When the choice is tough to make why not play all 36 at Osoyoos Golf Club?
By Gord Montgomery, Senior Writer, Inside Golf
When the choice of which golf course to play comes up, and if you’re perhaps looking for one that’s a bit more friendly than the other, why not head to the Osoyoos Golf Club. After all, they have two courses where one plays a bit more difficult than the other, so no matter what type of track you’re looking at taking on, they have one for you and your friends. Or better yet, take on both tracks while you’re in town.
Speaking to what is on the tee sheet at his club, General Manager Bryan Ewart explained, “So, we have the Park Meadows Golf Course which is more your traditional kind of country-club feel. Tree-lined fairways. A bit more forgiving. A little bit less elevation change than Desert Gold (its sister).
“And then Desert Golf is a very unique golf course for Canada. It’s basically like you’re playing golf in Arizona, Palm Springs. It’s right in the desert here. If you miss the fairways here, you’re into the sagebrush,” and other, shall we say, less reputable creatures that roam the desert floor. “There is definitely more elevation change and when you get up top on some of the higher holes you get some spectacular views of Osoyoos Lake, the town. We are fully surrounded by mountains here so it is beautiful that way.”
Asked about which 18 plays easiest, the GM worked around the question a little bit. “Definitely Desert is the preferred choice for visitors to the area because it is so unique but quite often they’ll come here and play both courses. I would definitely say it’s not an ability thing at all, it’s just that Park Meadows is maybe a little bit more forgiving. Like if you miss a fairway you’re gonna find your ball,” where on the Desert Gold, it can be a bit of a hunt for a stray shot given what is found outside the short grass areas..
In regard to signature holes on each course, Ewart didn’t take any time at all to come up with that terrific twosome.
“I think on Desert Gold it’s number three, a par three. From the tips it’s 184 and from he forward tees it’s 124,” but there are also three other starting points to choose from. “It’s a beautiful par three with 180 degree views of Osoyoos Lake. It’s just a spectacular hole with probably about 40 or 50 fee of elevation drop to the hole. That hole stands out to me.
“As far as Park Meadows goes, hole number four is probably considered one of our signature holes. It’s got a very unique, for lack of a better term, it’s got a bridge or hill in the middle of the fairway that kind of divides the fairway in two. And when you get up to the green, again you’re got this spectacular view of the lake. It’s a par four, 350 from the tips and 185 from the forward tees> It’s very much a risk/reward hole.”
Along with these two great courses, the Osoyoss Golf Club tees up a driving range to help you loosen up your swing prior to taking on the upcoming challenges. There is also a practice hole leading Ewart to comment, “We have 37 holes I guess!” This little gem plays out to 120 yards with four different tee box areas, and a green. There are also two large putting greens to work on your short game.
There is also an on-site restaurant with an executive chef, and since you are in the heart of B.C.’s wine country in Osoyoos, you know that after your round, whether good or bad, there is always a great brand on hand to either soothe your soul or celebrate your outstanding play at one, or both, of these two great courses.