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<\/a>“Wow! Golf” describes the Kelowna, British Columbia area.\u00a0 Shown here is the par-4 sixth hole on The Ridge Course at Predator Ridge. <\/strong> (Courtesy of Tourism Kelowna and Predator Ridge.) <\/em><\/p>\nAs an inveterate golf explorer, I live to discover great courses and exciting new golf destinations. \u00a0While I still find many interesting golf courses, very seldom am I been surprised by finding a really \u201coverlooked\u201d worthwhile \u201cgolf destination.\u201d\u00a0 Surprise! \u00a0You must come to the Kelowna in British Columbia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I recently had the good fortune to play twelve of the area’s golf courses (there are 17 in all) and can state with complete confidence that even the most discriminating golfers along with casual players, together with those on a budget will find more than a few layouts to fit their bill in Kelowna. \u00a0By my count, I played at least six \u201coutstanding\u201d courses and the remaining six were quite good – fun for anyone. \u00a0The views are varied and wonderful, the conditioning very good, and the prices are quite reasonable.\u00a0 Most importantly the people are extremely hospitable. \u00a0It’s no wonder that once Americans and fellow Canadians visit the area, they fall in love with it and return often, sometimes to live!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes, there is a golf course offering for every type of golfer and budget. Here is a quick rundown. \u00a0Predator Ridge<\/strong> is the furthest away from downtown Kelowna, but only an easy 45-minute drive north at that. \u00a0It’s original course, The<\/strong> Predator<\/strong>, is well-known in Canada having held two Canadian Skins Games and has been rated among the best in the Country. Then in 2010, The Ridge <\/strong>opened to rave reviews \u2013 \u201cThe Best New Course in Canada\u201d and comparable to the best anywhere in the United States. \u00a0The Predator is a faux links course that plays firm with tricky undulating greens, and has lots of mounding reminiscent of the feel you might experience on an Irish links. \u00a0In contrast, the newer Ridge Course, features some eye-popping rock croppings and elevations changes that are not only so very picturesque, but are exciting to play.\u00a0 The Ridge is slightly more forgiving with much less movement in the putting surfaces, but a very creditable test nonetheless.\u00a0Together they are at the top of the golfing food chain in Kelowna with excellent conditioning and service to match.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If there was a real golf course surprise for me on my trip, it was The Club at Tower Ranch <\/strong>designed by Thomas McBroom. <\/strong>Whether for its absolutely impeccable conditioning, head-twisting views, or stunning challenge, there is a good chance that you will agree with me that Tower Ranch may be one of the more memorable courses you will ever encounter. \u00a0The playing surfaces rate among the best I have ever encountered – anywhere! \u00a0\u00a0The fairways play firm, fast, and tight while the only excuse for not holing a putt would rest with the golfer. \u00a0The course is anything but easy as the dramatic bunkering and native grasses can be deadly to errant shots. \u00a0When you add many false fronts to the testy fast greens, it makes for a fairly stout test.\u00a0 Now for the best news, the views from this hillside layout of the Kelowna Valley and the lake beyond are spectacular!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Gallagher’s Canyon<\/strong> continues our Kelowna feast. \u00a0The facility known throughout Canada has a spectacular 18-hole layout that winds over a variety of terrains among the towering ponderosa pines and affords several spectacular views of the so-named Gallagher’s Canyon several hundred feet below the course. \u00a0Stray from the course anywhere and you will be challenged to recover. And speaking of feasts, I enjoyed an absolutely superlative gourmet meal at the Gallagher’s Canyon clubhouse!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For another outstanding treat, the Okanagan Golf Club<\/strong> features both two heavily forested layouts, The Quail<\/strong> by Les Furber and The Bear<\/strong> by Jack Nicklaus.\u00a0 I am still having trouble trying to figure out my favorite between the two as both are spectacular and similar in look and terrain. \u00a0While you should want to play both of these gems, if you can only play one, a toss of the coin would suffice. \u00a0Both layouts qualify as shotmaker’s courses as they demand accuracy off the tee and strong approaches to the well-guarded greens.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If there is a fun member’s club that is busy to boot, it is the Kelowna Golf & Country Club<\/strong>. Of all the area\u2019s golf courses, this had the most \u201cclub\u201d feel to it as it does have many members belonging.\u00a0 Outside play is thankfully available which makes for a hefty 55,000 rounds in an 8-9 month season, and it takes no time to realize why it is so popular. \u00a0Located close to downtown, it has two defining spectacular features;\u00a0 an adjoining steep rock mountain that uniquely borders the par-five sixth hole, and the gorgeous lake that impacts three holes for Kelowna’s version of “Amen’s Corner” \u00a0and is a nice backdrop for the clubhouse.\u00a0 Like many of the other Kelowna layouts, it is defined by its towering pines, and the conditioning is excellent despite its relatively heavy play.\u00a0 This is not a particularly long course on the card, but the good players will not find it easy either; it\u2019s a most entertaining test.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sunset Ranch & Country Club<\/strong> is the “player’s club” in Kelowna.