Aiming high

Redstone is ready for the next round

The course Redstone Golf Resort in Rossland has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful and challenging mountain-style courses in B.C., even as a nine-hole course. But according to managing partner Cary Fisher, while visitors would talk about the great surroundings and the tough play—along with the automated bag tow similar to a ski lift on the fifth hole—many didn’t return to be tested by the course again. But Fisher envisioned Rossland as a four-season destination—and that vision included golf. Formerly known as the Rossland Golf Course and owned by Teck Cominco Metals Ltd., the course was put on the auction block in 2003. Fisher approached a local developer, Robert Felsch, about the potential in the area. “We started walking up the mountain and all over the place,” said Fisher. “And (Felsch) said, ‘There’s a lot of flat land here,’ and then he said, ‘How much is it?’” Fisher said the final decision was made that afternoon. “We got back to the parking lot and (Felsch) said, ‘How much money do you have?’” said Fisher, “and I said, ‘Nothing.’ So he said, ‘Tell you what—you do all the work, I’ll put the money up and we’ll be partners.’” Famed golf course designer Les Furber was brought on board and the course was redesigned to include nine more holes and was made more playable. A condo development is gaining attention from locals and investors from outside the region. And this season, the challenging original nine will reopen to great anticipation. In the midst of all of the change and development, two things remain the same: the tremendous mountain scenery is worth any lost balls—and Fisher promises the bag tow will be installed for the sake of history.