Shadow Mountain’s signature Hole 17 wows even the most jaded golfers

The term “signature hole” is no longer just used by golf businesses, but by everyone around

Some in the golf business claim that the term "signature hole" is nothing more than a marketing term, but it's now been widely adopted by golf media and fans. As one media source defines it, "The ‘signature hole’ at a golf course is the one hole that the course has decided is most esthetically pleasing and most photogenic. A signature hole may or may not be representative of the golf course as a whole, but because it is so pretty or dramatic it is the hole featured in the golf course's advertising and marketing efforts. And since that becomes the hole area golfers are most familiar with, the signature hole then gets talked about by golf media and fans."

The par-5 17th hole at Cranbrook's Shadow Mountain definitely is a signature hole of note.  Its massive drop from tee to fairway with the fairway narrowing like the neck of a bottle towards the craftily placed green, water on one side and a steep bank on the other and unsurpassed panoramic views of the soaring Rockies and St. Mary’s Bridge make this a truly impressive hole. Par this hole and you know you have accomplished something truly remarkable.

Golf writer Andrew Penner doesn't include Shadow Mountain's No. 17 on his list of British Columbia's top signature holes in B.C., but chances are that he may in the future, as this course has started to mature and really garner a following.

On a recent Saturday afternoon we played Shadow Mountain and were reminded of the spectacular beauty of this Cranbrook course. My somewhat jaded golf partners Clayton and Tim (who have played a lot of nice golf courses) delighted in crushing the ball on the signature 17th. Watch videos on the GolfWest YouTube page of their drives on the elevated tee of No. 17 at Shadow Mountain.

B.C.’s Signature Holes

Andrew Penner ranks these signature holes as some of B.C.'s best:

1. Tobiano #8 – “awe-inspiring”
2. Fairmont Chateau Whistler # 8 – “edge-of-your-seat mountain golf adventure”
3. Greywolf Golf Course # 6 – “infamous cliffhanger”
4. Bear Mountain Resort #19 – “pretty darn cool”
5. Westwood Plateau # 17 – “memorable downhill cruiser”
6. Kokanee Springs Golf Resort #5 – “anything but a sinker”
7. The Rise #17 – “a boomer”
8. Talking Rock #15 – “classic B.C. backdrop”
9. Olympic View Golf Club #17 – “framed by a 40-foot waterfall”
10. Nicklaus North, Whistler #17 – “strong par 3”
11. Shadow Mountain #17 – “breathtaking drop and panorama” (my suggestion)

Yes, I added Shadow Mountain's No. 17 to the list of signature holes of note in British Columbia—it just might make Andrew Penner's list the next time he swings through the Kootenays. Do you have a favourite signature hole? Tell us about it and send us a photo. Let us know what you think of the best signature holes in B.C listed above!