Exceptional Line Up Awaits – Canada 24’ - What’s in store? Simply some of the most thrilling golf imaginable, on magnificent courses in awesome alpine settings, designed by the sport’s big names – including Jack Nicklaus.
The 2024 Canadian Rockies Golf Tour, just released, starts at the base of the Rockies – at Kananaskis. This is an amazing 36-hole masterpiece by Robert Trent Jones Snr that delights from the tee with every hole having a different view of some Rocky peak. This course occupies a wildlife migration corridor, and we’ve spotted coyote and other indigenous wildlife such as elk in this river valley.
Course no #2 - There’s something so special about the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course as it draws golfers in and compels them to return. Perhaps it is because it lies in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with views of the historic, castle-like hotel.
The Invermere Trilogy presents your golf challenges 3-5! Award-winning course designed by Doug Carrick is Greywolf at Panorama Mountain Village, above Invermere. One of golf’s true must-plays, Greywolf’s signature hole ‘Cliffhanger’ has an island green perched above the aptly named Hopeful Canyon with cliffs below the front and back. Mountain golf can be challenging and dynamic – and this 18-hole course is an exhilarating example.
You will see the work of acclaimed golf architect Bill Robinson, whose Eagle Ranch in a canyon setting makes the most of natural contours, varied terrain and 360-degree views. Its 18 holes are strategically placed along ancient bluffs overlooking the Columbia River. We round out our time in the Invermere Valley playing Copper Point – a Gary Browning & Wade Horrocks collaboration – elevation changes, following the rise and fall of the Kootney Ranges.
The Predator Ridge Resort, where we play and stay, is a premier golf resort community in the Okanagan Valley outside Vernon in British Columbia and home to two of the country’s finest golf courses. Canadian architect Doug Carrick renovated the original nine-hole Peregrine course and built nine new holes to expand the 27 holes to a 36-hole championship golf course.
The two original 18-holes were renamed The Predator Course (Les Furber) and The Ridge Course (Doug Carrick), which SCOREgolf voted the best new golf course in Canada in 2010. Carrick, with direct involvement from the original Predator course architect Les Furber, went back in 2018 to lead a $3.8 million, four-hole renovation project. The Ridge Course is defined by extraordinary vistas, long, scenic fairways and beautiful granite outcrops. The Predator Course, which hosted the World Skins Game twice, has a distinctive character too, with rolling hills, long grasses and undulating greens.
The 2024 tour includes 3 courses in Whistler – of course the famous Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, Nicklaus North Golf Course designed by Jack Nicklaus, and Whistler Golf Club designed by Arnold Palmer.
Carved into the slopes of the Coast Mountain range of British Columbia, with Blackcomb and Whistler mountains as a backdrop, Fairmont Chateau Whistler incorporates creeks, ponds, ancient stands of Douglas fir trees and massive granite rocks. The course elevation changes by more than 130 metres overall, present an impressive golf opportunity and an exceptional experience of natural scenery and wildlife.
Nicklaus North, designed by ‘The Golden Bear’ Nicklaus, is a par 71, 18-hole course that gently winds along a valley floor. Some of golf’s biggest names have played here – Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, John Daly, Vijay Singh, Stephen Ames and, of course, the mighty Jack Nicklaus himself.
The friendly and relaxed ambience of Arnold Palmer’s first Canadian design, Whistler Golf Club, contributes to its popularity. It represents an authentic Whistler brand of golf and highlights big views of snow-capped-mountains, signature designs and uncompromising course conditions.
No. 11 – last but not least – a more level playing field - Mayfair Lakes by contrast has a charming, flat layout designed by Les Furber. Its pretty lakes and waterways present a technical challenge on 13 of its 18 holes, and it offers year-round golf in a secluded, countryside setting beneath the beautiful North Shore Mountains at Richmond, just a short distance from downtown Vancouver.
The 11 courses included in our highly rated Canadian Rockies Tour represent some of Canada’s finest championship fairways. Come and explore with us in 2024!