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