The revamped Eaglepoint offers an interesting challenge

Eaglepoint Golf Resort is just a 15 minute drive up Barnhartvale Road to the southeast of Kamloops, B.C.

Eaglepoint Golf Resort, just a 15 or so minute drive up Barnhartvale Road to the southeast of Kamloops, is somewhat of a hidden gem.

The course, which used to cut through lush and plentiful trees, creating a very narrow track in places, took a huge hit from the pine beetle some years back. While it is now far more open and less punishing for off-target shots, it is nonetheless an interesting challenge.

Flowing in and out of (and up and down) natural ravines and hills, the course allows players to take a few more risks they couldn't when the trees lined the fairways. This creates a much more risk/reward experience and allows for options in how to play each hole. But the natural, unmanicured landscape will still do serious damage to your score if (and when) you end up more than a few yards off the fairway. Consider a cautious approach to most holes, even when it looks like, “I could just cut that corner and give myself a wedge in,” because if you miss that shot by just a hair, you’re in trouble.

Eaglepoint is extremely playable for all golfers of all skill levels at anywhere from 5315 to 6792 yards, depending on which tees you play. A player who plays the fairways will have a good time as they make their way around the course, with a wide variety of shots to play.

Pros and cons

One of the biggest upsides to the course may be the practice range. It’s one of the last courses in the Kamloops area that has actual grass to hit off, as opposed to mats, and the snack shack is right at the tee-off area of the range.

The other big advantage Eaglepoint has is its price: $45 including a seat in a cart after 1 p.m. every day (and all day every day until the end of April) makes it a steal of a deal.

It’s a more laid-back, casual-type environment than some courses. According to Brett Martin, head golf professional, “It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, what you’re dressed in, just come on up and have some fun.”

If there’s a downside, it’s just the location. It’s not the kind of place that you can just whip off to for a quick 18, as it’s a solid 25-minute drive from the downtown core of Kamloops. You’re looking at an hour of travel round-trip. It’s a really nice drive, winding through the valleys that surround the city—it just makes playing your round and getting back to life that much longer.

If you’re in the area and need another round on the cheap, I highly recommend heading up into the hills and taking on this track.

Maybe I’ll see you out there.