Playing golf in Vancouver Canada (NO POLITICS!)

[FLOGMR]

[quote name='bruizer' timestamp='1312334880' post='3446436']
[quote name='RM Golf' timestamp='1309889283' post='3366188']
Westwood Plateau is a MESS......they have run out of operating money and the course is in HORRIBLE condition.........spoke to a Pro who played an event there last week.......it is down to 17 holes because they cannot maintain the severe downhill 15th.
[/quote]

Yep i live 5 minutes from westwood plateau and it has new owners who arent too concerned about maintence. The course used to have conditions comparable to the Vancouver Golf Club but now they have cut back. Ownership has been trying to get the course rezoned for housing which would be a same because that course has a spectacular layout and some incredible holes and views. Hole 3 is 230 yards over a gully which you must clear 200 yards or your ball is gone. My favorite par 3 I have ever played
[/quote]

I just played this morning with a friend who lives right on the 18th.........he says he has given up on Westwood as a golf course....he said the fairways are now just plowed up mud and the course is simply "RUGGED"

[DeNinny]

[quote name='RM Golf' timestamp='1312394700' post='3448318']
[quote name='bruizer' timestamp='1312334880' post='3446436']
[quote name='RM Golf' timestamp='1309889283' post='3366188']
Westwood Plateau is a MESS......they have run out of operating money and the course is in HORRIBLE condition.........spoke to a Pro who played an event there last week.......it is down to 17 holes because they cannot maintain the severe downhill 15th.
[/quote]

Yep i live 5 minutes from westwood plateau and it has new owners who arent too concerned about maintence. The course used to have conditions comparable to the Vancouver Golf Club but now they have cut back. Ownership has been trying to get the course rezoned for housing which would be a same because that course has a spectacular layout and some incredible holes and views. Hole 3 is 230 yards over a gully which you must clear 200 yards or your ball is gone. My favorite par 3 I have ever played
[/quote]

I just played this morning with a friend who lives right on the 18th.........he says he has given up on Westwood as a golf course....he said the fairways are now just plowed up mud and the course is simply "RUGGED"
[/quote]

This is sad. I'm glad I played it when I did. Amazing what can happen over a few years.

[alittleextra]

[color=#1C2837][size=2]Played almost all the courses in the lower mainland including the private ones (cap, shaughnessy, marine, PG) and I would put big sky up there in the top five. Spectacular course. [/size][/color]

[gold000]

[quote name='alittleextra' timestamp='1313994452' post='3508749']
[color="#1C2837"][size="2"]Played almost all the courses in the lower mainland including the private ones (cap, shaughnessy, marine, PG) and I would put big sky up there in the top five. Spectacular course. [/size][/color]
[/quote]

Big sky nice but not top 5....mt curry very cool. Chateau is simply breathtaking to play, shoot a good round and you'll want to go back every year

[vancouver81]

Anyone play Westwood Plateau yet this season? Is it still in rough shape?

[2bGood]

[quote name='vancouver81' timestamp='1338940253' post='5037452']
Anyone play Westwood Plateau yet this season? Is it still in rough shape?
[/quote]

Yes it is. Wait until August. It just does not drain well and the rain we have had lately leaves it pretty mucky. Also I hope you don't play full price for this course, as it always has a deal on. Ask to get on their email list if you like playing the course.

[vancouver81]

[quote name='2bGood' timestamp='1338941821' post='5037626']
[quote name='vancouver81' timestamp='1338940253' post='5037452']
Anyone play Westwood Plateau yet this season? Is it still in rough shape?
[/quote]

Yes it is. Wait until August. It just does not drain well and the rain we have had lately leaves it pretty mucky. Also I hope you don't play full price for this course, as it always has a deal on. Ask to get on their email list if you like playing the course.
[/quote]Thanks, will do.

[Super Tuna]

[quote name='2bGood' timestamp='1338941821' post='5037626']
[quote name='vancouver81' timestamp='1338940253' post='5037452']
Anyone play Westwood Plateau yet this season? Is it still in rough shape?
[/quote]

Yes it is. Wait until August. It just does not drain well and the rain we have had lately leaves it pretty mucky. Also I hope you don't play full price for this course, as it always has a deal on. Ask to get on their email list if you like playing the course.
[/quote]

I played it a couple weeks ago for an event, before we got the big down pour the past week, and it was in pretty good shape actually. Given how wet it's been this week though, I imagine it's back to being pretty squishy again. A few good days of sun, if ever get them, should dry it out nicely.

[ryhalfy]

Even with the good weather in the past two weeks, Westwood is apparently in really bad shape. The fairways are pretty chewed up and there's numerous wet spots in the rough. Plus the 10th hole is closed right now because they're redo-ing the drainage.

[gti303]

Anyone played at the falls since its been reopened? thinking of going this weekend, but I'm not sure if its any good yet.

