Kananaskis Golf Club: “Noteworthy” Golf In The Canadian Rockies

Kananaskis Golf Club: “Noteworthy” Golf In The Canadian Rockies
Andrew Penner

KANANASKIS, ALBERTA (June 20, 2004) - On August 22nd, 1858, the famous explorer, John Palliser, wedged his way into a pristine, untouched valley that left him speechless. Although many of the personal accounts, the diaries, of his journeys were destroyed in a fire, the entry on that particular day mysteriously survived. He wrote: “We were in a level meadow, hemmed on all sides by a dense forest of pines, which stretched far away up the mountain sides. Higher up the valley is the glacier, which forms the source of the Kananaskis River. This glacier sends off the mountain hundreds of small streams, which, under the sun’s rays, had the appearance of silver threads.” Not bad for a guy who wasn’t really a writer. One hundred and twenty-five years later, towards the latter stages of his career, golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones Sr., stepped into the same valley. Equally awed, equally speechless, RTJ also jotted down a few notes. 36-holes worth.

The Kananaskis Golf Course is a mountain golf extravaganza. Here is a place where fairways glide beneath mountains that, come summer, are plucked clean by the claws of fierce Chinook winds. Here is where the rich and famous come to play, but where you don’t need to be rich to play. And here is where Robert Trent Jones Sr. left his distinctive mark – and his heart.

The two courses here – Mt. Kidd and Mt. Lorette – are named after the towering glacier-scoured cathedrals that brood over the fairways. From every fairway, every tee, the power of rock, the hypnotic creaking of pines, and the enthusiasm of rivers and streams, is seen, felt, and heard. When Webster wrote his dictionary and contemplated the entry for “mountain golf,” “see Kananaskis” was probably what he first scribbled down.

And, not surprisingly, the accolades of this special place could fill a book. Brian McCallen, a former Golf Magazine editor, stated, “I can’t think of a better, more exhilarating 36-hole complex on the continent.” Course architect Robert Trent Jones said, “Kananaskis is the best natural setting I’ve ever been given to work with.” Golf Digest gives both courses a four-and-a-half star rating.

Located an hour southwest of Calgary, the Kananaskis Golf Course is, by a landslide, the hottest green fee ticket in town. And, when you think about where you want to golf (or, for that matter, where you want to dine, get your hair cut, service your car, etc.), doing as the locals do is almost always going to be a winning proposition.

The reason for Kananaskis’ popularity is derived from a simple equation: Great golf + mind-blowing scenery + a fair price = extremely tough ticket. Not surprisingly, sure as the snow melts in spring, at Kananaskis, they come. Year after year. Busloads of them. On the first Monday in March, when bookings traditionally open, the phone lines light up. And they don’t stop lighting up until nearly every decent tee time on every summer weekend is taken. Oh sure, you might be able to squirm your way into a 4:30 time on a Sunday afternoon in early September, or get lucky with a cancellation, but, for the most part, it’ll be slim pickings if you wait too long.

“If we had four courses here, we’d probably fill them up,” says General Manager, Darren Robinson. “Our reputation for world-class golf, great service, and affordable prices is what keeps them coming back.” Interestingly, at one point a few years back, the notion of expanding was heavily pursued. Another course was actually approved but, lo and behold, it was decided that they couldn’t improve on what they already had, so the plans were halted. Why mess with the recipe when it’s the original ingredients that are making them drool?

Nestled at the base of the 9,705-foot Mt. Kidd and the 8,101-foot Mt. Lorette (the courses themselves sit at 5,000 feet), the sister layouts here are traditional Robert Trent Jones fare. The architecture is typical mid-80s stuff. And, I suppose, critics of that era might not be overly thrilled with their meals. The 9th on Kidd and the 18th on Lorette share one of the largest double greens he’s ever built. Long runway tee boxes aim golfers to wide landing areas that are often riddled with sand or water or both. In fact, there is sand…everywhere (over 140 white-silica bunkers are seeded throughout). Creeping into landing areas, carved in the corners of doglegs, pinching the greens (usually both sides), the puffy, cloud-like bunkers are the course’s distinctive trademark. You know when you see a picture of the Kananaskis Golf Course.

Also, water features – rushing streams and clear-to-the-bottom ponds – are frequently crossed and utilized in the routes. In fact, so much so that a game here for the less-skilled player can be quite humbling. From the 7,100-yard back tees (similar yardage on both courses), the challenge is ripe for anyone.

In terms of a favourite, most people would opt for Kidd. When it comes to the peacefulness and tucked-away feeling of the route, it has a slight edge. SCORE Magazine, one of Canada’s leading golf publications, ranks both courses comfortably in the top-100, but also gives a slight edge to Kidd (#33 in the nation, 2002). However, for most people, picking a favourite is a difficult proposition. “You really can’t give one course a decisive nod over the other,” says Head Professional, Bob Paley. “Both are supreme tests of golf and are equally beautiful. Most people who are familiar with both layouts have no runaway favorite.”

Naturally, each course has a few standout holes, a few places with tremendous impact. On Mt. Kidd, the first “oh baby” will probably be uttered on the 4th, a dynamite par-3 that’s played from a rocky shelf to green ringed with clear mountain water. Behind the green, shooting up from the distant valley, razor-sharp peaks puncture the sky. The strategy? Pick a peak and fire your ball into the hopeful sky. The green, one of the largest on the course, is infinitely hittable.

On Lorette, the par-3 17th is a honey of a hole. The 185-yarder slides along the Kananaskis River and requires a gutsy shot to a green bordered by a deep sand pit left and the chattering river to the right. Like so many of the approaches, the straight, soft-landing ball is the only shot that gets the job done.

When your job is done, whether your final tally gives you the warm fuzzies or not, the Kananaskis region is always primed for exploration. Hiking and biking trails tumble throughout the area, lakes and rivers bubble with cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout, and a bad photograph is difficult to take. Or, if none of those activities reflect your style, you can simply kick back in the fire-warmed 19th hole – and jot down a few notes on Kananaskis for yourself.

If You Go

The Kananaskis region is serviced by the Calgary International Airport. To get to Kananaskis, travel west from Calgary on Highway 1 until you reach the turnoff to Kananaskis (Highway 40). Driving time from Calgary is approximately one hour. Highway 40 is one of the most scenic highways in the world. Numerous movies have been shot along this road. Kananaskis Village contains a few shops, however, there is no townsite like Banff or Jasper.

Where To Stay

The Delta Kananaskis Lodge gets top billing here. The Delta is a grand hotel with great restaurants, all amenities, and fantastic views of the mountains. The Summit Spa & Fitness Centre is the perfect oasis for non-golfing spouses. The Delta has 321 rooms, including 70 luxurious rooms in a separate building for Signature Club Members. Stay and Play packages are available at the hotel. Call 1-866-432-4322 to reserve your room and tee times. www.deltalodgekananaskis.ca

Where To Eat

The Fireweed Grill in the Delta is noted for serving up fine Alberta beef in a contemporary atmosphere. Also, enjoy the award-winning 4-Diamond Season’s Dining Room or the Mediterranean-styled Brady’s Market in the Delta. The Bighorn Lounge (in the Delta) and the Summit Restaurant and Lounge at the golf course offer fireside dining and outdoor patios to enhance a dining experience.