a special publication of the calgary herald · pdf filedisc vera special publication of the...
TRANSCRIPT
GOLFDISC VERA SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD SPRING/SUMMER 2013
SWEET SPOTS GOLF MECCAS ABOUND IN ALBERTA, B.C. AND U.S.
BREAKING BADIF YOU’RE A SLOUCHER, IT’S
TIME TO KICK THE HABIT
HIGH AND MIGHTYGOLF ON THE EDGE ATOP
MOUNT CURRIE DRIVING RANGE
Ranked as one of the top Resort courses in the country and nestledamid a stunning blend of unique terrain, Circling Raven Golf Club at theCoeur d’Alene Casino Resort offers everything you could want and more.
8 0 0 5 2 3 - 2 4 6 4 | U S HWY 95 , WO R L E Y, I D AHOC I R C L I N G R AV E N . COM
HOME TURF ..................................................... 04As Calgarians eagerly anticipate the golf season, they can consider their many options — from full membership to pay-as-you-go courses.
MOUNTAIN MAGIC ......................................... 06Get your mountain fix at one of Alberta’s many resort golf destinations, where scores take a back seat to the impressive surroundings.
KOOTENAY ROCKIES ....................................... 07With dozens of championship courses just across the B.C. border, it’s little wonder Albertans are flocking to the Kootenay Rockies.
RIGHT FIT ......................................................... 16The right golf club can do wonders for your game. Thankfully, there’s plenty of technology and professional help to get you that perfect paring.
PERFECT SETUP ............................................... 17Next 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.
B.C BECKONS .................................................. 18Let’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.
THOMPSON OKANAGAN ................................ 20With mountain, desert and grassland courses in the varied Thompson Okanagan region, who says you can’t have it all?
FASHION ‘FORE’WARD .................................... 27If 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.
GOLFDISC VERA SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD SPRING/SUMMER 2013
SWEET SPOTS GOLF MECCAS ABOUND THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND B.C.
BREAKING BADIF YOU’RE A SLOUCHER, IT’S
TIME TO KICK THE HABIT
HIGH AND MIGHTYGOLF ON THE EDGE ATOP
MOUNT CURRIE DRIVING RANGE
Special projectS manager:Barb Livingstone, 403-235-7339 [email protected]
project co-ordinator: Jennifer Worley, 403-235-7110
cover photo: Kimberley Golf tee-box. Photo by Don Weixl
cover deSign: Charlene Kolesnik
advertiSing inquirieS: 403-235-7168
Discover Golf is a publication of the Calgary Herald Special Projects Department
A GUIDE FOR GOLFERS EXPLORING THE WEST
> CONTENTS
PAGE 2 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 3
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
Adidas Golf Adicross II SL Shoes for men feature classic Adidas-inspired design with full-grain leather upper. The full-length spikeless out-sole 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
In gear
Oakley Golf Sweet Spot Dress for women offers free range of motion in a styl-ish short-sleeve pique polo dress. Hydrolix moisture management will keep you dry un-der 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 tra-jectories 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 aerodynam-ics for generating clubhead speed and distance. Four standard shaft options offer distinct profiles for custom-fitting the golfer. golftown.ca
Considered the ultimate care bag, the TaylorMade Jugger-naut 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
the latest gizmos and gadgets for golfers
DISC VER GOLF
BEARSPAW COUNTRY CLUB Experience the 2013 Golf Seasonat Calgary’s Premier Equity Golf Club
20 Minutesfrom
Downtown
Calgary
2013 SharePrice NowReduced
2013 CORPORATE TOURNAMENTDATES AVAILABLE
EQUITYMEMBERSHIPSAVAILABLEJOIN NOWFOR 2013LIMITED NUMBER OF
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPSAVAILABLE — ENJOY THE FULL BEARSPAW
EXPERIENCE BEFORE MOVING UPTO EQUITY MEMBERSHIP
For further information, call 403 239 8474or email: [email protected]
Membership does have its privileges.Even though variety is the spice of life, when you find the right fla-
vour 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 op-portunities 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 privi-leges than just saving a bit of cash.
Though options vary from club to club, and from public to semi-pri-vate 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 Associa-tion 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 con-cept 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 lim-ited 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-construc-tion 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 oth-er facilities that we own and operate, including the new Johnny Miller/Stephen Ames course that we are building,” added Ehlert who was host-ing 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.
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.
