Playing golf in Vancouver Canada (NO POLITICS!)

[The Beav]

I played the Blue tee yesterday and it was identical to the old Silver tee that I've played a thousand times. I'm not sure how or why the number on the card is different that it used to be?

[duffer987]

Did the rating/slope change at all from blue to silver?

Combo tees are a nice thing to add, so I guess they used it as an overall reshuffle? Has the course made any changes to the way they handle the rough/hazards lines etc... to warrant an index adjustment?

[kokinos]

Fraserview and McCleery are opening up on May 1st.

I played Pagoda for the 1st time last week. Came away feeling it's part amusement park and part golf course. Feels like they ran out of $$$ due to building the amusement park side of the course. Even my wife found it strange. Regardless it was nice to in a round but I don't see myself going back to play the wall. Their site says "Golf like you've never seen before." Well that's true but not in a positive way imho.

 

 

[myspinonit]

Burnaby courses open too on May 1 . Limited tee times Northlands has posted a stay-tuned today and University also expects to be open by the end of May. It m,ay be earlier with the munis already gone ahead?

[The Beav]

I quickly looked for the new rating/slope numbers on the scorecard but didn't see any printed on it. The course didn't appear to have any significant changes. I would assume the new BLUE tee has the same rating/slope as the old SILVER.

[Phireside]

Fortunate to snag a Mccleery Friday afternoon time

[downbylaw11]

alright boys, we're back in business!

[Edward_Majorwin]

I love Pagoda along with many of my golf buddies but we have joked for years about the great wall of Langley being just an OK wall...it could sure use a power wash right now. I only notice the ship when someone skulls an approach on 18 and you wait to hear the CRACK! against the side of it.

We would much rather have a nice clubhouse to sit in after our rounds and watch some golf while enjoying a meal inside or on a patio.

I find their greens to be the toughest around so I'll always keep playing there. Supporting a family run business is always on the top of my mind too. Always good people at Pagoda.

[duffer987]

The wall is silly, which is a shame as it's a strong hole. The ship is silly and wasted space, but no big deal. IMHO Pagoda is as good as any of the other courses East of 176th... well East until you hit Kamloops or so ;-)

[kokinos]

Fair enough. The wall definitely could use a power wash but I wan't sure if they are leaving it as is to create some patina.

The overall condition and greens were in respectable shape. The layout and architecture left me wanting more. I found the course too flat along with too many straight holes. But I'm glad to hear it has some loyal guests who enjoy the golf at Pagoda.

[kokinos]

Well thanks for the heads up as this was the 1st course I've played East of 176th. I usually play Northlands, COV courses or Furry as I'm in West Van. I will still make an effort to check out the others but I guess I'm in no rush now.

[myspinonit]

How did they handle the transporting down the hill with social distancing rules (after the tenth hole I think)?

Haven't played there for a few years but as I recall they loaded up foursome bags and carried everyone on the same transport. Would be a long walk.

[kokinos]

Furry Creek the course that seems to get no love from WRXers has opened as well. I really enjoy my time out there. I usually leave the driver in the bag and that eliminates most headaches and pain. Last time out I nearly shot under par but fell apart towards the end. Sure it's target golf but the views of Howe sound and eccentric layout keep me entertained and happy.

[kokinos]

The wife was with me so we had a cart. But most groups that walked I noticed backtracked #10 and went around via #14 tee and #13 green to #11. (I think those were the hole #s)

No cart was available to transport golfers from #10 to #11.

The red and gold fencing along the cart path to #11 is still fresh in my memory too.

[The Beav]

Pagoda is a tough one for me. On the plus side it's a friendly family business with good drainage and awesome greens, but good grief that layout is questionable at best. It has simultaneously the worst par 5 (#6) and the worst par 4 (#10) in Metro Vancouver, but also has some amazing holes like #7 and #8.

I find I enjoy it the most if I don't play there too often. Shot 75 there a few weeks ago when the greens were slow after punching.

[duffer987]

Dictated teeshot (if you're being sensible) sure, but Royalwood #2 easily has it beat on the worseness scale off the top of my head. Pretty sure there's a bunch of others too. Oh ya, #2 North at Golden Eagle is a pretty crap par 5, speaking of dictated teeshot.

