It Remains To Be Seen Whether There Will Be Any Canadian Flags Flying At Chambers Bay For The 2015 U.S. Open

Currently, there are no Canadians scheduled to be amongst the 156 players who will tee it up at Chambers Bay starting June 18.

But come June 8, in what is termed the Longest Day in Golf, at least 22 Canadians will try to overcome their final obstacle, a 36-hole qualifier being played at 10 sites all across America, to get one of the final spots in the U.S. Open.

The U.S. Open is the most egalitarian of the 4 Majors, as any player, professional or amateur, with a handicap index of 1.4 or less can slap down their entry fee and try to make it through local and sectional qualifying.

As of May 26, there were only 74 players who were exempt into the tournament, including former U.S. Open champions of the last 10 years, the last five years of other Major champions and all players in the Top 60 of the Official World Golf Rankings as of May 25.

There were also 16 qualifiers out of two international sectional qualifiers, held in Japan and England on May 25. With 90 of the 156 spots in the U.S. Open spoken for, that means there’s only a maximum of 66 spots available in the 10 sectional qualifiers to be held June 8 all throughout the United States.

The six Canadians with the best chance to qualify for Chambers Bay certainly have the pedigree, as they are all regulars on the PGA TOUR.

Ontario’s David Hearn and Mike Weir, along with Saskatchewan’s Graham DeLaet, join BC products Nick Taylor, Roger Sloan and Adam Hadwin as players who didn’t have to go through local qualifying.

But they will have to go with sectionals, with the most probable places they’ll be playing being the Brookside Golf & Country Club/The Lakes Golf & Country Club in Columbus OH or the Springfield Country Club in Springfield OH.

That’s because these venues are the closest qualifiers to The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, which hosts the PGA TOUR event which ends on June 7, and traditionally have the most qualifying spots in to the U.S. Open because of the depth of the field.

For British Columbia golfers Cory Renfrew and James Lepp, the natural place for them to play their way to the U.S. Open is located two hours east of Chambers Bay, at the Tumble Creek Club in Cle Elum, WA.

At Radium Resort, for example, two premier courses have one thing in common: fantastic scenery. The Springs Course, which celebrates its 25th season this year, takes advantage of its home high on the banks of the Columbia River, seamlessly blending high-drama play with naturally scenic views. (The Springs is set to host the 2013 BC Amateur Golf Championship.) Framed by The Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges, its sister design, The Resort Course, sits right on the border of Kootenay National Park. Here, recent renovations, including three newly constructed holes, have transformed the course into a par-71 beauty with four sets of tees playing anywhere from 5,255 to 6,071 yards.

Further south, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort offers an equal test of mettle, with the classic, tree-lined fairways of its championship Mountainside Golf Course (which includes seven recently restored holes) and the tricky water features and striking natural beauty to be found on the Columbia River-lined Riverside Golf Course. To end the day, it’s all about the area’s natural wonders — you can settle in for a soak at either Radium Hot Springs or Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, each promising calming waters and an ideal vantage point to soothe the bogeys away.

www.radiumresort.com; www.radiumhotsprings.com; www.fairmonthotsprings.com

Courtesy of Tourism British Columbia

The promise of challenge, plus a little Okanagan scenery, has drawn enthusiasts to the Salmon Arm Golf Club for over 80 years. With two courses carved from the extinct volcano cone of Mount Ida, the natural topography of this gem is all Furber, but it is just one of the attractions; here, the designer’s links-style layout meanders along the flanks of the mountain, backed by towering fir and pine forests. www.salmonarmgolf.com

Further south, Oliver’s Fairview Mountain Golf Club boasts a rather unique address: not only is it set in Canada’s Wine Capital, but the mountainside design, overlooking South Okanagan vineyards and wineries, is right at home in a cacti-rich pocket desert. While boasting a different style and a more open layout than a traditional Furber design, this spot promises mountainside desert golf at its best, with generous fairways, aggressive play off the tees and some of the purest putting surfaces in the province. www.fairviewmountain.com

Those up for a challenge will be right at home at Storey Creek, a Vancouver Island favourite which also happens to be a big draw for the region’s wildest residents. Here, south of Campbell River, hawks, eagles and even deer mingle happily with golfers as they follow a course that feels distinctly Furber, punctuated by old-growth and second-growth forest — a design that is indeed a unique “course in nature.” www.storeycreek.bc.ca

Courtesy of Tourism British Columbia

Here’s what I found on both Expedia and Access Global for travel between May 31 and June 4 (4 nights).

