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I tend to go on about how fortunate we are as golfers to live in a part of the world where our choice of beautiful places to play is almost boundless.

From oceanside links to classic parkland and soaring mountain venues, we truly have it all and we are blessed.

One recent Sunday, I was joined by my colleague Larry Verigin and we made a pilgrimage to perhaps the brightest star in the dazzling galaxy of British Columbia golf courses: Furry Creek.

Summer was fully upon us and the day was spectacular -- clear blue sky and warm midday sun. The improvements to the Sea to Sky Highway make Furry Creek closer than ever and it's now only about 20 minutes from West Vancouver, even at a leisurely pace.

The vista on the way up is what people from all over the world come here to see, and it served as an appetizer for what we were about to experience. An indifferent spring meant there was still snow on the higher peaks that ring Howe Sound and the view up the Squamish Valley revealed glaciers and jagged mountain tops.

As you turn off the highway to the course, you slip into the cool shade of the rugged West Coast forest that defines Furry Creek's fairways.

It's a portal to a day of golf that people who live in other parts of the world can only dream about.

Furry Creek's great gift to those who play it is the level of service provided and it begins right away at the bag drop. Staff are friendly and welcomingly efficient. There is no sense that they are permitting you to play their course. They are genuinely happy to see you and it helps accelerate the relaxing calm you'll experience there.

We were joined that day by Dan Souder, sales manager at North Vancouver's Cam Clark Ford, and Laurel Francis of CIB Insurance. Friends of Larry's, they are both big fans of Furry Creek and were eager to begin play.

We had all opted for their golf and dinner package. For $10 on top of your matinee green fee you end your day in their Sea to Sky Grill, which on its own is worth the trip.

It's hard to describe the feeling that comes over you as you arrive at the first tee for the first time. You ride by power cart through dense forest, over a bridge, across the thundering cascades of Furry Creek with no sense of what lies ahead.

Then, just beyond the snack shack, you emerge into golden sunlight and the staggering majesty of the setting is revealed in an instant. You look across Howe Sound to the islands, the Sunshine Coast beyond and marvel that you also get to play golf there.

The starter gently brings you back to earth as he confirms your tee time and wishes you a happy round.

For all its beauty, Furry Creek is a very challenging course. Carved out of the side of a mountain, there are steep elevation changes, creeks, ravines, water and wind to contend with and it begins on the opening hole.

The first hole is a 352-yard par-4 and the tee box sits about 200 feet above the fairway. There is a water hazard to the left and forest and Furry Creek to the right. The landing area is actually fairly wide, but from the tee box, it seems a small target indeed.

Thoughts are easily distracted to where you want to avoid rather than where you want to end up.

From there, you begin a journey that takes you up, down and around the mountainside and everywhere you go, the view is dazzling. On the front nine, there are a series of back-to-back holes that force you to think hard and use every shot you can muster.

The long 485-yard, uphill par-5 third, an ordeal in itself, is followed by the even longer 575-yard, par-5 fourth. This extended double dogleg leads you first left, then right to a green that -- from the tee box -- is just a concept.

Number 6, a 441-yard par-5 bisected by a steep ravine and a long iron or fairway wood, will leave you in position to cross and attack the pin. While technically reachable in two, I've never played with anyone who has managed it.

The level of visual intimidation is extremely high and most are thankful just to make it safely across the hazard in one stroke.

The seventh hole, a 238-yard par-3, leads you back across the ravine to an elevated green. This is target golf at its best. There is the crevasse immediately in front of you with about 150 yards of carry, the left of the green is a wild grassy upslope and the right is all downslope. There are bunkers in front of the green and you've really got to trust your shot.

It's brilliant.

One of the most memorable spots on this remarkable course is just above the ninth green. Here you can see up and down the Sound and there's a peacefulness to the setting that's in stark contrast to what people around the world know it for: the fight scene between Adam Sandler and Bob Barker in the movie Happy Gilmore.

The actual serenity you feel makes the scene even funnier.

The arduous pairings continue on the back half of the course. Number 11 is a 485-yard dogleg left par-5 to an elevated green. It's rated third most difficult on the course and par here is a very good result.

Number 12 is a 374-yard par-4 with a steep drop to a landing area and another ravine in front of the green. It's tempting for long hitters to let out some shaft and attempt the green in one, but the risk-reward quotient for most of us makes a well considered shot to the landing area below the most sensible option.

The most interesting hole on this fascinating course is the 211-yard par-3 14th, Furry Creek's signature hole.

The green rests on a heavily bunkered peninsula that juts out into Howe Sound and the tee boxes are right at the water's edge. Beyond the green there's usually a strong breeze blowing south in the morning and north in the afternoon presenting you with a bewildering number of factors to constrain your shot.

On this trip, however, I learned a secret. Even at its fiercest, the wind rarely comes close enough to green's sheltered setting to become a factor. It's a small mercy, but one less thing to worry about.

From the 14th, you play along level benchland to the 18th tee where a 336-yard dogleg left to an elevated green awaits. You can't see the green and the left corner is guarded by deep woods and tall evergreens so attempting the pin in one is only for the supremely confident.

Here a mid- to long-iron will leave you with a clear shot at the putting surface on your second.

As we putted out in the early evening light, we were all smiles. There had been the usual "others" on the score card, but there had also been a birdie or two and the odd par that made the round very satisfying.

Laurel played particularly well. With her smooth swing and quiet focus, she had stitched together a score that left Dan and I more than a little envious.

After, over dinner on the patio at the Sea to Sky Grill, we discussed the day and ordered our meals perched above the 18th green.

The Sea to Sky Grill has quietly earned a reputation for outstanding food and excellent value. For many, it's the destination of choice for special occasions and Sunday brunch. The setting is unparalleled and the feel is casual elegance.

Some items on the menu require an extra investment over the $10 meal charge, but the quality and presentation are well worth it.

Dan chose the rib eye steak, Laurel the chicken clubhouse, Larry the beef short rib and I chose the wild sockeye. Dan opted for the daily soup and the rest of us selected the Creek House Salad -- a mix of fresh greens, oven-dried grape tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, chick peas and dried cranberries in a citrus vinaigrette.

Our server, Sonny, was gracious and attentive and as the food arrived we swapped stories and got to know each other better. It was an ideal finish to a spectacular day.

More than anything I suppose, Furry Creek is great value. You get what you pay for and then some.

Cost per person that day was $109 plus tax, but it included a power cart, a great meal, superb service and the beauty of the location. Its real value lies in the intangibles: the view, the smiles of the staff, and the sheer joy of playing at this special course.

You can't actually put a price on beauty, but Furry Creek comes closer than any other place I know.

Online video: This season all destinations featured in Tee Time will also be available to see in online video taken the day we played. Furry Creek is the fifth for 2010. Go to nsnews.com and click on the video tag in the red menu bar across the top of the page, then pick the video of your choice and enjoy.