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, 27-hole 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 100-game 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 (clos-ing after 2014 season).
whatever your game preference, there’s a calgary-area course to satisfy your golf appetite. BY CARL PATzEL
main coursethe
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.
— heritage pointe, calgary herald archive
Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 5DISC VER GOLF
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 four- to 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, scor-ing rates second behind the peaceful tranquility and stun-ning 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, Kanan-askis 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 profes-sionals.
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 de-pending 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.
take a Break from the city at awe-inspiring mountain meccas rated among the country’s top courses BY CARL PATzEL
Elevate your game— mount kidd hole no. 4 at the kananaskis country golf course. calgary herald archive
By Joel Schlesinger
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 mountain-ous 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 Rock-ies 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 hid-den 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 ac-tivities 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. >>>
Kootenay Rockies: Canada’s golf destinationplenty of mountains and a whole lot of golf at world-class courses nestled in nature
KootenayGolfDeals.ca
Golden Golf & Country Club. Photo by Don Weixl
Greywolf Golf Course, Photo: Don Weixl
CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 7 PAGE 6 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF
KootenayGolfDeals.caKootenayGolfDeals.ca
“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 Inver-mere, Windermere Valley Golf Club, Fair-mont 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 Kim-berley,” 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. >>>
Bootleg Gap. Photo by Don Weixl
Join us for world-class golf and fine dining at Eagle Ranch and Silvertip Resorts.
silvertipresort.comeagleranchresort.com
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.
ENVY REALLY IS GREEN.
Book your tee time or make reservations at SilvertipandEagleRanch.comor by calling 1.877.877.3889.
PAGE 8 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF
KootenayGolfDeals.ca
GOLF COURSES
KootenayGolfDeals.ca
GOLF TRAIL
A ColumbiA VAlleyGolf TrAil GeTAwAy
for 4*!A ColumbiA VAlleyWin
*restrictions apply
*Play any one of our 9 courses before June 25, 2013and you can enter the contest for free!
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!
Book your golf vacation at ColumbiaValleyGolfTrail.com
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
*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 CourseBalfour, 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 1-866-669-46532013 Rates: $63www.GolfBalfour.comSet 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 par-3, 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 CourseTrail, 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.comWith 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 GolfKimberley, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, 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, $19www.BootlegGapGolf.comWith 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.
Castlegar Golf ClubCastlegar, B.C.Services: Power carts, premium club rentals, CPGA pros, practice facilities, licensed clubhouse and on-site camping.Tee Times: 250-365-5006 or 1-800-666-03242013 Rates: $44 to $64www.GolfCastlegar.comRated 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.
Christina Lake Golf ClubChristina Lake, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA lessons, practice facility, club repairs and licensed dining, RV sites.Tee Times: 250-447-93132013 Rates: $44 to $56 www.ChristinaLakeGolfClub.comA 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.
Copper Point Golf ClubInvermere, B.C.Services: Electric power carts with GPS monitors, golf academy with CPGA lessons and driving range, full-service clubhouse,
licensed dining and golf shop, adjacent Copper Point Resort hotel.Tee Times: 250-341-3392; 1-877-418-46532013 Rates: The Point, $90 to $137; The Ridge, $55 to $75www.CopperPointGolf.comThirty-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.
Cranbrook Golf ClubCranbrook, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA lessons, practice green, driving range, licensed dining and banquet facilities.Tee Times: 250-426-6462; 1-888-211-88552013 Rates: $39 to $55www.GolfCranbrook.comWith 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.
Creston Golf Club Creston, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA lessons, driving range and licensed dining.
Tee Times: 250-428-5515; 1-888-928-25822013 Rates: $56www.CrestonGolfClub.comFeaturing 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.
Eagle Ranch Golf ResortInvermere, B.C.Services: CPGA lessons, driving range, colour GPS-equipped power carts, club rentals, practice area, licensed restaurant, golf shop, banquet and meeting facilitiesTee Times: 250-342-0562; 1-877-877-38892013 Rates: $105 to $139www.EagleRanchResort.comThe 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.
