Kootenay Golf RV Trip - July 2010

Tired of the Regular Golf Stay and Plays? Try an RV Golf Trip to the Kootenays. A Kootenay Golf RV Adventure, Ross Marrington – Owner of BCgolfguide.com did just that this past July for an eight day tour from Christina Lake to Crawford Bay. This trip was actually planned for 2009 however all intentions were thrown into the meat grinder, as a house and office move kyboshed our plans into 2010. One can appreciate nine-plus years of crap in ones house to sift through, sort, keep and ditch. I am so glad we purged that garage!

On to golf! We choose Kelowna RV as our rental company and booked a 26-foot motor home. Rentals of these units depending on size and features do tend to get pricey. Our rig for the nine nights, including insurance, gas, mileage overage and, oh yes, gas – did I mention that? The tally came in around $3300. Certainly the main expenditure for us, however once you stock with food you are basically set. Just keep in mind the RV sites that provide power and water service can run you $25 to $37 a night.
The rig had 3 sleeping areas, the main eating table folded down, the back bedroom compartment and the overhead bunk above the driver/passenger seats. From the experience and this setup, 2 couples that are long time friends would probably be the best setup or a family of golfers (4) even better.

We embarked on Saturday July 10th and made way for Christina Lake, with a scheduled stop for two nights at the Cascade Cove camp ground and RV Park. Located just five minutes from the Christina Lake Golf and Country Club, it was ideal, and we could walk down to the river for a refreshing dip after 18 holes. I have to admit, the last time I played CL was probably 1994 with my memory a tad weak on the layout of holes. The black shlag bunkers are a unique feature and amazingly quite enjoyable to hit out of. I expected the coarseness to give me ample grief. We had a nice start to the round on the Sunday complete with a greeting from the resident deer on hole number seven. (Have a complete view of the Christina Lake Photo Gallery below.) And thanks to Kevin and Tyler for hosting the day. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196662&id=579586897&l=01dae91a37

Monday July 12 – We traveled through Castlegar, Nelson, Balfour and arrived at the free ferry service which connects the communities of Balfour and Crawford Bay. Today was the only rainy day of the trip and given the brief 25-minute wait for the vessel and approximately 35-minute ride, the weather did not dampen anyone’s spirits. For those who have been weaned in the city, get out and visit the Kootenays. This is why they say BC is the most beautiful place on earth. Its green, mountainous, clean lakes, no smog, a place where you feel so far removed. A B.C. resident can boast, “this is my home”.

Just a brief 10-minute drive after departing the ferry, we arrived at the Kokanee Chalets. This resort was once owned by the parent company that currently owns and operates Kokanee Springs Golf Resort. We hunkered down for two more nights. That afternoon we meet up with General Manager Greg Garbula for a tour of the future plans of Kokanee Springs. Within five minutes we were treated to a mom and baby fawn prancing around the parking lot.

Greg explained the future developments that will include condos over looking hole #18 and a planned Whiskey Distillery. Yeah baby! Plenty of upgrades have occurred in the last few years, featuring rock walls around some the tee-boxes, complete with plaques from previous and diehard fans that make their annual pilgrimage to Kokanee Springs. Some groups have exceeded their 20-year anniversary golf trips!

On Tuesday we teed off with two members that actually reside in Calgary. I felt fortunate to have some local knowledge at hand. Kokanee, simply put, is one beautiful, lush layout with just enough elevation change and routing of the holes to set you up for a perfect day. It’s a Norman Woods Design, who trained under the Stanley Thompson, the designer of such famous course as Jasper Park Lodge and Banff Springs. The front nine was not so kind to me with a triple on the par 3, second hole, but with a strong back nine of 41, my score was 87. I was very pleased for my very first play.

Retreating back to the Chalets for lunch, the afternoon hot tub was a welcome amenity. We had a great conversation with others travelling from as far away as Queensland, Australia. Lots of superb photos may be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196665&id=579586897&l=61b9833117

A side trip later that day took us to Riondel Golf Club – a very quaint nine hole course about 20 minutes up the road. You will really get a good kick at the photos; take note how small the green is in the one photo with the two brothers in the foreground. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196723&id=579586897&l=8a28207023

On July 14th we headed back across the ferry to beautiful blue clear skies. We toured up highway to Ainsworth Hot Springs, a real drawing card in the area for all tourists. Entry fees were $35 for the three of us, a family rate. The main pool was a comfy 80-ish degrees, a dunk pool with a crisp 57 degrees to get your blood flowing, and the cavern pool where you can venture into the hillside where the natural springs drip all around you, ranging from 88 to about 103 degrees. A neat experience.

