ALBERTA, CANADA – The seven courses and six partners of the Canadian Rockies Golf Consortia saw an increase in rounds, stay-and-play packages in 2010, the group reports. Destination booking agents are also seeing an uptick in early U.S. inquiries for 2011 travel.
“In a soft economy, golfers choose the Canadian Rockies because they know a quality experience awaits,” said Gordon Schultz, Consortia spokesperson and proprietor of Golf Canada’s West. “We continue to be a must-see, bucket-list destination for international golf travelers who love the natural beauty, history and variety found here.”
Golf Canada’s West saw stay and play packages rise over 40% from 2009 bookings. “While golfers – particularly from the U.S. – are trending towards shorter stays, they are planning more of them, or returning for a second visit,” said Schultz.
The destination garnered key awards in 2010 that increased its exposure value and further solidified its leaderboard status. SCOREGolf awarded The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge as the Best Golf Resort in Canada, and recognized The Fairmont Banff Springs, Kananaskis Country Golf Course and Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club in their Top 100 rankings.
GOLF Magazine also lauded the destination as Best in Canada in February, and featured the abundant golf, outdoor adventure and lifestyle options available for travelers.
In addition, two professionals in the destination received “Professional of the Year” awards for their excellence in service, merchandising and leadership. Kananaskis Country Golf Course head professional Bob Paley won the Canadian Club Professional of the Year from the Canadian PGA early in the year; followed by Alan Carter, director of golf of The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, who received the Professional of Year award from the PGA of Alberta.
The award announcements coincided with increases in phone volume for package rate quotes.
Prompted by an increase in early 2011 inquiries and bookings, the destination will not change its rates for several popular packages on its website, http://www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca, including its best seller, the Heritage Classic. The package offers a five-day/four-round value starting at $1,749 CDN with golf in Kananaskis Country, Banff Springs and Canmore.
Individual properties within the consortia are also anticipating a robust 2011. The Fairmont Banff Springs will celebrate 100 years of organized golf in 2011. Canmore Golf & Curling Club began course upgrades this past fall, thanks to a $100,000 regional grant. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge recently opened its new Spa, and is offering a variety of golfer services to complement their playing experience.
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
