99 Reasons to Roadtrip it Through Canada’s High-Desert Regions

by Randy Kirkpatrick

Armed with a turbo-diesel-powered Chevy Silverado 2500HD, chosen for towing our fifth-wheel trailer (which we left behind), my wife Nancy and I set out to explore the far reaches of British Columbia’s Okanagan and surrounding areas. On tap, we would stay at five resorts and play seven different courses for a total of 99 holes while driving nine days and approximately 1,500 miles round trip.

Offering panoramic mountain views and sage-covered desert terrain against a backdrop of orchards and vineyards, the opportunities in this region for serious Northern Exposure — with sunny summer golf at the center of it all — are endless.

Our first stop was an overnight stay at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa in Osoyoos, a four-star property that features a spa, restaurant, pool, waterslide, hot tubs and on-site winery. Next door, Sonora Dunes Golf Course conjures nine holes of desert-style delight on rolling hills above Osoyoos. A couple of impressive 100-foot elevated tee shots offered stunning views of smoke from huge fires toward Kelowna that would become a bit of a thorn in our sides later in the trip.

Not far up the highway, the town of Oliver lives up to its “Napa of the North” moniker with numerous boutique wineries and tasting rooms on the way to play 18 at Fairview Mountain Golf Club. A two-time winner of the Golf Facility of the Year award, Fairview Mountain has collected many industry accolades including being recognized as a four-star “must play” by Golf Digest. On No. 17, one of many elevated tee shots, we spotted a huge puff of smoke over a ridge in the direction we would be heading. After the round, Fairview Mountain’s extremely helpful staff told us we would have to alter our drive because the road had been closed a couple miles away. Hello, four-hour detour, which turned out to be an absolutely beautiful drive with a big payoff — the next day’s round at Tobiano.

Kamloops’ South Thompson Inn was our stop for the night, with 57 individually designed guest rooms offering balconies with river or mountain views. Each room is named after either a famous racehorse or raceway in North America. Upon entering the gates and driving past the white fences, equestrian center and horse paddocks, you begin to feel the unique experience of this Kentucky-style inn. A separate guest house can be rented for larger golfing parties, and Rivershore Golf Links, designed by Robert Trent Jones, is just a wedge shot away.

The next morning, we were off to Talking Rock Resort and an overnight stay at Quaaout Lodge owned by the Little Shuswap Indian Band. The resort is situated on the south shore of Little Shuswap Lake. Rich in Native history, culture and tradition, this resort offers 66 lake-view guestrooms and six Jacuzzi suites.

Talking Rock has broad, sweeping fairways that wind through a mature sandy forest, finishing with an awesome 18th hole along the shorelines of Little Shuswap Lake. Designed with elements of native art in mind, the course has a natural and rugged character.

Heading back into Okanagan territory, Canoe Creek Golf Course features creeks, waterfalls, fountains and natural marshes, with fescue defining many of the fairways. This is a traditional look with a modern approach. Pot bunkers are strategically scattered and the course is well known for its immaculate greens.

Predator Ridge was next and has consistently been ranked as one of the finest golf courses in Canada. With 1,200 acres of immaculately groomed fairways, superior craftsman-style homes, sparkling lakes and wheatgrass meadows, the resort is spectacular in every sense.

The Predator 18 features elevated green complexes and links-style bunkering. Incorporating the Osprey and Redtail nines, Predator Ridge has hosted the Telus World Skins Game twice.

The Ridge, a brand-new 18-hole course designed by Doug Carrick, takes advantage of the natural topography of the site. The course is defined by long, scenic fairways and beautiful granite rock outcroppings. When you arrive at the No. 4 tee looking down toward Lake Okanagan, you’ll understand why the view inspired the course’s name — and ended our epic golf-fueled road journey on a high note. FG

Published in FG Magazine, March 2010

AMERICA'S MOST HONORED MAGAZINE AT ING AWARDS
It’s getting to be a habit, and we can’t seem to help ourselves. For the fourth straight year, FG racked up an impressive load of hardware at the International Network of Golf Media Awards announced at January’s PGA Merchandise Show. We scored six awards in all, besting writers and photographers from such national publications as GolfWeek and Sports Illustrated. First-place honors went to Vic Williams in Competition Writing for his piece on Tiger’s historic U.S. Open victory (July-August 2008), Joann Dost for her epic shot of Tiger’s 72nd hole putt on Open Sunday; and Calder Chism for his “Weekend Wisdom” drawing of Vic in the May-June 2008 issue. Outstanding Achievement awards went to Williams and Darin Bunch for Travel Writing. Other FG contributors who took home awards included Tony Dear and Bob Seligman. Next year, look for the clean sweep.