WHY PLAY?

NICKLAUS NORTH

$135

SUMMARY

If you are looking for a Canadian Golf adventure look no further than Whistler and the stunning Nicklaus North golf course which opened in 1996 to instant critical acclaim.  Jack Nicklaus-designed and inspired this masterpiece that will provide golfers with the quintessential Canadian golf experience.   Expect to see lots of Mountains, amazing elevation changes, Augusta-Esque Golf course conditions, Awe-inspiring Scenery, and even some authentic Canadian bears. Nicklaus has now been the course architect to over 150 courses throughout the world but Nicklaus North is one of only 5 courses allowed to use the Golden Bear’s Prestigous name.

Whistler is already blessed with some incredible golf with the highly-rated Big Sky and Fairmont Chateau courses right on your doorstep.  However, Nicklaus North takes your golf experience to a  whole new level with its superb conditions, stunning panoramic views of majestic snow-capped mountains, Huge fir trees, and glistening lakes.

As you truly experience the very best of Canuck nature.  Your senses are likely to be overwhelmed by the serenity of Whistler. Expect refreshing mountain air, stunning views, and an eerie silence which all combine to make this the perfect golf getaway.  Also, don’t forget about the abundance of Canadian wildlife, did I mention real bears? in this beautiful part of the world.

The Nicklaus North Golf and Country Club course is situated in Whistler Valley, just five minutes from the Whistler Resort in British Columbia. It is located in a spectacular setting only a two-hour drive north of Vancouver. Driving away from the city to Whistler is a wonderful experience in itself as the route takes you through the huge Mountain ranges and incredible scenery to your stunning destination.

The Nicklaus North course is fun to play with risk and reward possibilities on almost every tee. In traditional Nicklaus fashion, the course has generous landing areas on the fairway. Short hitters who keep it on the short stuff will find themself’s with long approaches into well-protected large greens. The green sizes are generous and putts roll fast and true.   Bigger Hitters will have the option to take the Vegas or Bust route over the water and or fairway bunkers to leave a short club into the green.  Typical of Nicklaus golf courses you will have a lot of fun but you will need to hit the correct shot in order to score.

Nicklaus North is walkable thanks to seamless routing and superb conditions.  The course lies at the bottom of the Mountain as is surprisingly flat.  Remember your camera for the scenic views and bird sanctuary that borders the course.

WHY PLAY?

BIG SKY GOLF

$159

SUMMARY

There are few better Golf Experiences in Canada than at Big Sky Golf Course.  The stunning golf course is surrounded by the massive snow-capped Mount Currie as well as an abundance of wildlife.  Amongst it all is a beautifully conditioned golf course with wonderful, elevation changes. There’s nothing quite the same as golfing in the Whistler Mountains. The air is lighter here and helps refresh your senses and clear your mind. It’s fun to take a big deep breath then line up and execute your shot in this golf oasis.

Big Sky Golf Club opened to great acclaim in 1994 and is now recognised by Score Golf as one of the top 20 public golf courses in Canada. The Course was designed by Bob Cup whose Canadian Portfolio includes many greats such as Glen Abbey venue for The Canadian Open, Deerhurst Highlands, and Mad River.

The course occupies relatively flat marshy land surrounded by huge mountains, and Cupp has used this to his advantage with water hazards and mountain vistas dominating the Big Sky experience. The views are truly out of this world’.

“On what was essentially a potato field, Cupp laid out a stunning 7001 Yard track that includes seven lakes and a serpentine creek that comes into play on many holes. Doglegs both left and right, long holes that play into the prevailing wind, strategic bunkering, and risk-reward options at every hole make Big Sky a memorable challenge.

“Tree planting was purposely kept to a minimum to preserve the incredible panoramic views of Mount Currie, which rises 2,591 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level. Stand on the long, par-4 14th tee deck and notice how your drive seems to hang suspended in air against the backdrop of this majestic mountain!

Big Sky Golf and Country Club are located about a 35-minute drive north of the Whistler resort at Pemberton. If you get there early you can experience the excellent practice facilities, Academy Course and driving range.  There are also two practice holes with multiple tees and several practice greens and bunkers.  As you would expect from a resort course the greens are decent-sized targets without a lot of movement. But the course is no pushover. It is well bunkered and water hazards are in play on 16 holes, so you need to bring your ‘A’ game to post a decent score.

Excerpted from an article in Whistler Traveller by Darryl Palmer

The signature hole at Big Sky is the 14th, a 454-yard par-four called ‘Hang Time’. As you get up to the tee enjoy the moment and take it all in.  Be sure to look up at the incredible view of the mountains surrounded by clouds that regularly get trapped in the nearby mountain tops. Now It’s time to unleash your inner beast.  Get out the big dawg and crush your drive then watch your ball suspend in mid-air then boom out into the distance!.  This is one of Canada’s great driving holes, so make sure you do yourself justice!. With water left and multiple bunkers protecting the green you’ll need to hit a good approach shot to score well.

