REVIEW

WHAT KOOTENAY ROCKIES GOLF DOES!After the challenges of the morning

round, we were able to take advantage ofthe openness and flat lies. Because of theriver flowing through the course, 11 ofthe non-par 3 holes have a bend to them,and my favourite was the 14th. This par 5turns right a full 180 degrees, with waterthe entire way on the right side.

At only 6347 yards, you dont needdriver every hole, and many of the doglegswont allow it. Enjoy the sound of the riv-er, the views all around you and the play-ability of this course and you will have awonderful afternoon.

We then made the drive up to Panora-ma, a summer and winter playground wayup in the mountains. This is a world-classresort, and that is proven by the number ofinternational members of the great staff.If you like outdoor activities, Panorama isfor you.

Even more world-class is the golf course.Greywolf is the ultimate mountain course,working up and up on your first threeholes before coming back down. Gettingto the top of the 3rd hole take a look backand you will be amazed at just how far youhave risen.

Dramatic views and the greatest set ofpar 3s anywhere make this a must play forevery Canadian golfer. #6, Cliffhanger,will never be forgotten by anyone whoplays it, and this whole course is, in aword, memorable.

Greywolf is a round you dont want to

end, but when it does you can talk aboutall the moments in their spectacular newclubhouse, and there will be plenty of mo-ments to go over.

We made the drive back down themountain and arrived at The Springscourse at Radium. There is somethingabout this course that I just love, it seemsto perfectly encapsulate all the best ele-ments of Kootenay golf.

The Springs is just the right amountof challenge, with both treelined holes aswell as room off the tee to bomb away.Doglegs left and right, water and big-ger greens with only moderate sloping tothem all combine to give you pure golfingpleasure.

Like all the courses, the par 3s hereare fantastic. The 17th is shorter at only137 from the blues, but it is mostly carryover the gorge and gave us one of the best

views of the trip, with the river below andwe could see for miles. This course is oneyou could easily play multiple times andnever get tired of a golfers course.

Our last evening we stayed at a B&Bup at Kicking Horse, theVagabond Lodge.Rustic and welcoming, this is the idealgetaway for anyone who wants to leavethe world behind and just enjoy the beautyof this Lodge and the surroundings.

The next morning we played our fi-nal round, at the Golden Golf Club. Ihad heard good things about this coursebut was not prepared for this hidden gem.The incredible layout features a bunch ofdogleg lefts but more importantly is laidout right in front of you. Wide forgivingfairways let you swing hard off the tee,and the greens allow you to hit confidentapproaches with shallow bunkering on thesides and behind.

Golden is mountain golf withoutany of the penal aspects of playing in themountains. You get all the views and allthe elevation changes, but with every holecompletely isolated from the others, youcan just enjoy your surroundings. If I wasgoing to introduce someone to Rockiesgolf, this course would be perfect to letthem enjoy every aspect of the experience.

All good things must come to an endhowever. 5 hours later we were approach-ing Edmonton and our trip was over. Thisweekend I will watch the Canadian Open,but I will know that I have already playedthe most Canadian type of golf there is.

WHERE WEPLAYED

WILDSTONE GOLF COURSE250.489.1282

www.wildstonegolf.com

SHADOW MOUNTAIN GOLFCOURSE

1.877.426.3306www.shadowmountain.ca

ST. EUGENE GOLF RESORTCASINO

1.866.292.2020www.steugene.ca

FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGSRESORT

1.800.663.4979www.fairmonthotsprings.com

EAGLE RANCH RESORT1.877.877.3889

www.eagleranchgolf.com

GREYWOLF GOLF COURSE1.888.473.9965

www.greywolfgolf.com

RADIUM THE SPRINGSCOURSE

1.800.667.6444www.radiumgolf.ca

GOLDEN GOLF CLUB1.866.727.7222

www.golfgolden.com

Greywolf is the ultimate mountaincourse, nothing else like it.

The Springs course at Radium is agolfers dream course, perfect.

Vagabond Lodge is a wonderful rusticsetting, you feel a million miles away.

Golden was the hidden gem, and easilybecame one of my favourites.

WHERE WE STAYED

FOR COMPLETE INFO ON YOUR ULTIMATE CANADIAN GOLF TRIP VISITWWW.KOOTENAYROCKIES.COM

HERITAGE INN CRANBROOKwww.heritageinn.net

1.888.888.4374

ST. EUGENE GOLF RESORT CASINO1.866.292.2020www.steugene.ca

FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT1.800.663.4979

www.fairmonthotsprings.comPANORAMA RESORT

1.800.663.2929www.panoramaresort.com

VAGABOND LODGEat Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

1.866.944.2622www.vagabondlodge.ca