\u00a0 The tall pines that guard most of the fairways make for some of the tightest hitting areas I encountered.\u00a0 When you consider the smallish diabolical greens, you have to be a complete golfer to score well here.\u00a0 Sunset Ranch definitely qualifies as a “local knowledge” course with lots of up and down holes, and you will likely leave a few shots out there during your first visit or two making for a great reason to return!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Black Mountain Golf Club<\/strong> is another very scenic course and is just less than 6,400 yards from the tips, but may be a wolf in sheep\u2019s clothing.\u00a0 Its set of six par-3s is as challenging as you will find with five of them measuring more than 210 yards!\u00a0 Golfers will also enjoy the natural rock outcroppings and the par-four 5th<\/sup> island green.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Below is the island green to the 372-yard par-four 5th hole set in the beautiful surroundings of the Black Mountain Golf Club. <\/strong> (Courtesy of Tourism Kelowna and the Black Mountain Golf Club.)<\/em><\/p>\n Just across the lake a scant 10 minutes away in West Kelowna is the engaging Shannon Lakes Golf Club.<\/strong> The rather non-descript bunkering belies the fact that this is a very engaging layout that just manages to grow on you.\u00a0 It is \u00a0extremely playable for the average golfer, but offers lots of subtle challenges for the better player.\u00a0 The course just gets better and better as it progresses and golfers will be very impressed with the challenging speedy greens.\u00a0 The stretch from ten through twelve enveloped in the trees in the hillside and the lakeside par-four seventeenth are some of the best holes in the region.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Below:\u00a0 Looking back on the 405-yard 17th hole at the Shannon Lakes Golf Club – a “great hole” in a region of many splendid ones! <\/strong> (Robert Fagan)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finishing up my tour of Kelowna golf is the engaging Kelowna Springs Golf Course <\/strong>nearly adjacent to the airport.\u00a0 It is a flat valley course that is very walkable and playable.\u00a0 It is not without its challenges, however.\u00a0 True to its name, seven ponds come into play on 11 holes.\u00a0 It features interesting well-bunkered undulating greensites that keep your attention focused.\u00a0 Friendly Kelowna Springs may be the best option for the casual golfer on a budget.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And speaking of lodging and restaurants, many of the golf courses feature very good food and there are plenty of other places to eat at in a city this size.\u00a0 The same goes for the lodging.\u00a0 I stayed at the clean and comfortable Coast Capri Hotel that was centrally located to the golf courses as well as downtown, but there are many other offerings.\u00a0\u00a0As for the golf courses, tee times at any of the twelve golf course that I played or the seventeen in the region can be booked by visiting\u00a0www.golfkelowna.com<\/a>.\u00a0 For general information, you can find a wealth of it at www.tourismkelowna.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Kelowna (meaning “Grizzly Bear”) is a beautiful modern lakeside city of 115,000 people that swells to 180,000 during the height of the vacation season.\u00a0 Golf is but one of many surprises to delight you in the Kelowna area.\u00a0 The region is largest settled area along the 68-mile Okanagan Lake. \u00a0Just a 50-minute flight or 240-mile drive from Vancouver, the immediate area features 25 wineries\u00a0 (see www.kelownawinetrails.com<\/a>) together with a collection of galleries, museums, theaters, craft and farmer’s markets, and restaurants making it a delight for families or couples, or for a dedicated golf getaway.<\/p>\n<\/a>Looking back up the par-five 2nd hole at The Club at Tower Ranch – a superb golf course!<\/strong> (Courtesy of Courtesy of Tourism Kelowna and The Club at Tower Ranch)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Afternoon shadows overtake the first hole at spectacular Gallagher’s Canyon as seen from the clubhouse.<\/strong> (Robert Fagan)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Pictures don’t do justice to the view from the elevated tee of the 453-yard 3rd hole on The Bear Course at the Okanagan Golf Club.<\/strong> (Robert Fagan)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>The exquisite approach to the par-five 12th at the Kelowna Golf & Country Club, part of their “Amen Corner.” <\/strong>(Robert Fagan)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/a>If you get want a change of scenery from the majestic trees that adorn many of the layouts and want to golf your ball in the wide-open expanses, the Harvest Golf Club <\/strong>is recommended. \u00a0The Graham Cooke-designed layout plays among the open meadows that are adorned with apple trees topped off to keep them from producing. \u00a0Though mostly flat, the fun layout sits above the town and affords wonderful views of the lake as well.<\/p>\n<\/a>The open expansive views at The Harvest Golf Club as seen at the par-four 4th green. <\/strong>(Courtesy of Tourism Kelowna and The Harvest Golf Club.)
\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>A creek guards the uphill 161-yard fifth hole at Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club making it play far more difficult that you might expect. <\/strong> (Robert Fagan)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
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\n<\/a><\/strong>Below:\u00a0 The fun is what it’s all about at the gamey Kelowna Springs Golf Club.\u00a0 Pictured are the 4th and 5th holes. <\/strong> (Courtesy of Tourism Kelowna and the Kelowna Springs Golf Club.)
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