On a recent trip into western Canada, my wife and I were able to enjoy a round at Jasper Park Lodge and Blackhawk Golf Club (Edmonton, Alberta). I apologize for the contrasts in some of the following pictures, I was using my wife's camera and I just wasn't used to some of the settings on the darn thing
We began our trip with a visit to Bootleg Gap golf course just outside of Kimberley, B.C. We had played this Les Furber designed course twice previously, and on a beautiful morning we again enjoyed this great value at only $49 (which, for beautiful British Columbia, is a bargain). Several photos are below...
4th hole ... drop shot par-3 ... 179 yards
Approach shot on 505 yard par-5 18th hole
Off to the side of fairway near green on 18th hole
After the round we headed to Penticton for some "r&r", and then it was up to Jasper for a couple of days, including a round at the Jasper Park Lodge course. It is amazing how architect Stanley Thompson was able to build this course so that so many of the holes actually lined up with a peak in the distance. The only disappointments with the round were having to hit off mats at the practice range (the range seems to have been built almost as an afterthought; it is very narrow, the grass teeing area is small and subject to wear and tear and there are only about a dozen hitting mats) and having to go ask for range balls from the course starter; the couple we were paired up with (she was great, he was loud, gruff [the "F" word came out more than a few times] and otherwise obnoxious, throwing his club several times); and the wasp sting on the 2nd tee-box.
The course is a classic Thompson design...dramatic bunkering, great use of green sites, naturally contoured fairways, etc. Greens were a medium speed, probably because of the tough growing conditions there (short season, changes in temperature, etc.). There are five par-3 holes, something I prefer to see on a golf course. Oh, one other nitpick...ropes cordon off the greens from power carts, but on some holes these ropes are a considerable distance from the greens, necessitating one of us to walk to the green with several clubs in hand (one hole had a rope some 140 yards from the green).
Below are some pics...
View from tee of "Old Man"...2nd hole...par-5...488 yards.
From fairway of sharp doglegged "Signal Dip"...3rd hole...par-4...454 yards. The green is much more elevated than appears in photo. Great green site.
View from tees at "Cavell"...4th hole...par-3...240 yards. The huge bunker on right is some 50 yards short of the green.
From tee of "Miette"...5th hole...par-5...480 yards. The hole is played from elevated tees to a wide fairway punctuated by a large fairway bunker.
More pics of Jasper and also Blackhawk to follow, when one has time
JJ