Western Canada is an internationally recognized tourist destination not only for its untouched natural wonders, but also for its exciting urban centers, as well as its variety of unique peoples, foods, and cultures. With the endless variety of fun and interesting recreational and cultural activities that one can pursue here, Western Canada caters to the vacation seeker both young and old alike.

From a Vancouverites perspective, Western Canada stretches from the Rocky Mountains of Eastern BC/Alberta to the rugged marine landscapes off the Westcoast of BC and Vancouver Island. Nestled in between is Whistler (the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics and recreational hotbed for summer and winter pursuits), Vancouver (a stylish cosmopolitan city famous for its cultural diversity and scenic beauty), and the Okanagan (a focal point for recreational enthusiasts, sunseekers, and wine lovers alike). In essense, Western Canada has more to see and do than one is capable of experiences in a single trip making it a destination that can be enjoyed again and again.

In this article I will offer the golf vacationer an insight into Western Canada’s golf and vacation hotspots including the courses that you absolutely “must play”, as well as the “can’t be missed” tourist attractions which combined will create a memorable golf vacation for anyone who appreciates golfing and living life to the fullest!

Vancouver Area:

This is one of those rare places where one can golf, sail, and ski all in one day! With its mild Westcoast climate, where courses are open all year round, its no surprise that Vancouver is home to some of North America’s best courses. Most of the golf courses here offer a number of spectacular views, most of which take advantage of the city’s many ocean and mountain vistas. Combine great golf with luxurious hotel accommodation, fine Westcoast dining, and world class shopping and you will have created one unforgettable golf vacation!

Must Play Courses:
*Westwood Plateau Golf Club
*Furry Creek Golf Club
*North View Golf Club (former PGA Tour Stop)

Can’t Be Missed Tourist Attractions:
*Stanley Park
*Shopping on Robson
*Capillano Suspension Bridge
*Relaxing on one of many beaches
*Wondering and Dining in Historic Gastown
*Granville Island Market for shopping galore

Vancouver Island:
With its relatively balmy sub-Mediterranean climate, golfing can be a year round pleasure during all seasons here. The championship golf courses on the Island are often set by mountains, oceans, rivers, and ancient old-growth forests creating unbelievable backdrops that will make any round unforgettable whether you shoot 69 or 129 out on the course. Victoria, with its old fashioned British charm is the perfect place to base oneself as he/she discovers the one of many different golf courses within a short drive. Discover Vancouver Island for yourself and you will understand why it has won awards as North America’s best golf vacation destination!

Must Play Courses:
*Bear Mountain (Victoria)
*Olympic View Golf Club
*Cordova Bay Golf Club

Can’t Be Missed Tourist Attractions:
*Butchart Gardens
*Tea at the Historic Empress Hotel
*Whale watching excursion from Victoria harbour
*Drive up the scenic coast

Whistler:

Rated one of the “Top 20 Greatest Golf Destinations in the World” by Golf Digest”, Whistler boasts award winning golf courses designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Robert Cupp. Surrounding the quaint village of Whistler are snow-capped peaks, pristine lakes, and stunning glacial rivers/streams. In addition to its world class links, Whistler offers a range of luxury accommodation, sensational shopping, vibrant nightlife, elegant dining, and a wide range of exhillerating recreational activities including mountain biking, hiking, and ziptrekking just to name a few. Wow! Catch your breath and come discover beautiful and exciting Whistler, BC!

Must Play Courses:
*Nicklaus North Golf Club
*Fairmont Chateau Whistler
*Big Sky Golf Club

Can’t Be Missed Tourist Attractions:
*Whistler summit gondola
*Shopping, dining, and nighlife in the village
*Bridal Falls, Shannon Falls, and Nairn Falls all near Whistler
*Mountain biking (both extreme and casual)

The Okanagan Area (Kelowna and Vernon)
This area of BC’s interior boasts the warmest and sunniest climate in Canada. With its wonderfully diverse range of settings, one can tee off at the base of a mountain, smack dab in the middle of the desert, through orchards, alongside a canyon rim, or along a meandering river/creek. With over 50 courses within a few hours drive, golf enthusiasts can easily spend 2-3 weeks here playing a unique and different, championship course everyday of their vacation. Not that all this great golf isn’t enough to lure visitors here, the area also offers award winning wineries/vineyards, as well as a range of outdoor recreational opportunities some of which include; hiking, skiing, water-skiing, swimming, sun bathing, tennis…). Need we say more!

Must Play Courses:
*Predator Ridge Golf Resort
*Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Resort
*Okanagan Golf Club (Quail Ridge and The Bear Courses)

Can’t Be Missed Tourist Attractions:
*Winery tour at Mission Hill Winery, Summerhill Winery, or one of the other dozen or so.
*Hiking to Waterfall viewing at Bear Creek Park followed by a swim in the lake
*Drive from Kelowna to Penticton enjoying fabulous lake views and recreational opportunities
*Stroll down the lakeside promenade in downtown Kelowna

Banff and the Rocky Mountains

This award winning destination has recently been proclaimed “The best undiscovered golf destination of North America 2007” by the IAGTO. The area’s award winning golf has taken full advantage of this regions endless natural beauty. During a golf vacation in the Rockies you will tee off by twisting rivers, through rolling forests, alongside emerald lakes, all framed by the towering and jagged Rocky Mountains. Designed by some of the most well known of golf course architects, the courses in this area take full advantage of the natural landscape without infringing upon it. Don’t be surprised if you happen to stumble upon a deer, moose, elk, coyote, or even a bear during any of your golf rounds up here. It is best to put the camera in the golf bag for a round in the Rockies. After the day out on the course soothe your tired muscles in one of the regions many natural hotspring baths before retiring to anyone of the number of first class luxury resorts that reside in the Banff area.

Must Play Courses:
*Banff Springs Golf Club (at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel)
*Stewart Creek Golf Club
*Greywolf Golf Club (at Panorama)
*Eagle Ranch Golf Club

Can’t Be Missed Tourist Attractions:
*Banff Hotsprings
*Lake Minnewaka
*Lake Louise
*Columbia Icefields (day trip from Banff)
*Banff Gondola
*Animal viewing

This article was written by Rob Brew of
www.globalgolfvacations.net