Bear Mountain - Mountain Course

Opened in 2003, the Mountain course at Bear Mountain was the first of two Nicklaus designs (followed by the Valley course), and drew a great deal of attention to the Vancouver Island resort. In 2010 it hosted the Telus Skins game, which included Villegas, Couples, Poulter, Goosen and Weir. Despite the reputation this gave Bear Mountain, I was less than thrilled with the preparation for this event. Why, you might ask?

In 2009 I made the 12 hour drive (plus 1.5 hour ferry) to Victoria; the trip on which I first played Jasper Park Lodge. I had my round at Bear Mountain booked, and was anticipating my day on the soon-to-be-famous Mountain course. When I arrived at the pro shop I was informed that the Mountain course was closed in preparation for the Telus Skins game, and that I had been booked on the newly opened Valley course. A touch disappointing to say the least. While I was pleasantly surprised at how good the Valley course was, I still felt somewhat robbed. I promised myself to return ASAP to play the round I rightly deserved.

Just over 3 years (to the day) has passed since the day I was denied my round on the Mountain course. Today I made certain I was booked on the Mountain!

But that's only where the story begins. I reached the top of Bear Mountain this morning in pouring rain, only a few degrees above freezing. Being the hardy Canadian I consider myself, I didn't hesitate to head to the driving range wearing only a golf shirt and shorts. I did so alone. After about 15 minutes, another gentleman (in full rain/cold attire) came out to the range, approached me, and said "you must be from Alberta, son". I can't recall ever being so proud of my province... good work Albertans!

Not surprisingly, the course was quite open. I followed a twosome, with no one in sight behind me. As the rains came, I played the downhill par 5 first; a 540 yd dogleg left which played shorter than its yardage even with a soggy fairway.

Approach to the 1st



A pond short of the green discourages an attack with the second shot, but the mown bank left of the green funnels shots to the right if one chooses to do so. An approach finding the deep bunker to the left leaves a blind shot to a green sloping away.

The second is a short uphill par 4. A creek runs up the right side, and a tee shot that drifts too far left leaves a blind approach over a subtle incline. The green is relatively large and flat, except for a collection area on the front right that cuts about 15 ft into the green.

Hole 3 is a slightly longer version of hole 2; only that the hill now guards the right, and 2 bunkers on the left side mirror the creek on the previous hole.

The fourth is a nice par 3 of just under 200 yards. The green sits about 12 ft. about the mown area and bunkers short.

Par 3 fourth

The rocks to the left shelter a few feet of green, as well as a collection area which extends just beyond the tall tree beside the green.

As i reached the 5th tee, fog started to roll over the golf course.. If the rain and cold weren't enough. The fifth is a long par 4; nearly 500 yds. A pond in the fairway is out of reach from the tee, and should be easily carried on the second shot. However, it presents an issue if the tee shot doesn't find the fairway, in that it prevents a pitch-out from being advanced within 180 yds from the green.

Fog over the 5th



Hole 6 is a mid-length par 4, with an uphill tee shot and downhill approach. When i got up to my tee ball the rain subsided. I was ahead of the fog for a moment. My approach shot to the 6th would be the first of only 4 shots I hit under good conditions.

Approach to 6



The approach to the large, gently sloping green is quite simple if the tee shot has been well positioned (a recurring theme). The only real danger is the deep bunker to the left, which is easy to avoid from the fairway.

#7 is the second par 3; a short uphill hole which was hardly visible as I headed back into the fog. It's a fairly straight forward hole, but makes good use of the hilly terrain.

Par 3 seventh



By the time I reached the 8th, the golf course was hardly visible. I passed by the 8th hole, stopping only to snap a few pictures.

8th hole enveloped in fog

The original 9th hole was under construction, with the 10th playing as the 9th (11th as the 10th, etc). The famous 19th hole then became the 14th, with 15-18 playing as usual.. but back to the golf.

The 9th (original 10th) is a beautiful dogleg left around a rock outcropping; a short uphill hole. The gap between this hole and #8, due to the contruction, allowed me to get ahead of the fog for a moment. My tee shot and approach were the 2nd and 3rd shots I played in good conditions, respectively. As you can see, the fog was creeping back in.