Fairmont Hot SpringsFairmont Hot Springs, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA 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 1-800-665-21122013 Rates: Mountainside, $30.99 to $69.99; Riverside, $49 to $84.99; Par 3, $15.99 to $19.99www.FairmontHotSprings.comWith 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 ClubFernie, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA lessons, practice facility, club storage, club repairs, lounge, licensed dining, tournaments and groups welcome.Tee Times: 250-423-77732013 Rates: $56 to $65www.GolfFernie.comOne 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. >>>
The Trail includes eight courses: Balfour Golf Course, Birchbank Golf Club, Castlegar, Chris-tina Lake Golf Club, Creston Golf Club, Granite Pointe Golf Course in Nelson, Kokanee Springs Golf Resort in Craw-ford Bay and Redstone Resort in Rossland.
“These are mainly member cours-es 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 of-fers plenty of golfing options, they
also provide great value. You can find green fees from
the low $20-range up to more than $140 at some of the high-end 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 com-pletely walk-able like Windermere Valley, which is much more of a fam-ily course,” says Tubbs.
Courses are busy throughout the summer, so it’s always best to book tee times as soon as possible to as-sure you get your desired days and tee off times.
But you’ll likely find walk-on times during the week through-out 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.” Balfour Golf Club. Photo by Don Weixl
Castlegar Golf Club. Photo by Don Weixl
CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 11 PAGE 10 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF
Tee Times: 250.423.7773www.golffernie.comgggg
photo courtesy Terry Parker Photo Graphics
Tw
Located2.5 hrs fromCalgary
Spectacular Golfin the heart of the Canadian Rockies
Times: 250 423 7773
Ranked#2BestPublicGolf Course in BC
• Fully stocked pro shop• Power carts
• Club Rentals• CPGA lessons
• Practice facility•Tournaments & GroupsWelcome!
kokanee springsaMeniTies
• Championship18 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.
Stay™ |Stay™ | & golf& golfat Kokanee Springs Resortin Crawford Bay, B.C.at Kokanee Springs Resortat Kokanee Springs Resortin Crawford Bay, B.C.
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.
KootenayGolfDeals.ca
Golden Golf ClubGolden, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA lessons, driving range, licensed dining, RV park and soft-spike facility.Tee Times: 250-344-2700; 1-866-727-72222013 Rates: $61 to $71www.GolfGolden.comUnlike 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.
Granite Pointe at NelsonNelson, 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; 1-877-677-60772013 Rates: $49 www.GranitePointe.caWith 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 PanoramaPanorama Mountain Village, B.C. Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA lessons, licensed dining, hotel and condominium-style lodging, as well as driving range.Tee Times: 250-341-4100; 1-888-473-99652013 Rates: $109 to $129www.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 ClubKimberley, B.C.Services: Power carts, cub rentals, CPGA lessons, driving range, club storage, licensed dining & soft spike facility.Tee Times: 250-427-4161; 1-877-427-41612013 Rates: $49www.KimberleyGolfClub.comSince opening in 1924, Kimberley has become known for its gently rolling
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 ResortCrawford Bay, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, club storage, CPGA lessons, practice greens and traps, driving range, dining lounge with patio and on-site resort accommodations.Tee Times: 250-227-9226; 1-800-979-79992013 Rates: $89www.KokaneeSprings.comGolf 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 ResortRadium Hot Springs, B.C.Services: Power carts, club rentals, CPGA 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 1-800-667-64442013 Rates: Resort Course, $43 to $65; Springs Course, $69 to $110www.RadiumResort.comThe 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 ResortRossland, 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.comRossland’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 ClubRevelstoke, 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: 250-837-42762013 Rates: $59 www.RevelstokeGolfClub.comRevelstoke 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. >>>
GOLF COURSES
Greywolf at Panorama. Photo by Don Weixl
KootenayGolfDeals.ca
PAGE 12 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF
fairmonthotsprings.com
Available May 4 – July 19 and September 9 – October 16, 2013. Subject to blackout dates. 45 holes of golf must be played within 48 hours.
Play 45!
Stay & Play Packages Available. Call 1.800.665.2112
45 holes of golf for$119.99 per person.Including power cart—a $39.99 value!
Riverside
Mountainside
Play the three spectacular courses at Fairmont HotSprings Resort: Riverside, Mountainside and Creekside.
KootenayGolfDeals.caKootenayGolfDeals.ca
St. Eugene Golf Resort & CasinoCranbrook, 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: 1-877-417-31332013 Rates: $45 to $95www.StEugene.caFeaturing 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.
Trickle Creek Golf ResortKimberley, 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 $125www.TrickleCreek.comOnce 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
facilities are also only a short walk away.
Wildstone Golf CourseCranbrook, 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; 1-855-565-46532013 Rates: $65 to $75www.WildstoneGolf.comLocated 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.
