Blackhawk

UPDATE IN PROGRESS FOLLOWING 21 ROUNDS AT BLACKHAWK IN 2016!

Rod Whitman's Blackhawk was named the Best New Course in Western Canada for 2003. The course has been in the top 25 ever since (#13 on my 2012 list, #20 in the current 2014 ranking at the time of this post). Similar to Sagebrush, another Whitman design, Blackhawk remained accessible to the public for a few years until the membership was filled. It was in these early years that I played 2 or 3 rounds on the highly acclaimed layout just west of Edmonton. 10 years ago I was quite new to golf, and was yet to pursue the top 100. As such, I have no pictures of the course, and only fragmented memories of most of the holes.

I can't help but compare Blackhawk to Wolf Creek, its publicly accessible sibling a few hours to the south. Wolf Creek put Whitman on the map, and for one reason or another has held a high ranking similar to that of Blackhawk. Most avid golfers would agree that the Wolf is at least somewhat overrated. However, Blackhawk is what Wolf Creek was meant to be: a minimalist design which incorporates natural features of the land to create an exciting and challenging round of golf.

The landscape surrounding Blackhawk is relatively flat, with a steep-faced riverbank nearby. The land on which the course was built is relatively flat, but has a few gentle elevation changes (holes 2, 7, 8 and 18), and a few dramatic incline/declines (9, 10, 11). While there is no water on the front 9, both par 3s on the back required a carry over water. All in all, there is a great variety of holes.

If there is one distinguishable characteristic of Blackhawk, in my memory, it is the speed and undulation of the greens. Depending on the pin positions each green can either be relatively benign or extremely daunting. The greens require creativity and precision. For anyone who is comfortable with their flat-stick, they are a blast. For a golfer lacking a steady stroke, they can make for a long day.

Blackhawk is unquestionably one of the best courses in Alberta. However, since it has been so long since playing the course I will withhold further comment. If/when I have the privilege of returning to this top-notch club, I will supplement this post with more details and corresponding pictures.

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

The Golfing Canuck

Priddis Greens - Hawk & Raven

Priddis, a small community to the southwest of Calgary, is home to one of the best 36-hole private clubs in western Canada. The club hosted the 2009 Canadian Women's Open, and has hosted a number of other professional tournaments in the past 30 years. It is also on the short list of the most private clubs in Alberta, which made my visit last summer all the more exciting. As in my post on Banff Springs, I must thank my cousin for the opportunity to see what Priddis has to offer.

The Hawk course was ranked #48 in the 2012 Scoregolf top 100, and will therefore receive much of the attention of my write-up. However, I also had the chance to play the Raven course and was surprised at how many good holes it had. I will include a section on Raven following Hawk.

Aside from a few pictures I had seen, I had no idea what to expect at Priddis. A few reviews I read beforehand suggested it would be relatively hilly, as it runs through the foothills of southern Alberta. However, walking off the 5th green I had yet to experience any significant elevation change.

The opening stretch is relatively gentle, providing a nice start to the round. It doesn't offer anything extraordinary, but it is a good string of holes nonetheless. Holes 1 and 5 present birdie opportunities (#1 being a short par 4, and #5 a reachable par 5); what better way to start a round than with a little boost of confidence?

Hole 6 is arguably the signature hole on the Hawk, with a dramatic downhill tee shot, and a sharp dogleg. In fact, from the men's tees the dogleg is so sharp, and the descent so great, that only half of the hole is visible. The postcard picture comes from the forward tees, which are lower and further left, opening up a clear view of the hole.

Scenic 6th

From the back tees you get your first glimpse of the elevation changes that await on the Hawk. The approach actually plays slightly uphill, foreshadowing what is to come.

Both 7 and 8 play relatively flat from the tee, with uphill approaches. While the seventh is a fairly routine par 4, the eighth is a beautiful, challenging par 5. The tee shot is not daunting, but any miss will lead to a difficult layup.

