Fresh Golf Ideas in British Columbia

With well over 180 courses ranging from true desert to Rocky Mountain settings, British Columbia is now at the forefront of golf in North America.

In fact, BC was recently named as the Undiscovered Golf Destination of 2004 by the prestigious International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) global golf tour operators association. With moderate climate, challenging courses and spectacular scenery all around, BC is truly the place to play.

The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), with representatives from 64 countries worldwide, is a tough group to impress.

When they assess a golf destination, they take a long hard look at attractiveness of the region and of the courses; golf course quality and accessibility; standard of accommodation; friendliness of the staff; value for money; speed of play; and climate.

In the category of "Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year" for 2004 the nominees included Oregon, Costa Rica, Austria, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Pennsylvania, Gran Canaria Spain and the Gold Coast of Australia. It was British Columbia, however, that claimed the prestigious award.

For more information, call (800) HelloBC or visit these web sites: www.bcgolfing.com and www.HelloBC.com.

Sea to Tee in Beautiful Howe Sound
Scenic Horseshoe Bay, a half hour outside of Vancouver at the western terminus of the Trans-Canada Highway, marks the starting point of the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.

It is here that the Sewell Marina, a gorgeous bay on Howe Sound, offers the point of debarkation for an unforgettable hour-long Sea to Tee eco-tour to BC's most scenic golf course, Furry Creek.

At Sewell's Marina, golfers board the 28-foot inflatable craft for a guided tour of the wonders of Howe Sound - including Christie Inlet, a half-acre national bird sanctuary where up to 24 different bird species such as eagles, herons, surf birds and oyster catchers can be seen basking in the sun.

On this tour, guests are sure to indulge in stunning mountain views while passing within a few feet of the west side of Anvil Island and its 900-foot sheer granite cliff.

The memorable voyage ends at Furry Creek's signature hole, docking by the 14th green that juts out into the Sound at its deepest point, over 1,000 feet. There, golf carts with guests' clubs are ready for the round. After the game, the golfers/eco-tourists are transported back to Horseshoe Bay. The fee is $149 Cdn, which includes the eco-tour boat ride, golf, power cart and return transportation.

For more information, call (888) 922-9462 or visit www.sewellsmarina.com or www.golfbc.com.

Masterful New Course at Garibaldi Springs
The modern game of golf is evolving in two distinct directions - bigger and smaller. As many new courses stretch to well over 7,000 yards, other new courses are taking the approach that bigger is not necessarily better.

A classic example is the new Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort just north of Squamish on the Sea to Sky Highway. Designed by celebrated Canadian architect Les Furber, the Springs plays to just 4,700 yards and a par of 64.

But Garibaldi is not to be confused with the traditional "executive" short courses. This unique 18-hole course - the front nine opens for play in July 2004 - is a 'mid-length championship' or 'master' concept. Conceived by Canmore, Alberta-based Furber, Garibaldi is designed and conditioned to 'championship' standards with tree-lined fairways and water on 14 holes including two salmon-bearing creeks.

The front nine is on gentle terrain and is easily walked, while the back nine climbs into the slope and is suited to a power cart. Each nine, both the walkable and the rideable, have five par 4s and four par 3s. Garibaldi is a course of the future, but playable today.

For more information, call (866) 441-4747 or visit www.garibaldispringsgolfresort.com.

The Bear finds a Mountain Home
When the best hockey players in the world get together in the summer, they like to play golf. A group of National Hockey League players decided a couple of years ago that they wanted to play on their own course.

Naturally, as professionals at the highest level of their game, they turned to the best in the game of golf -- Jack Nicklaus -- to design their summer playground just outside Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island.

The result is one of the most dramatic, challenging and beautiful new courses in BC. In its first full season, Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club - designed by Jack and his son Steve - is a top candidate for Best New Course in Canada in all the major magazine polls.

The spectacular course and housing project sits at the top of a 1,100-ft. mountain, and encompasses over 1,000 acres. It's unique "19th hole" is a stunning par 3 on a cliff-side ledge that commands views of the entire provincial capital. The rave reviews are in, all's that's left is the awards.

For more information, call (866) 391-6100 or visit www.bearmountaingolf.com.

Greywolf is the Name of the Game
Since it opened to rave reviews in 1999, the Greywolf Golf Course at Panorama Mountain Village has attracted golfers from all over the world. Now, golf fans the world over can play Greywolf without leaving their homes.

For 2004, the most popular computer golf game Links has added Greywolf to its roster of championship courses. The only Canadian course on the Xbox game system, Greywolf Golf Course is in very heady company with Oakmont (USA), Loch Lomond (Scotland), Superstition Mountain (USA) and the home of golf, the old course at St Andrews (Scotland) on Links 2004.

Players will be absolutely astounded with the meticulous attention to detail in the game. In fact, the entire Greywolf course was precisely measured with lasers - right down to the tee markers and ball washers - so players will enjoy the spectacular Doug Carrick design and the surrounding Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges virtually as it appears to players lucky enough to actually travel to Panorama.

And, while many players will choose Tiger Woods as their alter-ego in Links 2004, in tribute to Canada's first Links course and Canada's first Masters Champion, players can also take on Greywolf as Canada's own Mike Weir.

For more information, call (800) 663-2929 or visit www.panoramaresort.com.

Makeover Magic at Hazelmere
Long before the makeover craze hit reality television, a multi-million dollar makeover was already under way at one of BC's most popular golf courses, Hazelmere. The ambitious project has transformed the beautiful course in South Surrey, just north of the U.S. border, making it more challenging and playable than ever.

The six-year makeover and renovation was accomplished with little interruption in play. Two extra holes were built first then the renovations began two holes at a time, so there were always 18 holes available for Hazelmere's loyal players.

The mammoth project was completed in time for this season and includes the addition of a grass tee driving range with target greens that is more than 300 yards deep and 170 yards wide.

For More Information call 604-538-1818 or visit www.hazelmere.com.

The Penny drops in the Kootenays
The Columbia River Valley between the Rockies and the Purcell mountain ranges in southeastern BC is blessed with stunning scenery and spectacular golf courses including Greywolf, Eagle Ranch, The Springs, Golden, and Riverside. Now there's another new course to add to this impressive lineup - Copper Point in Invermere.

Designed by celebrated Canadian Gary Browning, Copper Point reflects the Calgary native's reverence for golf's traditions. Surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountainscapes in the Kootenay Rockies region, Copper Point is an instant classic, a par 70 course tracing the valley floor. It plays to 6,807 yards from the back of four tee boxes, 4,945 yards from the forward tees. Allowing the flow of the land to dictate the layout of the holes, the designers have fashioned a beguiling and challenging test of golf.

Although in only its first full season, Copper Point has the look and feel of an established, old-style golf course, and is already on BC's "must play" list of courses.

For More Information call (877) 418-4653 or visit www.copperpointgolf.com.

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