Windermere Valley Golf CourseWindermere, B.C.Services: Power carts, licensed dining, CPGA lessons, club rentals, club storage and driving range.Tee Times: 250-342-30042013 Rates: $31 to $34.95www.indermereValleyGolfCourse.comMore 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. St Eugene Golf Resort. Photo by Don Weixl
GOLF COURSES
Planning a golf trip to the Kootenay Rockies? The Kootenay Rockies Golf Vacations publica-tion is available to download as a virtual guide or a PDF file at krtourism.ca
This 28-page publication show-cases each of the championship golf resorts located in the Koo-tenay Rockies, and also includes information on accommodation, golf packages and new and excit-ing golf developments.
The virtual travel guide down-load provides a number of func-tions such as sharing capabilities and web links, along with a pleasurable viewing display.
While visiting the site, be sure to check out the many other guide options for exploring the
Kootenay Rockies in the 2013 Travel Guide, the Heritage and Culture — Explorers’ Guide, the Bed & Breakfast Guide, the Circle Routes Map, the Ski and Snow-board Map Guide and the Bike Vacations Guide.
For more information about the Kootenay Rockies region, visit KootenayRockies.mobi.
1
Kootenay Rockies Golf Vacations2013
British Columbia’s Mountain Playground n KootenayRockies.com
Plan a golf vacation
14 15
Closed Winter
Seattle
Vancouver
Oliver
Jasper
Edmo
nton
Medicine Hat
Lethbridge
To Lethbridge
Vancouver
Bellingham
Kelowna
Vernon
PacificTime
1
MountainTime
2
1 2
Mountain Time Zone
Pacific Time Zone
Grand Forks
CranbrookFernie
Nelson
Trail
Castlegar
RosslandGreenwood
Revelstoke
Sicamous
Enderby
Armstrong
Calgary
Spokane Coeur d'Alene
Kalispell
Sparwood
Creston
Sandpoint
WhitefishLibby
Hayden
Cheney
Kellogg
Kaslo
Nakusp
New Denver
Salmon Arm
Salmo
Golden
Elkford
Canmore
Banff
LakeLouiseField
Invermere
Radium Hot Springs
Christina LakePaterson
Waneta
Crawford Bay
NelwayRykerts
Roosville Kingsgate
Colville
Davenport
Wilbur
Northport
Republic
Tiger Bonners Ferry
Eureka
Sommers
Evergreen
ColumbiaFalls
Newport
Birchbank Golf
Christina LakeGolf Club
Redstone Golf Resort
RevelstokeGolf Club
CrestonGolf Club
Golden Golf Club
The SpringsCourse
Eagle Ranch Resort
Radium ResortCourse
Windermere Valley Golf Course
Mountainside at Fairmont Hot Springs
The Ridge at Copper Point
Riverside atFairmont
Hot Springs
Copper PointGolf Club
Trickle CreekGolf Resort
KimberleyGolf Club
BalfourGolf Course
BootlegGap Golf
St EugeneGolf Resort
WildstoneGolf Course
Fernie Golf & Country Club
Greywolfat Panorama
Kokanee Springs Golf Resort
CastlegarGolf Club
Granite Pointeat Nelson
KOOTENAY ROCKIES
Winlaw
Jaffray
Fauquier
AinsworthHot Springs
CranbrookGolf Club
Rock Creek
Oroville
Osoyoos
Glacier
Yoho
Kootenay
Purcell
Wilderness
Conservancy
Banff
MountAssiniboine
Mt. Revelstoke
Gladstone
Granby
Bugaboo
Heightof the
Rockies
ElkLakes
Kianuko
KokaneeGlacierValhalla
Goat Range
Monashee
Gilnockie
Top of theWorld
LockhartCreekWest Arm
Akamina-Kishinena
95
95
93
9593
9595A 93
93
93
43
43
3
33
9533
33
3
33
33
33
6
5
97
97
97
97
97
6
22
3A
3A
3A
3B
93
93
93
40
40
22
22
2
2
2
22 22
22
22
11
11
11
1A
1A
21
23
23
97A
6
6
6
6
6
31
31
31
31A
22A
97C
23
Red Deer
3
3B
Libby
WatertonLakes
93
56
37951
2
2
28
2
2
2
2
29090
95
95
31
20
41
20
20
20
21
17
97
97
97
25
25 395155
155
200174
395231
231
395
Glacier
Penticton
ALBERTA
BRITISHCOLUMBIA
WASHINGTON
MONTANAIDAHO
© RMV Publications Ltd.
