Kootenay Rockies – Mountain Golf At Its Finest
Kootenay Rockies – Mountain Golf At Its Finest
Just what is this weird grain with too many vowels and why should you be eating it?
Greywolf—Kootenay Rockies Most Famous Golf Course—has other “brothers” and “sisters” that are nearly as beautiful and challenging.
Would you rather be nestled in the mountains among fresh green pine trees while looking up at clusters of white clouds dancing in the pure blue sky… or find yourself standing in sand talking to cactus, engulfed in the hottest air on earth surrounded by naked mountains? Answer seems obvious, doesn’t it?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve lived in our desert for over 25 years and I love being in the Coachella Valley…from October to May! However, June through September, show me giant mountains adorned with lush green trees, cool breezes, and wild life—inquisitive squirrels, busy beaver, bear, high flying eagles, gentle deer—and there’s no other place in the world I’d rather be.
So, when I received an invitation from Canadian tourism representatives to play golf this summer in the Kootenay Rockies of British Colombia, I didn’t hesitate to accept. Kootenay is north of Idaho and Montana, and south of Banff; and features some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
The Name Doesn’t Roll Off Your Tongue
Kootenay Rockies—the name doesn’t quite roll off your tongue, does it? Don’t feel badly if you’ve never heard of it; I didn’t before traveling there. And even some of those that might be considered “Canadian travel experts” in and from Canada apparently don’t know where the Kootenay Rockies are either. Let me explain.
Two airports feed into the Kootenay Rockies—Calgary and Vancouver. Palm Springs International Airport (still a euphemism since virtually no international flights exist in or out) to LAX to Vancouver to Cranbrook is the flight route I took to get to the Kootenay Rockies. At the Vancouver terminal, before boarding the 50-seater Bombardier propjet to Cranbrook, I went to the Air Canada counter and asked the check-in attendant, “How far is it from Vancouver to Cranbrook?” She looked at me bewildered and said, “I have no idea. I don’t know that one.” Um, I thought, she’s either pretty stupid or this place called Cranbrook is remote as hell.
Then I boarded the plane and asked the flight attendant the same question and got the same answer. She didn’t have a clue how far it was to Cranbrook “but I do know it’s about an hour and a half” she added.
Air Canada doesn’t have the greatest reputation. The Canadian travelers I encountered all bad-mouthed Air Canada as being the airline that doesn’t care! Well, if they don’t even know how far their own plane is traveling, then that tells you something right there. Meantime, when I arrived in Cranbrook—no suitcases, no golf clubs. They never made it on the flight from Vancouver, even though my connecting flight from LAX to Vancouver was on Air Canada and I had a 2 1/2 hour layover in the Vancouver airport.
In a previous article on my golf trip to China, I recommended when at all possible, fly the airline that is indigenous to the country you are visiting but, in this case, I’ve changed my mind. My advice: consider flying an airline other than Air Canada if you have a choice.
After arriving at Cranbrook Airport (now named the Kootenary Rockies International Airport, which is comical because this tiny airport looks anything but international), you immediately realize that you are in a rural mountain area. Cranbrook is about as sleepy as a bear in hibernation; and there are plenty of bears in the Kootenays, so be aware of the bears even while playing golf.
I was able to play four golf courses on my nearly weeklong trip; there is surprisingly a large collection of golf courses to choose from, surprising because most American (and eastern Canadian) golfers have never heard of Kootenay, let alone think of it as a golf destination, but golf destination it legitimately is.
The most recent official Kootenay Rockies Golf Vacations Guide published by Tourism British Columbia lists 24 golf courses to play many within 30 minutes of each other (by car) and none over 1 1/2 hours apart.
Short Walk to the Casino
St. Eugene was the first course I played. Officially named St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, the course itself cannot be labeled extraordinary; but it is pleasant to play. If you’re looking for a peaceful round of golf, St. Eugene is for you. Relatively flat for a mountain course (somewhat an oxymoron I admit), fairways are demarcated with legitimate rough. The greens were excellent to putt on and the scenery serene.
The course is conveniently located five minutes from the airport. After your tranquil round of golf, you can venture to the casino just a sand-wedge away from the first tee. The casino (named Casino of the Rockies) is very well maintained; a quaint place to gamble with a Western motif. Full-service, the casino measures 19,000 sq.-ft. offering Blackjack, Roulette, a poker room and 224 slot machines.
