Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club

Vernon’s Spallumcheen G&CC tees up good challenge, a warm welcome

By Gord Montgomery, Senior Writer, Inside Golf

The most important thing to anyone heading to a new golf course, or a familiar one, is the fact that it’s a good play. And secondly, being welcomed with open arms by staff and other players on the course, is equally important.

Players teeing it up at Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club will find both of those key elements in play from beginning to end of their day at this Vernon, B.C. track.

“I think the big part of our course is the friendly vibe we have at our golf course,” Director of Golf Kyle Wiebe,

After checking in for your appointed time, what awaits you at Spallumcheen is a good day of golf on a track that is playable for anyone of any skill level.

“I would say it offers a very fair test of golf but still challenges, you know, the good players as well, You’re not going to go out there and lose a million golf balls. It’s player friendly, enjoyable, and well maintained all the time,” commented Wiebe.

First impressions are always key and what players find off the first couple of holes are interesting dogleg challenges. The first hole is a bit of a bender to the right but you don’t want to be too far left off the tee looking for a better angle in, as that side of the fairway is guarded by large fir trees. The second hole is a dramatic dogleg left, almost at a 90 degree angle, boarded by a creek at the lower end of the fairway. This tee shot here takes some planning, Wiebe noted.

Asked if one can cut the corner to shorten the par 4 test, or if it’s wiser to stay down the middle and face a longer approach shot, Wiebe explained, ”You know you’re a lot safer on the fairway.. If you do want to cut the corner you do have to hit the golf ball that much farther.”

Asked about the signature hole on this track, Wiebe didn’t hesitate in pointing to No. 13, a testy little shorty. “I would say our signature golf hole is number 17,” where players must contend with a carry of 131 yards over water to a green protected by a bunker in the rear and OB to the left. “And,” the pro pointed out, “if you go too far right it’s not very friendly over there either, behind the eighth green with some trees in the way!”

One thing noticeable here is the size of the putting surfaces, so one best have that part of their short game in order when challenging this layout.

“Oh, yeah. Very, very large putting surfaces,” which roll nicely when you’re aboard. “We have one green that’s close to 100 yards long,” which serves as a double green for holes 13 and 16. “They sort of share the same place. They are away from each other,” so there’s little chance of hitting to the wrong flag.

Other than that rarely occurring instance though, Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club is a fun play, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere which is something every golfer, new to the facility or not, appreciates.