Shuswap Golf Vacation- Your Next BC golf Destination

Frequent travelers familiar with the Shuswap golf region in British Columbia’s interior have certainly become accustomed to the sights and sounds associated with activities on its many lakes.

There is however, a burgeoning industry segment within the Shuswap these days, one that thrives when visitors elect to keep their feet planted on terra firma. While many are familiar with golf as a recreational past time across the province’s interior, the quality of golf in the region has always provided an entertaining experience. And now, it can boast a handful of full-length, championship layouts that will ensure the Shuswap will be identified as a stand-alone destination for golfers.

“Years ago, people liked to play golf in our area, but it seemed they were passing through to a different region,” explains Bill Wilson, Director of Golf and General Manager at the Hyde Mountain on Mara Lake Golf Course near Sicamous. “Mostly, these folks were traveling to or from the Okanagan Valley.”

Wilson, the former head teaching professional at the Salmon Arm Golf Club prior to moving over to Hyde Mountain, has seen growth in the Shuswap region over the years and is pleased to see the number of championship layouts increase.

Canoe Creek, which is a stones throw from the Salmon Arm Golf Club, and Talking Rock Resort near Chase are the new golf courses in the area. To further profile golf-related activities, the new facilities joined forces with three established Shuswap region courses to form a group that has embarked on a what all concerned hope will be a mutually rewarding working relationship.

Brian O’Keefe, the Head Professional at Shuswap Lake Estates Golf and Country Club for the past seven years, agrees with Wilson. He also points out the responsibility associated with attracting more golfers to the area.

Shuswap Lake Estates Golf and Country Club is an 18-hole layout that recently played host to the B.C. Junior Girls Championship. Shuswap Lake Estates is more of a traditional design and is indeed a treat to play. The golf course sets up well for the skilled player and also those relatively new to the game. Proper tee selection is important, the course will test your game, and perhaps taunt you with several risk reward experiences for the longer hitter. According to O’Keefe, a concerted effort by the crew at Shuswap Lake Estates over the past half dozen years has been very successful in speeding up the pace of the huge putting surfaces. If you have driven past the property at Blind Bay, perhaps its time to place this course on the 2009 hit list.

Course conditions have never been cause for major concern in the area. In fact, the Salmon Arm Golf Club, which is also home to a 9-hole executive course, has frequently hosted provincial and national events. Salmon Arm is a great test for any golfer. Teeing off sets up a day where it is you and the golf course.

Salmon Arm's fairways are tree-lined, resulting in a day on the links where you will seldom see other golfers. Absent is the clutter of a residential component, which is commonplace at many new facilities. Be prepared for demanding approach shots that will require accurate judgment and club selection. Many of the greens are two-tiered, challenging you even after you have managed a respectable tee shot. If you are coming from the big city, the quaint Salmon Arm Golf Club will be a real treat.

Hyde Mountain on Mara Lake Golf Course will provide ample opportunity to immerse yourself in the lake and mountain vistas of the Shuswap region. Hyde Mountain would be a certain contender for the title of British Columbia's most scenic golf course. Jaw-dropping lake views, elevation changes and lush turf conditions complement this championship layout.

The fourth hole is a drop of eye candy for everyone; a four hundred foot drop, that is. Ask yourself if you’re feeling lucky with driver in hand, or do you opt for a more conservative play? Shot placement is important at Hyde Mountain, the par 3’s are not necessarily gifts, and the greens will require a keen touch to ensure favorable putting statistics. Alas, you may very well find yourself somewhat distracted by the panoramic vantage points you’ll witness.

Talking Rock Resort, the pride of the Little Shuswap Indian Band, near Chase, BC is centrally located between Salmon Arm and Kamloops. The course was designed by Cooke Carlton International and built along Little Shuswap Lake.

The number of tee boxes available makes Talking Rock an ideal course for new players looking to experience a longer course with their seasoned playing partners. Paired with on-site accommodation Talking Rock Resort and Quaaout Lodge is a perfect destination for any guest yearning for a golf weekend getaway.

The Canoe Creek Golf Course brings you a bit of the British Isles, offering more than 7,000 yards of open fields, grass-faced bunkers, very playable greens and striking water features. Look for creeks, waterfalls, fountains and natural marshes, with fescue defining many of the fairways. The Dave Barr-design allows you to hit driver off the tee in some situations, while a more conservative club selection is required in others. Avoiding the many pot bunkers scattered strategically throughout the golf course is a good idea. Subtle undulations add to the challenge of negotiating these spectacular and immaculate greens.