The other notable feature to St. Eugene Resort is the accommodations. The focal point of the Resort is the restored historic mission building; austere and powerful to look at from the outside, neatly decorated in heritage 1900′s furnishings in the inside. In addition to being a mission, the building used to be a Ktunxa (pronounced “k-too-nah-ha”) Indian Nation school, which is now the main part of the hotel with 125 beautifully appointed guest rooms. The next course I played was Trickle Creek Golf Resort, a true mountain golf course. Located in Kimberley, B.C., in the Purcell Range of the Rocky Mountains, the 18-hole championship course features tees, fairways and greens that are immaculate. The course is carved into the mountains exquisitely defined by the lush pine trees. Not only do the pine trees frame the entire course, they’re the matting and “infinite” background of this majestic golf painting.
The course is located above 4,000 feet and is described by Sales and Marketing Director Chris Elder as “a sprawling, up and down roller coaster ride.” The roller coaster elevation changes challenge your mind and your golf swing. Being a desert rat for over 25 years, I particularly enjoyed this true mountain golf course.
Not for the Weak at Heart
Eagle Ranch in Invermers, B.C., was the next course I played. This 18-hole championship course is not for the weak of heart. It has its share of natural barriers. The course skirts through bluffs and tumbles in and around ravines making many shots nerve-racking for the mid-to-high handicapper. One wonderful consolation is the beauty the course offers: magnificent views of surrounding hills and peaks including Mt. Nelson, and a vast array of trees and fauna. Some of the holes overlook the Columbia River and Lake Windemere, yet another aesthetic bonus. For better players, this course is a must. For less than better players, select the shorter tees to make your golf experience more pleasurable.
The best was saved for last. Greywolf located at Panorama Mountain Village is the finest Kootenay Rockies golf has to offer. Greywolf deserves all the accolades it has received including the ranking as one of the 100 best courses in the world outside the United States, among Top 10 of all courses in Canada, and #1 public access course in western Canada.
What makes Greywolf so special? The setting! It is nestled in the mountains, honoring and respecting the majestic peaks—an invited guest to a celebration of nature. Designer Doug Carrick allowed no party crashers to ruin Mother Nature’s majestic party. The holes belong. They speak to the trees. Nod at the delicate deer. Caress the streams and creeks. Even the danger is beautiful; the canyons and bluffs that dare the golfer to convert their ball into flying carpets or soaring eagles in the hopes of landing softly on the other side.
Marketing brochures are suspect because their objective is to “sell” and present only the positive. However, I am in total agreement with this quote in Greywolf’s marketing brochure: “Greywolf Golf Course is one of the preeminent mountain golf courses in the world. The Doug Carrick masterpiece is one of the few courses in existence that can rightly claim ’18 signature holes.’” Be ready to enjoy and be challenged by 18 different adventures.
Considering I never heard of the Kootenay Rockies before being invited there, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of golf the area offers. Without reservation, I recommend you visit and play golf in the Kootenays. The people are very friendly and golf fees affordable. (For example, 2007 rates at Greywolf range from $89 to the maximum of only $139 and I say only because the same golf experience in California would cost in the $250 range or higher per round!) There are also “Stay & Play Packages” that make the golf and accommodations even more economical.
If you want to experience an English-speaking foreign country with great golf values where the pricing is so attractive that what you save on green fees will basically pay for your airfare, then book a golf vacation to the Kootenay Rockies. And getting to the Kootenay Rockies is easy. From our desert, flying time totals only three to four hours plus a few hours in airports to allow for connecting flights.
For your copy of the excellent four-color glossy magazine guide— “Golf Vacations 2007: Kootenay Rockies”—published by Kootenay Rockies Tourism that gives details on all 24 golf courses and resorts, email Golf@KootenayRockies.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or log on to the website KootenayRockies.com.
Dan Poppers is a Golf Writers Association of America national award winner and president of the International Golf Travel Writers Association.
Editor’s Note: Though the author often uses present tense to describe his experiences, “When it comes to golf travel, current conditions do not necessarily guarantee their continuation into the future.” It’s always best to call and/or email in advance when planning your golf trip, find out such things as: Have the greens been recently aerated or when are they scheduled to be aerated? Have prices changed? Whatever change in information that can affect your decision to travel to a destination should be updated. An informed traveler minimizes negative surprises.
Trivia Answer
Trivia Answer
The world’s largest bunker is part of which golf course?
Pine Valley Course – located in New Jersey
Trivia Question
Trivia Question
The world’s largest bunker is part of which golf course?
