News and notes from Alberta’s golf destination
(ALBERTA, CANADA) – Beginning late this month through early October, travelers headed to Canadian Rockies golf courses will see abundant color lining its famed fairways. The Canadian Rockies Golf Consortia (CRG) selected their favorite holes that feature fantastic foliage on its Canadian Rockies Fall Hotlist:
Hole #14, Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course: This par-4, 440-yard hole named Wampum intersperses deciduous with evergreen trees, and offers a spectacular view of the baronial castle-like hotel in the distance. Late-day sun gives this favorite hole a particular glow, surrounded by abundant color.
Hole #4, Mt. Kidd at Kananaskis Country Golf Course: The most photographed hole in Kananaskis Country is a 197-yard, par 3 stunner. The large green appears receptive from the elevated tee, but you will need to take wind and altitude (at 5,000 ft. above sea level) into consideration when determining which club you choose (one less, if you take our recommendation). The backdrop of Mt. Lorette, coupled by the contrasting colors of the evergreens and poplars make this shot even more stunning than normal.
Hole #13, Silvertip Golf Course: The blue tee box is elevated on this par-4, 399-yard hole, which brings the majestic Three Sisters clearly into view. Director of Operations Jason Guyitt recommends a straight tee shot that will heads towards a hill with bunkers to the left and right, providing perfect positioning for an easier 80-90 yard chip shot uphill. “It’s a great hole, but even better view,” he says.
Hole #10, Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club: Named Bighorn, the 407-yard par 4 provides an exceptional autumn atmosphere with abundant aspens towards the green. The elevated tee shot has a grand view of the lush green and wide 10th fairway with the contrasting snow capped Pigeon mountain in the background, definitely photo worthy.
Hole #9, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: The 231-yard par 3 named Cleopatra has abundant color from the native aspen trees to the right side of the fairway in September.
Hole #16, Canmore Golf and Curling Club: The 444-yard par 4 is lined by trees that produce bright yellows and oranges in fall.
Photography of selected holes can be downloaded by clicking here:
http://rcpt.yousendit.com/923530153/81adb7c88dba607ef4f2bfc7020f776b
Dave Barr Visits Kananaskis, Silvertip Hires New Head Golf Pro, and other Notes
• Silvertip welcomes new Head Golf Professional Travis Mann this month. A native of Nelson, BC, Travis graduated from Lethbridge’s Professional Golf Management program and comes to Silvertip from Granite Point Golf Club, where he has served since 2004.
• Kananaskis Country’s Bob Paley was awarded Club Professional of the Year for 2010 by SCOREGolf. Kananaskis General Manager Darren Robinson said of Paley, “He has a special gift when it comes to dealing with people and making them feel extremely good about themselves and what they are trying to accomplish.”
• If golf produces gentleman of humility and service, Canada’s greatest achiever might be Dr. Clarence Guenter. A Canmore Golf and Curling Club Member, Dr. Guenter, plays more than 100 rounds per year at the club and was recently awarded one of Canada’s Highest Honors: The Order of Canada, given to those who have an outstanding level of talent and service, and have made an exceptional contribution to Canada and humanity. We congratulate him on a well-deserved accolade.
• Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and 12-time Tour champion David Barr visited Kananaskis Country Golf Course recently – an old stomping ground during his Tour years. “The hospitality,” said Barr, “is still second to none. It’s just great.”
• The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge will open its new Spa this fall, with features inspired by its surrounding rivers, woods, mountains and waterfalls. The 10,000 sq. ft. facility will include 10 treatment rooms and a large great room for relaxing between services.
• Silvertip’s Rustica Steakhouse was honored with a 2010 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The Award recognizes worldwide restaurants with excellent wine lists/cellars and a dedication to food and wine pairing.
About Canadian Rockies Golf
To view the stunning topography, vacation options and learn more about the area visit www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca. Website visitors can view stay-and-play packages or request custom quotes for trips and packages or they may call 877.323.3633 for more information.
The critical acclaim and extraordinary attributes of the six members of the destination – “Canadian Rockies Golf: Historic. Dramatic. Untamed.” – include:
1. Canmore Golf and Curling Club (www.canmoregolf.net, 888.678.4785)
• Valley-based property requires players use all clubs in their bag, narrow fairways challenge all levels of golfers
• Tree-lined course, friendly community atmosphere provides intimacy and camaraderie
• Located at base of Bow Valley, glacier-fed streams lace through course
2. The Fairmont Banff Springs (www.fairmont.com/banffsprings, 800.441.1414)
• Historical course and castle-like hotel with regal ambiance, award-winning Willow Stream Spa and exquisite resort amenities
• 27 holes of golf – 18 Stanley Thompson-designed holes including the 200-yard, par-3 Devil’s Cauldron, 147 bunkers, and the 9-hole Tunnel Course
• Panoramic beauty, picturesque-mountain setting nestled between Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle; Situated in Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Golf Digest “Top 5 Resort in North America,” “Best 25 International Golf Hotels” and “Best 100 Courses Outside the USA” ; GOLF Magazine “Top 3 Golf Course in Canada”
3. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (www.fairmont.com/jasper, 800.441.1414)
• Widely regaled as one of the world’s best resort courses, featuring the “wild side of the Rockies” – elk, caribou, coyote, bear and wolves inhabit the national park
• Designed by Stanley Thompson, the 18 holes carve contours at the feet of mountains
• Located in the heart of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Golf Digest “Best 100 Courses Outside the USA”
• GOLF Magazine “Top 3 Lodging in Canada” and “Top 3 Golf Course in Canada”
4. Kananaskis Country Golf Course (www.kananaskisgolf.com, 877.591.2525)
• Robert Trent Jones Sr. exquisitely designed courses, situated in Kananaskis Country
• 36 holes played beneath breathtaking Mt. Lorette and Mt. Kidd, after which the courses are respectively named
• Features immaculate lush fairways, famed island-like 4th green on Mt. Kidd course, 140+ silica sand bunkers and the cascading Kananaskis River
• SCORE Golf! “Top 5 Best Public Courses to Play”
5. Silvertip Golf Resort (www.silvertipresort.com, 877.877.5444)
• Home course of PGA Tour Member and 2006 Players Champion Stephen Ames
• Golf Digest rated 4 ½ stars and lauded for environmental sensitivity and maintenance practices
• 600 feet of elevation change, including dramatic par-4 18th with extreme altitude drop from tee to fairway, fairway to green
• 2009 Golf Digest Environmental Leader Award
6. Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club (www.stewartcreekgolf.com/golf, 877.993.GOLF)
• Golf Digest rated 4 ½ stars
• Surrounded by the spellbinding Three Sisters Mountains, practically close enough to touch during play
• Audubon-certified course preserves habitat for plentiful wildlife
• SCORE Golf! “Top 5 Best Public Courses to Play”
Contact:
Dan Shepherd
Buffalo Communications
703.403.5317
dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
Tweets by CanRockies
Janeen Driscoll
910.690.9711
jdriscoll@buffalocommunications.com
