JEFF PATERSON - - - Golfing My Way

Jeff Paterson is a freelance sports talk host on Vancouver's TEAM 1040 SPORTS RADIO, can be seen from time-to-time on Rogers Sports Net TV and is a contributing writer/commentator for BC Golf News.


The Shannon Lake Golf Club opens with a robust 440-yard dogleg right. Like most of the holes on the front nine, Shannon Lake offers generous landing areas allowing players to swing their drivers freely. So, tee it high, let it fly and enjoy it while it lasts because that changes later in the round when the course works its way on a steady climb through a pine forest where a premium is placed on your accuracy off the tee.

Starting with the 12th hole---a narrow downhill par-4 with a pond guarding the left side of the green--- things start to tighten up and get interesting as players face a series of holes that meander down to Shannon Lake. The finishing stretch of three holes offers no easy options and will demand every player's best.

The 16th is a 188-yard par-three protected in front by a large bunker. With the pin in the back, this hole plays close to 200-yards and requires a ball be hit high and straight to avoid the sand.

Next comes the par-4 17th, Shannon Lakes' signature hole, that is as pretty as it is difficult. It's a great hole that starts with a demanding tee shot and doesn't let up. At 405 yards, and with Shannon Lake running down the length of the entire right side of the hole and a tree protecting the left side of the fairway, a solid drive is required. With the lake cutting in front of the green, a forced carry is required to reach the putting surface, which is guarded by water and fronted by a spectacular rock wall. A par here is an accomplishment.

The par-4 18th is an uphill 390-yarder with a sharply sloping fairway. Second shots are played to a funky little green guarded in front by a small creek and on the sides by bunkers.

Among the most-challenging aspects to Shannon Lake Golf Club are the many undulating greens. Because of those slopes and the elevation changes, the golf course requires extra long flagsticks on a number of holes so that players can see the pins from the fairways. Even with GPS units provided on the carts, club selection and distance control on approach shots will certainly come into play for anyone teeing it up at Shannon Lake. And making sure you reach the right level on some of the greens will definitely help to keep scores down.

The green on the par-5 third hole features one of the most-severe slopes you'll find in the middle of a putting surface. If you're below the hole and putting up, you have a chance. If you're above the hole there, you'll do well to limit the damage to a three-putt.

Throughout the round, you'll notice ample development as West Kelowna continues to grow. There are a number of projects already surrounding the golf course with many more on the way. And when all of the construction is finished, Shannon Lake Golf Club will very much be the centerpiece of a vibrant community on the west side of Okanagan Lake.