I advise playing at least one round in each area, if you can. Each place you're going has some bomb-ass courses.
I had some photos from the Bear up in the old gallery before our omnipresent admin turfed them. If I ever get unlazy (read: after exams) I might put them back up. The Bear was nice, but I've heard the Quail is the nicer of the two courses. For the record, it's Okanagan, not OAKanagan. Just so you know. I was born and raised in Kelowna so I know the course rumours well. If I was going to play a course in Kelowna, those wouldn't be my first choices, though.
Okay, here are my recommendations for each area, in order:
Okanagan:
1. Gallagher's Canyon - it's beautiful, challenging, and has been around for awhile so it's in good shape (
www.golfbc.com)
2. Fairview Mountain - it's actually in Oliver, BC (I've never played because it's about 2 hours south of Kelowna and no one in my family is good enough to make it worth the drive, yet). From everything I've heard from all the local golfers, it's possibly one of the, if not THE best course in BC.
www.fairviewmountain.com
3. Predator Ridge - This course is about 30 - 45 minutes north of Kelowna centre, but worth the trip. They have 3 nines, all of which are fantastic. I played two of them last year and enjoyed it immensely. The staff are great, the course is in fantastic shape, and the treatment there is superb. Really interesting course design, too. The Skins Game was held there several years ago, as well.
www.predatorridge.com
4. The Bear or Quail - played the Bear last year, might try the Quail this year - both are supposed to be good, but the Quail is supposed to be better.
www.golfbc.com as well
Vancouver:
1. I think that if I were you, I'd probably try to get a time booked at one of the two (good) city courses - McCleery or Fraserview. Both are really great tracks, with McCleery being a bit narrower/tougher but a bit shorter. FV is gorgeous and in great shape all the time. The price is also reasonable as they are munis. Tee times can be booked online here:
http://vancouver.e-golf.net/play/eg_..._form?p_home=Y (I think if you go to the City of Vancouver homepage, you'll find course info under the Parks and Rec section)
I used to have pics up of these two courses as well.
2. Northview - drive about 45 minutes East to Northview and play the Ridge Course - this was the former home of the Air Canada Open (where Mike Weir got his first PGA win). FANTASTIC course, rumours are that a Champion's Tour event might make it a home.
http://www.northviewgolf.com/
3. Drive about an hour or so south (and bring your passport) and hit up the Point Roberts Golf Course in Point Roberts, Washington. I love this course. It's hard, it's in great shape, and the greens are like ice. It kicks my ass constantly, too.
http://www.pointrobertsgolfcourse.com/ Superb - the only drawback is crossing the border.
There are a lot more in the Greater Vancouver area, it just depends what you're looking for.
Whistler:
You really only have three or four choices, maybe five, depending on how you look at it.
1. Whistler Golf Club - I can recommend this one because it's the only one I've played. Our tournament series ended there last year and it was a beauty. Great course, great design, great condition - nothing bad to say about it. It can be a bit short, depending on the tees you choose. It's a Palmer course -
www.whistlergolf.com
2. Big Sky - it's actually a bit outside of Whistler in Pemberton - supposed to be great, I can't say because I've never played it, but have heard good things.
http://www.bigskygolf.com/
3. Chateau Whistler Golf Club - no idea, never played it, but it can't be worse than Nicklaus North - it's a RTJ course.
http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Ho...100103,00.html
4. Nicklaus North - I was going to play it but then heard about how it's incredibly gimmicky and I *hate* gimmicky courses. Can't stand them. So eff N.N. Also a
www.golfbc.com course.
5. Furry Creek - this course is right in between Vancouver and Whistler in Furry Creek. It's a piece of shit to play, but it's absolutely gorgeous. The only reason I'll play it again this year is because the tournament is being held there again, which pisses me off. Talk about gimmicky? The first hole is a 140 YARD drop - that's right, YARD, not feet. Great view, but c'mon. Tee off with a 5 iron to be safe. Carts are mandatory (no shit, you'd die otherwise). It's apparently the quintessential BC course - if you want to be left with a great impression of BC's beauty but a shitty impression of BC golf. It's ALSO a
www.golfbc.com course. Those guys must be loaded, sheesh.
6. Forgot about Squamish Golf Club - supposed to actually be a really great track - it's in between Furry Creek and Whistler in the small town of Squamish (the pit stop on the way up to Whistler). Haven't played it but have been meaning to, it's supposed to be pretty nice and a REALLY GOOD PRICE.
http://www.squamishvalleygolf.com/
Vancouver Island (the Island's a big place, so I presume you're going to Victoria):
1. Two words
BEAR MOUNTAIN - I haven't played it but I've heard FANTASTIC things about it. It's also supposed to be incredibly difficult from the back tees. I've heard that it's one of the top courses in BC.
http://www.bearmountain.ca/
2. Arbutus Ridge - haven't played it, again heard that it's nice, though.
www.golfbc.com
I'm sure there are more over there, but I hate the f'in ferries so I never go.
I hope that helps. I really encourage you to play more than one round while you're out here if you can. A guy from NB probably doesn't come to BC all that often.
If I were to pick three courses, in order, they'd be:
1. Fairview Mountain (Oliver, BC at the south end of the Okanagan Valley) - this would also give you a chance to go on a few great winery tours while you were down there, like Blue Mountain and Burrowing Owl.
2. Bear Mountain out of Victoria - just because of what I've heard. That may not be justified, but if it was me, I'd play there.
3. Northview G&CC in Surrey (just East of Vancouver) - great track. I can't wait to go back.
I would MAYBE even go to Furry Creek because you probably won't have another chance to experience a course like that anytime soon. It really is gorgeous. I should post some pics from there, too. It's class if it's a nice day. Too bad the course (in good shape and well maintained) sucks. I can't stand a course where if you're not in the fairway, you're dead. Maybe I just played like hell that day. I still didn't like it. But the views were second to none.
Good luck and feel free to ask questions. I'll answer what I can.
04-10-2006, 10:32 AM
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