Canadian Rockies Golf -- Revisited

Six resort properties are involved in this re-branding include: Fairmont Banff Springs, Silvertip Resort, Canmore Golf & Curling Club, Kananaskis Country Golf Course, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club and Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club. In all, the courses offer 135 holes of golf.

From our friends at CYBERGOLF here is the latest.

The destination's theme is called "Canadian Rockies Golf: Historic. Dramatic. Untamed." and is intended to convey the attributes, activities and amenities offered. The base altitude for the region averages nearly a mile-high, with the nearby Rockies seen in all their glory from each golf course.

"The Canadian Rockies' resorts and golf courses offer a large selection of rates and experiences - something for everyone - all in an extremely safe, clean, environmentally sensitive area," says Gordon Schultz, spokesman for the consortium. "The recreation and lifestyle choices here are too many to count, and the protected mountains, forests and wildlife are second to none."

To view the topography and vacation options and learn more about the area, visit CANADIAN ROCKIES GOLF

Website visitors can view stay-and-play packages or request quotes for trips and packages. Or call 877/323-3633 for more information.

"Canadian Rockies Golf" is defined by historic courses designed by architects such as Stanley Thompson and Robert Trent Jones Sr. It also features contemporary layouts crafted by Les Furber and Gary Browning.

The courses weave through forestlands, and feature natural grasses and magnificent mountain vistas. Also on display is a variety of wildlife, including elk. Other activities include spa treatments, helicopter tours, hiking, fishing, rafting, restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding, and children's programs. The hotels also offer full-service conference, meeting, event and wedding services.

Here's the line-up of courses:

1. The Fairmont Banff Springs, 800/441-1414)

* Historic course augmented by castle-like hotel with regal ambiance, the Willow Stream Spa and sundry resort amenities
* 27 holes of golf - 18 Stanley Thompson-designed holes including the 200-yard, par-3 Devil's Cauldron, 147 bunkers, and the nine-hole Tunnel Course
* Located between Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle
* Situated in Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 2.

Silvertip Golf Resort, 877/877-5444)

* Home course of PGA Tour member and 2006 Players' champion Stephen Ames
* Golf Digest-rated 41⁄2 stars and is lauded for environmental sensitivity and maintenance practices
* 600 feet of elevation change, including the dramatic par-4 18th that has an extreme drop from tee to fairway, fairway to green

3. Canmore Golf and Curling Club, 888/678-4785)

* Valley-based site requires players to use all clubs in their bags, with narrow fairways challenging everyone
* Tree-lined course, friendly community atmosphere provides intimacy and camaraderie
* Located at the base of Bow Valley, glacier-fed streams laced throughout course

4. Kananaskis Country Golf Course, 877/591-2525)

* Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed both of these 18-hole courses in Kananaskis Country
* Layouts wind beneath Mt. Lorette and Mt. Kidd, after which the courses are named
* Features include lush fairways, the island-like 4th green at the Mt. Kidd course, 140-plus silica-sand bunkers and the Kananaskis River

5. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, 800/441-1414)

* Situated within the "wild side of the Rockies," with elk, caribou, coyote, bear and wolves inhabiting the national park
* Widely regarded as one of the world's top resort courses
* Designed by Thompson, the course is situated at the feet of towering mountains
* Located in the heart of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

6. Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club, 877/993-4653)

* Golf Digest rated the course with 41⁄2 stars
* Surrounded by the Three Sisters Mountains
* Audubon-certified track preserves habitat and is home to abundant wildlife