Expedia                        Access Global

Flights UA 8459 and AK 703 (return)          $428.73 Cdn                        $376.27 US

Hilton LA Airport, standard double             $522.12 Cdn                        $448.00 US

Total                                                                     $950.85 Cdn                        $824.27 US

In Cdn $ at $1.032                                           $950.85 Cdn                      $850.64 Cdn

I did this search on May 10 at 930 am, and since prices for both air and hotels change frequently, you may end up with different results on your search.  Note that when you look at Expedia, you don’t see the final price including taxes until you book, which Access Global incorporates right up front.  Don’t be fooled.

In addition to the price savings with Access Global, you also receive Club Credits for the purchases you make.  As a member, I receive 5 credits for every $1 spent (not including taxes), so for this trip I would receive over 3,000 credits to keep in my account for future travel.  These are worth about $175 in savings on future trips that I’m saving up for a cruise.

For more information on Access Global, click here

Contact me if you’d like more information.

Jim Lee

jim@britishcolumbiagolf.org

Chris McGrath (British Columbia Golf)–As the British Columbia Golf Championship Series unraveled during the 2012 golfing season, so did my golf game. The sporadic nature in which my game was tested truly exposed my golfing skills or lack thereof.  The general conversation pertaining to me playing a round of golf this summer usually fit the mold of “I have a 25 minute car ride to the course and there is an open tee time in 26 minutes, should I do it?” More times than not, the answer to that question was no. Following the conclusion of our Bantam Boys’ and Girls’ Championship at Merritt Golf & Country Club however, the golf opportunity that presented itself demanded an answer of yes.

Just down the road from the Merritt G&CC is the exclusive Club at Sagebrush. Ranked #11 on Scoregolf’s Top 100 Courses in Canada for 2012, the Club at Sagebrush has always been on my “have-to-play’ list. When the invite to slide down the Nicola Valley and tip-it-up came from Sagebrush, I couldn’t turn it down.

As I raced down the winding Nicola Valley road, I absorbed as much scenery along the route as I could. I had brought up directions on my smartphone as to the whereabouts of the entrance to this hidden gem but lost cell reception shortly into the journey. I knew I was extremely close after driving for about 20 minutes so I decided to peel my eyes, buckle down and try and spot this world-renowned golf course. At that very moment is when I saw the gates.

After making a U-turn due to flying by the entrance, I pulled up to the gated entrance and entered my gate code that was provided by the pro shop. Once I hit the proverbial pound key, it was as if the gates to golf heaven begun to swing open. My next question to myself was, “where is the actual golf course?”

The parking lot had, at a modest guess, room for 8 vehicles. There was a cart waiting for myself and my playing partner to load up our gear and head up to the pro shop to check in. At this point, I still could not see the golf course due to the rolling hills and lush fescue.

After making our way on what seemed to be a 5-minute-long cart ride, the most unique pro shop I have ever seen popped out of no-where. The circular, seemingly temporary structure was a safe haven from the 40mph whipping wind that was going to be a factor on the course for the day. Once inside, the elegance and at-home feeling I encountered set the round off on a great tone.

After having a brief introduction to the courses history and their newest cottage-like stay-and-play overnight accommodations by Course Manager Don Harvey, I set off to the first tee to face what would turn out to be, my most interesting golfing experience in my 12 years of playing the game.

Playing from the very back tees (a personal rule when playing a course for the first time), I knew I was going to be in for some trouble. Playing at roughly 7,400 yards, I began doubting my ability to cover the distance spread, as the wind was something like I had never played in. Although the fairways were wide and inviting, the undulating ground conditions and inability to judge distance made Sagebrush a guessing game off the tee.

