Shadow Mountain Readies for a Canada Day Debut: July 1 at the new Shadow Mountain Golf Course near Cranbrook promises to be a very special day.
Why? That's when die-hard divot diggers can get their first-ever taste of the stunning 7,414-yard Graham Cooke and Wayne Carlton-designed course. And it can't come soon enough. In fact, it seems everyone who has caught an early glimpse of the dramatic layout, with its awesome elevation changes, spectacular mountain vistas, and impressive bunkering, claim it will instantly become one of the top tracks in the Kootenay Rockies.
And, given the fact that some of the best mountain golf courses in the world are found in these parts, that's saying something.
So remember: Canada Day is for waving flags . . . and, at Shadow Mountain, shooting at them. www.shadowmountain.ca.
Take a Swing (and a swig) on the South Okanagan Golf Trail: For links lovers, it's little surprise that "golf trails" are in vogue.
Eager to check out one of the best newcomers to the genre? Say hello to the South Okanagan Golf Trail. With four championship courses situated along the scenic route -- Nk'mip Canyon Desert Golf Course, Fairview Mountain, and two gems at the Osoyoos Golf & Country Club -- your swingin', sun-filled days on the trail are bound to leave you hankering for more.
The best part? It's short and sweet: the trail runs from Oliver to Osoyoos, a pristine mountain and lake-filled span of just 20 kilometres, leaving plenty of time for beaching, boating and wine touring. As an added bonus, this stretch of road is home to the largest concentration of both vineyards and commercial wineries in British Columbia.
But, please, for the sake of optimal directional control, take a swing on the fairways before sipping some of B.C.'s best. www.southokanagangolf.com.
Settle in for a Crown Isle Luxury Golf Escape: If you enjoy a little pampering from time to time -- and who doesn't? -- then a quick golf getaway to the fabulous Crown Isle Resort should be on your radar. Conveniently located just minutes from the Comox Valley Airport, Crown Isle is a resort fit for a king . . . or a queen . . . or a regular Joe who digs good wine and Jacuzzi tubs. The 7,024-yard layout, which boasts dynamite mountain views and plenty of variety, is regarded as one of the best on the island: the resort features striking course-side accommodations, fine dining, a pumped up fitness centre, an impressive 48,000-square-foot resort centre, and, of course, one heckuva golf course.
Time to settle in for a bit of luxury. Visit www.crownisle.com or book your Crown Isle Luxury Escape through the good folks at Golf Vancouver Island, www.golfvancouverisland.ca.
2009 Golf Vancouver Tour Card Provides Plenty of Play: Quick Quiz: What do Furry Creek, Meadow Gardens, Mayfair Lakes, Northview, Westwood Plateau, Morgan Creek, and The Redwoods have in common? They are seven of the best golf courses in the Greater Vancouver area. But, more importantly, they are also the participating courses in the 2009 Golf Vancouver Tour Card program. The card, which offers incredible savings, entitles each holder to seven rounds of golf with shared cart anytime during the week and after 1 p.m. on holidays and weekends. At just $459 plus GST (the card has a $900 value) and available in limited quantities, you're best getting your card and going on tour sooner rather than later. For more information visit www.vancouver-golf.com.
For more information about golfing and travelling in B.C., visit www.hellobc.com.
