{"id":5085,"date":"2012-07-27T07:22:41","date_gmt":"2012-07-27T11:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/buffalogolfer.com\/wordpress\/?p=5085"},"modified":"2012-07-28T06:44:57","modified_gmt":"2012-07-28T10:44:57","slug":"rocky-mountain-high-kamloops-bc-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buffalogolfer.com\/wordpress\/rocky-mountain-high-kamloops-bc-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"Rocky Mountain High! Kamloops, BC Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I say high I mean 4,000 feet above sea level high and still climbing!\u00a0 \u00a0Perched atop a downhill 145 yard par 3 at Sun Peaks with a daunting wooded river valley below and panoramic views of an alpine wonderland in the background my playing partner Wayne commented that \u201cwouldn\u2019t a hole-in-one now make a great story?\u201d\u00a0 What came next was a moment in time that I will clearly remember for years to come.<\/p>\n

As my ball began dropping from the sky we both knew it was going to be close.\u00a0 Unfortunately it was not an ace but did hit seven inches behind the hole and spun up to within a foot.\u00a0 Nice try! Then it was Wayne\u2019s turn!\u00a0 Another great iron shot! \u00a0\u00a0As I was watching his ball\u2019s flight Wayne yelled out \u201ca little red fox just stole your ball\u201d. \u00a0I immediately focused back on the green where indeed I witness that damn critter confiscating my ball.\u00a0 Just then Wayne\u2019s ball bounced down about three feet from mine and that fox politely dropped mine and took off with his. \u00a0In unison we both shouted out \u201cYou\u2019ve stolen my glory\u201d!\u00a0 What a day!\u00a0 What a week! \u00a0And this was only the beginning!<\/p>\n

Sun Peaks Resort<\/a> boasts that it is the highest elevation golf course and the #2 best Ski Resort in British Columbia. \u00a0This majestic 18-hole par 72 Graham Cooke design offers great elevation changes where every hole is picturesque you just have to bring your camera. \u00a0There are a number of risk\/reward shots here so I would highly recommend that you purchase a yardage book to make your decisions a little easier.<\/p>\n

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Sun Peaks Resort<\/p><\/div>\n

The front nine is very tight – target golf at its finest and the first hole epitomizes what you will have to contend with during the first half of your round.\u00a0\u00a0 At just under 350 yards, I would not suggest hitting your driver since you only need a maximum 200 yard tee shot to come up short of the river valley that crosses your path at the 140 yard mark.<\/p>\n

Hole #8 is only 361 yards but plays as the toughest one on the course.\u00a0 You cannot hit a driver off this tee here as you will run out of fairway.\u00a0 A fairway wood or utility club will leave you with a 150 to 175 yard approach over a river valley to a two tiered green that is protected by bunkers short and right. \u00a0Daunting indeed but take heart the back nine is more wide open and a little more forgiving!<\/p>\n

At Sun Peaks Resort there is plenty to do apr\u00e8s golf including fine and casual dining, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing and horseback riding plus a number of bars to quench you\u2019re thirst.\u00a0\u00a0 It reminds me of Whistler but I think it\u2019s much quainter and less commercialized.\u00a0 Located about a 45 minute drive northeast of Kamloops, Sun Peaks is open from June 1st<\/sup> until Canadian Thanksgiving Monday (around October 8th<\/sup>).\u00a0 18-Hole Green Fee with power cart is $65CAD for weekdays and $80 on weekends.\u00a0 2012 Golf and Stay packages start as low as $104CAD per person per night.<\/p>\n

Talking Rock Resort<\/a> motto suggests \u201cHear the legend…Feel the spirit\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Nestled along the shores of Little Shuswap Lake, this spectacular piece property is steeped in the native traditions that soothe the soul. \u00a0\u00a0This Cooke Carleton International design is well forested and offers tremendous elevation changes, large greens, and wide fairways with lots of bunkers. Fortunately for me, the sand is extremely consistent.<\/p>\n

