Williams Lake Golf and Tennis Club

An unexpected treat in Williams Lake, B.C.

Overlooking the lake itself, a mill, maybe another mill, and the section of town that’s on the other side of the valley, the Williams Lake Golf and Tennis Club catches you off guard.

By all rights, this shouldn’t be a nice course. I think they’re even lying about having tennis—at least definitely not on a drop-in basis—because the courts are where they keep members’ carts these days. What they’re definitely not lying about is that it’s all about fun, and it lives up to the signage that says so.

With a slope/rating of 69.3/115 for the men, and 73/120 for the ladies, this course is extremely playable. Wayward shots around here will generally be easily recoverable (even the next fairway over isn’t a bad play sometimes if your slice shows up), especially on the back nine.

The trees, though plentiful, are spaced well to allow for more lines back into play than you expect at first glance, and the only water of significant danger comes around the fourth green (not coincidentally the most difficult hole on the course), after you tee off through a narrow chute through the pines.

There's just enough elevation change to keep you from getting bored, especially on the front nine). This is a walkable course, so maybe skip the $28 power cart and take advantage of the after 1 p.m. rate of $32 after tax—or better yet, the twilight rate of $25 after 4:30 for even more value.

It’s by no means a destination course that you would travel to the area to play, but if you’re on your way through and have your clubs in the trunk, Williams Lake is a great chance to pull them out for an unexpected treat.