GreatGolfingCourses is pleased to host articles written by longball champion Lisa Vlooswyk for your reading enjoyment.

Gems Outside the City of Calgary

By Lisa Vlooswyk

If you have ever tried to get a decent weekend tee time on a public course in Calgary, good luck!  It seems that all the good times are gone within the first half hour of booking, except twilight times and spots for singles.

An excellent alternative is to look outside the city limits.  Alberta is home to dozens of beautiful, scenic and affordable courses.

DArcy Ranch is located South of Calgary in Okotoks.   It is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rocky Mountains and is designed to incorporate tree-lined ravines, escarpments, slopes and natural water reservoirs. 

I was most impressed with the serenity of the course.  The lack of horns honking, sirens blaring or airplanes constantly flying by made me feel like I was in a nature reserve.

The course is challenging (playing over 6 900 yards from the tips) and golfers experience elevation changes, curving fairways and natural hazards.

The course is in great shape this year and is affordable.  The rates at DArcy have changed minimally in the last five years.  "Mr. DArcy wanted to make sure that people from all walks of life could play here.   We want the public to know that we are very laid back.  Our course has a friendly Country Club atmosphere", comments Drew Skrapec, Associate Professional at DArcy Ranch.

The rate is $55 to walk and $68 to ride.  Tee times may be booked two days in advance and on Thursday for all weekend and holiday times.  If you are interested in trying DArcy Ranch out, call the pro shop at (403) 938-4455.

Another beautiful course is WolfCreek, located just north of Red Deer.  "The Wolf" was home to the Alberta Open (Canadian Tour) for 13 years, boasting attendance by future PGA players such as Mike Weir and Ian Leggatt.

WolfCreek has three nine hole courses that are equally challenging and scenic.

  The courses motto is, "Where Canada Meets Scotland".  WolfCreek is built in a unique sand belt region and boasts natural hills and dunes that shape the course.  Links style fairways, grassy mounds, pot bunkers, flowing fescue and at times a challenging wind, give "The Wolf" its Scottish flair.  Bill Carrington, Head Professional adds, "We offer the consumer the links style golf course.  We attract many golfers because we are the only links style in the Province."

And attract golfers they do.  Fifty percent of its clientele come from Edmonton and 40% from Calgary.  WolfCreek is a popular tournament facility due to the unique golf experience, hand carved log clubhouse and outstanding service from the car park to the restaurant.

"The Wolf" is rated #17 in Score Golf Magazines Top 20 Courses in Canada and received a four and a half star rating from Golf Digest. 

If you would like to test your golf skill and tackle "The Wolf" call their pro shop at (403) 783-6050.  Tee times can booked throughout the season.  The rates, which include full range privlages, are $60 or $74 with a cart.

Another hidden gem is Innisfail Golf Club.  This course is nestled in a densely treed area 20 minutes South of Red Deer.  I was fortunate enough to play the course at the time of the mens Alberta Amateur.   The course was in mint condition and was equalling challenging.  Before I headed out for my tee time, the Head Professional, Jim Boomer (great long drive name) said, "Whenever anyone plays here they always feel that they could have done better."  I wasnt sure what he meant by that but I soon found out.

Most fairways are lined with beautiful mature trees, punishing any errant shot.  The elevated tee boxes challenged club selection and many holes required placement golf to hit the landing areas.  However, the most daunting aspect of the course was the greens.  The large undulating greens were Augusta National fast, quickly changing birdies into bogies and pars into doubles.

To console struggling golfers, Innisfail has made it a priority to have well manicured fairways, lush conditions and gorgeous floral landscaped areas.  Twelve of the 18 tee boxes welcome golfers with a stunning array of flowers. 

Although I felt the course got the best of me, I was ready to play another 18 because I knew where I had made key mistakes.  This sentiment rings true with many Alberta golfers.  Fifty percent of the clientele at Innisfail is from Calgary and many of those golfers come back a half dozen times a year to try to tame it.

This course is a must on your summer play list.  "It is beautiful and challenging.  It was a piece of land that was made to have a golf course on it," proudly states Boomer.  "It is the type of challenge that a golfer of any ability would thoroughly enjoy."

Golfers may book tee times three days in advance, and Wednesday at noon for all weekend and holiday tee times.  The rates are $55 Monday thru Thursday and $60 Friday thru Sunday and holidays.  This price includes all range balls and a power cart.

Lisa is the five-time Canadian Long Drive Champion and is ranked third in the World. Lisa can be reached through her website at www.lisalongball.com

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