Vancouver
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Portland Calgary
Los Angeles
Montreal
Toronto
New York Chicago
Miami
Mexico City
Houston
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
U S A
C A N A D A
MEXICO
KOOTENAY ROCKIES
Seattle Spokane
San Francisco Salt Lake City
Minneapolis
Multi-Lane HighwaysMajor HighwaysSeasonal RoadsGravel Roads & HighwaysFerriesCitiesTownsVillages18 Hole Golf ResortsOther Golf CoursesNational ParksProvincial ParksDaily Air ServiceInternational Border
Legend
Closed Winter
Seattle
Vancouver
Oliver
Jasper
Edmo
nton
Medicine Hat
Lethbridge
To Lethbridge
Vancouver
Bellingham
Kelowna
Vernon
PacificTime
1
MountainTime
2
1 2
Mountain Time Zone
Pacific Time Zone
Grand Forks
CranbrookFernie
Nelson
Trail
Castlegar
RosslandGreenwood
Revelstoke
Sicamous
Enderby
Armstrong
Calgary
Spokane Coeur d'Alene
Kalispell
Sparwood
Creston
Sandpoint
WhitefishLibby
Hayden
Cheney
Kellogg
Kaslo
Nakusp
New Denver
Salmon Arm
Salmo
Golden
Elkford
Canmore
Banff
LakeLouiseField
Invermere
Radium Hot Springs
Christina LakePaterson
Waneta
Crawford Bay
NelwayRykerts
Roosville Kingsgate
Colville
Davenport
Wilbur
Northport
Republic
Tiger Bonners Ferry
Eureka
Sommers
Evergreen
ColumbiaFalls
Newport
Birchbank Golf
Christina LakeGolf Club
Redstone Golf Resort
RevelstokeGolf Club
CrestonGolf Club
Golden Golf Club
The SpringsCourse
Eagle Ranch Resort
Radium ResortCourse
Windermere Valley Golf Course
Mountainside at Fairmont Hot Springs
The Ridge at Copper Point
Riverside atFairmont
Hot Springs
Copper PointGolf Club
Trickle CreekGolf Resort
KimberleyGolf Club
BalfourGolf Course
BootlegGap Golf
St EugeneGolf Resort
WildstoneGolf Course
Fernie Golf & Country Club
Greywolfat Panorama
Kokanee Springs Golf Resort
CastlegarGolf Club
Granite Pointeat Nelson
KOOTENAY ROCKIES
Winlaw
Jaffray
Fauquier
AinsworthHot Springs
CranbrookGolf Club
Rock Creek
Oroville
Osoyoos
Glacier
Yoho
Kootenay
Purcell
Wilderness
Conservancy
Banff
MountAssiniboine
Mt. Revelstoke
Gladstone
Granby
Bugaboo
Heightof the
Rockies
ElkLakes
Kianuko
KokaneeGlacierValhalla
Goat Range
Monashee
Gilnockie
Top of theWorld
LockhartCreekWest Arm
Akamina-Kishinena
95
95
93
9593
9595A 93
93
93
43
43
3
33
9533
33
3
33
33
33
6
5
97
97
97
97
97
6
22
3A
3A
3A
3B
93
93
93
40
40
22
22
2
2
2
22 22
22
22
11
11
11
1A
1A
21
23
23
97A
6
6
6
6
6
31
31
31
31A
22A
97C
23
Red Deer
3
3B
Libby
WatertonLakes
93
56
37951
2
2
28
2
2
2
2
29090
95
95
31
20
41
20
20
20
21
17
97
97
97
25
25 395155
155
200174
395231
231
395
Glacier
Penticton
ALBERTA
BRITISHCOLUMBIA
WASHINGTON
MONTANAIDAHO
© RMV Publications Ltd.
