Kamloops to Victoria

by Robert Kaufman

One of the West’s most delicious aerial views is of the ice cream sundae-like British Columbia Rockies. On my last flyover, I felt the glee of a kid craving to dive into dessert but, trying to be a big boy, strained to reserve my appetite. My patience was rewarded with a Canadian bowl-ful of sweet toppings along the Kamloops Golf Trail — where our northern neighbor shows its desert side.

Situated about halfway between Calgary and Vancouver and void of any five-star resort amenities I felt compelled to visit right away, Kamloops begged me to jump off the plane and bite into the greens at Sun Rivers, a brand-new residential community with a modified links course built into a hillside overlooking the city of 85,000.

Don’t be deceived by Kamloops’ rep as an industrial town. According to the prominent welcome sign entering the City Centre, it’s known as “Canada’s Tournament Capital,” hosting more than 100 local, provincial, national and international events each year.

During the winter months, you’d more likely witness Canucks running amuck around skating rinks or traversing the fairways on cross-country skis, but from April through October, outdoor enthusiasts migrate to Kamloops for adventures such as river rafting, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and horseback riding.

But golf growth in these parts is on a fast track thanks to the arrival of upscale courses, three alone that came on the scene two years ago: Talking Rock, Canoe Creek and Tobiano — bringing the total to 13 in the Kamloops vicinity.

“With sunshine and a dry climate, golfers are going to have consistently great weather, which is a major distinction between the interior and coastal experience in British Columbia,” says Lee Morris, CEO of Tourism Kamloops. “Adding to this is the diversity of course design and topography within a very short radius.”

Driving 35-40 minutes in either direction from downtown Kamloops puts these ingredients on full display. Sun Peaks Resort offers magnificent alpine vistas. Tobiano is a stunning example of wide-open desert golf bordering the land where the Thompson River widens into Kamloops Lake, while a 325-acre lake country setting owned by the Little Shuswap Indian Band distinguishes Talking Rock Resort. And there’s even an authentic links to be found, complete with stiff breezes (at least the day I played) at Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s Rivershore.

As multi-dimensional as Kamloops’ landscape is, only about 90 minutes of flying time will land you in a much different environment: Vancouver Island where Bear Mountain, perhaps the most acclaimed golf resort in all Canada, lies 20 minutes from downtown Victoria.

This luxury mountainside community is the brainchild of founder Len Barrie, a former NHL player who managed to attract many of his former hockey colleagues to the project. In addition to the Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, this property has the distinction of being the only resort in Canada with 36 holes of Nicklaus (Jack and Steve) designed golf.

Opened in 2008, the Mountain Course takes full advantage of its setting atop a 1,100-foot mountain with dramatic elevation changes. If you’re eager to take advantage of your partner, there’s a bonus 19th betting hole (following the 14th) with a 360-degree vista of the Olympic Mountain range and Victoria. In fact, go ahead and play it whether or not you’ve got action — it’s one of the best 3-pars in Western Canada.

The shorter and lower elevated Valley Course opened its tee boxes in June 2009, and provides a bit more comfortable challenge. Water is in play on both tracks and both share that “mountain” feel, but there’s little chance you’ll feel any sense of déjà vu between them. The shot values and personalities are truly that different.

That’s a good word to describe the breadth of British Columbia golf as well — different. It’s also a great short-haul value from any location in the western states. Once you understand that a Loonie is a form of currency, not lunacy, your Canadian golf adventure won’t seem the least bit foreign. 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.