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<\/a>Looking back on the much photographed par-three 3rd at Canoe Creek.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Canoe Creek is a wonderfully engaging course I discovered in the beautiful Salmon Arm area north of Kelowna, British Columbia.\u00a0 It is the first solo design work of Canadian professional golfer Dave Barr and it is situated in open rolling meadows laced by strands of trees in a most pristine environment and traversed by namesake Canoe Creek.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Canoe Creek starts out with an extremely robust bunkerless down-and-up 442-yard par-four opener.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let the lack of bunkers on this hole fool you.\u00a0 Your approach shot will likely be from an uneven lie to a sliver of green that falls off sharply on both sides \u2013 a very easy hole to bogey.\u00a0 After playing the par-five second, I was actually not very impressed.\u00a0 There seemed to be artificial mounding all over and the hole seemed out of place with the terrain.\u00a0 My disappointment, however, was short-lived as I waited on the tee box of the 170-yard drop-shot par-three over a pond.\u00a0 This is a gorgeous little hole and a much photographed one at that.\u00a0 From that point on, the course very naturally seemed to unfold over the property in a more minimalist manner \u2013 different and better than that second hole.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Barr designed the course to convey a links-like feel as you will encounter grass-faced pot-bunkers lined by native grasses.\u00a0 The front nine continues more in the open field while the back nine tackles more rugged, wooded landscape bordering the edge of the course at the foot of Mount Ida, particularly on the stretch from ten through thirteen.\u00a0 The greens tend to be on the large side with enough movement to be a challenge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over 7,000 yards from the tips provides a good bone structure and there are many memorable holes.\u00a0 I particularly enjoyed the 431-yard 8th<\/sup> and the 377-yard uphill tenth is one of the best, most demanding short two-shotters I have played in a long time.\u00a0\u00a0 The dogleg left 532-yard 11th<\/sup> is actually very reachable for medium-long hitters who hug the left side of the fairway and then venture out over the wilds on their second shot.\u00a0 The layout is eminently playable and walkable, and the conditioning is very good \u2013 the greens are fairly fast and true.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Canoe Creek is one of those busy, popular courses with great hospitality and as I progressed during the round, my enjoyment just tended to build.\u00a0 It is a golf course I could enjoy playing regularly and would definitely want to return to play.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fagan Rating:\u00a0 B.<\/strong> Canoe Creek is really a good golf course and a fun experience \u2013 well above average, and far from ostentatious.\u00a0 It is located only a minute or two from Salmon Arm Golf Club and would make a great 36-holes to enjoy when in the area.\u00a0 I highly recommend Canoe Creek for fun golf and friendly hospitality!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Below:\u00a0 much of Canoe Creek occupies an open meadow area.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>An aerial view of the elevated 1oth green – one of the toughest shorter par-fours you will encounter!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>The par-five 11th occupies the rugged perimeter of the course and can be fairly easily reached provided your drive hugs the left side of the fairway.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Avoid Dave Barr’s fairway pot bunkers on the finishing hole!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>The strong par-four 8th is one of my favorites at Canoe Creek!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"