Challenging uphill 8th

Although holes 4 and 7 have uphill approaches where the entire flag is not visible, it was not until I hit my layup to the 8th (where only about 6" of the flag could be seen), where uphill approaches seemed to become a recurring theme...to be touched on later.

The ninth is a downhill par 3 around a pond, which reminded me of the 5th hole at the Glencoe. Despite being a mirror image of the Glencoe's 5th (water left rather than right), playing 1-2 clubs longer, and having a larger green, the Hawk's 9th felt similar to me. I have yet to mention the firmness and speed of the greens - an essential characteristic of how the holes play. The greens were championship-ready, and easily among the best I've played in Alberta. An example: my 6 iron tee shot at the 9th damaged the cup, only to bounce and roll off the back of the green. After hardly nudging the ball, the downhill chip ran 8 ft. past the hole. At no point did I feel as though the speed or firmness was out of control or unfair (actually quite to the contrary). It only required shots around the greens to be extremely delicate and precise...and perhaps a few holes to adjust.

#10 is possibly the flattest hole on the course and has no bunkers. It does, however, masterfully run alongside a creek, and play across it to the green. Like most on Hawk, this simple hole follows the natural landscape. The same can be said for the 11th, another par 4 and among my favorites on the course. A large fairway bunker on the sharp dogleg-left presents a risk/reward tee shot. Positioning is key to allow for a good approach,

uphill approach to #11

Its easy to see why this 2nd shot is much easier from 125 yards than from 225 yards. The green is relatively generous for a 150 yard approach, but daunting for a long approach. This is often unfair for a straight hole in which a long-hitter has a huge advantage. However, the length of this hole is not its defense. Any golfer (assuming they are playing the appropriate tees) can carry the fairway bunker to leave a short approach... but can you take the risk and pull off the shot? This is the kind of strategy I love on a course.

The strategy of the par 5 13th is similar to both the 8th and 11th holes - all of which are flat tee-to-fairway, and uphill fairway-to-green. At this point I made note of something unusual about the Hawk at Priddis: there a large number of uphill approach shots, yet you never get tired of hitting uphill. Typically, golf courses are designed to incorporate more downhill shots, with fewer uphill holes included. There may be uphill walks from one green to the following tee to lessen the need to hit uphill. In general, uphill holes tend to be difficult, discourage golfers and reduce enjoyment of a round. As such, they are often created sparingly. So why were all of the uphill shots at Priddis so much fun? I considered this for the rest of the round, and only recently found an answer.

This answer, at least in my mind, lies in the fact that very few tee shots (1...2 at most) play uphill. On many golf courses, a group of holes will play flat or downhill. On each 9 (roughly) there will be one steeply uphill par 4 which makes up for the elevation lost. Picture hitting a driver into the face of a hill 100 yards ahead of you. These holes, which are often 350 yards from the tips yet require a driver and mid-short iron, can be stomached in small doses. They provide variety, but frustrate golfers if there are a lot of them. Besides, no one likes losing 50 yards on your drive, regardless of elevation changes.

In contrast, Priddis doesn't discourage you off of the tee. You always have the chance to position yourself well for an approach. From the fairway, gentle uphill approaches to par 4s offer moderate difficulty, while severe uphill layups/approaches to par 5s provide greater defense to 3-shot holes that lack great distance... which brings me back to the 13th hole...

Another flat tee-to-fairway hole allows the golfer to advance the ball quite far, and contemplate going for the green in 2. From here, large bunkers guard the layup area on both sides.

2nd at 13... lay up or attack?

While the green isn't visible up the hill, the front and back green-side bunkers give a you a clear target. This is another characteristic of the Hawk which makes all of the uphill shots enjoyable. Even when the green cannot be seen, there is still an easily identifiable target. The climb pictured above is even greater than it appears, but was a lot of fun nonetheless. The green at 13 was, to my memory, the most difficult. Strong contours and lightning-quick speed resulted in my only 3-putt of the round.

