The best of British Columbia’s golf courses

All across BC are beautiful and challenging golf courses. Dennis Begin names his favourites.

When it comes to golf courses in this province, I have quite a bit of experience. Over the years I’ve played 197 different golf courses and 87 of those are in British Columbia. That’s why I decided to name my top ten list and to even go farther and name my 18 favourite holes in B.C. as well as a best of the best list. Of course, I haven’t played all the public golf courses in the province, so the naming the top 10 is a subjective task.

My apology is extended to those golf course that I have not played—yet. Then there are the excellent courses throughout the province that I have enjoyed, but didn’t add to my top 10. They include Morningstar, Crown Isle, Canoe Creek, Fraserview, Sandpiper, Storey Creek, Aberdeen Glen and Sun Rivers, just to name a few.

In selecting the best courses and holes, no two people could ever agree. Check out mine and then have some fun and put together your own list of the best.

Dennis Begin’s top 10 list of golf courses in British Columbia:

1. Chateau Whistler, Whistler
2. Predator Ridge, Vernon
3. Talking Rock, Chase
4. Nicholas North, Whistler
5. Olympic View, Victoria
6. Northview,  Ridge Course, Surrey
7. Greywolf, Panorama Resort, Invermere
8. Salmon Arm, Salmon Arm
9. Gallagher’s Canyon, Kelowna
10. Select from:  Bear Mountain, Tower Ranch, Big Sky, Fairview Mountain, Westwood Plateau,  Morgan Creek,  Eagle Ranch, Tobiano and Trickle Creek.

The 18 best holes in British Columbia:

I used five criteria in my selection process. They include:

• Playability. Are the holes fair for all levels of golfers?
• Does the hole offer risk and reward?
• Aesthetics. Is the hole nice to look at?
• No course can have more than two holes.
• Courses throughout the province.

My preference are holes that make you think and it becomes necessary to use all the clubs in your bag. Long and straight does not mean it is a great hole. The length of each hole is measured from the back tees and to the middle of the green. The holes selected are not in any specific order.

Best par-3 holes

• Eagle Ranch Resort, Invermere: Hole 16, 173 yards.
• Greywolf, Panorama Resort, Invermere: Hole 6, 200 yards.
• Nicklaus North, Whistler: Hole 17, 226 yards.
• Furry Creek, Lions Bay: Hole 14, 212 yards.

Honourable mention

• Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Whistler: Hole 8, 212 yards.
• The Rise, Vernon: Hole 7, 176 yards.

Best par-4 holes

• Olympic View, Victoria: Hole 17, 417 yards.
• Salmon Arm Golf Club: Hole 11, 407 yards.
• Peach Portal, Surrey: Hole 5, 461 yards.
• Predator Ridge, Ridge Course, Vernon: Hole 6, 436 yards.
• Meadow Gardens, Pitt Meadows: Hole 12, 443 yards.
• Black Mountain, Kelowna: Hole 5, 372 yards.
• Hyde Mountain, Sicamous: Hole 4, 465 yards.
• Tower Ranch, Kelowna: Hole 13, 408 yards.
• Pagoda Ridge, Fort  Langley: Hole 14, 466 yards.
• Northview Golf and Country Club, Ridge Course, Surrey: Hole 8, 350 yards.

Honourable mention

• Morgan Creek, Surrey: Hole 12, 356 yards.
• Redwoods, Langley: Hole 16, 394 yards.

Best par-5 holes

• The Falls, Chilliwack: Hole 11, 546 yards.
• Predator Ridge, Predator Course, Vernon: Hole 14, 568 yards.
• Talking Rock, Chase: Hole 7, 562 yards.
• Gallagher’s Canyon, Kelowna: Hole 6, 524 yards.

Honorable mention

• Tobiano, Kamloops: Hole 8, 589 yards.
• Fairmont Chateau Whistler: Hole 7, 538 yards.

The best of the best:

• Best Opening Holes: Tower Ranch, Kelowna.
• Best set of par 3s: Talking Rock, Chase.
• Best 9th hole: St. Eugene Mission, Cranbrook.
• Best 10th hole: The Rise, Vernon.
• Best closing hole: Meadow Gardens, Pitt Meadows.
• Hardest hole: Salmon Arm  Hole 11.
• Easiest hole: There are none.
• Best front nine: Riverway, Burnaby.
• Best back nine: Peace Portal, Surrey.
• Best 9-hole course: Mabel Lake,  Enderby.
• Best executive course: Cultus Lake, Chilliwack.
• Best driving range facilities: Birdies and Buckets, South Surrey.