9th (10th) tee

Like almost every par 4, the approach is quite simple (and short) if the tee shot is well positioned. The only danger is if you bail out to the right to avoid the hill, and find the deep right hand bunker.

As you drive up the hill by the green, the next hole comes into view; the signature island green par 3. Despite all the misfortunes I've had in my two trips to Bear Mountain, I can thank the good Lord for the 10 minute window to play the 10th (11th) hole. The tee shot on the par 3 would be the 4th and final shot I hit in rain/fog free conditions.

For a hole of just under 150 yds, the green is actually quite big. I found it to be one of the less daunting island green I've played.. but maybe that just naturally happens after you've played a few of them, and the initial intimidation of hitting to an island wears off. Nonetheless, it is a stunning little area of the golf course, surrounded on 3 sides by a stadium-like bowl. As you can see, the fog was fast approaching.

By the time I reached the next tee, the golf course was almost completely out of sight. I waited for about an hour, as i drove ahead looking for a hole with enough visibility to hit a few shots. The opportunity never came. After two trips up Bear Mountain, much of the Mountain course has still eluded me.

The 13 tee; my memory of the back 9

The first stretch of holes was enough to wet my appetitie...I will return!


'Til next time, keep your stick on the ice!

The Golfing Canuck

Coming Soon!

Writeups for the all of the courses I've played will be available shortly! Check back soon for updates!

Tobiano

Now ranked the 10th best golf course in Canada, Tobiano has received a lot of attention since bursting onto the stage in 2008, being named the best new course in Canada by both Scoregolf and Golf Digest. The Thomas McBroom course is perched atop a cliff overlooking Kamloops Lake, in what has to be one of the great natural settings for a golf course.

On my 2009 road trip from Edmonton to Vancouver (when I first played Jasper Park Lodge), I stopped by Tobiano to try and get a round in. However, I had yet to turn 19, and wasn't allowed on the course alone due to golf cart liabilities. I wondered around as much as I could, and took a few pictures of what was the most breathtaking place I had seen at the time. I promised myself to return as soon as possible to see what this place really had to offer. It was at the top of my MUST play list for 3 years, until finally, this past August, I was able to make the stop.

As i hit balls on the range, a gentleman on staff stopped by to pick up a few things, and share a little wisdom about the course. His words: "the first hole is quite difficult. it is the easiest hole". I figured sure, it might be tough, but I've seen a few of the hardest courses in America.. there's no way Tobiano could be that difficult. I should have believed him.

576 yd first hole at Tobiano

The first hole is a beautiful par 5, with a sloping fairway which helps shorten it a little. It is surprisingly narrow, considering how penal the waste areas are. Not an unfair hole, just requires you to focus from the get go. Hole #2 is much the same. A potentially driveable par 4 which presents a birdie opportunity, but consequences will follow careless shots. Deep greenside bunkers protect a tricky green. Like the first, it is difficult, but rewards good shots. The first 2 holes at Tobiano are some of my favoriate starting holes anywhere.

#3 is a short-ish par 3 to a small green, guarded by a steep bank of tall rough infront of the green. It is pretty simple with no tricks, just a nice hole. A gentle backstop on the rear of the green allows players who end up in the trouble short of the green to land their pitch softly and try to salvage a par. Again, a difficult enough hole that will reward good shots.

The 4th is a bunkerless par 4, which is likely the least photogenic on the course. Despite this, it is still a pretty good hole, thanks to a hilly fairway, and collection areas short of the green. Not bad, but seemingly 'unTobianolike'.

Hole #5 is a long par 4 that plays back into the wind (at least it did when I played). It runs through a tunnel-like dune area to a sheltered 2-tiered green. It is another difficult hole which will reward a piercing drive and well-struck approach (see a pattern?).

Approach to the long par 4 fifth

The sixth is one of many holes which requires about a 200 yd carry over wasteland on the tee shot. An uphill approach leaves much of the green blind. If not for the uphill/blind aspect, it is probably one of the easier holes on the front 9 (which doesn't necessarily mean it is an easy hole).