BEAT THE COURSE TV – BIG SKY PLAYABILITY REVIEW

Rockstar Golf has Partnered with BEAT THE COURSE GOLF CHANNEL to bring you the very best Digital Experience on many of British Columbia’s amazing golf courses.  If you are looking for some spectacular video and drone footage of Big Sky and what you can expect at Big Sky then check Ben and Brett’s fun Video Log.

WHY PLAY?

FOX HARBR GOLF

$225

SUMMARY

Fox Harbr is world-class golf resort and spa situated on a peninsula near Pugwash in the north end of Nova Scotia,  The Golf Course and Deluxe Resort are owned by Ron Joyce a Canadian entrepreneur and billionaire. He co-founded the Tim Hortons doughnut chain as Tim Horton’s partner and first franchisee in 1964. After the death of Tim Horton, Ron Joyce was instrumental in establishing the Tim Horton Children’s Camps and the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation. From the time you drive through the gates of Fox Harbr expect a top-class experience.

Money was no object when developing the visually stunning Fox Harbr Resort. Joyce commissioned award-winning golf architect Graham Cooke to design the golf course. Cooke, a former amateur golfer, is the owner of Canadian Golf Designs (CGA)  who have designed approx 60 courses from coast to coast in Canada alone.

Fox Harbr opened for play in 2001 to immediate acclaim.  Cooke’s layout is essentially two loops of nine holes.  The outward nine heads away from the Ocean.  The land is relatively flat with generous fairways and intelligently bunkered with the occasional water hazard.  Cook’s routing takes you through sheltered forests, expansive wetlands and deep rock-lined lakes. The course winds its way through the wonderful East Coast landscape with its tall spruce trees and rugged terrain.

The back nine with its trademark rolling dunes and few level lies is an absolute joy to play.  The course follows along the spectacular rugged seacoast with its magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean’s Northumberland Strait.  Cooke used the natural elements of the land with its high whispy Fescue to great effect to give the course an authentic links feel.

Over the years the course has become known for being one of the best-conditioned courses in all of Nova Scotia with a layout that is friendly to low and high handicappers. Greens are generous, well-contoured, and very fast. An excellent test of golf

The category that Fox Harb’r scores a perfect ten in is in terms of service. Every staff member goes out of their way to make patrons feel welcomed and valued during their stay at the resort which epitomizes the area’s famous hospitality. Couple the exceptional service with first-class accommodations and facilities and Fox Harb’r makes for a great retreat.

You might care to warm up for your round by playing the more recently opened nine-hole par-three course which will get your short game in order before tackling its big brother next door

WHY PLAY?

GALLAGHERS CANYON

$125

SUMMARY

Gallagher’s Canyon Championship Golf Course is a classic Canadian Mountain Golf resort.  This golf oasis is framed by forested mountains, miles of orchards and Vineyards, and sits on a magnificent parcel of land high above Kelowna. The incredible landscape has almost everything you can dream of for an impressive test of golf.

Designed by Bill Robinson and Les Furber, the course plays to 6,802 yards of mountainous terrain and vistas.  This golf experience will take you out on an adventure through the beautifully manicured Ponderosa tree Lined Fairways to the very edge of the Canyon. The round ends as you head back home through the stunning Lake Okanagan hills along the famed Gallagher’s Canyon.

Gallagher’s Canyon provides a great test of golf.  Ranked among the Top 50 courses in Canada this par 72, 18-hole championship course has challenging fairways, well-protected greens, and awe-inspiring vistas. The course is complemented by some excellent practice facilities, a specialty golf shop, and a full-service clubhouse with a restaurant which makes it a fantastic choices for your post-round celebration.

BEAT THE COURSE TV – BIG SKY PLAYABILITY REVIEW

Rockstar Golf has Partnered with BEAT THE COURSE GOLF CHANNEL to bring you the very best Digital Experience of what to expect on many of British Columbia’s top golf courses.  If you are looking for some spectacular video and drone footage and what golfers should expect at Gallaghers Canyon then check out Ben and Brett’s fun Video Log.

Gallagher’s Canyon is only 15 minutes from the renowned vacation playground, Kelowna. Majestic Ponderosa Pines characterize this picturesque course,

Finding the perfect course will be a snap. “As one of Canada’s premier golf destinations, Kelowna offers golfers so much choice. Our packages offer the flexibility to pick a different course, different breweries, and different patio for dinner every day!, it’s no wonder that golf groups love coming to Kelowna.