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Talking Rock<\/p><\/div>\n

Hole # 7 is Talking Rock\u2019s signature hole, a downhill double dogleg par 5 with a bear-shaped grass inset carved into the fairway bunker. Holes #14 and 15 offer the best views of Little Shuswap Lake.\u00a0 The 14th<\/sup> is an uphill par 4 with an awesome view from the green while the 15th<\/sup> is a downhill par 3 with the lake in the background.\u00a0 Hole #18 is a tight par 4 that plays all along the lake with the sandy beach as your lateral hazard.<\/p>\n

Talking Rock is located 45 minutes east of Kamloops.\u00a0 18-hole green fees range from $67 to $72CAD plus $17 each for a power cart depending on the season.\u00a0 2012 Stay and Play rates at Quaaout Lodge start from $272 for two people including 18 holes of golf and cart.<\/p>\n

Rivershore Golf Links<\/a> is one of Robert Trent Jones Sr.\u2019s last signature designs and has hosted many national golf events including the inaugural Canadian Tour\u2019s Western Championship and the 2011 BC PGA Championship.\u00a0 \u00a0Built in the late \u201870\u2019s, this par 72 was definitely ahead of its time.\u00a0 Stretching out to over 7,000 yards with a rating of 73.2 and a slope of 135 this course definitely has some bite.<\/p>\n

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Rivershore<\/p><\/div>\n

Rivershore sits along the northern bank of the South Thompson River with sagebrush-covered hills as its backdrop. \u00a0Even though the property is relatively flat, the combination of fast greens and 95 sharp cut, well defined bunkers will definitely test your skills.<\/p>\n

My favourite holes are probably #10 \u2013 a tight par 4 with water down the entire left side and in front of the green forcing you to cross it on your approach shot, #16 \u2013 a downhill par 4 with a very difficult shallow green protected by a pond in front and the 18th<\/sup> \u2013 a long par 5 that plays all along the river.<\/p>\n

18-hole green fees are $68CAD seven days a week and include use of their driving range.\u00a0 Add $16.75 each for a shared power cart.<\/p>\n

Tobiano Golf<\/a> was voted \u201cBest New Canadian Golf Course\u201d in 2008 by both Golf Digest and ScoreGolf Magazine and I can see why. \u00a0This Thomas McBroom design is one of the most unique and challenging golf courses you will ever play.\u00a0 With five sets of tee blocks to choose from, ranging from 5,358 to 7,367 yards, my guidance is to play forward on the tees or you will be faced with long carries over fissures and gullies surrounded by untouched areas filled with natural grasses and cacti.\u00a0 Owner Mike Grenier says he often hears his guests comment that \u201cI lost a lot of golf balls but I want to come back\u201d, so be forewarned.<\/p>\n

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Tobiano-First Tee<\/p><\/div>\n

The greens are amazing and in mint condition and the bunkers are filled with white silica sand.\u00a0 It\u2019s just about impossible to pick a \u201csignature hole\u201d at Tobiano since so many feature awesome views of Kamloops Lake but if I had to choose I\u2019d say #5 and #8 were my favourites because of their intimidating drives and #14 for view of this infinity-like green.<\/p>\n

Tobiano is located about a 20 minute drive west of Kamloops along the TransCanada Highway. Rates for 18-holes green fees range from $80-130 depending on the season and how far in advance that you book but includes a GPS equipped power cart, practice facility and bottled water.<\/p>\n

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More Tobiano<\/p><\/div>\n

If you are looking for quiet place to stay that is only a 15 minute drive to Kamloops, I would suggest the South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre<\/a> adjacent to the Rivershore Golf Club. \u00a0They offer Stay and Play Packages that range from $125 to $145CAD per person per night with 12 courses to pick from.<\/p>\n

For more information on the area you can visit Tourism Kamloops<\/a> or Golf Kamloops<\/a> for details of some of the other award-winning golf courses in the area that I did not get a chance to play \u2013 this trip including:<\/p>\n