Interior BC Conditions?

mikedejong · May 22, 2018

In about a month a group of us are playing a little Ryder Cup style tournament in BC. We are flying into Kelowna and playing Predator Ridge. Then driving to a friends cabin on Mara lake by Sycamous. So the courses we are playing are: Predator, Hyde Mountain, Salmon Arm, and Canoe Creek. Has anyone played any of these this year? How are they looking if anyone has any insight? Looking forward to it, I love Predator and Salmon Arm but have not played the others. Thanks!

bb123 · May 22, 2018

I'm sure all of the course conditions will be fine for your tournament, but I would just replace Canoe Creek with The Rise in Vernon if possible. Canoe Creek is a decent course, but just a little boring vs. all of the other great courses in the Kelowna area. The Rise is half the price of predator with nice views, and is a great challenge. Holes #2 and 5 are a little hokey, but the rest of the course is great: http://www.therisegolf.ca/golf-course/

Salmon Arm is always nice, and is a must play. Too bad you couldn't throw in Talking Rock (30-40 mins west of Salmon Arm) vs. Hyde Mountain. I played Hyde Mountain once, and only remember a couple nice holes by the lake. Talking Rock is awesome, but is just in the middle of nowhere.

mikedejong · May 23, 2018

Yeah, I was not in charge of the course selection for this one. I know there are way better courses in the Kelowna / Vernon area, but I think they wanted to stay relatively close by the lake we are staying at. I agree with you, I really like Predator and Salmon Arm, the others I guess we will see. But they courses are set, so just have to go play now!

IcemanYVR · May 23, 2018

Friends played Salmon Arm last week. Said it was in top shape. One of my favourite interior courses.

KBong · May 23, 2018

I've always wanted to play Salmon Arm....was heading home from Edm in 1998....but wasn't allowed to stop in the city because of the fires.

Although there are many...other old time Les Furber gems that I've haven't played but always wanted to include Christina Lake and Golden GC.

mikedejong · June 28, 2018

Got back from the trip last week. We played Predator, Salmon Arm twice, Shuswap National twice (previously Canoe Creek), and Hyde Mountain once. Predator was a little strange in that the majority of the course was under renovations. So we played the Ridge side, and had to drive out to start on #2, then finish on #1 of the Predator side. A little strange but no big deal. I had never played the Ridge, it was tight with several blind shots over boulders etc. I think I prefer the old course set up, but its still an experience. Salmon Arm was beyond pure. It felt like Augusta out there, perfect greens, fairways, everything. It is tight, but fair. Shuswap National was also enjoyable. A few goofy holes including a full on horse shoe dog leg par 5 (#11). I think if you knew where to hit the tee shot you could drive the green over the trees. Other than that hole, we enjoyed it. Hyde Mountain was ok, some crazy elevation changes, and again in very good shape. First time I have taken a boat ride to a golf course so that was pretty cool. Overall we enjoyed the trip with Salmon Arm being the highlight I would say.

WestCoastHacker · June 29, 2018

Got back from the trip last week. We played Predator, Salmon Arm twice, Shuswap National twice (previously Canoe Creek), and Hyde Mountain once. Predator was a little strange in that the majority of the course was under renovations. So we played the Ridge side, and had to drive out to start on #2, then finish on #1 of the Predator side. A little strange but no big deal. I had never played the Ridge, it was tight with several blind shots over boulders etc. I think I prefer the old course set up, but its still an experience. Salmon Arm was beyond pure. It felt like Augusta out there, perfect greens, fairways, everything. It is tight, but fair. Shuswap National was also enjoyable. A few goofy holes including a full on horse shoe dog leg par 5 (#11). I think if you knew where to hit the tee shot you could drive the green over the trees. Other than that hole, we enjoyed it. Hyde Mountain was ok, some crazy elevation changes, and again in very good shape. First time I have taken a boat ride to a golf course so that was pretty cool. Overall we enjoyed the trip with Salmon Arm being the highlight I would say.

Glad you had a good time in BC. I'm a huge fan of Salmon Arm. Probably among the most underrated courses in the province. It's a tough walk though!

I played the Ridge side of Predator 2 weeks ago. Maybe its that I'm used to played narrow treelined courses but I don't think I could describe the Ridge as tight. All what you're used to I guess.