The 14th and 15th had recently undergone a renovation before I visited, including reshaped bunkers. Both are beautiful holes, but certainly have a different feel from the rest of the course. The first is an uphill par 4 which is short enough to allow an aggressive golfer to get their tee shot near the green. There is great strategy in the tee shot, with a generous landing area for conservative shots, and another landing area between the fairway bunkers (row of 4 visible below) and green-side sand traps (barely visible in the top-right, below) for a more aggressive shots.

Near drive-able uphill par 4 14th 

I elected to lay back with a 4 iron, leaving an uphill approach from the left side of the fairway. It was from this point in the fairway that the 14th felt the most unlike others on the course; whereas other uphill holes on the Hawk offer a clear indication of what the target is, I found it very difficult to figure out where I was going with the approach. This gave me the impression that a conservative tee shot is not rewarded, and aggression is the intended option. Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed the strategic thought required to play the 14th well.

The 15th is a pretty little par 3, offering nothing out of the ordinary. It is followed by the uphill par 4 16th, which I thought to be one of very few bland holes on the course. Fortunately, the bad taste in your mouth doesn't last very long; the downhill par 3 17th is a fantastic hole. At 225 yards it is the longest on Hawk, but to my knowledge has the largest green on the course. A birdie here will not be easy to come by, but par is never out of reach... even after a stray tee shot. The contrast of downhill par 3s and uphill par 4/5s was most apparent standing on the 17th tee, and it was in no way detrimental to the experience of playing the course.

Hawk closes with a solid par 5. This risk/reward hole doglegs left around a large water hazard, and can present a birdie opportunity to finish the day. I was in the favor of the golf gods on that day, as I flushed my 2nd shot to hit the green. The 2-putt birdie gave me my lowest round of the year at the time. Even more, my day had yet to end... my cousin and I had the opportunity to see as much of the sister course (Raven) as daylight would permit.

Before touching on Raven I feel as though I should discuss my overall impression of the Hawk and how it stacks up in the rankings. All in all, I would happily move it up from its position at #48. I preferred the Hawk to other courses above it in the rankings, such as Wolf Creek - Old and Royal Colwood. I would possibly even put it above Stewart Creek (hard to top S.C.'s scenery, but the strategy and shot variety of Hawk was far superior). Walking off of the 18th, I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed all of the uphill approach shots... the course just softens the elevation enough that it never gets discouraging. Its certainly the most fun I've had clubbing-up every second or third hole.
In addition, I found the holes at Hawk to simply be prettier than the 3 aforementioned courses that rank higher. From the courses I have played thus far (28 of the top 100 at the time of this post), I would put the Hawk 10 spots higher, somewhere in the high 30s. Now on to the Raven!



Round Two!


The first tee of the lesser-known Raven course is not far from the 18th green of the Hawk. I was thrilled to have the privilege of heading straight from 18 to 1, and even more thrilled to quickly discover that the Raven course is surprisingly good! It does not have quite the difficulty of its championship sibling, but it is certainly no push-over.

Elevation changes on the front 9 are very gentle, and never really factor into your shots. This is a big part of why Raven is not as difficult as Hawk. This 9 is likely the easiest and least scenic of the four 9s at Priddis, but still has some gorgeous holes such as the 2nd (pictured below). On the day I played both courses, Raven was just as well conditioned as Hawk. The greens were perhaps slightly slower, which eased a bit of the stress towards the end of a long day of golf.

The Raven - 2nd green 

The back 9 offers great contrast to the front with regards to elevation. From the 10th tee the drop is so severe that the fairway was not visible from the tees. The vistas on this hole are tremendous, as you watch your ball fall from the sky for what seems like minutes. By plunging down the hill, the 10th hole takes you to the edge of a valley, which you play alongside for much of the back 9.

Although holes 10 and 16 (the most dramatic uphill and downhill holes on the course) are both fantastic, the most exciting hole on the course is perhaps the 15th. Ironically, the 15th is the flattest on the course. The short par 3 plays over water against a steep hillside. Since the sun had set just as we reached the 15th, the exposure of my camera produced a slightly blurry picture.

Nerve-testing par 3 15th

Holes 15, 17 and 18 present a good risk-reward finish; all 3 are potentially birdie holes, but can spoil a good round if played carelessly. While we were a bit rushed as we tried to finish before dark, we were able to enjoy the entire round.

