Garibaldi Combines Beauty And Challenge
December 28th, 2010 06:56 AM
Garibaldi Resort Golf Course is the best new 18-hole course in the Sea-to-Sky corridor and the best medium- or executive-length golf course in Southern British Columbia, and that’s saying a lot!
Yes, it is a medium-length course, but before you say “Medium… Isn’t that where I bring the kids Sunday afternoons,” let me tell you differently. At Garibaldi you’ll have to bring all your clubs and extra balls (you’ll need them both). Then go grab both a camera and a power cart, for the course is as pretty to photograph as it is to play and you’ll be traversing some serious hills. Then, to make the most of your day, check your ego by the door.
From March until October, this 4,644-yard Les Furber design is all the course a low handicap golfer can handle. And it’s a pretty walk and a good test of skills for the average person too. Number one is a 331-yard par four. It’s a narrow hole that has an environmentally sensitive marsh cutting across it at the halfway point. Yes, you maybe able to drive over this from the tee but why chance starting your day off with a ball in the junk? Play safe and play smart here and through out the course!
If you are like me the very sight of water is enough to turn your knees into mush. Well, get ready to go mushy when you walk to the 9th tee. It is not rated as their toughest hole but it is darn close. At 417 yards long it is already a challenge. As well you have to factor in that you are hitting down to a fairway with an hourglass shape. Water crimps in on both sides then in front of the green and all down the side of the green.
As you stand on the 298-yard, par 4 10th hole you will feel like the friendly Giant. “Look up, look way-y-y up.” Yes Rusty, that small green stamp hovering near the clouds is the green. Add one or two clubs to your second shot to make up for the elevation then hope you don’t go long. The 10th hole is an indication of how the back 9 is laid out. Steep climbs to some greens followed by the feeling of being on a runaway freight train hitting down to others, with par three greens that are all but islands and par four holes that have trees and shimmering blue lakes surrounding them.
On the 15th tee you will be excused if your heart skips a beat or two. The views down over the Squamish Valley and out to the Squamish Chief are breathtaking. The hole itself is a downhill screamer with sharp dogleg right. Play a little left of centre from the tee and as long as you don’t hold up play go grab a look at where the pin is placed on the green. That’s because there is a deep swale cutting across the green and you’ll want to know which side to be on.
A Player’s tip:
Chilly and wet for the first two months then hot, sunny and very dry come summer through September. Prettiest time to play? Early fall when the whole area is blazing with colour. Go ahead ask for advice in the pro shop. Diane Trevisan is an experienced golfer and pro shop operator and it makes her day if she can help to make yours.
The North Shore’s Tom Cattermole is a freelance golf writer.
Cattermole@telus.net
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Apr - May 07
Yes, it is a medium-length course, but before you say “Medium… Isn’t that where I bring the kids Sunday afternoons,” let me tell you differently. At Garibaldi you’ll have to bring all your clubs and extra balls (you’ll need them both). Then go grab both a camera and a power cart, for the course is as pretty to photograph as it is to play and you’ll be traversing some serious hills. Then, to make the most of your day, check your ego by the door.
From March until October, this 4,644-yard Les Furber design is all the course a low handicap golfer can handle. And it’s a pretty walk and a good test of skills for the average person too. Number one is a 331-yard par four. It’s a narrow hole that has an environmentally sensitive marsh cutting across it at the halfway point. Yes, you maybe able to drive over this from the tee but why chance starting your day off with a ball in the junk? Play safe and play smart here and through out the course!
If you are like me the very sight of water is enough to turn your knees into mush. Well, get ready to go mushy when you walk to the 9th tee. It is not rated as their toughest hole but it is darn close. At 417 yards long it is already a challenge. As well you have to factor in that you are hitting down to a fairway with an hourglass shape. Water crimps in on both sides then in front of the green and all down the side of the green.
As you stand on the 298-yard, par 4 10th hole you will feel like the friendly Giant. “Look up, look way-y-y up.” Yes Rusty, that small green stamp hovering near the clouds is the green. Add one or two clubs to your second shot to make up for the elevation then hope you don’t go long. The 10th hole is an indication of how the back 9 is laid out. Steep climbs to some greens followed by the feeling of being on a runaway freight train hitting down to others, with par three greens that are all but islands and par four holes that have trees and shimmering blue lakes surrounding them.
On the 15th tee you will be excused if your heart skips a beat or two. The views down over the Squamish Valley and out to the Squamish Chief are breathtaking. The hole itself is a downhill screamer with sharp dogleg right. Play a little left of centre from the tee and as long as you don’t hold up play go grab a look at where the pin is placed on the green. That’s because there is a deep swale cutting across the green and you’ll want to know which side to be on.
A Player’s tip:
Chilly and wet for the first two months then hot, sunny and very dry come summer through September. Prettiest time to play? Early fall when the whole area is blazing with colour. Go ahead ask for advice in the pro shop. Diane Trevisan is an experienced golfer and pro shop operator and it makes her day if she can help to make yours.
The North Shore’s Tom Cattermole is a freelance golf writer.
Cattermole@telus.net
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Apr - May 07
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