DISCSPRING/SUMMER 2014 VER GOLF OPENING SHOTS Season brings new challenges in Alberta, B.C. and the U.S. REBUILDING EFFORT TIME FOR A TUNE-UP Helpful tips to lengthen your drive and sharpen your putting A DIRECTED EDITORIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD’S SPECIAL PROJECTS DEPARTMENT Discover-Golf-2014.indd 1 14-03-31 12:28 PM PAGE 2 Saturday, April 19, 2014 DISCC VEV R GOLF CALGARY HERALD DISCSPRING/SUMMER 2014 C VEV R GOLOLF OPENING SHOTS Season brings new challenges in Alberta, B.C. and the U.S. REBUILDING EFFORT Alberta cocoururses recover aafterfter last year’s desdestrtructive flfloodsoods TIME FOR A TUNE-UP Helpful tips to lengthen your drive and sharpen your putting A DIRECTED EDITORIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD’S SPECIAL PROJECTS DEPARTMENT Cover photo: A bunker shot at the Wildstone Golf Course in Cranbrook, B.C. Photo by Andrew Penner, Courtesy, KootenayRockies.com Project Manager: Barb Wilkinson, senior producer Special Sections, Calgary Herald & Edmonton Journal 780-429-5374 [email protected] Project Co-ordinator: Darren Oleksyn, 403-235-7219 [email protected] Cover design: Charlene Kolesnik Advertising inquiries: 403-235-8665 Discover Golf is a directed editorial publication of the Calgary Herald Special Projects Department as a result > CONTENTS of interest in golfing and golf travel. The Calgary Herald did not afford the advertisers creative control beyond A GUIDE FOR GOLFERS EXPLORING THE WEST approving the broad subject; advertisers were not given the HOT STUFF ....................................................... 3 KOOTENAY CALLING...........................................9 opportunity to put restrictions Take a look at the newest products out there to A short drive to southeastern British Columbia on the content or review it prior help you improve your game, or at least impress opens a wide variety of options for golfers looking to publication. your friends. for lush courses in picturesque mountain settings. Sponsor content within Discover Golf, DRIVING GROWTH .......................................... 4 THOMPSON-OKANAGAN ADVENTURE...............16 however, was developed by the Special If you want an example of the golf boom that’s Take world-class golf courses, top-notch wine and Projects Department in collaboration hit Calgary, just try getting a tee time. But experts crystal clear lakes with lovely beaches and you’ve with participating advertisers for say the trends point to the situation improving. got the makings of a great summer vacation. commercial purposes. MAJOR REBUILD ............................................. 6 SOUTH OF THE 49TH............................................16 The Alberta fl oods 2013 did major damage to some Montana and Idaho offer a range of courses to Photo above: Putting at the Kaslo top golf courses, but thanks to the efforts of staff challenge even the sharpest of shooters, and they’re Golf Club in Kaslo, B.C. and volunteers, many are ready for a new season. closer than you think. Photo by Sara Rainford. Courtesy, KootenayRockies.com DANDY DAY-TRIPS .......................................... 8 GO LONG .............................................................19 A trip out of the city can bring the recreational Long-drive champion Lisa Vlooswyk offers tips to golfer a myriad of challenges, from world-class help you hit the ball longer and drop more putts in links to quiet country courses. the cup. Discover-Golf-2014.indd 2 14-03-31 12:31 PM CALGARY HERALD DISCC VEV R GOLF Saturday, April 19, 2014 PAGE 3 The next best thing to playing golf barefoot is Puma’s Faas Lite Mesh golf shoe. It weighs Gear up next to nothing and comes in bright colours, such as Rickie Fowler orange, to ensure you will not be missed on the golf course. A LOOK AT THE NEW PRODUCTS HITTING Women’s shoes are 155 grams (5.5 ounces); men’s are 184 g (6.5 oz.). Your golf cap probably weighs THE LINKS THIS YEAR BY BARB LIVINGSTONE more. puma.com/golf/dothefaas Why are squares better PGA wunderkind Patrick Reed, than circles? That’s the 23, uses Callaway’s Speed question asked and Regime3 golf ball designed answered by Cleve- for players with swing speeds land Golf with its new above 170 km/h. For those Smart