Vancouver
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Portland Calgary
Los Angeles
Montreal
Toronto
New York Chicago
Miami
Mexico City
Houston
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
U S A
C A N A D A
MEXICO
KOOTENAY ROCKIES
Seattle Spokane
San Francisco Salt Lake City
Minneapolis
Multi-Lane HighwaysMajor HighwaysSeasonal RoadsGravel Roads & HighwaysFerriesCitiesTownsVillages18 Hole Golf ResortsOther Golf CoursesNational ParksProvincial ParksDaily Air ServiceInternational Border
Legend
taxiway to tee time in less than an hour
daily flights arriving from
vancouver (yvr) and calgary (yyc)
www.flycanadianrockies.com
• Air Canada Express
• Pacific Coastal Airlines
roaD conDitions1-800-550-4997 Visit DriveBC.ca for real time info
Regional HighlightsGettinG Here by roaD In the north, the TransCanada Hwy #1 follows the route of the Canadian Pacific Railway through four of Canada’s National Parks, connecting Calgary with Vancouver & the coast.
A less travelled southern route, Hwy #3, serves travellers from southern Alberta, the southern Okanagan Valley and Vancouver.
Ports of entry on the Canada/US border allow access from Spokane, Washington; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Kalispell, Montana & points south.
borDer crossinGsAt the Canadian/US border, be sure to carry your passport or equivalent. For information and updates, visit: Travel.state.gov, Cbsa.gc.ca or call: 1-800-461-9999.
• Roosville & Kingsgate (Cranbrook) - open 24 hrs
• rykerts (Creston) - open 7am - 11pm
• nelway (Nelson) - open 8am to midnight
• waneta (Trail) - open 9am - 5pm
• PateRson (Rossland) - open 24 hrs
• CasCade ( Christina Lake) open 8am to midnight
• osoyoos - open 24 hrs
GettinG Here by air Major international gateway cities provide easy air access.
• aiR Canada offers flights to/from Vancouver & Calgary to Cranbrook, Kelowna, Penticton and to/from Vancouver to Castlegar. 1-888-247-2262
• PaCifiC Coastal aiRlines offer scheduled flight service to/from Vancouver, into Cranbrook & Trail. 1-800-663-2872
• westjet offers scheduled flights to/from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, into Kelowna. 1-888-937-8538
Stay Connected with the
With Near Me function, maps
and road info, and details on dining,
where to stay and what to do
KOOTENAYapp
KOOTENAY
Appsolutely all you need!Golf courses, restaurants and more are featured
on the KootenAy App, available free!
www.KootenayGolfDeals.ca
CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 15 PAGE 14 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF
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 easi-est and quickest fixes to make.
The most common posture fault is hav-ing 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 play-ers go to set up for the golf swing and ad-dress 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 enter-tainer, keynote speaker and golf journalist. she can be reached through her website at www.lisalongball.com or follow lisa on twitter @lisalongball.
Posture perfectWhat’s your stick?simple drill will help improve your stance and game BY LISA “LONGBALL’ VLOOSWYK
finding the perfect cluB will help you play your Best game BY CARL PATzEL
For every player there is the perfect golf club.Finding that proper-fitting, elusive stick can be as chal-
lenging 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-
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 tech-nology 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
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, part-wood 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.”
START YOUR FAMILY TRADITIONin Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
[email protected] www.fairmontridge.ca
The Columbia Valley’smost talked aboutluxury vacation property
With Ownership Options Cateredto YOUR Lifestyle and Budget.
3 week ownership from $28,500Whole ownership from $399,900
BOOK YOURDISCOVERY TOUR TODAY!
• Purchase financing• 10% down payment• Up to 15 year ammortization
2 or 3 bedroomtown home: 2 nights for
2 or 3 bed. with media roomtown home: 2 nights for
$199$299
Surrounded by 9 golf coursesinside a 40 minute drive time 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
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.
CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 17 PAGE 16 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF
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 adjoin-ing 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 Van-couver 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 number-one 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. “Vancou-ver 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 co-ordinator 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 accom-modation.”
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 num-ber 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 Ka-mloops 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, Os-oyoos 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.”
Golf junkie’s fixone-of-a-kind golf vacation experiences from the mountains to the ocean BY JOEL SCHLESINGER
— Victoria Golf Club in Victoria, Tourism B.C. photo
Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 19DISC VER GOLF
SS20
Rivershore Estates & Golf in Kamloops. Photo courtesy TOTA
Predator Ridge Golf Course Resort in Vernon. Photo by Henebry
Waterfall at the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna. Photo by Don Weixl
By Gerald Vander Pyl
The old saying “variety is the spice of life” certainly ap-plies to the golf scene in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia.
