Whether your Rocky Mountain golf experience consists of a casual nine holes or an exploration of many championship courses, one thing is undeniable—you won’t be disappointed by the location. “The Canadian Rockies is very much a golf destination. No matter what course they play, people are in awe,” says Canmore Golf Course pro Rick Eichele.

COURSE DESIGN
Courses in the Canadian Rockies have been designed with the majestic surroundings in mind, resulting in breathtaking views. One such example is the Banff Springs Golf Course. Designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Stanley Thompson, the Springs opened in 1928. Golfers were enthralled by optical illusions that Thompson created by placing putting greens in line with towering mountains. It appeared as if they were playing straight into the mountain itself.

When constructing the Springs course, Thompson replicated techniques he employed during the building of the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club that opened in 1925. There, complete holes are aligned with mountain peaks. Many of Thompson’s sand bunkers and water hazards at both courses mirror geological features making them appear to be part of the natural environment.

Others have followed in Thompson’s footsteps by adopting his principles of golf course design. For example, elevated tees have become a standard feature of mountain courses. These lofty perches produce dramatic views and offer satisfying moments to both casual players and serious golfers. Opened in 1998, Silvertip Golf Course in Canmore features an enormous 185 metre (600 foot) elevation change over 18 holes. This gave local golf architect Les Fuber an opportunity to showcase the course’s unique mountain terrain. Elevated tees produce incredible views of the Bow Valley’s north facing slopes.

Advantageously incorporating peaks, rocky outcrops, streams, forests and elevation change has been a trademark of Canadian Rockies golf courses built since Stanley Thompson plied his trade here. Certainly, Canmore golf architect Gary Browning made wonderful use of the natural environment when he built Stewart Creek Golf Course (opened in 2000) across the valley from Silvertip. He also paid tribute to the area’s human history by converting mine entrances into unique rain shelters and contributed to animal habitat preservation by setting aside land as wildlife corridors.

PACE OF PLAY
A hundred years ago, well-heeled tourists arrived in Banff by train for vacations that often lasted a month or more. Times have changed. Today people prefer shorter, more frequent and action packed getaways. Now the average summertime stay in Banff or Jasper is about two nights.

With many activities on golfers’ itineraries, “pace of play is a huge factor,” says Rick Eichele. “People don’t want to be out there all day.” Canadian Rockies golfers are not only looking for a great golf experience, but they want to explore everything the area has to offer. They want to spend time with their families, visit a good restaurant or go for a hike.

Mandatory golf cart use at most championship Canadian Rocky courses allows golfers to complete 18 holes within five hours and still have time to enjoy other pursuits. Big elevation gains and drops, combined with lengthy distances between greens and tees, make walking impractical at many courses in any case.

Three or four tee boxes on each hole allow courses to be played long and challenging, shorter and easier, or somewhere in between. Red tees are for casual golfers of both genders who want to reduce the pressure to ‘keep up’ by minimizing the distance from tee to green. Spacing out tee times and limiting the number of players on the course at one time also reduces waiting once play is in progress. And if all else fails, polite but firm course marshals don’t hesitate to enforce pace of play protocol.

Television Effect: The course at the Fairmont Banff Springs hosted last year's Skins game

Image © Stanley Thompson Course at the Fairmont Banff Springs

THE LITTLE EXTRAS
Green fees at better Canadian Rockies courses can be expensive, and operators know that all aspects of their courses must be top-notch so golfers walk away feeling that their golf experience has been a good value. Impressing players and earning return visits cements the region’s reputation as a premier golf destination. So courses in the Rockies provide extra services and continually improve their facilities.

The Kananaskis Country Golf Course offers free valet parking upon arrival. Players at the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club get their clubs washed before and after their round. At Silvertip, golf carts are equipped with an Uplink GPS that relays distance to the pin—the system also serves notice that the snack shack is two holes away and allows players to place advance orders for food. On site at St. Eugene Mission Golf Resort near Kimberley, BC, is the Casino of the Rockies, providing golfers additional opportunities for play.

“The whole experience has to be great. The quality of the restaurants has to match the quality of the course,” says Stewart Creek golf pro Clinton Schmaltz. Accordingly, a 15,000 square foot alpine-inspired clubhouse at Stewart Creek debuts this summer. At Silvertip, new Timbers Clubhouse is one of the largest timber frame structures built in Canada in over half a century. Golfers and non-golfers alike can enjoy the cobblestone patios, fireplaces and soaring interiors at Stoney’s Grill, The Wine Cave and Rustica, where ‘mountain wilderness fusion’ cuisine is featured Wednesdays through Sundays.

THE TELEVISION EFFECT
According to a 2006 Ipsos Reid report, golf participation in Canada has increased by almost 16 per cent since 2001—our country now has one of the highest golfer per capita rates in the world. These new golfers are joining the sport in an age when golf superstars can be seen plying their trade all the time on TV. No wonder golfer expectations today differ from 10 years ago.

“Television has definitely made a huge impact,” says Marc Lilley, assistant manager of Silvertip. “Players are very specific in what they’re looking for. They expect what they see on TV.” The challenge for Canadian Rockies course managers is that their customers’ expectations are based on the highest-ranked courses (usually in great condition), played by the world’s best golfers.

Fortunately, the Canadian Rockies provide the raw materials for golf courses with world class potential. Talented architects from Stanley Thompson to Robert Trent Jones, Sr (builder of the Kananaskis Country Golf Course) to Les Fuber have successfully sculpted challenging courses of unsurpassed beauty within these mountains. Professional managers invest the manpower, money and know-how to keep the championship courses in good shape and provide an exceptional standard of services.

Seasoned players with high expectations discover that each Canadian Rockies course has unique and attractive attributes and provides a golf experience they can’t get at home. Meanwhile, courses continually improve their product to cater to the needs of all players, from casual golfers travelling with families to demanding veterans looking for the golf experience of a lifetime. It’s a potent combination that allows the Canadian Rockies to be a golfing destination of choice.