Having seen both courses in peak condition, I had a good opportunity to compare the two. As previously mentioned, I felt as though the Hawk was worthy of a higher rank than #48. Similarly, I believe the Raven course (unranked) should be a part of the top 100. Its best holes are as good as any, but there are a number of relatively bland holes as well. For this reason, I wouldn't put Raven in the same category as Hawk, which has very few boring holes. I would consider the Raven a mid 80s to low 90s type of course. I much preferred it to Northern Bear, and would put it in a similar category as Salmon Arm (though more well-maintained). Long story short: both courses at Priddis Greens are outstanding. The Hawk is every bit as good as its ranking suggests, and the Raven should not be overlooked. I'm extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to visit this great club, and hope to return soon!


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

The Golfing Canuck

Quick Update From PEI!

I have reached the midpoint of my time in Atlantic Canada! 2 rounds in the books (Dundarave, Green Gables), 2 rounds remaining (Algonquin, Crowbush Cove)

The island was hit with record breaking snowfall this past winter, and many courses have struggled to recover. Dundarave had 6 temporary greens in play, as many were damaged beyond repair and have been undergoing extensive re-sodding. I was still able to see all of the course, and get a good feel for how it would normally play. Green Gables also had a fair amount of damage from the winter, but all greens were in play and rolled reasonably well. Here is a small taste of what I have seen so far!

10th at Green Gables

Signature 16th at Green Gables (and a rare inclusion of yours truly)

While at Dundarave, a serendipitous circumstance brought me in touch with a fellow golf blogger! My new friend only recently discovered the world of golf, and seems to be even more addicted to it than I am (which is difficult to wrap my head around). She already has some of the craziest stories, and certainly has plenty more to come. If you'd like to be a part of her awesome golfing adventures I'd strongly encourage you to check out her blog! www.fairwayfoodie.wordpress.com

On a side note, I am nearly finished my write up on Priddis Greens! I will be posting soon, stay tuned for what's to come!

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

The Golfing Canuck

Banff Springs

Although little is usually said about the changes to the Stanley Thompson 18 at Banff Springs, I believe it has to be one of the more controversial courses in the country. The course is consistently ranked in the top 10 in Canada, largely because the holes themselves have not changed since being built in 1928. The controversy lies in the rerouting, which moved the start and finish away from the renowned hotel. Rather than the out-and-back style of the original layout, starting next to the hotel, and finishing with the hotel as the backdrop, the original 5th hole now plays as the first. With a central clubhouse, the course now plays as a loop- four holes away from the hotel, ten holes back to the hotel, and four holes away from the hotel. As I will touch on later, this rerouting is quite unfortunate and takes away from the overall experience of the round. That being said, the holes have not actually changed, and the course is still unquestionable one of Canada's best.

Having grown up only a few hours from Banff, I visited the town with my family regularly throughout my childhood and teen years. As my interest in golf grew, so too did my interest in this historic golf course. When I was 17 I began travelling in pursuit of the Canadian top 100; Banff Springs was always on my radar. However, as the most expensive golf course in Alberta, I had put off making the trip. My interest continued to grow.

My cousin and assistant superintendent decided to make the trip a few summers ago, and was able to cut me a deal on green fees. I must mention his generosity, and my appreciation for having the opportunity to visit this iconic golf course.

