Golf In The Kootenays' Columbia Valley Set To Go

With an up-to-date look at what's open and what's new BC Golf News presents:

BEV DUTHIE
Columbia Valley News

Spring is coming and golf starts in the Valley this week.

Riverside and Windermere Golf Courses plan to open on Friday (March 27) while the driving range at Windermere opened on Monday (March 23).

Fairmont Riverside hopes to open this Saturday (March 28) with Mountainside opening next weekend, April 4th.

The Springs plans to open on April 1st with their driving range opening this week and Eagle Ranch opening on April 2.

Copper Point's courses will open next Saturday and they are hoping to have the range open this weekend.

Edgewater and Spur Valley plan to open the next week on the 8th and 9th respectively.

Radium's Resort course hopes to open April 10th.

Greywolf has additional altitude issues so they won't be opening until around May 8, as always.

Be sure to call each course to double check their opening days and to book tee times!

While many resorts are claiming 'status quo' with no real changes noted, there are a few significant changes to relay, including some faces that have moved around the valley.

Peter Smith is the new Director of Golf for all three Fairmont courses. He is looking forward to promoting a new focus for golf at Fairmont, bringing Riverside, Mountainside, and Creekside together, creating a destination that has something for everyone.

Dale Moore from Copper Point has moved back to the Windermere Golf Course as Head Pro. He says he is "happy to be back as he loves the 'homey' feel and working with local people that he sees away from work as well." His new assistant is Casey Johnson. Dale's place at Copper Point has been filled by Darren Ottenbreit.

There are a few new programs around the Valley. The junior programs seem to be expanding. Windermere is offering junior after-school programs as well as a summer junior program.

Fairmont has their Youth Golf Program that is 3 days of golf combined with their Eco Adventure program for children from 7 to 14 years old.

Copper Point is offing their Tim Horton's junior camps for locals in May and June and their Nike junior camps in July and August.
Radium's Golf Academy will be offering programs again this year.

Windermere also offers men's, ladies', and beginners' programs for women and for men. They have the added bonus of being able to offer Shelley Thompson's LPGA coaching skills.

Packages are becoming quite creative in the Valley. Eagle Ranch and Copper Point offer special rates for Columbia Valley residents. Just show your BC Driver's license with a Columbia Valley address and you qualify.

Fairmont's VIP discounts are broader and include guests of all the local Fairmont Hot Springs' resorts, the timeshare guests, and East Kootenay residents.

Greywolf and Eagle Ranch have joined forces and offer a stay and golf package called "Soar with the Eagle and Run with the Wolf." Greywolf and Radium Resort also offer prepaid passes. You have to buy Greywolf's ($30 - $70 off) before April 2nd and Radium's (20% discount) before March 31st so, if you plan on golfing these courses this year, call and pick up your passes and save.

Fairmont offers its Book of Rounds for 10 rounds that are both discounted and transferrable. They have a package for all rounds and another that is good for twilight only. VIPs get these books at a discounted rate.

A great place to find both regular-season and discount packages is through High Country Properties Golf Guide. They have a tee-time hotline for booking any area courses through one number either toll free: 1-800-665-1801 or locally: 250-342-3887. Also, High Country Properties offers packages for other courses further down the valley in Kimberley, Cranbrook, and Fernie. Don't forget that High Country provides lots of great vacation rental accommodation options, either right on the fairway or minutes away, so whether you are coming from 'away' to the Valley or traveling down the Valley for a bit of 'away' time www.columbiavalleygolf.com might be a the place to look.

There are also lots of Nine & Dine packages. Coy's famous Nine and Dine (especially Friday's with a BBQ Ribs) is still popular. They also offer a weekend breakfast and golf special.

Eagle Ranch offers a twilight golf with dinner package.

Fairmont offers a Rise and Shine Package that includes 18 holes and a breakfast voucher as well as their usual Nine & Dine.

Spur Valley's Nine and Dine is also a creative breakfast package. Some of the courses have newly renovated dining areas - especially Riverside's completely redesigned clubhouse. Check out the other courses and see if there are other options for golf, food, and fun.

So - make sure you start walking and stretching. A few push-ups won't hurt either. You don't want to miss a moment of the upcoming season because you push harder than you should in the beginning. We haven't been able to include everything in this short article. Check out Colummbia Valley Golf Tail to find the right package or to find the contact information for the many resorts.