Okanagan Region

[Butter Knife Guy]

Southern Interior of BC - i've had the chance to play a few of the courses out here; the whole region is amazing, and between golf and skiing, there is great recreation almost year round.

some of the courses:

Upper Tier
Predator Ridge
Gallagher's Canyon
Okanagan Golf Club - The Bear
Okanagan Golf Club - The Quail
Harvest Golf Club
Kelowna G&CC
Salmon Arm Golf Club
Vernon G&CC(guide page - membership required to view portions of the course's page)
Hyde Mountain

Slightly smaller hole in pocket
Fairview Mountain
Inkameep (this is just guide page, no personal course page available at moment)
Kelowna Springs
Osoyoos Golf Club
Penticton Golf Club(again, guide page)
Shannon Lake
Spallumcheen
Twin Lakes

Some of the skiing:

Apex
Silverstar
Big White
Sun Peaks

and of course, a taste of the wineries located in this region:

Wineries

[CristieKerr]

Hyde Mountain expanded my vocabulary in not so nice words!

I don't know what is considered the Okanagan Region in B.C. But, I thought I'd add a few more from the area (or somewhat close).

Kokanee Springs:
Crawford bay, B.C. What an excellent course. This is probably, to date, tied for the best course I have played. The condition of the course is impeccable, the views incredible, and the enjoyment level through the roof. It's also my favourite course that I've ever played... very close is the next one listed.

Golden Golf Club
In Golden, British Columbia. An absolute dream. Conditions are incredible, each hole is like it's own entity. Rushing waters, picturesque views every way you turn, and it seems nearly every green is set into a surrounding of large coniferous trees. If you are ever in Golden, you've got to stop. It's worth the stop if you are passing through.

Bootleg Gap
In Kimberly, B.C. Quite a drive from the Kelowna region. But a nice track. I played it when it was very new. Lots of cool holes, but was more open than most course I've played in the mountain region. I'd love to go back and play it again as it has matured a couple of years.

Shuswap Lake Estates
This is right in the region, Salmon Arm, B.C. A nice track, but like Bootleg Gap very open for the mountains. But it's set right in the valley, not up the mountain side a bit like with Golden, or Hyde Mountain *shudder*. If you are staying for a while in the area, it's nice to try. 18 is a load of fun. But if you are passing through and only have a couple of rounds, I'd venture to other courses. Hyde Mountain is just down the highway... but I wouldn't suggest that one over some of the others mentioned either.

Revelstoke Golf Club
Revelstoke, B.C. Set on the Columbia River it's just down the highway a bit more from Salmon Arm. It's not the most spectacular course you'll ever play, but it's pretty good. Hole 6 is amazing as you walk up to the green which is set right on a bend in the Columbia River. It's spectacular. My favourite reason for going to this course by far. That and Hole 5, which is my nemesis, and I can't par that hole for the life of me... but it isn't that hard! A lot of holes are very tight, with a great amount of large coniferous trees surrounding every hole minus the last four or so. It is not abnormal to hear lots of balls hitting trees, because even the "easy" shots out of the trees are tight sometimes. I'd rate it like Shuswap. If you are around for a while, take it in. If not, you may want to hit others.

As you can tell, I'm not a fan of Hyde Mountain. I'd play it again for the sole reason I want to do better than I did. But it is one heckuva gimmick course. Every hole is up and down, blind tee shots all over creation, and if it's not a blind tee shot, it's quite possible they'll get you back with a blind approach shot. It was a lot more at the time then the others we played, and we got a deal with 12 of us. It's a post card a hole, but jeez I found it almost unfair at times. But like I said, I'd play it again because I have a drive and desire to show that course it won't get the best of me again!

[PingsRbest]

Originally Posted by CristieKerr

Kokanee Springs:
Crawford bay, B.C. What an excellent course. This is probably, to date, tied for the best course I have played. The condition of the course is impeccable, the views incredible, and the enjoyment level through the roof. It's also my favourite course that I've ever played... very close is the next one listed.

I'm not sure if this is the course or not, but years ago I went with my Dad and relatives to play golf near Kokanee glacier. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the course and scenery. I would love to one day go back.

[CristieKerr]

Originally Posted by PingsRbest

I'm not sure if this is the course or not, but years ago I went with my Dad and relatives to play golf near Kokanee glacier. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the course and scenery. I would love to one day go back.

I would imagine it is. You can see the Kokanee Glacier from the course. Hole five is spectacular. An elevated tee, to a par four with rushing water way up by the green (probably still quite a distance from the green actually). You just look down on an excellent view, it's quite amazing and my favourite hole.

[PingsRbest]

Originally Posted by CristieKerr

I would imagine it is. You can see the Kokanee Glacier from the course. Hole five is spectacular. An elevated tee, to a par four with rushing water way up by the green (probably still quite a distance from the green actually). You just look down on an excellent view, it's quite amazing and my favourite hole.

This was back in 1974, so it's been quite a while, but I do remember an elevated tee that was quite spectacular.

A favorite memory of mine of that trip is I tried to scavenge for some balls on a little sandbar in the middle of a rushing stream. (I had lost all mine, and my Dad said that was it for me. ) There were dozens of balls just sitting there tempting me. I took off my shoes and waded over. The current almost knocked me over and the only reason the water wasn't a solid chunk of ice was, it was moving too fast. After my feet thawed out, I tried to gather up as many balls as I could in my shirt - had no pockets - and managed to drop almost all of them on the wade back, trying to keep my balance. Realized then why the balls were left there.

[CristieKerr]

Originally Posted by PingsRbest

This was back in 1974, so it's been quite a while, but I do remember an elevated tee that was quite spectacular.

A favorite memory of mine of that trip is I tried to scavenge for some balls on a little sandbar in the middle of a rushing stream. (I had lost all mine, and my Dad said that was it for me. ) There were dozens of balls just sitting there tempting me. I took off my shoes and waded over. The current almost knocked me over and the only reason the water wasn't a solid chunk of ice was, it was moving too fast. After my feet thawed out, I tried to gather up as many balls as I could in my shirt - had no pockets - and managed to drop almost all of them on the wade back, trying to keep my balance. Realized then why the balls were left there.

That's awesome! If it was in fact Kokanee Springs, and the water rushed as hard as I remember from a couple years ago, I'll bet you almost got swept away!