With a tee time booked, I dug a little deeper into the history of one of Canada's most iconic travel destinations. I must note the Golf Club Atlas as a source of much great historical information.. some of which I will touch on. Banff Springs' roots go back to a heated rivalry between the Canadian National Railroad and the Canadian Pacific Railroad, during the early development of Western Canada, around the turn of the 20th century. When the CNR, passing through Jasper, hired Stanley Thompson to construct a top-notch course to draw tourists from the East, the CPR (through Banff) took notice. A hotel already existed at Banff Springs, and the renowned architect Donald Ross was hired to construct a golf course to attract tourists, just as the Jasper Park Lodge course had been successful in doing. However, upon the completion of Ross' Banff Springs course, the Thompson course at JPL was an overwhelming favorite. Banff Springs decided to hire Thompson to build a new course over the Ross course, with one goal: be better than JPL. Thompson received permission to increase the property used for the course, stretching it further from the hotel (bringing spectacular vistas into play, as on the 4th), and also bringing holes closer to the hotel. Thompson would spare no expense, ensuring the Banff Springs course was as extraordinary as possible. The end result: a $1 million price tag, making it the most expensive golf course in the world at the time of its completion. Only one green from the Ross design would be included in Thompson's 18. The course was a hit.

Being an admirer of Stanley Thompson's work, I'm obligated to take a moment to put in perspective the genius of his designs in the Rockies (not to mention his other courses). Donald Ross is revered as one of the great architects of the early 20th century. I am yet to play one of his golf courses, but from what I've read and seen his designs are deserving of this reputation. Despite Ross' expertise, Thompson's ability to work with challenging terrain (at JPL) was far superior. So much so that Thompson was hired to build over Ross' recent work. This seems to be quite a slap in the face, but it displays Thompson's design brilliance. It is extremely unfortunate that Stanley Thompson doesn't receive much attention outside of Canada, even though his contributions to golf course architecture are immense. It is worth noting that Robert Trent Jones Sr., who spent his early years working under Thompson, was involved in the construction of Banff Springs. Jones Sr's reputation is widely known, yet Thompson, the original master architect, is often overlooked. Truly unfortunate.

To the course!

The first hole has received the most notable changes since Thompson completed the course. When the course was rerouted and the clubhouse built, the tee boxes had to be moved towards the mountain. Consequently the tee shot plays alongside the nearby mountain, rather than towards it. A straight hole, instead of a dogleg left. Artificial mounds line the left hand side of the entire hole, separating the Thompson #1 from the Tunnel Mountain 9. Although these mounds are a bit of an eyesore, trees have been planted on them and will probably blend everything together once they have matured.

#2 is the first of a stunning collection of par 3s. The severity of elevation of the tee shot is disguised by the large fronting bunkers, and the mountain behind. Pictures hardly capture how dramatic the hole is.

Scenic 2nd

Aside from the mountains views, which are similar to the 2nd, the par 5 third hole is somewhat bland. I got the impression that this long hole simply serves as a way of reaching the
isolated corner of land where the 4th hole was built. As mentioned earlier, this remote end of the course was added when Thompson routed his new layout on top of the Ross course. While there is nothing exciting about the 3rd, it is probably for the best. Many golfers come to Banff because of the world famous 4th, and play the 3rd hole thinking about what lies ahead. If one forgets that one of the best holes in the world follows, they are reminded as they walk towards the green. As you putt, you can begin to hear the sound of water running into the pond on the 4th. It is difficult to read putts on the third green with this in mind. Without further adieu...

"Devil's Cauldron"

Anyone who has written on Banff Springs has surely focused on this world famous hole. This secluded corner of the course is absolutely breathtaking. I have little to add to the wealth of reviews raving about this par 3, except for one lesser known fact: the golf course allocates time between groups to allow golfers time on this tee to take pictures, and enjoy the serenity of this location. It is on the short list of my favorite holes. If the other 17 holes were terrible, it would be worth a trip to Banff just to play this hole. Luckily, there are a few more good holes... to say the least.

There is hardly time to catch your breath as you head to the 5th, as the tee shot requires both distance and accuracy. It is almost a relief that the setting for this tee shot is less dramatic than the 4th hole, allowing golfers to gather their composure for what is to come. The approach turns back towards the clubhouse/hotel, and is framed perfectly by a distant mountain. We had the fortune of playing with a few local junior golfers who mentioned that the 5th green often rolls faster than others. This was certainly the case the day I played, and the tip saved me from 3-putting.

The 6th is possibly the most underrated hole at Banff Springs. A potentially drive-able par 4, with a massively expansive fairway, the golfer's aggression is tempted. The openness of the hole, combined with the size of the greenside bunkers, seem to draw in the distant mountains (it is on this hole that the backdrop is the most distant, but this often goes without notice).

