Golfers get their tee-off fix on Rockies’ 121 holes
by
Kevin Gill
Summer in the Canadian Rockies is a veritable golfer’s paradise — and all the more so as courses strive to improve and add to scenic greens and facilities.
Residents of the Bow Valley and visitors to the area enjoy a variety of locales at which to get their golf fix during the season. Here’s a look at what’s new at area golf courses for the 2007 season.
Silvertip Golf Resort
Astounding views and a golf course framed by rugged wilderness are just a couple of the characteristics that keep people coming back for a luxury golf experience at the Silvertip Golf Resort each season.
The biggest change that golfers returning to the course will notice this year is the reversal of the nines at the resort, as the front nine has become the back nine and vice versa.
Tim Zado, director of golf and head professional at Silvertip Golf Resort, said the reasoning behind the change is to put more focus on the hole that used to be the ninth.
“It is a spectacular hole, one of our signature holes,” he said. “We wanted that to be a lasting memory.”
For those regular visitors to the driving range, a season pass to the facility is available this year as well.
The resort had been operating out of a temporary clubhouse facility, but in 2005 it opened a new clubhouse, with golf shop and fine dining restaurant. Throughout last season, the resort also finished off its banquet pavilion.
A third building that will be joining the others this spring is Stoney’s Bar and Grill, a casual dining restaurant. Another building will also be added, housing additional meeting rooms. On the lower level of that building will be a wine cave that will house tens of thousand of bottles of wine.
The peak season regular green fee at Silvertip is $175 this year, but there is a rate for locals, introduced last year, allowing them to play for $89. (There are booking restrictions that apply to that rate — check with the resort for details).
Canmore Golf and Curling Club
The Canmore Golf and Curling Club has a long and proud history dating back to 1926.
The golf club was constructed and funded by the residents of Canmore in that year. The curling club joined the golf club in 1988 with a mission to provide and maintain the best quality golf and curling opportunities for members and visitors at a reasonable and affordable cost.
For golfers who didn’t get an opportunity to play the course last year, the Canmore Golf and Curling Club is coming off the opening of its new 18th tee and fairway last season.
Although it won’t be in use this season, the course is also continuing work on a new green for the first hole, which is expected to be open in 2008.
Work is also ongoing on a new Par 3 hole that is expected to be ready for play sometime during the season. That hole will be introduced and will change the order in which the holes are played.
“There will be some changes but we will always have a great 18 holes open,” said Darren Cooke, director of golf at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club.
This year the course has a green fee rate for locals. In addition to a regular green fee of $75, locals with proof of residence get a discount and pay $68.
Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club
Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club boasts a spectacular combination of setting, extraordinary vistas and naturally sculpted fairways that few other golf courses in North America possess.
The big news at the club this year is of course the addition of a brand new clubhouse. The clubhouse will open in phases or sections as the season goes along, said Greg Andrew, director of golf at Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club.
For the first couple of months of the season, as work is ongoing on the clubhouse, the club will be welcoming golfers at the parking lot and shuttling them down to the driving range. Temporary facilities near the driving range will be used to check in golfers, where pro shop facilities will also be located, and the nines will be reversed, making number 10 the first hole.
“We want to just make sure that we keep the experience of golf as great as it can be,” said Andrew.
The regular order of the holes will be restored when the new clubhouse is ready for use by golfers.
Andrew is expecting the conditions of the course to be as strong as ever this season. The course closed three weeks early at the end of last season because the old clubhouse was being taken down.
“What that allowed us to do was a bunch of extra work on the golf course,” he said. “It let the golf course rest…that will pay us dividends.”
Peak regular green fees at Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club are the same as last season — $175 (Thursday to Sunday) and $155 (Monday to Wednesday).
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It’s hard to keep your head down at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course, where the mountain views from any one of the 36 holes is breathtaking.
Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch Golf Resort
This beautiful course surrounded by Rocky Mountain scenery is located on the original Brewster Family homestead at the base of Mount Yamnuska, about 15 minutes east of Canmore. Experienced golfers, families and beginners are welcome at this fun and affordable course that will challenge any level of golfer.
The course has offered nine holes of smooth fairways and bent grass greens that wind through heavy bush and past the occasional evergreen, but this season the course has added an additional four holes ready for play.
“At one time we were the only nine-hole golf course in the valley and now we’re the only 13-hole golf course in the valley,” said Cori Brewster, general manager of Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch Golf Resort.
In addition, those who didn’t get a chance to visit the course last season will see a new tournament building that was added in 2006.
The resort is also introducing 24-hour online booking to allow golfers to book tee times on the Internet from the comfort of home. (For more details visit www.kananaskisranchgolf.com).
The course remains an affordable option for both residents of the valley and for visitors. Green fees for nine holes run from $28 (Mondays to Thursdays) to $32 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). The rates for 18 holes are $44 and $48.
Kananaskis Country Golf Course
The Kananaskis Country Golf Course is one of the premier golf destinations in the Canadian Rockies. The course offers immaculate lush fairways, bent grass greens and more than 140 silica sand bunkers. A total of 36 holes are offered at the adjacent Mt. Kidd and Mt. Lorette courses, named for the surrounding peaks.
There have been no major physical changes to the course itself since last season.
“We would never compromise the integrity of the design by changing a hole or anything,” said Darren Robinson, Kananaskis Country Golf Course general manager.
But, the course has made some modifications and renovations to the driving range.
“Essentially what we’ve done is increase the surface area of our natural grass hitting area and we’ve added a new artificial surface area as well, with a new type of surface that is out on the market right now,” said Robinson.
He added that the new artificial surface that is being used is nice to hit off and allows golfers to put their tee in anywhere.
“(The driving range renovations) increase our capacity at the range by about 20 per cent,” said Robinson.
The course has also added a new point of sales system this year, which will provide it with the opportunity to book some green fees over the Internet.
The regular green fee for Alberta residents is $65. For visitors from outside Alberta the rate is $85.
The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course
Renowned for its panoramic beauty, the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course is a captivating and challenging layout set in the heart of Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
Stanley Thompson, Canada’s master golf course architect, used his expert talent when he designed the original 18 holes in 1928.
There have been no major physical changes to the golf course, as its aim is to preserve the traditions of Thompson’s design.
“We’ve spent a lot of time and effort in past years to restore and respect what Stanley did on the course,” said Steven Young, director of golf. “We’re not looking to alter upgrade or change…just maintain the integrity of his work and design.”
A change golfers may notice, however, is with regards to their arrival experience this season, as the area golfers first see will be enhanced with new signage.
“Our arrival desk and starter’s podium and things like that will also have a new look,” said Young.
A great meal after golf is important to many visitors to the resort and Young said that visitors can expect new and exciting items on the menu again this season.
The course is going with the same green fees as last year. The peak summer rate for the Stanley Thompson 18 remains at $200.
The course welcomed a new head golf professional this year, Greg Sutherland. He joins the Fairmont Banff Spring Golf Course from the Truro Golf Club in Nova Scotia.
Kevin Gill is editor of the Canmore Leader and The Banff Crag & Canyon, and tries to squeeze a little golf into his busy schedule whenever he can.
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