#7 is an awesome par 3 of about 200 yds, entirely over a gully. In ways, it reminded me of the famous 'cliffhanger' hole at Greywolf. The green has little depth, but plenty of width, placing a premium on controlling your distance.. something that can be hard to do if you let yourself think about the 200 yd carry required. I don't think it was quite as good as Greywolf's 6th hole, but it was so similar that I couldn't help but love it.

Tee at the par 3 seventh

Hole 8 is another long par 5 that can play shorter if the slope is utilized. As many others, it too has a 200+ yd carry off the tee to reach the fairway. The second shot plays noticeable downhill to a stunning vista. Given the slope of the fairway, the lay up tends to roll off to the right.

The slope of the 8th fairway, looking back

The approach plays to a reasonably small green, protected by large bunkers on either side. The green appears to hang out over Kamloops Lake. Just an all around great hole.

In contrast, I wasn't particularly a fan of the 9th. Although its a pretty hole, its just plain out not fun. A 400 yd par 4 straight up hill, to a green that isn't really there. The first 15 ft of the green run back down the hill.. I learned that hard way. After splitting the fairway with my drive, I hit what I thought to be a decent approach. Only to watch it roll back 80 yds. I hit what I thought was a good pitch. Only to watch it roll back to my feet. I actually did this twice. I finally got my fifth shot on the green and made a good double-bogey save, if there can be one. This was the only hole on the course which I didn't feel as though good shots were rewarded. Perhaps my impression of this hole was slightly influenced by my experience on it.

The 10th is similar to the 9th; straight up the hill. The greatest difference is that it is a par 5, and the false front is less severe. My approach on this hole only ran back about 20 yds and I was able to save par.

#11 is an interesting (some might say 'gimmicky') par 4. Despite my perils, I quite enjoyed it. A mid-length par 4 with bunkers partially hidden down the right, and more open fairway to the left than is visible from the tee. The approach plays over a large depression which serves as another false front. Having learned my lesson, I easily carried the false front, finishing just off the green, slightly shortsided. My chip died perfectly in the fringe and barely trickled on the green.. only to roll right off the other side. Did I mention that this course is tough? All I could do was laugh.

Hole 12 is a charming little par 3. I say 'little' only because the tees were moved up from 230 yds to 150 yds. I didn't complain. I thought it played well from the shorter tees, even though the green was large enough that it would probably play well from the tips also.

Tee at the par 3 12th

One of the more interesting holes was #13. An uphill par 5 that sweeps around a large waste area. It has a risk/reward tee shot, daring you to cut off as much of the dogleg left as possible. The approach plays back over the waste area to a large green surrounded by bunkers. All in all, a really good use of the terrain.

The tee shot on the 14th is partially blind, revealing only the direction in which the player should aim. The downhill approach makes the green appear to be hovering on the water. Just stunning. A well contoured green separates the left and right halves, narrowing the target on the second shot. Another hole that rewards well played shots.

#15 is a world class par 3. It is the only hole to run on the lake side of a small residential road. Sitting atop the cliff, it looks directly out on to the lake. The hole itself is pretty good too! A reasonably short hole, it temps the golfer to fire at the left hand side and carry the bunker. In actual fact, the slope on the right of the green will allow a player to run the ball up with just as much success, and little risk.

15th at Tobiano

Although #16 plays away from the water, it is also a spectacular hole. A downhill par 5, which drops so severely that only the green is visible from the tee. Of course, when you tell your friends about the 345 yd drive you hit, or your 230 yd 5-iron approach, you never mention the steep descent and fast fairways. A birdie is a birdie!

The 17th is the last of 5 outstanding par 3's. It might be the best of the bunch. While not quite as scenic as the 15th, it is ever bit as well designed. At about 180 yds, it requires a carry over a waste area much like the 7th. The difference is that #17 is 20 yds shorter with a bit more room for error. The hole blends perfectly into the hillside, and is framed by a number of deep bunkers. It is the last of what might be my favorite 3 hole stretch in B.C.