With #10, assuming they couldn't have been convinced to not go that direction regardless, they really should have made it a par 3. They could have put it where the right fairway bunker is and they'd still have had the cool backdrop. It's definitely not a serious golf hole.

BTW I'm assuming we're ignoring courses no one should play to being with like Tall Timbers and Carnoustie or they'd have all the badness required ?

[myspinonit]

Yeah, well, I'm venturing out to Carnoustie tomorrow for the first round since we left the desert March 5. I haven't played it much or for a few years., the last time the skies opened up suddenly for a deluge and remember hiding under the biggest tree we could find. I was kinda remembering I didn't like the course much, but thanks for reinforcing my lack of positive thoughts. lol Oh oh....it just started pouring here.

At least I'll get out and talk to somebody in person besides my wife or a grocery cashier with a mask on. She REALLY wants me to play. Fingers crossed on the back situation as I overdid it with the Orange Whip I got from Mr Bezos during lockdown. Coupled with too much sitting and laptop time.

Back to the closer Vancouver courses next week and Riverway soon after. Only 12 tee times an hour ( 18 minute intervals) in Vancouver and I know Bby are reduced oo, not sure how much. Both municipalities have with all the usual Covid-19 precautions we have seen posted on other courses so hard to get tee times without paying advance booking fees, $5 McCleery, $10 Fraserview. Langara is currently closed as they are using the kitchen for food for the homeless. University's website says it is to announce very soon once they sort all their safety precautions.

 

[Edward_Majorwin]

Re: Pagoda

We all did the walk from 10 to 11 down into the gully last Sunday and only the last portion is a bit challenging...like at Redwoods walking from 16 and up to 17. Something about walking back the way you came doesn't feel right on a golf course so we all decided to go for it.

It's funny how 6 and 10 are consistently mentioned as terrible golf holes, and I've heard it from some people I've played with. They don't bother me none but I've had some terrible moments on both that's for sure.

Here's to the weather forecast changing up for the weekend - play well WRXers

[Edward_Majorwin]

LOL! I was warned to never play Tall Timbers from the time I began golfing out here in the Valley. It's now divided up into real estate lots and done for good

[myspinonit]

Of course there is always 18 Pastures, formerly Iron Mountain (that I called "Iron Lung" back in the day). Talk about a quirky layout and balls that vanished after what one thought were good shots.

[The Beav]

Yes on all counts haha. I haven't played Royalwood in years, ever since I got eaten alive by mosquitoes one night out there.

[duffer987]

^Ah man you go out there when the Vedder water levels are up and there's no breeze, it's brutal.

[Edward_Majorwin]

Funny you mention that, my good golf buddy loves that place. Close to his lady's house and only 25 bucks with a cart. I should go try it out with him one day!

[duffer987]

I'd completely forgot that course even existed. I've never played it. Only 1 of our group back in the day ever did IIRC. Even as broke post-college guys, we had some meager standards ?

[noodle3872]

Played Sandpiper in Harrison Mills today. The course is in spectacular condition.

[The Beav]

I adore this golf course. I've played there a couple times this year and it's always a memorable round.

I love that first tee shot, and some of the green complexes are brilliant.

[Golfnuck]

 

Back in business.

As you can see all the "normal" procedures no rakes, upside down cups, flag stays in etc.

I actually like the idea of no rakes. Wonder how much time it saves in a round?

 

 

[Edward_Majorwin]

I just got back from there and it only rained on 18...thought we'd be soaked by the turn!

The whole point of us going today was to use our golf show coupon for free round (or 20.00 on the weekend) and of course I couldn't find the darn thing and had to pay 78 bucks.

Their tee box conditions are still some of the worst around IMO, but aside from that it's a beauty track

[noodle3872]

I love Sandpiper! Such a beautiful setting. The course is always in great shape. I’ve gotten to know the Director of Golf and he told me there are plans to do some improvements that will make the course more enjoyable to play. Many of the improvements center upon soggy spots around the green and fixing up tee boxes that are in tough shape. I guess having stable ownership and some cash infusion is allowing them to deal with some of the issues that were previously ignored.

 

[Golfnuck]

Noticed all the new cottages at Sandpiper so likely an infusion of new money.

Such a great weekend getaway.