Square looking to add distance to Putter. The company their games, Callaway offers says tests show golfers Super Soft balls that combine can align this put- a low-compression ball with ter, which boasts two durability. CallawayGolf. prominent squares com behind the putter face, 23 per cent more It may look like a straightjacket, but the Golf accurately than other Swing Shirt is a training aid endorsed by pro clubs. golfer Padraig Harrington, pictured at left. clevelandgolf.com/ You put it on over your golf shirt and insert smartsquareputter/ your arms in the centre sleeve, ensuring they move in a unified triangle. It keeps your left arm closer to your chest and lets your core do the work. golfswingshirt.com THECITYOFCALGARY PU MORE THAN YOUR SCORE GOLF COURSES TT Spend quality time with family and friends. IN Fun and affordable golf for all ages! •8courses/3 ranges •Special offers G •Family/Junior rates •Lessons and more! GR FREE Golf app! 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In golf’s case, the love of the game can be measured by way for the public golfer to get the same access the private people the wait for tee times. do.” In 2010, Statistics Canada reported that golf was the most-played Alberta Golf represents more than 50 member clubs in and around sport for people aged 15 and over. Hockey might be the country’s Calgary, from the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course to Woodside favourite pastime when it comes to team support, but individuals are Golf Course in Airdrie. now looking at the green, green grass of golf courses for recreation. At last count in 2012, Alberta Golf listed 57,000 members. In the Rick Heenan, president of the Calgary Golf Association, can testify Calgary area, membership sat at 20,326 in 2013. to the upward surge of local swingers looking for places to test their Several private courses boasted healthy Alberta Golf members, with touch around the greens. the leaders including Glencoe Golf and Country Club, Priddis Greens Put simply, Calgary has been, and continues to be, golf crazy. Golf and Country Club, Country Hills Golf Club, Earl Grey Golf Club “It has, since I’ve been here, one of the leading cities in Canada from and the Calgary Golf and Country Club. a competitive standpoint ... and tee time availability for the public is Though it can easily cost between $3,000 and $10,000 to join a private generally very, very diffi cult,” says Heenan. course, there are many semi-private layouts open to the public. These can “I hear people saying they have to get up at such an early hour to range from $45 to more than $100 for a weekend 18-hole outing. attempt to book, and even at our course (Inglewood Golf and Curling Club), it’s very full. It’s definitely a sport that has good exposure and is At last count in 2012, Alberta Golf listed growing.” The golf picture, though, is not all rough for local swingers. 57,000 members. In the Calgary area, Keeping on par with enthusiastic crowds, Calgary boasts more than membership sat at 20,326 in 2013. 30 local golf clubs within the city limits, from the public Blue Devil Golf Club and Sirocco Golf Club to the semi-private Valley Ridge Golf Club and Inglewood Golf and Curling Club. Bordering Calgary and De Winton, The Heritage Pointe golf course More than 10 of those 30 are private clubs, including Willow Park, Silver was touted as one of the best public courses in all of Canada by Score- Springs, Earl Grey and the highly rated Calgary Golf and Country Club. Golf in 2012. A weekend/holiday round will cost $138 with a cart at But Calgarians itching to drive off the fi rst tee have plenty of public the world class, 27-hole course. Multi-play discounts are available. options to choose from, as well. Also voted one of the Top 15 Alberta public courses in 2011 by City-run courses include the nine-hole layout at Confederation Park, ScoreGolf, the Sirocco Golf Club will host the 2014 ATB Financial as well as 18-hole offerings at Lakeview, Maple Ridge, Shaganappi Classic PGA Tour of Canada from July 28 to Aug. 3. Point and McCall Lake. Richmond Green Golf Course puts forth a At $87 weekend rates, golfers are offered a chance to walk the same shorter, beginner-friendly tee-to-green challenge.