[Andrew Balakshin]

hey everyone,
Some of you showed some interest in the last pictures I posted so I got a few more here for you. The grass just started coming up about 2 weeks ago and these pictures were taked just the other day.
hope you like them.

#11


#13


#14 looking back from behind green


#15 looking back from behind green (the green was mowed for the first time minutes before this picture was taken!)


#18 this was just seeded the other day

[Andrew Balakshin]

Here are two more pictures. The first one was taken on Sunday and the second one was taken this morning. The second picture is the same hole as the last picture in my previous post (it only took a couple days to get green).

[Michael Dugger]

Great pictures!

What majestic views and background scenery!

And the golf course looks good too

[Ben Cowan-Dewar]

Andrew,
Thank you for sharing the pictures, that is really cool.

BCD

[RJ_Daley]

There is nothing more exciting than to watch the grass grow...  

Andrew, can you tell us something about the course, who designed it, who is developing it, etc.?

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I second RJ's request.

[Nick Church]

I will provide the Third request for same information.

Great looking site.

[Kirk Gill]

According to a website touting golf in Kamloops, the "Thomas McBroom team" of architects is responsible for the course design.

Not much info there on the developers, etc. The Tobiano website itself (www.tobianoliving.com) is just a form for requesting info on the development.

[Jeff Peterson]

Can't comment on the architecture, but the views are amazing.  Thanks.

[Andrew Balakshin]

I mentioned a bit about the course a while ago but I am more than happy to say it again. The course is designed by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom. For those that don’t know much about him, he is definitely one of Canada’s top 4 or so architects and is famous for his courses in Ontario. This is his first “big” project out west (He did Morgan Creek and some reno work in Vancouver). The course has a big housing development planned with it which is sort of disappointing but if it wasn’t for that this course would have never been built. The course is on a bluff overlooking Kamloops Lake on land which used to be ranchland. I feel the developer was more than generous in giving McBroom the best parts of the property (bluff edges and ravines) for the golf course.  

One thing I like about the design is that there are a couple great uphill holes. It seems like architects usually try to stay away from making uphill holes in favour of making ascending cart paths to downhill holes. One thing I am not a big fan of is that it is definitely not a walking course and some of the cart paths are a little extreme, but hey that’s BC golf for you

For those for you that don’t know, there is another course being built on a similarly spectacular site near here (Sagebrush in Merritt). I understand Sagebrush will have a far more “minimalist” design.

I know it may sound like I am a real estate salesman for the course or something but I actually just work on the construction crew.

[Brad Swanson]

While I'm not as well traveled as some/many, I still think that B.C. is one of the most beautiful regions on the planet.  I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product, thanks for posting the pictures, Andrew.

Cheers,
Brad

[Andrew Balakshin]

Here are a couple more pictures that I took these last couple days.

The view from #9 tee yesterday morning



#16 Looking back up fairway



#17 Viewed from behind green



#18



Old Faithful

[Andrew Cunningham]

It's great to see McBroom creating designs that don't look anything like his previous work.  I wonder if he's hired some new associates that are helping him reach a new level.  Those bunkers look more like Jim Engh than Tom McBroom.  Can't wait to get out there next year.  

Andrew, what else is going on in BC?  Hpw are the Norman courses coming along?

[Andrew Balakshin]

Yeah McBroom has sort of changed his bunker style lately. His last course ( http://www.ambassadorgolfclub.com/ ) features his new wiggly-edged bunker style.



Here is a list of the upscale golf courses being built in BC right now. It’s hard to believe that all these courses are being built because a lot of them will be spectacular.


Bear Mountain---I heard construction of this Steve Nicklaus course has started. It will be the second 18 at Bear Mountain http://www.bearmountain.ca/

Talking Rock--- (Wayne Carlton/ Graham Cooke) near Salmon Arm is well into construction. http://www.golfkamloops.com/talking_rock.html

The Rise---- This Gene Bates/ Fred Couples design is located in Vernon on the side of a mountain overlooking Okanagan Lake. http://www.therise.ca/

Sagebrush---This Whitman/Zokol course is located on a hillside overlooking Nicola Lake. http://www.sagebrushgolf.com/

Tobiano---McBroom design overlooking Kamloops Lake http://www.golfkamloops.com/tobiano.html

The Cliffs over Maple Bay—This Greg Norman course looks like it will have great views http://www.cliffsovermaplebay.com

Blackstone---I don’t think this Norman course in Fernie has started construction yet. Nice site though. http://www.blackstonefernie.com/
 
Tower Ranch---Another McBroom course on a hillside overlooking Okanagan Lake in Kelowna. Construction is underway

Canoe Creek---I think Dave Barr is designing this one (Salmon Arm) http://www.bcgolfguide.com/canoe-creek-golf-course/golf-canoe-creek.cfm

Raven Ridge---This Rod Whitman course is in the planning. http://www.ravenridgegolfclub.com/  http://www.mingaygolf.com/architecture.html

Bell Mountain—I think this course in Kelowna is being designed by Cooke/Carlton. http://www.canadagolfguide.com/artman/publish/Bell-Mountain-Golf-Resort-Community.cfm

Redstone—Less Furber will design 9 holes and redesign an existing 9 hole course. I liked the 9 hole course that is there but I guess its days are numbered. I have walked some of the new holes that have been shaped an they look good.  http://www.redstoneresort.com/stats.html

Copper Point---This course is adding another 18 holes http://www.copperpointgolf.com

Center Mountain—I haven’t heard much about this RTJII on Vancouver Island

Ucluelet---A Nicklaus course that is in the planning stages. http://www.nicklaus.com/design/ucluelet/

There are also a couple ski resorts planning on making golf courses (these ones are definitely only in the planning stage) http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=211
http://www.cityofrevelstoke.com/edc/skihill-news1-dec04-backgrounder.htm

Whew! That is a long list, I hope you find it interesting

[Andrew Cunningham]

Andrew,

That's a great list!  Thanks for the information.  I had no idea there were so many new courses in various stages of development.  Looks like enough to fill my summer golf trip for years to come.

[Andrew Balakshin]

Hole 11


Hole 12


Hole 13


Hole 13


Hole 15


Hole 16


These 6 pictures were taken by a friend of mine who works for Aberdeen golf course construction.

[Andrew Cunningham]

What a vista on the 15th!!!  This course looks very promising.  Can't wait to get out there next summer.

Andrew

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