By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Where Doug Carrick goes, great golf courses normally follow.

So the fact Carrick is making a return visit to British Columbia is wonderful news for golfers. Carrick is arguably Canada’s pre-eminent golf course architect and has been hired to do a rebuild of what is now Granite Pointe Golf Club in Nelson.

The new course — tentatively called The Dodger — will be the centrepiece of a new resort called Hallõ Nelson. The course will be the first Canadian layout to be managed by Troon Golf.

Talking Rock (Shown Here) Along With Nk’Mip Canyon Desert And St. Eugene Are Just Three Of A Growing Number Of Indigenous Facilities In The Province - Image Credit Talking Rock

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

CHASE -- It opened quietly without much fanfare back in 2007, this golf course built by a small Indian band with big dreams. Initially, Talking Rock Golf Course seemed to almost get lost amid some of the more high-profile courses that were opening at the time in British Columbia.

“Talking Rock was one of those projects that was a bit under the radar because it was being developed at about the same time Tobiano (near Kamloops) was,” says golf architect Wayne Carleton, who along with Graham Cooke designed Talking Rock for the Little Shuswap Indian Band. “Tobiano was getting all the raves.”

But a funny thing has happened in the nearly 15 years since Talking Rock welcomed its first players. It has gone from being a course many had not heard of to being one nearly everyone wants to play. It is not a stretch to suggest that Talking Rock, located on the south shore of Little Shuswap Lake, is regarded by many as one of British Columbia’s top resort courses.

image courtesy golfinbritishcolumbia.com

Golf in British Columbia have put together some amazing packages for golf trips in BC. Please take some time to check out the information and terrific golf destinations that British Columbia has to offer below.

There is no better time to explore and enjoy golf in BC than right now.

No Word If These Bears Had An Official Tee Time At Whistler GC, But They Are Okay For Social Distance Rules As They're From The Same Family -   Image Courtesy TripAdvisor.com/Traveller photo submitted by Navigator664564 (Aug. 2016)

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

British Columbia golf resorts that rely heavily on tourist traffic are hoping the provincial government will soon give the all-clear for non-essential travel.

“The golf course is in great shape, the bears are running around like crazy,” says Alan Kristmanson, the longtime general manager and director of golf at Whistler Golf Club. “Everybody who is playing here is having a great time. We’re ready, for sure.”

Fairmont Chateau Whistler's Signature Hole - All Images Courtesy Facility

BANFF, Alberta — GOLF Magazine, one of the world’s leading golf media companies, named three Fairmont Hotels and Resorts in Canada’s Western Mountain Region — Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and Fairmont Banff Springs — to its list of the Top 100 Resorts in North America for 2019/2020.

Selections were made by GOLF Magazine editors based upon feedback from GOLF Magazine readers, course ranking panelists and personal experience. All three properties were recognized in the all-around excellence category, with Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club taking the #3 ranking.

The City Of Vernon's Courses Are Working Together To Market The Area As A Golf Destination - Image Courtesy Spallumcheen GC

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

VERNON -- Myles Johnson is proud to call Vernon home. It’s where Johnson was born and raised, where he learned to golf and where he has spent more than 20 years in the golf industry. So it’s probably safe to say no one was happier than Johnson, the head professional of Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club, when Vernon-area golf courses recently formed a consortium to market themselves as a golf destination.

“I love it,” Johnson says. “I think for too long we have been trying to do things on our own and we end up being lost in the Kelowna-Okanagan shuffle. I think by doing things together we are going to let people know what we have and give ourselves better exposure.”

BC’s mountain-framed southeast corner is home to over 25 championship Kootenay Rockies golf courses - including many award winners. Many of the courses in this mountain-covered region make perennial appearances on Canada’s Top-100 list - but then, there is something special about playing golf in the mountains.

Maybe it's the rarefied mountain air, the views, dramatic elevation changes, spectacular scenery, wildlife, or an away-from-it-all atmosphere - whatever it is, playing golf in the Kootenay Rockies is a must for any golfer. 

KIMBERLEY, British Columbia (Gord Montgomery/iG) — At first glance this assignment seems pretty pale in comparison to some other tests you may have undertaken. After all, the first hole at the Kimberley Golf Club is a par 4 measuring out at only 290 yards from the tips. I mean, how hard can that be?

And then one step further down the scenic fairways, this whole track is compressed into less than 6,300 yards. So basically, it’s a walk in the park, right?

Well, maybe not so much.

CRANBROOK, British Columbia (Gord Montgomery/iG) — As of right now, St. Eugene Golf Resort is seen by many as a two-dimensional recreational area, a golf course, and a casino. That’s about to change though, thanks to the vision of the property’s new CEO, Barry Zwueste.

The new head honcho wants to take this area — set amongst some of nicest backdrops anywhere in B.C. — to hew heights by expanding on the services offered and by partnering with other facilities in the area to grow the interest of travellers by building off a great golf course and the popular casino.

by Bryan Outram

Long known as a romantic retreat and tropical playground, the Hawaiian Islands certainly offer tremendous options for the entire family as well, making this a great vacation destination able to suit the desires of all ages and family members.

The golf course at Shadow Mountain has been sold to a buyers' group out of Edmonton.

The Columbia Valley Golf Trail is home to eight golf courses located between Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs in the Columbia Valley region of British Columbia.

The Trail’s spectacular courses each offer unique golf experiences – from charming to world class and all within a 35 minute drive.

by Sue Kernaghan - written for Tourism British Columbia

How's this for a golf getaway? You, your clubs and your favourite foursome travel the world, sampling the game in its myriad forms.