If you are looking to build your own custom golf itinerary you can do that with our trip builder or check out our great packages.  the Kelowna boasts one of the longest, driest golf seasons in Canada. Choose from 19 fabulous courses with the amenities you’d expect of a world-class golf destination — lots of rolling fairways and plenty of challenging shots. Situated amongst aromatic apple orchards, along rocky bluffs, and with sweeping views down to Okanagan Lake, keeping your eye on the ball is just that much more challenging here.

WHY PLAY?

TOBIANO

$150

SUMMARY

Tobiano is one of 2 wonderful new golf courses that has entrenched Kamloops as a must-play destination in British Columbia, Canada. The course was designed by Canada’s renowned Golf Architect Thomas McBroom. The championship layout opened for play in 2008 to Rave Reviews and quickly became known as a destination golf course with golfers traveling to Kamloops, BC, specifically to play and experience this little piece of golf heaven.

Tobiano is located about 20 minutes west of Kamloops and opened for play in 2008.  The course quickly won many plaudits such as ‘Canada’s Best New Course’ from Golf Digest Magazine. More recently the course was rated as the 8th best course in the world by Golf Advisor.

McBroom’s masterstroke was to take advantage of the rugged benchland above Kamloops Lake to fashion a 7,328-yard course.  Built across a 1000 acres parcel of land his design will take your breath away.

BEAT THE COURSE TV – BIG SKY PLAYABILITY REVIEW

Rockstar Golf has Partnered with BEAT THE COURSE GOLF CHANNEL to bring you the very best Digital Experience of what to expect on many of British Columbia’s top golf courses.  If you are looking for some spectacular video and drone footage and what golfers should expect at Gallaghers Canyon then check out Ben and Brett’s fun Video Log.

Located just off on the Trans Canadian Highway about 25  minutes drive west of Kamloops this stunning Thomas McBroom layout integrates many natural elements to create a wonderful golf experience. McBroom has created an inspiring course that follows the beautiful landscape with wonderful Panorama views on every hole.  You can expect an amazing visual experience with stunning views of the lakes and mountains stretch from every direction. Tobiano is a golf course that will intimidate you, Inspire you, scare you, and amaze you from the intimidating first tee to the large undulating green on the final hole.

While the “wow” factor here is off the charts (every hole features a panoramic lake and mountain view), the wonderful variety, the great restaurant and patio, and the outstanding service make Tobiano the complete golf experience. It must be good as the accolades continue to mount with recognition from Golf Digest in the Top 30 Golf Venues in Canada and from SCOREGolf in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada.

McBroom Design Team provided the following:

“My first thought was just how powerful the site is from a drama and a beauty point of view. I’ve said it many times, but Tobiano has to be the best site that I’ve ever seen in terms of that beauty and that drama. With the mountains in the background, and Kamloops Lake and the fissured landscape, it is literally as good as it gets.”
– Thomas McBroom, Tobiano Architect

NOW ON THE TEE FULL REVIEW
Rockstar Golf has partnered with On The Tee Golf Blog to bring you great original content on many of Scotland’s top courses and Hidden Gems. Along with great images of the courses, we will provide links to in-depth Course reviews written by a Golfer for Golfers. TOBIANO FULL REVIEW

WHY PLAY?

THE RIDGE AT MANITOU

$100

SUMMARY

The Ridge at Manitou is a place of natural beauty and a Hidden Gem in the Muskoka area.  Designer Tom McBroom’s “out and in” layout delivers an unforgettable golf experience.  The golf course was built on a huge piece of land which adjoins a wonderful nature reserve.  Expect smooth-rolling greens, lush fairways and holes meander through the landscape. The course is fun to play.  Expect a challenging layout with lots of elevation changes, several forced carry holes, and a good mix of holes to allow golfers of all levels to enjoy. Definitely a must-play course!

The Ridge at Manitou began, as most big projects do, with a small idea posed by a group of Manitouwabing Lake cottagers several years ago. After careful planning and consultation, 300 acres of spectacular land was acquired. The kind of natural environment that excited the golfer with its pristine course and unspoiled wonders of nature alike.

The goal from the start was to create a special place, where the concepts of discretion and excellence would comfortably coexist with unpretentiousness and relaxation. The result is The Ridge at Manitou, a golf course, social centre, and nature sanctuary. Located about 20 minutes east of Parry Sound, near McKellar, The Ridge at Manitou offers its members entry into a unique world, one in which the golf course itself comprises less than half of the land, with the remaining 150 acres dedicated to preserving the rugged landscape that is home to deer, moose, black bears, wolves, great-horned owls and myriad other forms of wildlife.

To ensure that the sanctity of the environment came first, a complete environmental plan had been developed. That task was given to Michalski Nielsen Associates of Bracebridge. Course designer, Tom joined the team to create and shape an 18-hole course that would complement the land’s natural features, while providing an accessible, but also competitive, round of golf. During construction of the course, Tom and environmental expert Michael Michalski worked together to make certain the course always melded with, but never intruded upon, the natural surroundings.