From here we journeyed about another 20 minutes north to the small town of Kaslo. What a pleasant surprise to make a spontaneous decision to eat at the Kaslo Golf Club. This is a neat spot and I am envious of the members. The clubhouse is situated above the town with views of mountains and Kootenay Lake. The course is well manicured as the photos show. The dining was second to none! Homemade soups, fresh baked breads, organic and almost exclusively grown fruits and vegetables. I had the Greek platter of calamari and dolmades, which tasted better than many authentic Greek restaurants I have been too. To cap off the early evening, two moose were cruising by the ninth fairway. Alas, they were just too far away to get a decent photo. Do peak at these images, you have no idea how much these pictures show off how pretty the area and course is…
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196691&id=579586897&l=2feae85ed7

We headed back to Balfour and spent the night in a quite area right around the corner from the Balfour Golf Course. That night I was blown away, as you do not realize how much the city lights affect the ability to really star gaze. The sky lit up like a Christmas tree of white lights, teeming with intensity. This was really cool, and two shooting stars inside three minutes was a treat. Too bad my wish for a hole-in-one the next day did not happen.

My wife and I arrived at the Proshop to a warm greeting from Brad Woods who promptly set us up and told us to play holes one and two, then whip back and pick up the coffee that was perking. That was a good cup of joe!
I love Balfour, the front and back nines definitely oppose each other for layout (front opened in 1990 and the back nine in 2000, but I must say, play this course and have fun. I must be playing favorites here, but probably something to do with my 81. Two three-putts on the front nine, a lost ball on 17th and three-putt on 18, I was very pleased with the game. Enjoy the numerous photos of Balfour at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196677&id=579586897&l=3d5fb44782

We enjoyed breakfast at the club and paid a visit to the Kootenay Lake View Lodge, an ideal and perfect headquarters for a trip in this immediate area. Contact us on well priced mid-week stay and play packages, and try to make your trip a Monday to Thursday, for about $575 for 4 nights, 4 rounds, carts and taxes inc.

Thursday July 15 – we ventured towards Nelson for a tour of Granite Point Golf Club – perched above the city with views to die for. It’s a course you will truly appreciate a power cart on. Jamie and Noel were gracious and took us on a tour to show us the layout. We ventured up to the high point of the property on the back nine and snapped several photos. Quite the active course with members coming and going constantly as we were in the clubhouse. There is a distinct charm to living away from the big city, being a member of club where one is not fighting for decent tee times and annual costs are not a shot to the arm. The club also has a tennis court for those that enjoy a diversion from the dimpled ball. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196682&id=579586897&l=6ef4f9b94d

Onward ho to the Nelson Municipal Camp Ground, just minutes from town via a healthy walk, this spot was fine for the one night planned. I would not make this spot a long term headquarters. It’s a tad tight from site to site with minimal green spaces for each RV or tent site. The main building with washer, dryer, internet and washrooms was very well maintained. Having wireless at all the campsite was a big plus for BCgolfguide.com to stay connected and respond to customer questions and inquires.

July 16th, Friday it was time to head towards Castlegar where we were excited to stay and play at the Castlegar Golf Club. General Manager Brian Miller hosted us with a nice RV spot for two nights, superior washroom facilities and the hosts Don and Marlene Wallace were extremely helpful as our spot was just across the road from their portable summer home. Friday afternoon we played nine holes then another 18 holes Saturday morning.

The course was preparing for the 2010 BC Amateur; hence the rough was just that! And greens firming up over the previous week, with a lot of slope on this course, the putting posed some challenges but certainly not to the extent of a “Furberized” greens that many of us have played. I am amazed that young Adam Svensson, who at age 16 (the youngest BC Amateur Champ) averaged an amazing two-under-par for his four rounds of golf. Definitely a course that requires well struck tee shots and approaches to keep the ball below the hole. This is a great course and can see why it has a solid base of member play. Be sure to have pancake breakfast if you are hungry, two gigantic flapjacks to see you thru 18 holes.

We really enjoyed the Saturday round as we paired up with a member and his friend. We had a fun golf game that consisted of a Snake, Camel, Gorilla, Frog cards. As you can imagine a three-putt earns you a snake, bunker a camel, OB a gorilla, and frog should you go in the drink. Whoever ends up with the most cards is considered “not the winner” – one can put any kind of monetary value to this game. We all had some great laughs, and this is what made the golf trip really memorable. Playing with member, learning a little bit about the locals and area and the kindness and friendship that spawns from a simple game where you pair up with complete strangers. Thanks Brian Miller and Pat Biln for everything. Check out a great collection of images at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196684&id=579586897&l=a197d3c874