The timeless short par 4 - 6th

With the amount of room available off the tee, it seems as though it is harder to miss the fairway than to hit it (yet I managed to miss). The strategic genius of the 6th is in the approach. The green is tiny; I believe it is the smallest on the course, but am not 100% sure of the square footage. Regardless, the second shot requires great precision. Classic 1920's golf.

At over 600 yards, the 7th is the longest hole at Banff Springs. There is plenty of room on the drive and layup, with a premium placed on the approach. The shape and strategy of the hole reminded me of the 14th at the Royal Mayfair in Edmonton, another Stanley Thompson track. The par 5 at the Mayfair has a less distance, but is guarded by overhanging trees and rolling hills. Both holes have slightly blind approach shots - Banff's 7th with high faced bunker complexes short of the green, and the Mayfair's 14th will a large hill in front of the putting surface. I found irony in this comparison, since I have played the Mayfair nearly 100 times, hit the 14th green in 2 on at least a dozen occasions, yet never made an eagle. Despite a poor drive, forcing a layup and long-ish approach, yours truly holed out for a 3 on my first attempt at Banff's 7th. My longest hole out. It wasn't until I picked my ball from the hole that I realized I was using a #7 golf ball... when I holed out with a 7 iron... from 177 yds... on the 7th hole of the 7th ranked course in Canada. I'm not typically superstitious (although I do have some strange golf habits; who doesn't?), but I couldn't help getting an eerie feeling. Needless to say, with the excitement of a hole out, I didn't get a good picture of the approach.

Hole 8 is the shortest par 3 on the course, and quite a simple one at that. It is an awesome, calm little hole in the middle of the round that can help you get a bad round back on track, but can spoil a good round if you get careless. With only a closely mown bank lifting the green above a fronting pond, any mishit short-irons may sentence your ball to a watery grave.

The 9th is a relatively uneventful short par 5 that provides a birdie chance before making the turn. As you play the 9th, the bow river gets continually closer to the fairway. By the time you reach the green, the river is right next to you. The next 5 holes follow along the river as the course leads you to the hotel (what Stanley Thompson thought would make for a great finishing stretch...I couldn't agree more).

If not for the beauty and fame of Devil's Cauldron, Banff Springs would likely be known for its par 3 tenth. Depending on the tee locations, #10 can play as the longest one-shot hole on the course, and it is without doubt the most difficult. I couldn't help but notice the resemblance to the 17th hole at Kananaskis - Mount Lorette (before being washed away). Kananaskis was designed by RTJ Sr., who apprenticed under Stanley Thompson during Banff's construction. Perhaps he drew inspiration from this hole when thinking of how to incorporate the stream into Mt. Lorette's closing stretch. Back to #10 at Banff..

Nerve-testing, 220 yd 10th

Many golfers may not be able to stomach the challenge of hitting a long iron or wood over a river, to a green tucked behind deep bunkers on all sides. Those who are, and strike a solid shot toward the green, will be rewarded by watching their fly, seemingly suspended on the nearby mountain. It is just a fantastic hole. As mentioned earlier, all of the par 3s at Banff Springs are world class. On almost any day, a 4 iron hit to 10 ft. on this hole would be the highlight of the day. That is, any day you don't have a 177 yd hole out.

The bunkering on the back 9 is arguably the best I have ever seen - certainly on an old golf course. I have too many great pictures to include them all, so I will add a select few. You'll have to play Banff Springs to see them all for yourself!

Hole #11 is a mid-length par 4 with no real tricks (aside from a partly hidden green-side bunker). Hit the fairway and the approach is straight forward. Stray from the fairway and you'll likely need to lay up. The hole is lined with sunken bunkers. A tree in the right side of the fairway also obstructs approach shots if tee balls drift too far to the right. The green seemed larger than many others on the course, but that may have been because I had to navigate the entire surface.

