Navigating the First 3 Holes at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club

Nestled in the valley floor of the Majestic Canadian Rockies is my home course, The Canmore Golf and Curling Club. It is a truly spectacular course! No matter how many times I play during the season, I never tire of its beauty or its challenges. Standing on number one, par 5 tee box looks innocent enough.  The fairway is wide and inviting. Take out your driver and give it a mighty swing. However, you will need to think carefully on what to do with your second shot. If you have the power and try to reach the green in two, beware of the tricky pot bunker in front. Going long is dangerous as well. Deep, hungry, native fescue and evergreen trees will swallow up your ball, never to be found again. A wiser choice is to lay up and approach the green with a lofted iron.

The second hole is very tricky. This par 3 has seen huge numbers from even the best golfers around.  When you are standing on the tee, your heart will most likely start beating a little faster, especially if the pin is tucked in the bottom left corner. There is a large and beautiful water feature that you must carry, there are 2 bunkers on either side and dense forest behind the green. The slope on the green is very significant. Therefore, putting from above the hole posses an entire new set of challenges. Skip with joy to the next hole if you finish with a par.

Hole number 3 is a long par 4, with out of bounds all along the right side and strategically placed trees along the left side. Fairway is key from the tee!!! Don’t get caught admiring the magnificent view of the Rundle Range or Cascade Mountain in the far distance. Your second shot takes concentration as the green is guarded by 3 large bunkers that seem to draw your ball in. Although there are dramatic breaks on the green, it is fairly straightforward to read.