The near perfect par 3 17th

The last tee is on the hillside above the 17th green. From up above, you have a perfect view of much of the golf course, with the lake in the background. It is quite a sight. The 18th, which seems rather average for Tobiano standards, would be a great finishing hole on most other golf courses. A moderately long par 4, well bunkered down the left. It is not extremely difficult, nor is it easy. It's just a good way to 'cool down' after this amazing round of golf.

Tobiano was the first McBroom golf course I had the opportunity to play, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Good weather, great company, and an excellent round of golf. In the end, a truly memorable day. The course was every bit the test the staff member had warned, and I would pass that warning on to anyone who wants to play. Its a brute. Take it for what it is, laugh off the bad ones and just enjoy the quality of this golf course; its one of a kind.


'Til next time, keep your stick on the ice!

The Golfing Canuck

Jasper Park Lodge

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge's golf course is consistent ranked in the top 5 in Canada, and after reading a little about its history, I knew it was deserving of a visit. One of Stanley Thompson's best designs, laid out in the middle of snow covered peaks.. and for only $40 as a junior after 1pm. Who could pass up on that? I certainly wasn't going to.

The first time I made a stop at JPL was in the fall of 2009, fresh out of high school. I was making a road trip from Edmonton to Vancouver, and was obligated to get in a round on the way. Jasper was the first Thompson layout I had seen, and despite the high acclaim I wasn't quite sure what to expect. What I experienced was a step back in time, into the world of an 85 year-old Canadian gem.

The simple yet spectacular entrance to Jasper Park Lodge

On my first visit, I had the good fortune (and priviledge) of being grouped with the head professional's wife. Not surprising, she had a reasonable amount of local knowledge, which made the day that much more enjoyable. I played during the first week of October, which added to the course's rugged mountain appearance.. despite being just 3 degrees (or about 37 for you Yanks).

A year later I made the trip out again, this time in late August. While the tempurature was much more pleasant, the course didn't have that 'mountainous edge' from a year before. I've included pictures from both trips, you'll likely notice the difference if you go back and forth over the pictures.

2nd tee "Old Man"

The first two holes are what one might expect from an old, mostly unlengthened golf course: rather short and not overly challenging. Hole #1 is a reasonably short par 4, with an uphill approach to a large green. The somewhat blind nature of the second shot is the only real defense. In contrast, the 2nd hole is a downhill par 5 playing to a smaller green. The pro's wife made note of the hole's name, "Old Man", and the mountain in the background for which it is named. Spot the face! As you can see, the hole (along with most on the course) is quite wide open. With a downhill tee-shot at elevation, I reached the par 5 in 2 with 7-irons both times I played. At this point of the first round I played at JPL, I was thinking: pretty, old golf course.. kind of easy and boring. Hard to see how such a benign track could be so highly ranked.

That opinion didn't last long as I reached the 3rd and 4th holes. The third is a long, tricky par 4 with a partially blind tee shot and an uphill approach to a small green perfectly tucked into the hillside.



Approach to the 3rd

As I came around the hill on #3 and snapped the photo seen above, I thought 'this is what a Stanley Thompson course looks like'. It instantly went from an overrated, outdated layout, to possibly my favorite in Canada. The next stretch of holes built on this feeling. #4 is the first par 3, and a stern test at that. At 240 yds from the tips, the 4th would've required a well struck driver when the course opened in 1925 (and still does for many golfers!). Luckily, I can draw a 3 iron a really long way. Regardless, it is an outstanding hole with a variety of options. There is room short of the green to allow a run-up shot, but a high shot from the elevated tee will also hold the green.

The par 3 fourth

The large bunker 75 yds short of the green is a recurring theme, which is hardly in play on many holes. However, it can play with the mind, making the hole appear more treacherous than it is.

The fifth is another down hill, reachable par 5, which has little defense to a lower handicap golfer (since the bunker in the middle of the fairway can be carried). This characteristic is completely forgiveable, as it is surely one of the most aestetically pleasing holes anywhere to be found.

The view from the 5th tee - early October



5th tee - late August

I'll take a minute here to make note of the aforementioned difference between playing JPL in summer and fall. As you can see from these two pictures taken less than a year apart, the impression of the course is very different at varying times of the year. The second picture, while beautifully set in the mountains, does not possess that rugged mountain-like quality of the first. I personally preferred the snow covered mountains and slightly browned rough, even if it was barely above freezing.