As Don had explained to me, the course decided against using tee markers or yardage plates so as to preserve the traditions of what the game was like in, what he called it, the “Old Country”. The only gauge of distance provided to anyone playing the course were 150-yard stones that were on all par 4’s and 5’s. The par 3’s were especially difficult as one had to rely on the accuracy of their eyes, a task I found extremely difficult as they were watering continuously from the rapping wind.

After playing the first number of holes in sheer awe of beauty and challenge, I stepped up to what looked like a routine downhill par 3. As the cart “cheat-sheet” stated being short and low was ideal, I decided against hitting my regular high flighted draw and opted for a punch shot. The result left me in absolute amazement. After hitting what I thought to be a poor shot, my 15 foot off-the-ground runner trudged the mounds and must have rolled for over 100 yards, nestling itself 15 feet from the pin. After that shot, I fell in love with the Club at Sagebrush.

The round continued with shots that demanded precision, accuracy and ingenuity. It was only until the ninth hole had I realized that my score was below average but I did not care. I also became intrigued that I had not seen anyone else on the course since I teed off. Thinking back to Don, I remembered he was very passionate about the idea of Sagebrush being about you and your experience not about cramming golfers into a tee sheet, back-to-back-to-back. I truly was enjoying my experience.

For some reason, Sagebrush made me feel great about what turned out to be a poor golf ball-striking day. I am not sure if it was the marvelous scenery of Nicola Lake or the true one-of-a-kind experience I knew I was entrenched in, for the first time in my golfing career I did not worry about score or success. I was engulfed in enjoying every shot and not worrying about results.

As I prodded along, making bogey after par after double, I hit what Sagebrush calls “The Hideout”.  A not-so-halfway hut, The Hideout is a structure on the 13th hole similar to the pro shop whereby it looks temporary but once inside, it radiates warmth and sanctuary from the conditions outside. While at The Hideout, a foursome can choose to spend 5 minutes inside or just pack in their round for the day and enjoy a nice meal coupled with fly fishing outside. I had heard of the idea before playing Sagebrush and thought it to be somewhat silly but once I saw it up-close and understood Sagebrush was about the experience rather than the golfing norm, the idea reeked of genius. Being able to have a nice lunch without the stresses of missing your spot on the course carried with it a feeling of confidence.

After finishing the remaining holes in significantly more strokes than I did the first 12, I walked off the 17th green with a smile on my face (the last hole was lost due to darkness). The smile was not because of score but because I truly had a great round of golf. I played a course that was both natural in its beauty and in its layout. Challenging in its design but fair for the average golfer. Service and appreciation for business like none other and truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Its greens were large and undulating and its fairways were wide and open. At first glance, the course would look as if you could hit it anywhere and be safe. That was furthest from the case. Sagebrush demanded a golfing mind and a golfing game.

I am glad to say I have crossed the Club at Sagebrush off my list.

For more information on Sagebrush and to inquire about stay-and-play packages, please click here

Chris McGrath is the Manager of Communications and Marketing at British Columbia Golf

It was a whirlwind day. Driving back towards Vancouver from Summerland in the pitch dark and rain, was a treacherous task. Being relatively new to the province and making this drive for the first time at night only added to the stress. Driving through the winding roads en route to my final destination that seemed like it would never arrive. Crossing rivers and bridges, climbing mountains and hills, I was just far enough from civilization that I seemed to be alone but close enough to know that if I got lost, I could find my way back. That was when the phone rang and the voice of a woman guided me right to the doors of Pretty Estates Resort home to Rowena’s Inn on the River.

It’s not often someone from the hotel you are staying at calls to make sure you are okay on your travels to their establishment. It also isn’t often that they do it past their hours of normal operation, at an hour that they too would normally be asleep. This is exactly what Rowena’s made sure to do for me, as I was extremely late for check-in.

At Rowena’s Inn on the River, one checks in at the main inn during designated hours. For me, I was going to be arriving at 10:30pm, well past that traditional check-in time. The call from the dedicated employee of Rowena’s seemed to be somewhat of a call from an angel. I was indeed lost or what I thought was lost. I was in fact on the right path, albeit rugged, and she guided me through the darkened driveway, past the slanted trees that mark the entrance to my cottage and into what felt like home for the night.

