Putting the Fun Back Into Your Golf Game

Riondel Golf Course works hard to put the fun back into your golf game

It not the biggest, the best, the most challenging, the longest nor the toughest layout, but many will argue that it is one of the most fun golf courses you can play in the Kootenays. We are talking about the Riondel Golf Course located in the little Kootenay Lake community of Riondel.

Recently we made our annual pilgrimage to the East Shore of Kootenay Lake.  After quick stops at the Gray Creek Store and the Crawford Bay Artisans markets, it was on to Riondel.

The lush fairways all slope toward Kootenay Lake and a distinguishing course feature is its crowned greens—it wasn’t that many years ago that these were just sand greens.  It may be easy to make the green, but it can prove somewhat more of a challenge to keep your golf ball on it.  Don’t putt long because you will find your ball rolling past the hole, off the green and settling in the fringe.

Holes No. 1 and 3 are two of the course’s longest holes, with Holes No. 2 and 8 being the shortest. However, the eighth hole has a nice surprise—a beautiful apple orchard to lift your ball over.

Not to be outdone, Hole 6 is a blind shot off the tee, so golfers need to wait until the people ahead indicate that they have cleared the hole by ringing the bright red cow bell attached to a tree near the sixth green.

The course is ideal for young, senior and beginning golfers because they are sure come off the course with a smile on their face, keen on playing another round the next day.

The golf atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and there is no pressure to complete your round in record time. Everyone at the Riondel Golf Course works hard to put the fun back into your golf game.  Their slogan is “friendly golf course” in the Kootenays.

This immaculately maintained 9-hole executive course is a relaxing 1800-yard course, where you can enjoy snow capped mountain glaciers, wildlife, and glimpses of the lake.

The course offers unique challenges for most every golfer, with gullies, a meandering creek, and an apple orchard. Season passes, bulk passes, club and cart rentals are available. The course is open from mid-April to October, and is just 10 minutes from the Kootenay Lake ferry.

So, make a point of stashing your clubs in your trunk the next time you head for Kootenay Lake and let the Riondel Golf Course put the fun back into your golf game.

Check out the video showcasing Riondel Golf Course on our GolfWest Youtube page.