Thanks to a scenic combina-tion of majestic mountains, shimmering lakes and riv-ers, 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 Okana-gan, 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, visi-tors can create their own golf trail by sampling courses as they travel throughout the region. >>>
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
Walker-Matthews recommends people make use of several web-sites 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 com-pared 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, de-pending 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
choose to plan a golf-only vaca-tion in Thompson Okanagan, the region’s wide variety of attractions make it ideal for a trip that com-bines 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 pack-age 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 camp-grounds.”
CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 21 PAGE 2- Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF
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 CourseKelowna, B.C.Services: The Grill at Black Mountain Restaurant, golf carts, premium Callaway rental clubs, practice greens and hitting warm-up nets.Tee Times: 250-765-68902013 Rates: $62.99 to $92.99www.BlackMountainGolf.caNamed 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.
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 1-866-431-32852013 Rates: $80www.CanoeCreekGolf.comLike 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 RanchKelowna, B.C.Services: Club rental, golf cart rental, driving range, putting green, teaching pro.Tee Times: 250-491-8211 (ext 209) 1-877-491-82112013 Rates: $95 to $115www.GolfTowerRanch.comThis 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
Carrington’s Restaurant and Lounge.
The DunesKamloops, 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 $75www.GolfTheDunes.comTruly 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.
Fairview Mountain Golf ClubOliver, B.C.Services: Cart rentals, CPGA instruction, banquet and lounge facilities, grill and patio.Tee Times: 250-498-6077 1-866-534-72642013 Rates: $55 to $71.50www.FairviewMountain.comEstablished 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 course to explore after a round.
Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country ClubKelowna, 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, $27www.GolfBC.comAnother 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.
The Harvest Golf Club Kelowna, B.C.Services: Club rental, golf cart rental, driving range, putting green, chipping area, practice bunker, teaching pro and golf school, restaurant.Tee Times: 250-862-3103 1-800-257-85772013 Rates: $75 to $120
GOLF COURSES
www.HarvestGolf.comHoles 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 CourseSicamous, B.C.Services: Club rental, golf cart rental, driving range, putting green, chipping area, teaching pro, golf school, dockside shuttle service, campground, restaurant.Tee Times: 250-836-4653 1-877-677-46532013 Rates: $65 to $85www.HydeMountain.comLeave 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 CourseOliver, B.C.Services: Rentals, practice facility, dining, pro shop, CPGA lessons, resaurant.
Tee Times: 250-498-3635 1-800-656-57552013 Rates: $45 to $50www.NkmipCanyon.comReflecting 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 ClubKelowna, 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 1-800-446-53222013 Rates: $79 to $99 www.GolfBC.comThe 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,
golf cart rental, driving range, putting green, chipping area, practice bunker, teaching pro and golf school, restaurant.Tee Times: 250-495-3355 1-800-481-66652013 Rates: $46 to $65 (plus mandatory cart on Desert Gold course)www.GolfOsoyoos.comOsoyoos 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.
Predator RidgeVernon, B.C.Services: Two 18-hole courses, club rental, golf cart rental, driving range, putting green, chipping area, practice bunker, teaching pro, golf school, resort with accommodations, spa and dining.Tee Times: 250-542-3436 1-888-578-66882013 Rates: The Predator Course, $115 to $145; The Ridge Course, $135 to $165www.PredatorRidge.comA 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. >>> Osoyoos Golf Club. Photo by Don Weixl
Fine tune your golf swing with the one-of-a-kindgolf 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.
aMenITIeS
• Golf Club Rentals• Pro Shop• Golf Carts• Clubhouse with
Restaurant & Patio• Tournament Play
• 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
enITIeS
Visit www.spiritridge.ca or call 1-877-313-9463 to book!
Sonora duneSaMenITIeS
SPIRIT RIDGe aMe
Stay™ |Stay™ | & golf& & golfthe Sonora Dunesat Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spathe Sonora Dunes&the Sonora Dunesat Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa
CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 23 PAGE 22 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF
GOLF COURSES
The RiseVernon, B.C.Services: Rentals, practice facility, Freddy’s Patio restaurant.Tee Times: 250-545-7425 1-877-243-74172013 Rates: $75 to $115www.TheRise.caThe 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.
