When I was invited to play at the historical Oakville Golf Club by a good friend I appreciated the role of a nine-hole course. It was 10 minutes away from Andrew’s house and he cherishes the flexibility of spontaneously playing a quick nine with one of his sons or bringing along three good mates. The…
We purposely drove the incredible B.C. backroads from Kelowna, through the old Gold Rush era town of Lillooet, down the Duffey Lake Road to approach Whistler on Hwy 99. I had wanted to play Big Sky Golf Course http://www.bigskygolf.cain in nearby Pemberton. Hitting balls that disappear into nearby Mount Currie, evading water and watching several…
A great orchestra needs a second fiddle to the lead violinist. Royal County Down and the charm of Ardglass Golf Club with its haunted castle/clubhouse and spectacular opening holes go hand in hand. And what about Crail near St Andrews? The water is seen on almost every hole on this quirky and old links course….
I was privileged to play many different types of golf courses since April. First it was playing heathland courses in the Scottish Highlands.Then golf in my backyard of the Okanagan Valley, BC with views of mountains and valleys. Next it was a fantastic mix of high desert golf in scenic Oregon. Outpost links golf to…
While playing a Kelowna, BC golf course yesterday I encountered music being played on a golf cart not once, but twice by groups playing behind us. This was a first and I found it intrusive. I escape to golf courses for its tranquil setting and to get away from computer clacking and the noises of…
Rolling it over, tipping it up, preferring your lies. There are times of the year in North America where “winter rules” apply and certain formats like scrambles allow for it but they are exceptions. Having just played golf with Europeans in Scotland and Ireland they play the ball where is lies. And you receive wonky…
Since my piece about music on the golf course was a popular one, I thought I would tackle another pet peeve of mine: hats worn in the clubhouse. My father, Sam Morgan, raised me to take my headgear off when entering the Craigowan clubhouse. Respect and traditions were the reasons and I adhere to his…
Brexit and oil gluts are words we have heard constantly. Since Athlone is an inbound and outbound Canadian golf tour operator such seismic events affect our strategy. How? Well, three years ago when the Canadian dollar was close to par with the American currency, golfers travelled south. Not as much now with Alberta in a…
As my ball trickled off the green again on one of the turtleback greens at Pinehurst No. 2 this week during the IAGTO NAC Conference, it reminded me of playing here over 10 years ago. The new Crenshaw/Coore updated design is a pleasure to play but scores soar when managaing these billiard table like fast…
American golf writer, Matt Ward and his photographer, Maureen Vaccaro are guests in the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island this week. Matt and I originally met at the IGTM Conference in Tenerife last fall. He was intrigued by my interior B.C. golf story including Sagebrush and Tobiano and other aspects of this beautiful region. Thanks…