Unique Golf Swing
YouTube: Unique Golf Swing
Pro Positions: Will Mackenzie
Pro Positions: Will Mackenzie
Willie Mac Attack!
I often long for the days when Slammin’ Sammy Snead and Gene Sarazan played the game, a couple of great sticks with personalities just as bright as their games. Well, fortunately for golf fans, there’s a new kid on the block and he’s brought a unique backstory and stellar game (albeit with a modern flair). His name is Will MacKenzie, or “Willie Mac,” as the 2006 Reno-Tahoe victor is sometimes called.
This extreme sportsman (MacKenzie surfs, climbs rocks and snowboards in his downtime) brings a powerful swing, cutting-edge style and go-for-it attitude to the Tour’s increasingly predictable lineup.
But what interests me the most about Will is his swing, in particular a few key elements he shares with two legends of the game, Ben Hogan and Slammin’ Sammy himself. Take a look at the following “pro positions,” and you’ll see why Willie Mac is separating himself from the field.
1. Posture Perfect. Will’s shaft angle at address is perpendicular to his spine angle. This relationship will be maintained throughout his swing.
2. Like Snead. Will’s body language is dead-on Snead. His left arm matches his shoulders, forming a One-Plane swing. His open clubface is a product of his weak left hand.
3. Spine Angle. A little loss in spin angle at the transition, I bet Will would like to be a little more bent over here.
4. Boom Time! Will’s arms and chest have worked hard to the left. Notice how his right arm matches his shoulder tilt, forming a mirror image of his backswing arm plane.
5. Wind Up. Notice the logo on the back of his shirt? That indicates a huge turn. He’s maintained a lot of space between his legs to build up positive resistance.
6. Hogan-esque. Players who swing on flatter planes need to stay more on top of the ball with very little weight or body shift to the right. He’s a dead ringer for Ben Hogan here.
Trivia Answer
Trivia Question
What is the maximum number of golf clubs that a player can carry?
14
Trivia Question
Trivia Question
What is the maximum number of golf clubs that a player can carry?
Funniest Lady Golfer
YouTube: Funniest Lady Golfer
Its Your Turn
Its Your Turn
Most recreational golfers think the pros are playing a completely different game and that they struggle with totally different mistakes. Of course, touring pros are more advanced than weekend golfers in terms of technique and ability level, but believe it or not, there are some problems that almost all golfers struggle with from time to time. It’s just the nature of the game. I’ve been playing golf on a professional level for more than 15 years. Through my experience, I’ve learned a thing or two about the golf swing and can say with confidence that a rotational swing with a focus on the upper body is superior to one that features a lot of lower-body action. Here’s what I work on to execute this simpler, more consistent (and less stressful) motion.
Like the majority of players who are over the age of 35, I learned the swing as a kid with the technique of the day. As such, I’ve always had a fair amount of lateral movement through the hitting zone. For all golfers, particularly those of us who make our living playing the game, consistency is critical to shooting decent scores, and I came to the conclusion some time ago that in order to improve my scores, and my consistency, I needed to develop a more rotational motion that had less slide and more turn.
To take some of the lateral slide out of my swing and develop a more rotational move, I started working with the following simple drill that I recommend to anyone who wants to develop a more powerful pivot. After warming up a bit, I take a mid-iron and place it across my chest, with my hands crossed over in an X position. I assume my address position, being sure to keep an ample amount of flex in my knees, and bend from my waist so my chest is over the hitting area. I then make several “swings” in a row, concentrating on maintaining my spine angle and turning my left hip in a counter clockwise direction so my chest and belt buckle wind up facing the target. I also make sure not to let my left hip get outside my left shoulder.
After I’ve completed a few rotations, I simply take the club off my chest and grip in a normal way, repeating the same drill, but this time actually hitting the ball. I’ll go back and forth between the drill and hitting shots until I feel the same sensation during both. Try it and you’ll be surprised how quickly your turn and your ballstriking will improve.
Tools Of The Trade
TaylorMade Tour professional Michael Allen makes full use of the company’s fine line of equipment, including one of the most popular drivers, the r7 quad. For shots from the fairways, Allen plays rac TP irons, 3-9, a V Steel 3-wood, a 19-degree Rescue Dual and a Rossa Monza long putter. The forged TPs are joined by four other rac irons—HT, OS, LT and CGB—to form the most extensive iron line in the game.
PGA Tour player Michael Allen has been playing professional golf since 1989. Currently he ranks 51st in the driving distance category with a 290-yard average.