[ryhalfy]

[quote name='gti303' timestamp='1342804914' post='5316430']
Anyone played at the falls since its been reopened? thinking of going this weekend, but I'm not sure if its any good yet.
[/quote]

I don't think it's in tip-top shape right now, but should be okay considering they opened up the course about a week ago. Worth a shot.

[jparks678]

morgan creek
northview (both courses)
and if chilliwack isnt to far then give the falls a chance its a great ride

[WestCoastHacker]

Plus 1 for Morgan Creek. King's Links near Boundary Bay is a neat track too if you are looking for something different. With respect to Westwood, I played it a few weeks back and it was in horrible shape. I took a big gouge out of a new wedge when I hit a rock the size of a baseball that was buried just underneath the surface of a bunker.

[ryhalfy]

Morgan Creek always in fantastic condition. Another good shout is Point Roberts Golf Course just south of the border. It's $65 on the weekend during prime-time. An equivalent course in Vancouver during prime-time will cost you about $100, so it's better value for your money.

[FLOGMR]

Just added Pagoda Ridge to my list of recently played.......very playable and a good bet.....new but very well matured.........See write up in this forum. [u][color=#0000ff][i][b]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/709764-new-course-for-vancouver-area/[/b][/i][/color][/u]

[vancouver81]

We're going to play Ledgeview for the first time this weekend. Any tips from FV locals?

[vancouver81]

The Falls is in very good shape, save for some ugly bunkers. Ledgeview was a nice track. Short with five great par-3s. I'd definitely play either next time I'm in the area.

[ryhalfy]

Anyone played Sagebrush?

[Ryan C]

[quote name='ryhalfy' timestamp='1369781332' post='7123368']
Anyone played Sagebrush?
[/quote]

One of the best in Canada, what would you like to know?

[ryhalfy]

[quote name='Ryan C' timestamp='1369789670' post='7124206']
[quote name='ryhalfy' timestamp='1369781332' post='7123368']
Anyone played Sagebrush?
[/quote]

One of the best in Canada, what would you like to know?
[/quote]

Wasn't able to get on it unfortunately a couple months ago. Played Talking Rock and Tobiano instead, which are both very nice.

Played Big Sky this past weekend... in pretty poor condition for the $150 price tag. The greens and fairways are brunt out and there's a lot of dead spots. Don't go paying that type of money for a course in that condition.

[vancouver81]

I was surprised to hear the same thing from a friend who played Big Sky last week. I've also thought they were known for their great conditions.

[myspinonit]

A comment that while this thread started back in 2007 as"Vancouver, BC" listing Whistler and Furry Creek I gather, those courses and Tobiano, Sagebrush Big Sky etc aren't in Vancouver, or even in the BC Lower Mainland, though granted Furry Creek isn't far away. Some of the discussed courses are five hours or more away....not good IMO for someone looking for a thread planning golf around a stay in "Vancouver" .

While this thread only has gone 2 pages so far, perhaps looking for (or starting threads if necessary) more specific to the appropriate geographic area might be helpful. e.g. BC Thompson/Okanagan, BC Whistler and Sea To Sky , BC Lower Mainland for example would I suggest be more helpful.

For Vancouver BC area suggestions I would offer the University Course, and Northview for a little further out. I'll relucantly add Riverway in Burnaby to that list, as Burnaby Parks board only provides 48 hour booking, which would fly in the face for trip planning for me (as it often does for local play there). Good food at all places.

[duffer987]

Not that I am certain to move back soon (could happen this Spring, could happen in 2017+) but I was looking at GVRD rates this weekend and they look don't look that much different - all things being equal - than they did back in the day.

I'm quite spoiled where I am now with so many solid options in the <$30 and $31-$50 range, that I know I won't be able to match it back home, but was hoping things had improved in the internet age, as when I was playing in the mid late 90s you actually still had to call courses up and the only discounts were in the back of the GolfBC book

When I played with friends last summer I didn't really care that a round was $50-$80 as I was just happy to get out with them. But trying to get in a 50-75 round season in the Lower Mainland that could add up, without lots of trips to North Bellingham and Padden. Are there any deals out there these days?

Thanks

[myspinonit]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1393734376' post='8775742']
Not that I am certain to move back soon (could happen this Spring, could happen in 2017+) but I was looking at GVRD rates this weekend and they look don't look that much different - all things being equal - than they did back in the day.

I'm quite spoiled where I am now with so many solid options in the <$30 and $31-$50 range, that I know I won't be able to match it back home, but was hoping things had improved in the internet age, as when I was playing in the mid late 90s you actually still had to call courses up and the only discounts were in the back of the GolfBC book

When I played with friends last summer I didn't really care that a round was $50-$80 as I was just happy to get out with them. But trying to get in a 50-75 round season in the Lower Mainland that could add up, without lots of trips to North Bellingham and Padden. Are there any deals out there these days?

Thanks
[/quote]

Duffer, as far as I know much what you see on the net is what you get on public courses this side of the 49th around here. Unless the courses surprise us this year, no break unless you go for the early bird/sunset or are a senior on weekday play. That generally means age 65, though UBC (and Northview I think ) go for age 60.