Climate aside, the hole also has a trademark Stanley Thompson trait: the greenside hills and bunkering. A ball in a bunker (particularly the back bunkers) will often lead to a down hill lie. These, along with a small green, provide the main defense of the hole.

5th green

The distinct mounds that frame the green were designed by Thompson to shadow the mountains in the backdrop. They too are a recurring theme; part of what makes Jasper special.

I understand that my descriptions of the first 5 holes has taken an entire golf course worth of writing and pictures, but it is just that good! There really is no boring stretch on the course, especially considering the scenery. That being said, for the sake of finishing this post today I won't include 2-3 pictures from each hole onward. If you want to see more, I have plenty, just post a quick response at the bottom!

Back to golf. The 6th is a gentle dogleg right, with a large target bunker straight ahead off the tee. A fairway wood to the generous fairway leaves a mid-short iron to a moderately flat green, protected by a few bunkers. It is not a world class hole as others may be, but it flows perfectly with the layout and takes nothing away from the course. The 7th is a mid-length par 3 that plays to a slightly plateaued green, guarded by one front-left bunker. Like the last hole, it is refreshingly simplistic. Certainly not the signature hole, but it compliments the rest.

The 8th tee at Jasper Park Lodge



The 8th hole is one of two bunkerless holes on the course, and in my opinion the most difficult at JPL. From the tips it only measures 427 yds, but unless you thread the needle through the gap ahead, it will play much longer (as well as blind). It doglegs to the right, as do many of the holes on the front nine. From this view above, the green is on line with the right-hand mountain peak, and is guarded by a deep depression on the left side, and tall grass to the right and back.

Likely the most famous hole at JPL, the par 3  9th hole is often considered the signature hole (if there is just one). It is also considered one of the best par 3's in Canada.. for good reason.



9th tee "Cleopatra"

At 231 yds (given it plays a few clubs shorter with the drop), the third par 3 on the front 9 is another hole with greater length than one would expect from a course nearly 90 years old. It plays over two large bunkers to a green that sits about 12 ft. above the ground from the left, right and back (pictured below). There is an interesting legend of how this hole earned its title. During the construction of JPL, Stanley Thompson had been short-paid for his work. His plan for vengeance: construct two large mounds on the right of this hole to resemble a "curvaceous woman lying on her back". In the 1920's this was extremely crude. Thompson was paid the remaining amount in order to do away with the design. He did so.. but the remnants of Cleopatra remain to this day.

Raised 9th green, seen from behind on the 5th fairway

Any shot left, right or long is a near certain bogey at best. If anyone thinks Pete Dye's 15 ft. deep bunker on the 16th hole "San Andreas Fault" at PGA West is an original, take a long look at this one. What a hole.

Hole 10 is a classic old style par 5 with hills and bunkers lining the suble dogleg left (a new trend on the back 9). At under 500 yds it is also reachable in 2. This brings to attention another interesting characteristic of the first 10 holes: the par 3's are much more difficult than the par 5's. While I usually consider 5's to be scoring holes, the contrast between 3's and 5's struck me. At some point, the par 5's are only 200 yds longer than par 3's (an example being the 4th hole which stretches to 240, and the 5th which plays 444 from the white tee). I found my scorecard containing a lot of 4s. That is, I birdied many of the par 5's, parred most par 4's, but did good to bogey many of the par 3's.

The 11th is a straight par 4 which plays in the same direction as "Cleopatra", and therefore has the same breathtaking backdrop. From an aerial perspective, it looks an exact mirror image of hole 1, but plays very different. The fairway bunker on the right side of #1 must be laid-up to, while the bunker on the left of #11 can be carried. The tee shot on 1 is flat with an uphill approach, while the tee shot on 11 is downhill with a flat approach.

11th green

As pictured above, the 11th green is also surrounded by dramatic mounds, which reflect the mountains in the distance.