Opening the doors to a log cabin and ending a day that seemed to be never ending (a feeling everyone knows and understands) was going to feel amazing. I had that feeling of being so tired that I couldn’t fathom generating the energy to fall asleep but really wanted to. I dragged my luggage to the door when I realized something. In my frantic drive through the mountains, I had forgotten to grab dinner. Fear not, Rowena’s had that covered. Waiting for me when I walked through the door was refreshments, a plate of gourmet cheese and a fresh house salad that would rival anything I could have ever made. It was as if they had read my mind. In fact, they had not read my mind but had just gone the ‘extra mile’ in making my stay as first-class as it could be.

The cabin that I was staying in was nicknamed Phyllis. It was a rustic log cabin tucked in the tall, mature trees and had that feeling of “there is no one else even close to me right now”. Its hardwood floors, tall ceilings and stone fireplace gave this open-concept room a feeling of ‘home’ right from the get-go.

As my fire-starting skills are that of a stone-age infant, I was reluctant to even broach the idea of getting one going. Again, Rowena’s had anticipated my shortcomings. A fire was prepared and ready to be lit in a manner that not even I could mess up. I ate my salad, relaxed for a couple of minutes and decided to turn in for the night. All it took was a light of a match and before you know it, the plush king-size bed with fluffy pillows was overlooking a healthy fire that burned well into the next day.

Upon awaking with an amazing view of the fairways of the nearby Sandpipers Golf Course, I had the pleasure of meeting Rowena’s Inn on the River owner and co-creator, Betty Anne Pretty. Betty Anne was a warm and welcoming host who discussed the many changes and evolutions her parents’ family home has gone through over the years. She discussed their wishes of entertaining corporate retreats as well as bolstering their wedding and business meeting traffic. After looking at the main inn’s set-up, it became evident it is a perfect venue for the like.

The main Inn, spacious in nature and housing 5 guest suites, was Betty Anne’s childhood home. Her parents purchased the dwelling in 1924 and outfitted it with artifacts of their passion, antiques. The house boasted warm lighting, open views of the Fraser River and articles of furniture that emitted nothing but history. At one point in the brief historical tour, Betty Anne showed me an original railing from the Hotel Vancouver that was purchased by her father and strategically re-introduced into the household to fit the decor. It were these small touches that gave the Inn its utter character and class.

The Inn was an idea Betty and her late brother decided would be a good ‘fit’ for the house. In 1995, the family home was retrofitted and the Inn was created. As an addition, the four log cabins were built as an off-shoot to the main house establishment. It was at this time that Betty Anne’s brother decided it would be a great addition to create a golf course. In 1999, Sandpiper Golf Course was created as a championship 18-hole facility that incorporates tightly guarded greens and tree-lined fairways that demand precision and accuracy off the tee. I was invited to play the course following my tour but I will get to that later.

Upon departing from my meeting with Betty Anne, I slowly walked back to Phyllis and admired the beauty and ambience that the Fraser River provided as a backdrop to this lovely establishment. I thought to myself “this place truly is breathtaking”. It was only when I arrived back to the cabin to shine up the clubs for my round that this entire experience got that much better. Breakfast was delivered, in a wicker basket no less, directly to my door. Inside the basket were flapjacks, bacon, eggs, orange juice and herbal tea, a meal fit for an army. It was prepared by the same people as the meal the night before. The River’s Edge Restaurant knows how to whip up a good meal as I thoroughly enjoyed the ensemble.

Off I then went to play the difficult Sandpipers Golf Club. I will leave my score out of the description to save myself some face but one thing is for certain, that course has it all. I made sure to experience what felt like every tree, bush and bunker on the property but it was all worth it. And to add to the experience, PGA Tour professional Adam Hadwin was playing in the group behind me. It was his off week during the US Open so he was out with some friends and his brother to take in the pristine track. I will use this as an excuse for my lack of stellar play. Hey, I had a PGA Tour player watching my every shot.

