Okanagan Golf Club’s twin courses

Which do you prefer?

I always wanted to date the beautiful Johnson twins in high school. It never happened. Turns out the Bear and the Quail golf courses are the closest I ever got to any twins. 

These two golf courses make up the Okanagan Golf Club of Kelowna and are owned by the Golf B.C. Group. They are located north of Kelowna, just off Highway 97, across from the Kelowna International Airport. The area is also a residential community called Quail Ridge, a master planned community with 750 homes including condos and single family homes. It is the two public golf courses, however, that draw your attention.

Both courses are operated by general manager Dan Matheson. When I asked him if it was double trouble to run two golf courses, his answer was, “No, only double pleasure.”

The Bear

This championship golf course, designed by Bill O’Leary of Jack Nicklaus Designs, opened in 1998 and was aptly named after the Golden Bear. Most golfers find the Bear plays a little easier than the Quail due to its wide, bowl-shaped fairways. Kentucky bluegrass is seeded on the fairways and poa annua on the greens.

The Bear is surrounded by a forest of ponderosa pines, sagebrush hills, sculpted fairways, grassy swales, large bunkers and manicured mounds. Holes 1 and 2 are relatively straightforward, allowing the golfer to ease into the round before the difficult No. 3 hole. The course winds through the forest to a plateau overlooking the Okanagan Valley on holes No. 10 and No. 11. 

I loved the 8th hole, a par 4 of 315 yards with narrow fairway and bunkers. This is a risk-and-reward hole, if you go for it. Holes 13 through 15 wrap themselves around Lake Bo McIvor, with McIvor Mountain in the background. I had a bogey on Hole 13, the same score as Jack Nicklaus when he played it.

The last three holes are excellent finishing holes, with rolling hills, wide and tapered fairways and deep bunkers. The signature hole is No. 3, par 4, 453 yards, with a very elevated tee and a panoramic view of the hole and valley below.

The Quail 

This championship golf course was designed by Les Furber and opened in 1994. It is named after a local bird. Most golfers find the Quail a little harder because of its narrow and tiered fairways. The fairways and greens are bent grass. 

The course winds around a rocky bluff and emerges on Hole 14 near Lake Bo McIvor.  I loved Hole 7, par 3, 227 yards, with nothing but double bogey should you go left. I disliked Hole 10, a tricky uphill with a dogleg right to a bunkered, elevated green. Too much!  

On holes 11 through 13, Quail Ridge homes run along the entire right side. Hole 14 is interesting, allowing the golfer to hit to a split fairway before going to the green. The final two holes are excellent finishing holes, requiring length off the tee and accuracy to a very elevated green on Hole 17. The signature hole is the picturesque No. 18, par 4, 408 yards, requiring a drive to the 150-yard marker followed by an iron over Lake Els to the green. As for the greens, they were tiered, undulating and fast.

These two premier golf courses will test your nerves and accuracy and constantly challenge you. The entire course is first class and we were treated that way by the staff. Features include Sarazen’s Restaurant and the Player’s Lounge & Grill, a spacious clubhouse, double-ended driving range, GBC Golf Academy, putting and chipping facilities as well as a fully stocked pro shop.  Tournaments, weddings, meetings and banquets are welcomed. Golf, however, takes centre stage. 

Take the special offer and double up by playing both courses in one day and save a few dollars.  You won’t be disappointed. 

The Bear - Par 72, 6,885 yards, CR 72, Slope 133 (back tees)
The Quail - Par 72, 6,794 yards, CR 73.1, Slope 138