Shuswap Lake Estates Golf ClubVernon, 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 1-800-661-39552013 Rates: $60 to $72www.ShuswapLakeEstates.comNestled 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.Services: Club rental, golf cart rental, putting green, chipping area, practice bunker and teaching pro, VP Grill restaurant.Tee Times: 250-494-9554 1-877-955-79552013 Rates: $51.43 to $60.95www.SummerlandGolf.comAn example of the many fine but lesser-known 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 CourseKamloops, B.C.Services: Club rental, golf cart rental, driving range, practice facilities and lessons, resort village with accommodations and dining.Tee Times: 250-578-5431 1-855-574-54742013 Rates: $65 to $80www.SunPeaksResort.comLocated 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 ResortKamloops, B.C.Services: Club rental, golf cart rental,
practice facilities, dining, pro shop. Tee Times: 250-571-7888 1-866-571-78882013 Rates: $54 to $74www.SunRivers.comConsidered 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, 7,023-yard 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 1-877-606-77002013 Rates: $56 to $69www.SunsetRanchBC.comNamed 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.Services: Club rental, golf cart rental, driving range, putting green, chipping area, practice bunker, restaurant, newly renovated lodge.Tee Times: 250-679-3098 1-800-663-43032013 Rates: $67 to $72www.QuaaoutLodge.comSince 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.
TobianoKamloops, B.C.Services: Club rental, golf cart rental, driving range, putting green, chipping area, practice bunker, teaching pro and golf school, restaurant.Tee Times: 250-434-5858 1-877-373-22182013 Rates: $80 to $130www.TobianoGolf.comNamed 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.
1-866-448-STAY (7829)[email protected] •www.okanaganlodging.com
LuxuryBeachfront Rentals
MISSION SHORESKelowna’s Luxury Waterfront Resort Accommodations
WOOD LAKE VILLASBrand New Waterfront Homes!
Golf Packages Available
Fairway at the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna. Photo by Henebry
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 tech-nical as getting to the moon and back.
But before you begin strapping on body-manip-ulating cords or other swing apparatus, it might be worthwhile to first see a golf professional. For many new and seasoned golfers, the hands-on ap-proach may be
the best cure for baskets of bo-
gies 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, direc-tor 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 consis-tent, repetitive swing.
At the RCGA facility, pros utilize sev-eral resources to break down the golf swing in helping to reveal inconsistency and power leakage issues. Among those tools are high-speed video, special-ized computer software and a Dop-pler radar launch monitor, the later of which which analyzes ball speed, launch angles and both sidespin and backspin.
“Ultimately you are trying to maxi-mize 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 help-ing students understand golf club path and how it relates to body movement.
All the Golf Canada Centre profes-sionals are certified from the Titleist Performance Institute, which concen-trates on the golf swing and how it relates to the limitations of an individu-al’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 stu-dent 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.”
Golf & 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.
FUN IS
WHITEFISH, MONTANA
Phot
o©
Paul
Spad
e
Golf & Sta Early Season rates starting at $85*
FUN IS... Phot
o ©
Paul
Spa
de
GOLFING WITH A VIEW
Basic training perfect your swing with some instruction from the pros BY CARL PATzEL
montana, idaho great golf getaways
Jay Myren
CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 25 PAGE 24 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF
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 Coun-try, 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 Eu-reka, Mont.; and the Ranch Club in Missoula.
Many courses take advantage of Mon-tana’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 fea-turing incredible views overlooking Flathead Lake.
Canyon River Golf Gourse winds along-side 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 par-ticular 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, represent-ing the top resort, urban and mountain golf experiences in the state.
Swing over to the south
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 preci-pice of this towering 2,500-metre viewpoint over look-ing 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
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 through-out 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, Okana-gan Lake and Knox Mountain.
What will fashion-conscious golfers be wearing this season? Lots of wild shades, unique patterns, lightweight and breath-able fabrics and slimmer shapes, accord-ing to two Canadian trendsetters.
“We feature bright colours (iron blue, lime and hyper teal for spring) and of-fer 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 work-ing 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 hon-ours 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 com-pany 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 slim-mer, 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.”
Par excellence Golfer’s highBright, stylish and functional, fairway fashion is ace with trendsetting golfers BY COLLEEN BIONDI
forget the post-game cocktails, for a true adrenaline rush, visit the 19th hole atop mount currie BY CARL PATzEL
Above: Floral polo and knit skort; and opposite: Floral print capri pants, by Vancouver-based women’s wear company LIJA.
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.
Above: 19th hole at Mount Currie driving range. Courtesy Blackcomb Aviation
CALGARY HERALD Saturday, April 20, 2013 PAGE 27 PAGE 26 Saturday, April 20, 2013 CALGARY HERALD DISC VER GOLF DISC VER GOLF
