Okanagan Mountain
Helicopters (250-491-9310) in Kelowna, B.C. can supply
elevated views of the Quail Ridge Golf Course, Okanagan Lake and Knox Mountain.
Par excellence
bright, stylish and functional, fairway fashion
is ace with trendsetting golfers By Colleen Biondi
Above: 19th hole at Mount Currie driving range. Courtesy Blackcomb Aviation
Most golfers never really get to live on the edge.
Sure, birdies and eagles may cause a bit of a body
rush, or out-driving your golfing buddies induce a
slight exhilaration.
Those weekend-warrior swingers searching for a true
pulse-raising, knee-wobbling experience can find it at
the 19th hole high atop the precipice of the Mount
Currie driving range.
Golf enthusiasts have been experiencing a unique,
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand on the precipice of this towering 2,500-metre viewpoint over looking the Pemberton, B.C. valley with driver in hand.
“We will fly them to the top of Mount Currie where
they will do a what we call a 19th hole. It’s not the
19th hole where you sit on the patio and drink, but
you drive the eco-friendly, biodegradable golf balls off
the top of the mountain,” said Blackcomb Aviation’s Jo
Physick.
A short drive north of Whistler, B.C., the Pemberton
helicopter company partners with the Big Sky Golf and
DISC VER GOLF
Above: Floral polo and
knit skort; and opposite:
Floral print capri pants, by
Vancouver-based women’s
wear company LIJA.
What will fashion-conscious golfers be
wearing this season? Lots of wild shades,
unique patterns, lightweight and breathable fabrics and slimmer shapes, according to two Canadian trendsetters.
“We feature bright colours (iron blue,
lime and hyper teal for spring) and offer functionality and a smaller fit that
works with the athlete,” says Shawn
Aucoin, director of sales and marketing
for Sligo Wear out of Mississauga, Ont.
“Our product is stylish, comfortable and
affordable.”
When Aucoin was a pro golfer working at Devil’s Pulpit in Caledon Village,
Ont., he was frustrated with the limited
choices for male golfers. Most were
wearing double-pleated khaki shorts and
oversized tops.
He and a few friends — inspired by
the well-dressed look of international
golfers they met while attending a
pro-am tournament in the Azores —
decided to start their own line of golf
wear in 2004 (the name Sligo honours the 13th hole at Devil’s Pulpit).
The Preston pant has become a
popular product. Made of 90 per
cent polyester and 10 per cent
spandex, it is stretchy but has the
funky, detailed stitching of a denim
item on the back pocket and down
the side seam. The company’s Ewan
shirt has a multi-hued, graphic
print across the chest, offering endless
versatility with co-ordinating fleeces,
wind shirts, pants, belts and hats.
Fabric blends for 2013 will provide
either a flat or more textured, weave-like
look and will contain UV-protectant and
anti-microbial properties.
It is important to pay attention to style,
suggests Aucoin, who has seen a 400 per
cent increase in sales over the last three
years. “You want to look good, feel good
and play good. Fashion and fit does that.”
Vancouver’s Linda Hipp, president and
creative director of women’s wear company LIJA (pronounced “Lee-zha” and a
play on the word “leisure”) agrees.
Women golfers have moved beyond
a “pink it and shrink it” look (wearing
adapted products made for men) and
are now donning fresher colours — LIJA’s
Zest line boasts oranges, yellows and reds
with a pop of powder blue — and slimmer, but forgiving styles.
“It is about celebrating a woman’s
physiology,” says Hipp, who has been in
the business since 1998. “We have shape;
a boxy cut doesn’t work.”
The technical fabrics of LIJA tops and
bottoms offer moisture wicking and are
both wind resistant and water repellant.
There is lots of pattern, from geometric
and floral to modern plaid, and a variety
of textures, such as woven fabrics with
laser-cut finishing and even a slash of mesh
anticipated for future designs. Knit, pull-on
skorts are a popular seasonal choice due to
their comfort and youthful, sporty look.
Women golfers are even borrowing from
other clothing lines, such as tennis wear, to
switch-up their style. A tennis t-shirt with a
crew neck and sleeves can easily replace a
basic golf polo; a tennis skort will pair well
with a golf shirt.
The goal is to look and feel your best,
says Hipp. “If you make the extra effort
and present yourself appropriately, it will
give you that extra confidence when you
walk up to the first tee box.”
Above: The Mississauga, Ont.based Sligo Wear collection is
inspired by the well-dressed
look of international golfers,
combining bold graphics, pops
of colour and versatile fabrics.
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