The 440 yd 12th is a terrific par 4, with a well-bunkered tee shot and daunting approach.

12th tee

This was the 16th hole in Thompson's original routing, and was part of a great home stretch. The dramatic bunker on the left steers golfers right.. but don't go too far right or be blocked out by the outstretched tree right of the fairway. In fact, the left side is favorable if the sand can be carried. If tee shots drift too far right, another intimidating bunker guards the lay-up area further up the left hand side. The green is long and narrow (as narrow as about 10-12 ft. at the back of the green). It is not until you near the green that you see just how close the river is to the right edge of the green; the water is very much in play, especially if you are out of position off the tee. Hole 12 is the #2 handicap hole on the course, if this is any indication of its difficulty. Its an awesome, tough, strategic par 4.

A beautiful path leads you from the 12th green to the 13th tee. The sound of flowing water calms you, as you walk just feet from the river.

The 13th (original 17th) is another long par 3. It is about the same length as the 10th, but strategically quite different. Unlike the previous one-shot hole, there is a large landing area short of the green, encouraging a running approach; the green need not be carried. Bunkers guard both side of the green, but are not as penal as those on #10. The tree lines are great on this hole; they give the par 3 a sense of separation from other holes, yet still give the 13th a very open feel. It is a great 17th hole... how it was designed to be. While playing, it is obvious that your round should be coming to an end.

Upon completing the 13th, there is not far to walk to reach the 14th tee. The 14th is one of the world's great 18th holes. It is quite possibly my favorite finishing hole of any I have ever played, which makes it all the more disappointing that the scorecard no longer says it is the last hole. An intimidating bunker complex guards the left side from the tee. The entire hole is just spectacular.

14th (original 18th) tee

heavily guarded approach

There are few experiences in golf quite like watching your ball fly toward the Banff Springs hotel. The small green is well protected, with large bunkers to the left, as well as deep bunkers well below the level of the green to the back-right (not visible). I must mention that my cousin made a birdie-3 on this famous par 4, well done! If it didn't already feel as though this is the natural conclusion to the round, this becomes evident as you wonder to the 15th tee.

In a fashion common for golf courses from the early-mid 20th century, there is usually a very short walk from one green to the next tee. The one exception at Banff is the journey from the 14th green to 15th tee. It is extremely noticeable and awkward. One wouldn't even need to know the history of the course to assume that 14 should be the final hole. That being said, the long walk just gives you more time to anticipate what is to come: one of the worlds great opening holes.

Yes, it is now the 15th on the scorecard. This despite the fact that the old starters booth still stands next to the original tee. A new tee now provides a more dramatic view from an elevated position next to the hotel. From this tee the ball seems to carry forever. A good drive leaves a fairly routine approach to a large green. Not the most difficult hole, but a good way to start a round (is my routing bias obvious?).

Visually, 16 is one of the most awesome holes around. A maze of bunkers flank the left, while Mt. Rundle seems to hang over the right.

The fascinating par 4 16th

The dogleg left weaves through the left-hand bunkers. In fact, many of the bunkers which appear to be guarding the left are green-side, and others just shy of the green. Only the 2 nearest sand traps are actually in play from the tee. A relatively easy approach plays over the high faced bunkers.

At under 400 yards, the 17th is the shortest par 4 on the back nine, although not reachable. It is a good hole, but not fitting for the closing stretch of a round. Perhaps it would be better as the 3rd hole... coincidence?

18 is the only par 5 on the back nine, and is quite different than the three on the front side. Those on the opening 9 have more dramatic backdrops, and are therefore lightly protected with bunkers. The closing hole does not have as impressive mountain vistas as the other 3-shot holes. However, this can go unnoticed due to heavier bunkering. It is an OK finishing hole, but no where near the 14th.

Having played both Banff Springs and Jasper Park Lodge, I can now shed some light on which is the better track. Year in, year out, both courses are ranked in Canada's top 10, and battle for the title of best-in-Alberta. The short answer to the age old question: both courses are outstanding. If not for golfers' desire to label one better than the other, I would willingly call it a draw.