The 12th hole is another mid-length par 3, with a reasonably large green. It is more exposed than other areas of the course, and I found that the wind can be a greater factor on the 12th tee than anywhere else on the course. I played this hole from the black tee (tips), as well as the blue/white tee, because the hole plays quite differently from both. Oddly enough, I found it more difficult from the forward tees because it forces a carry over 2 bunkers that are off to the side from the back tee. I almost wonder if the current blue tee was the original back tee. Anyone know for sure?

As I walked up to the 12th green, I encountered another surprise. Two black bears in the tree above. Such is the charm of Jasper Park Lodge.

The gallery, with a birdseye view of the 12th green

#13 is the without doubt the most daunting par 5 at just over 600 yds. Even better is the fact that this hole hasn't been lengthened.. it was born 600 yds in 1925. Although it is downhill and easily reachable in 3 shots, the partially blind approach to a small green ensures that no one will be getting off easy. It almost makes up for the previous par 5's (which I consider to be par 4 1/2) in terms of difficulty, but it is not overly penal. Just a really good tough par 5.

If the 9th is the signature hole, 14 surely is not far behind. The tee box on this short par 4 is a small extension of land which hangs out onto the glacial Lac Beauvert. It is almost impossible to focus on the task at hand when this is in your peripherals.

14th tee box

The tee shot plays back over the lake, to a sloped fairway that runs diagonally along the water's edge. It is the second of the two holes with no bunkers.. they would be completely unnecessary on this hole.

14th hole from tee

The green is visible through the gap in the trees to the left, but is out of reach for even the longest hitters. While the tee shot ahead seems straight forward, it is risk-reward because a shot threaded down the left will have a flat lie, while safe shots to the right will be on a side hill lie. I tried to play safe, but having been distracted by the view to the left I thinned my 5-wood. Luckily, it carried, and my soft lefty cut put me in perfect position. Sometimes you have to be lucky to be good.

Hole 15 is quite appropriately named "Bad Baby". At only 138 yds from the tips it is by far the shortest hole on the course; hence "baby". It also seems quite vulnerable from the tee; rather baby-like.

Par 3 fifteenth "Bad Baby" from the tee

Don't be fooled, this baby has teeth. Serious teeth. The green is about the size of a no-longer-in-production Canadian penny. There is no room for error. The left side runs down to the water, and the right practically falls off the earth. The hill partially blocking the back-right bunker gives the illusion of flat terrain to the right; far from reality. Like the 9th, any shot right of this green will end up about 12 ft. below the surface of the green, as pictured below... hence "BAD baby"... very bad baby.

Hidden crater to the right of the 15th green

The 16th tee is a good place to calm your emotions after taking a ridiculous number

on a 135 yd hole. A subtle dogleg left of 380 yds, with gently rolling hills and plenty of room to miss to the right. The approach shot reveals what was blind from the tee; an inlet of Lac Beauvert that must be carried on the second shot.

The approach to #16

Hole #17 is an uphill par 4 of 360 yds. It is one of my favorite holes at JPL, but for one reason or another I failed to capture a picture from the tee on both of my rounds. Probably just tickled at the amazing experience I was having. The fairway slopes severely from right to left, and a long, accurate drive up the hill is required to allow for a view of the green on the approach. The green is well protected by a few large bunkers on either side.

The 18th is a classic. A dramatic dogleg left par 4, over 100 yds longer than the previous hole. Despite its length, it plays mostly downhill, and a well positioned drive will run an extra 20-30 yds. The approach continues to fall down the hill, towards a narrow, well protected green.

The approach to #18

Upon visiting JPL after its opening in the 1920's, Alister Mackenzie said the finishing hole was the greatest he had ever seen. Quite high praise from someone who would go on to design Cypress, Augusta, Crystal Downs, and the famous group of Australian sandbelt courses.

I can't help but emphasize again how timeless this course is. There are hardly any changes that could enhance the layout that exists today. After a few hours alone on this masterpiece you'll be convinced the clocks have been turned back 80 years. The first round I played here was one my top 3 favorite rounds of golf I have ever played. The second wasn't so bad either! The mountains are far more spectacular than any of my pictures can do justice. My recommendation: if you're within a few hours of JPL and you have any interest in seeing the best Canada has to offer, stop in. Make it happen. It's that good.

'Til next time, keep your stick on the ice!

The Golfing Canuck