You’re ready to plan a golf trip to British Columbia, so where do you start? If you don’t already have an idea of places to play and stay as well as things to occupy your après-golf hours, then it’s time to pull in the help of BC’s golf experts. This crew of golf enthusiasts are not just experts in the best spots for your golf trip; they know the ins and outs of rental cars, road trips, restaurants and R&R! So without further ado, here are Golf in BC’s travel trip planning personalities.
The Team
Patrick, Herman & Chris are the brains behind Golf in British Columbia, assembling golf packages that feature the best blend of price, amenities, comfort, and convenience. Between the three of them, this team has decades of travel planning experience - they know exactly where you should play and when, as well as the best local spots to visit during your trip. They are also avid golfers who have played all over the world, but of course, BC is their favourite place to tee off!
Q & A With BC’s Golf Trip Planning Experts
How long have you been golfing for?
Patrick: I have been golfing since 1981 when I was a junior member at Cowichan Golf Club on Vancouver Island. At that time, it was a nine-hole golf course designed by AV McCann, who also designed such iconic courses as Royal Colwood and Shaughnessy. Saying I've been golfing since 1981 makes me feel like a fossil. You would think I would know how to avoid a three-putt by now LOL.
Herman: I started golfing in 1989. Former World No. 1 professional Ernie Els worked in the golf shop when I started golfing with my Dad at Kempton Park Golf Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. Ernie would practice with his grandfather Oupa Ernie at the range every day.
Chris: My instant passion for this game started back in 1991. Although I grew up golfing PEI, BC has a special place in my heart.
Where was your most memorable round of golf in British Columbia & why?
Tower Ranch Golf Club, Kelowna | Tourism Kelowna
Patrick: Tower Ranch in Kelowna. It was early April during the annual buddies golf trip. We teed off in the bright sunshine and played five great holes before a cold wind blew in out of nowhere, and it started hammering down with rain. We finished the front nine and took shelter in the clubhouse to warm up over lunch. By the time we finished lunch, the sun had come out again but all the locals had left. We had one of the top golf courses in Canada all to ourselves! We played the back nine with music, cold beer and all sorts of side bets on impossible shots you would never try if you needed to keep up with the pace of play. Twenty-five years (and 25 golf buddy trips) later, everyone still talks about that as one of the best golf trips we’ve taken.
Herman: Tower Ranch in May 2010. It was my first time playing in the Okanagan and playing a proper guys' golf trip. An absolutely perfect day - the first tee at Tower offers one of the best views of the Okanagan and is a great hole to just hit it down the hill with the green and city in the distance. The music was playing, a few beers were cracked, and there were lots of happy people around. It does not get any better than that! Having a birdie putt added to the experience :)
Bear Mountain Golf, Langford (Greater Victoria)
Chris: I think my favourite rounds of golf are ones that I have trouble remembering the next day based on hot sunny days and adult beverages flowing. One that does come to mind was back in 2016 when I participated in the Golfathon for ALS at both Bear Mountain Golf Courses from dawn to dusk, playing 100 holes of golf (technically 5.5 rounds) and raising $20,000 for the ALS Society of British Columbia. A cause dear to my heart as I lost my father to this disease in 2014.
What are some things people may not know about BC golf courses?
Patrick: I've been lucky enough to play a lot of golf courses around the world. BC’s premier golf courses stack up with any golf destination around the world. We have spectacular scenery, great golf course designers and an incredible variety of experiences to choose from. The word is definitely out within Canada, but internationally we still remain a hidden golf gem.
Herman: You can golf all year in BC! The West Coast of British Columbia is the only region in Canada that offers golf year-round. You get an incredible diversity of golf courses from traditional parklands courses to modern elevation, view-obsessed courses. And yes, lots of trees, so even if you spray it a bit off the tee, you are very likely to find your ball pretty close to where it went in. Vancouver Island has the highest concentration of trees in all of North America!
Chris: Olympic View Golf Club in Victoria was the first golf course in British Columbia that Tiger Woods ever played…back in 1994 as an Amateur in a College tournament. He had many highlights but actually bogeyed the short 16th hole (par 3) both days of the event.
Name one memorable experience, besides golf, that people should try when golfing in British Columbia
Patrick: It's hard to narrow down to just one. If you're at a coastal destination, try to find a way to get out of the water (whether through whale watching, sightseeing cruise, or fishing excursion). There simply is no substitute for it. If you're in the Okanagan, enjoy a winery tour. If you're in a mountain destination, get up to elevation either through a hike or a gondola ride. The scenery is simply breathtaking regardless of the golf destination!
Herman: Wine tasting. The Okanagan Valley has over 300 wineries to choose from. If you golf here, you’re never far from a winery and the ‘Wines of BC’ Explorer App makes it simple to find and book a wine tasting with the click of your thumb, or we can help you pair a wine tour with your golf trip.
Chris: In Whistler, there is a hike roughly 10 kilometres from from the Village known as the Train Wreck Trail - where in 1956 a freighter heading hit an area under repair a little too fast and detailed, with the boxcars tumbling down to the forest floor. The cars have also been creatively painted over leading to a very unique find and a fun spot to take photos.
For golfers planning a trip to play British Columbia, you can’t go wrong by calling up one of BC’s golf experts for help! The folks at Golf in British Columbia are regional experts and can help you craft a memorable golf experience. Get in touch today.