Since it is difficult to give a definitive answer, I will make note of key areas where one course is better than the other. Firstly, the land on which JPL is built is much hillier than that on which Banff lays. Aside from one tee box (added well after Thompson's work), Banff is very flat. Contours add variety and difficulty, but elevation is seldom a factor. In contrast, the majority of holes at JPL have noticeable elevation changes; the land itself is just more interesting. Consequently, there is also more variety in holes/shots in Jasper, compared to Banff. Point to JPL.

Both courses have world class mountain views, however there is more variety at Banff. Mountains here are often closer to the course, thereby providing a more dramatic background. Pyramid mountain frames a number of holes at JPL (such as the 11th, "Pyramid", and famous 9th, "Cleopatra"), but these vistas are rather distant in comparison to those at Banff. It is difficult to compare the settings of two of the world's great mountain courses, but I have to give the edge to Banff Springs. 1 point each.

Stanley Thompson's distinctive bunkering is evident on both courses, but is more dramatic at Banff... some of the bunker complexes are jaw-dropping. Those at JPL are of a more classic, rugged, and at times understated style, while Banff's bunkers are much flashier. As anyone who has traveled to both destinations would agree, these styles actually fit both towns perfectly; Jasper being a hiking/camping paradise, and Banff being the 5-star-hotel destination of the Royal Family. It is hard to give an edge to one course in this respect because of the different topography; Jasper's hilly terrain needs little 'dressing up', while Banff's lack of elevation change calls for a fancier wardrobe, so to speak. That being said, I was so impressed with Banff's bunkers that I have to give it a 0.5 point lead.

I make an effort not to include clubhouses or hotels in my golf course write-ups, but the Banff Springs hotel cannot go unmentioned. It is breathtaking, and adds to the experience of the round. I will give Banff a 0.5 advantage for this reason, 2-1 Banff
NOTE: I would have given a full point if not for Banff's clubhouse, which is an eyesore and should be given a heavy dose of dynamite at once

While both golf courses have undergone restorations, which have preserved a great deal of Stanley Thompson's original work, Jasper has more of the old-time feel. If you were to play a round at JPL with hickory clubs, you might think it is actually the mid 1920s. Banff has also been well preserved, but some of the changes (e.g. new tee boxes) remind you of the courses age. Banff gives you a glimpse into the past, rather than actually taking you there. For this reason, the point goes to JPL. 2 points a piece.

What will be the tie-breaker?.. integrity of the original routing!
Holes 1 through 18 at JPL just fit together perfectly. It is the ideal routing, and exists as it was sculpted at Thompson's masterful hand. The rerouting at Banff Springs still makes for a coherent round, but there is an uneasiness.. no.. a confusion.. that you constantly feel, knowing that the start and finish are offset by 4 holes. Thompson's original routing provided what may have been the world's greatest opening tee shot, led you to a mid-round rendezvous with Devil's Cauldron, then guided you back to a dramatic (possibly world's greatest, at the time) finishing hole. With its original routing Banff could be top 3 in Canada, whereas JPL has peaked at #4. The fact of the matter is that Banff's routing is not what it was in 1928.

The summary of my assessment of these 2 great courses (as they play today): Jasper Park Lodge is slightly better; its #4 rank, and Banff Springs' #7 rank are quite accurate. This is solely due to Banff's routing, The original routing (15-18, 1-14) makes for a course that is better than JPL. The debate will continue.

No matter how you look at it, Banff Springs is one of North America's great old golf courses. It is the most expensive course in Alberta (standard-rate tee time will put you out $240), but it is absolutely worth every penny. Add this one to your bucket list!


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

The Golfing Canuck

Flights Are Booked!

I am excited to announce that I will be making my first trip to the Canadian Maritimes in June! My "played" list is quite obviously filled with western courses, so it will be interesting to see what the east coast has to offer. Flights are to/from PEI, so the highest ranked courses on the island are my goal, but I may find a day or 2 to cross the Confederation Bridge. Lists will be updated as courses are played and write-ups will follow!


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

The Golfing Canuck