From beginning to end, Rowena’s Inn on the River, Sandpiper Golf Resort and the River’s Edge Restaurant made me, as a guest, feel like a world-class citizen. Whether it be the rustic cabin that acted as a roof over my head, the delicious salad and breakfast ensemble delivered to my room, or the golf course that devoured more of my golf balls than I would like to admit, this venue is one that chimes of class, affordability and comfort, all within a reasonable drive of the hustle and bustle that is my reality.

For more information on Rowena’s Inn on the River, Sandpiper Golf Course and River’s Edge Restaurant, please click here

To book a tee time at Sandpiper Golf Course, please contact:

Ted Swaine, Director of Golf Operations
604.796.1000 x 230
ted@sandpiperresort.ca

For more Photos of Rowena’s Inn on the River, please click here

Your day of play will go something like this: following a quick shuttle from your home base in Whistler Village, hop in one of Blackcomb Aviation’s helicopter “carts” for a whirlybird ride to the operator’s exclusive mile-high 19th hole at the top of Mt. Currie in Pemberton. At the peak of this adventure, savour the view and swing your clubs for a warm up to remember, sure to give the term “longest drive” a whole new meaning.

Post-swing, jump back into your “heli-cart” for a scenic descent to the base of Mt. Currie, and tee up for for 18 holes of manicured bent-grass fairways and lush greens at Big Sky Golf and Country Club (here, more traditional carts will provide your transport, tee-to-tee). Pause for refreshment on the patio at Fescues, then buckle in for one more flight back to the Whistler Municipal Heliport before a quick shuttle back to your digs in Whistler Village. In all, you’ll spend a whole lotta time in the sky, complete with an adventure in the clouds.

Learn more at www.bigskygolf.com or www.blackcombaviation.com

Consistently rated among the top courses to play in Canada, Greywolf’s management team is just as focused on ensuring its golf operations are also top in its class.

“One of the most important aspects for us in going through the program is to minimize the risks of any incidents and to improve awareness among all our staff of the importance of working safe,” says Chad Thomlinson, Director of Golf at Greywolf Golf Course.

In partnership with WorkSafeBC, go2 launched the COR program for tourism and hospitality businesses in October 2010. go2 is the BC tourism industry human resource association and the Certifying Partner for the COR program.

“We congratulate Greywolf for being the first in BC’s golf sector to become certified. The COR program is one way golf courses in BC can be leaders in employee safety and customer service, and strengthen their bottom line at the same time,” says Arlene Keis, CEO, go2.

Certified companies can now earn a rebate of up to 15 per cent on their WorkSafeBC premiums by demonstrating that their health and safety programs go beyond the legal requirements by taking a best practice approach.

There are 10 COR-certified tourism businesses in BC, including Greywolf and its sister ski resort at Panorama Mountain Village. Another 27 tourism businesses have registered to pursue the certification, with many other organizations expressing interest in participating in the program.

“By gaining COR certification we are ensuring that our entire experience – for our employees and our customers – is of the finest quality,” says Ryan Stimming, Risk Manager at Panorama Mountain Village.

In addition to the financial incentives, businesses that embrace a culture of workplace health and safety are seeing significant human resource upsides, including fewer employee injuries, injured employees returning to work sooner, and greater success in retaining and attracting the best talent.

Thomlinson says there are many benefits of going through the COR process for golf courses. “It is going to help us improve our new crew training each year. We have also altered our mowing patterns on the course to reduce the amount of mowing done on dangerous slopes,” he notes.

“With an anticipated 20% increase in the industry base rate in 2012, it’s important that golf course owners work together on reducing workplace accidents, which in the long run will help reduce the overall claim costs,” says Keis. “Ultimately our goal is to help establish the entire tourism industry as a leader in health and safety practices.”

The COR program is currently open to all tourism employers with 20 or more employees. It will roll out to small businesses with less than 20 employees in the future.

In addition to coordinating the COR program, go2 also provides a variety of industry health and safety resources that can help businesses of any size to implement a health and safety program.

Visit www.go2hr.ca for more information, including articles, templates, tools and sample policies, as well as information on the Young and New Workers and Working Alone legal requirements for employers.

This site has been redesigned to make it easier to find all the golf travel features, golf packages, vacation contests and travel information our members are used to seeing.

Enjoy!