The three Vancouver Parks Board courses had a very generous ascending bonus discount card (cost $50) good for all three courses in 2012. It had deep discounts as one progressed through rounds with the last one (the 16th round), free. I went through a couple of cards. It was in fact too good a deal, and they went with a modified card last year that was only for one course and not as generous on discounts. I don't know anyone who bought that card. Maybe they will come up with a tweener card this year.

One suggestion might be to go on the Vancouver Parks Board and Burnaby Parks board sites and get on their newsletter email list. I'm also on UBC's, so other individual courses might have one. (Besides golf, being on the UBC list alerted me to a terrific 30 buck three course dinner with a glass of wine that we enjoyed last night!)

I'm pleased to hear there are golf deals down your way. My wife didn't golf really at the time of our previous trips (our last trip a couple of years or so ago was a SF, Monterey, Sonoma loop). But I might convince her to pack clubs next time! I may pick your brains if it happens, if that's ok.

Cheers.

[duffer987]

Thanks for the info
It will likely all come to nothing, but wanted to ask anyways. One would have to have priorities seriously skewered to make golf a top component of such decision making. Ok sacrilege to say on this site maybe

[bb123]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1393734376' post='8775742']
Not that I am certain to move back soon (could happen this Spring, could happen in 2017+) but I was looking at GVRD rates this weekend and they look don't look that much different - all things being equal - than they did back in the day.

I'm quite spoiled where I am now with so many solid options in the <$30 and $31-$50 range, that I know I won't be able to match it back home, but was hoping things had improved in the internet age, as when I was playing in the mid late 90s you actually still had to call courses up and the only discounts were in the back of the GolfBC book

When I played with friends last summer I didn't really care that a round was $50-$80 as I was just happy to get out with them. But trying to get in a 50-75 round season in the Lower Mainland that could add up, without lots of trips to North Bellingham and Padden. Are there any deals out there these days?

Thanks
[/quote]

Besides the Vancouver parks courses that myspinonit mentioned, there are lots of other "deals" to be had in the lower mainland, but if you want to play on the weekend at peak early time, yes it will cost a bit. Lots of courses now have "afternoon" rates (ie. 2pm before twilight: Kings Links, Northlands, etc) and Swaneset has numerous different rates during the day (earlier the cheaper, and lots of after lunch deals). Another couple great deals that are Pt Roberts sunset time at 5pm all summer for $25 , you will have the entire course to yourself and can finish easily, Homestead farms across the line is pretty cheap and you always have good sunday morning times as they are in the bible belt and have a great players card as well. But if you are really cheap like me, just avoid the weekend rush and go for a Monday/Tuesday 4pm time in the summer. Most of all the courses now have twitter and monthly email deals, so if you dont' mind a little bit of spam you can sign up for all of them and they usually send out promo codes.

[r2edline]

Played Langara last weekend. It is in awful condition, Lang is never in the greatest of shape but I haven't seen it this bad in a long time. Definitely not worth the $46 we paid. Had played Mcleery two weeks earlier and it was in much better shape, greens were good as they haven't punched yet.

[J_Rock]

just played Big Sky, tee's, fairways, rough, and sand all immaculate! greens had some rough spots for sure, and a few greens had a portion closed for repairs(this was mentioned at check in). all in all, amazing course! ill be back

[r2edline]

Played Fraserview on Monday 7/7. Course was in pretty nice shape for a municipal course. Fairways, rough tee boxes were all in great shape. Most of the greens were pretty good, about a 9-10 stimp, a few had a lot of pitch marks but that's nothing to be unexpected for a city course.

Played Furry Creek 6/29 and it was in really poor shape for the price. Sure, its scenic, but for $90+ I'd expect it to be in immaculate condition. Green were slow, course condition was very average. Will not go back unless its free.

[MMB1500]

[quote name='hbear' timestamp='1187742330' post='689464']
I would play Nicklaus North over Furry Creek...
Furry Creek although nice, is pretty tricked up....for the dollar (I think it's the same) Nicklaus North in Whistler is a MUCH better course/layout.
[/quote]

I played both a few years ago and would very much agree with this. Not overly keen on the house lined fairways at Nicklaus North - I like the feeling of seclusion when playing golf - but nonetheless a very nice course, with excellent facilities and service.

Albeit it is not in Vancouver, my recommendation for a 'hidden gem' in BC is Golden Golf Club , which funnily enough is in a town called Golden. My friend and I stumbled across this place by pure chance and it still remains the best course I have played to date. It's just a stunning layout, surrounded by mountains on all sides and with plenty of natural water features i.e. alpine streams meandering through the fairways. The town itself has a real 'Twin Peaks' feel to it, but in a good way! It was also in great condition and, at least when we played it, it seemed like excellent value, though that was a few years ago.

I would play this course again in a heartbeat and would definitely recommend it to anyone who happens to be in the area.

[url="http://www.golfgolden.com/"]http://www.golfgolden.com/[/url]