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KOOTENAY ROCKIES & BC's NORTH THE EAST KOOTENAY Castlegar Golf Course 18-hole Castlegar GC is set on a benchland near the airport above the local community. Here the holes are all different, each with its own subtle nuance. Famed amateur Doug Roxburgh has always termed it one of his favourites. "The four star rating we received from Golf Digest was just a feather in our cap," says GM Brian Miller proudly. Castlegar hosted the 2010 BC Amateur. Since the hiring of veteran Course Superintendent Craig Stocker seven years ago, course conditions have improved dramatically. In 2007 Castlegar hosted the BC Seniors Amateur Tournament, in 2010 the BC Amateur Tournament, and in 2011 the BC Senior Games. The Castlegar Golf Club has hosted a number of top tournaments in the past and is looking forward to having BC's best players testing their playing skills on their challenging course. Castlegar's Stay and Play packages offer prime time golf for two with a power cart plus one night stay in their RV Park for only $157... For those looking for a little more The Six Pack includes 3 days of golf for two with a power cart each day and two nights stay in the RV Park for only $214 per person (prices plus HST). Castlegar GC • Castlegar • semi- private • 18/72 • 6715 yds. • 800-666-0324 • golfcastlegar.com • Flag#: 29 • Map Grid Location: O147 Champion Lakes GC Named for the nearby Provincial Park and its lakes, the Champion Lakes Golf Course in Fruitvale, has, appropriately, three ponds at the centre of the course that are replicas of the much larger lakes to the northwest. Designed by Boyd Barr and first opened for play in 1992, the course was built by the industrious golfers of the Beaver Valley. The course's 9 holes play through a narrow valley populated by a thick forest of trees. "Because they wanted to do something for the golf course," Champion Lakes Golf and Country Club volunteers Willie Wagner, and Ken Stephenson designed and built this 2.5m, 90kg working-model waterwheel and bridge. A unique feature is the flume that feeds water from pond number one into the front of the waterwheel providing power to keep it turning. Champion Lakes G&CC • Fruitvale • public • 9/36 • 2985 yds. • 250-367-7001 • golfchampionlakes.com • Flag #: 33 • Map Grid: P148 Christina Lake Golf Club Christina Lake, 1.5 hours to the west of Trail, is home to the course of the same name. The warmth of the lake is matched by the friendliness of the members. Expanded to 18 holes in the mid-90s under the steady hand of Les Furber, the new and old holes blend seamlessly amid the Ponderosa Pines. Your round includes views of the Selkirk Mountains and the historic Kettle River. Christina Lake's Head Pro Kevin Maffioli says their course is the perfect place to host a tournament. "We are centrally located between Vancouver and Calgary. If you are planning a tournament or want to meet friends at an easily accessible midpoint, why not come to Christina Lake?" The course is regarded as one of the top 25 in British Columbia and is the first course in Canada to offer the unique feature of black sand traps. They have a number of tournaments throughout the year including the Ladies Open in late August. You may be surprised to know that they play golf here into November highlighted by the Remembrance Day Shootout. Christina Lake GC • public • 18/72 • 6785 yds. • 250-447-9313 • christinalakegolfclub.com • Flag #: 39 • Map Grid: Q145 Kokanee Springs Golf Resort Kokanee Springs, located on the east side of Kootenay Lake, is a place once visited, never forgotten. The course and the setting has both a feeling of grandeur and intimacy. The down-home friendliness here will have you wanting to come back year after year. There are stay'n play packages onsite at the Lodges of Kokanee Springs (100 yds from the first tee). They also have condominiums and cottages for sale. The units can be bought as one-quarter-share fractionals, or full ownership. Says Greg Garbula, "For 2012 we have lots that's new. Over the last two years we have implemented our 5 year master-planned course refresh, commissioned by Cook Carleton Architects for the updating of our 44 year old renowned course. Of which to date we have created a fourth set of tee boxes in order to realign the yardages of our course so that it is playable for all levels of golfers, especially the forward tees so that ladies and high handicappers are more comfortable playing Kokanee and their experience is more satisfying. This was completed in the fall of last year and this year we will be fully functional on all four distances. The plan called for a complete rebuild of all of our 66 bunkers on the course with drainage, liners and a new custom blend of white silica sands specifically mixed for our environment. This year will mark the first time in the 44 years of Kokanee's existence where we have complete and have consistent championship grade bunkers to british columbia 105 match the championship calibre course design. As well we have had a new and exciting addition to our onsite accommodations with the completion of our first 3 of 17 cottages located deep in the cedar trees along the number 12 fairway. These full-featured custom cottages embellish true luxury for the discerning Kokanee customer. April marks the completion of the first 12- plex Villa building, similar in finishing to the cottage located on Pinnacle Ridge overlooking the course on one side and the Kokanee Glacier on the other. This first building's completion launches the redesign of the inner core of the Kokanee Springs Resort, moving the heart of the resort up on the ridge and creating a golf cart community with a future clubhouse and spa as well as the additional 5 villa buildings and 14 more cottages." Kokanee Springs GR • Crawford Bay • resort • 18/71 • 6604 yds. • 800-979-7999 • kokaneesprings.com• Flag #: 119 • Map Grid Location: L150 Revelstoke Golf Club The Revelstoke Golf Club's treed, riverside setting is conveniently located just minutes off the Trans Canada Highway. The course lies along the mighty Columbia River and golfers will enjoy the many views of Mt. Begbie Glacier. It is a classic, traditional course set within giant hemlocks and cedars. Originally a race track, the history is sure to encourage you to take a few more gambling shots than usual. The 100-year-old building features a lookout tower and used to be a clubhouse for by-gone equestrian races. Stay'n play packages are available with Coast Hillcrest Hotel, Regent Inn, Super8, Best Western, and Revelstoke Lodge. Revelstoke, according to PGA of BC Head Professional John Franks Continued on next page