Tower Ranch Golf and Country Club

This new course in the hills above Kelowna is challenging and offers stunning views

Stan Tower was a farmer, rancher and amateur pilot who made his home in the 1960s in the East Kelowna Uplands, a short drive from downtown Kelowna. As the years passed, Stan envisioned a planned residential community on his property, co-existing with the rugged terrain.  In the 1980s Stan met golf architect Thomas McBroom and his dream was launched.  

Tower Ranch opened in 2007 with nine holes and phase one of single family homes. In the future, 800 homes will share the Tower Ranch. The ranch is in partnership with Dilworth Homes, Aberdeen Golf Development and Intrawest, the same company which developed Blackcomb and Whistler.

Tower Ranch reminds me of Tobiano near Kamloops.  The course is cut into the hills and ravines, with few trees and plenty of fescue grass. Every hole is unique and isolated by the natural topography. Holes no. 1 (par 4, 423 yards from the back tees) and no. 2 (par 5, 564 yards) are two of the best opening holes in golf.

The back nine continue to climb up into the hills, with panoramic views of Kelowna and Lake Okanagan. The back par 3s have you hitting across a ravine or down into one. There is some water on the course (holes 2 and 10) and an abundance of sand traps with white silica sand.  The greens are bentgrass and have multiple levels. The well-equipped, classy clubhouse of 10,000 square feet contains a pro shop, fitness facility, homeowners’ lounge and restaurant.  Memberships are for sale.

Both Score magazine and Golf Digest in 2009 named Tower Ranch as the best new golf course in Canada. Tower Ranch is a challenging, fun course to play. The  phrase, “a golfer’s dream come true” is used to describe Tower Ranch—and it is correct.