Western Canada’s Predator Ridge to Open Ridge Course

PREDATOR RIDGE IS A WESTERN CANADA golf resort located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. It’s about 275 miles east of Vancouver, and roughly the same distance north of Spokane, Washington. And it’s apparently a golf destination with a lot more than golf going for it: wine country, trails, lakes, streams and, of course, winter sports such as downhill skiing and snowboarding. The resort itself, lodgings and amenities (salon, spa, pools, dining, etc.) definitely look upscale from my virtual vantage point.

There’s one top-rated golf course with another one set to open this summer. The Predator Course has hosted the Telus World Skins Games twice and is one of only two courses in Western Canada to be ranked in Score Magazine’s Canadian Top 25. It looks phenomenal. And I’m referring as much to the Canadian Rockies scenery as the course. Eye-popping.

In August Predator Ridge is opening a second 18 called The Ridge Course (photo). It’s designed by Doug Carrick, recognized as one of the top golf course architects in Canada. (Carrick has three of Score Magazine’s top five Canadian golf courses in his portfolio.) The new course is situated above Lake Okanagan in rugged forested terrain that includes natural features such as granite rock outcroppings. I don’t know this for sure, but I’m guessing this will be the top course of the two. The green fees are higher. That much I know.

Predator Ridge is currently offering a Bragging Rights Package. The pitch is that you get to play The Ridge Course before it opens to the public. The package includes two nights at the lodge and two rounds of golf, one at each course. They’re accepting bookings and limited tee times for July.

I’m not much of a braggart, but if I played there I’d probably have trouble keeping my mouth completely shut. You can’t fake stunning and I’d be shocked if the virgin course isn’t in exceptional condition. Unfortunately, I won’t be going but am glad to let you know about it, whether or not you’re a Canadian reader.

−The Armchair Golfer

(Brought to you by Predator Ridge. Image courtesy of Predator Ridge.)