Alberta North and South

Ask any golfer, “driving for show” is a pretty big deal. Hearing those “oohs” and “ahhs” after crushing a 330-yard bomb down the middle never gets old! Of course, not all of us possess that kind of firepower. But sometimes - especially in Alberta’s deep south or far north - it’s not really about “the driving” at all. It’s all about the drive. If you stay in Alberta (a pretty common theme these past couple of years) you’ve got plenty of options. The mountains, certainly, have a powerful pull. The many famous courses that rest in the Rockies’ shadows are time-tested classics that will never lose their lustre. But sometimes you just gotta take the road less travelled. Enter the south and the north! The vast, wide-open spaces in the far south - complete with badlands, golden wheat fields, and rolling ranchland - present an idyllic Alberta road trip that should definitely be on your radar. And in the north? The beautiful boreal forests, mighty rivers, and beautiful valleys make that particular drive something you’ll savour.The quality of the golf in both of these regions will not disappoint.

By Andrew Penner

The highways in Southern Alberta serve up a smorgasbord of stunning scenes that capture the essence of Alberta. From the coulees of Cypress County to the cow-peppered hills around Cardston, the highways in the south dip and dive through a variety of terrain. The unpretentious golf you’ll encounter in the south can be surprisingly good.

From Calgary, start your southern swing by making a beeline for the badlands. Head to the Dinosaur Trail Golf Course in Drumheller and play one of the most spectacular and eclectic courses in Alberta. While the front nine is traditional parkland golf, the back nine takes you into the wild world of sun-baked hoodoos, deep ravines, and cacti-covered hillsides. Tip: hit it straight!

Although much more conventional in character, Desert Blume Golf Course in Medicine Hat is Alberta desert golf at its finest. Featuring bold and contemporary shaping, dramatic holes that cross creeks, plunge into arid coulees, and curl along eroded cliff banks, Desert Blume will exceed your expectations.

Not surprisingly, given its similar dry-as-a-bone climate and rugged topography, the golf in Lethbridge has many of the same characteristics. In other words, expect wind, heat, and fantastic prairie-meets-desert golf!

In Lethbridge, a round at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort should be on your itinerary. With numerous elevated

tees, Paradise Canyon serves up beautiful bunkering, drivable par-4s, and a string of sweet riverside holes on each nine for one of the best overall golf experiences in southern Alberta.

Further south of Lethbridge, Magrath, Lee Creek Valley GC in Cardston, and the new Crowsnest Pass GC in Blairmore are other can’t-go-wrong options. Regardless of where you play - or stretch your legs along the way! - the golf and stunning scenery in southern Alberta will leave a lasting impression.

If variety is the spice of life, then the winding roads of Northern Alberta will not disappoint. From never-ending jackpine forests to broad and beautiful river valleys, the spacious, sparsely-populated regions of northern Alberta are ideal if you’re craving a rewarding road trip with a golf-focussed theme. From Edmonton, head northeast about 2.5 hours to Bonnyville. Picturesque trout-filled lakes and rivers are a common site. You are now in the heart of the lovely Lakeland region! The Bonnyville Golf & Country Club is a sneaky-good layout that always gets great reviews from visiting golfers. Excellent turf conditions and gorgeous lakeside holes are a few of the reasons why this lakeland layout is a perennial northern favourite.

To continue your northern tour, head northwest to La La Biche, cruising through old-growth forests and rambling along shimmering lakes that are home to hundreds of bird species. Enjoy endless opportunities to stop and fling lures into sandbottom lakes loaded with fish!

After playing the scenic lakeside course at Lac La Biche, keep heading west to Athabasca. The Athabasca Golf Club is home to a spectacular 7,300-yard (from the tips) jewel that swerves through the boreal forest and parades along the mighty Athabasca River. This rocksolid course will test every facet of your game plus a few more you didn’t think existed.

Watching wildlife and taking great photographs is also par for the course at the beautiful Barrhead Golf Course, located just an hour south of Athabasca. Designed by Les Furber, Barrhead features awesome bunkering, plenty of water,excellent turf conditions and a tidy 36-stall RV park right on site.

Why not keep heading west to Whitecourt? Indeed, a “bonus round” at the wonderful Whitecourt Golf & Country Club is the ideal way to cap off your drive.

Also designed by Canmore-based architect Les Furber, Whitecourt is an unheralded gem that epitomises parkland-style golf. Tree-framed fairways, a meandering creek, and plenty of natural and machine-made contours will keep you on your toes.

If you’re looking for an even longer drive, multi-day side trips up to Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray can easily be incorporated. Each is home to multiple courses that comfortably belong in the “outstanding” category.

Regardless of where you go - north or south, east or west - make sure you take your time to smell the roses. After all, you are in Wild Rose Country!

Hole #4 - Barrhead GCC