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Review Valemount Pines Golf Club
Valemount, BC
 | Alberta Bound | |
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| Greens: |  8/10 | The greens were in very good shape and of average size with A4 grass. There were no severe slopes on any of the greens. The fringe was good and the green side bunkers had plenty of sand and at least two rakes. The bunkers were in good shape. Pin placement was indicated by a moveable ball on the flag stick, low for up front, middle for center and high for a back pin placement. Three holes have bunkers protecting the front of the greens. Most of the greens are framed very nicely with mature trees. |
| Fairways: | 7/10 | The condition of the fairways was good to very good and seeded with Blue grass. The fringe was even and gave way to rough that was cleaned and trimmed under mature Pine and Spruce trees. It is difficult to loose a ball in the rough but your only play in most cases is to chip out. Selection of clubs is important on a number of holes as you could drive through the fairways on some doglegs and also some fairways narrow down a critical points. The yardages markers are easy to see and are at the traditional locations. Sprinkler heads are not marked but they are spaced 30 yards apart and painted white so you can use them for figuring out the distance to the centre of the green.Fairway bunkers were also in very good shape. |
| Tees: | 7/10 | There are three tees that are in good shape for each hole and large enough to move the markers each day to avoid any divots from the day before. Each tee had an official yardage marker, bench, and a sign indicating the length and par. There were ball washers on every second hole.
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| Course Design: | 7/10 | The course was designed by the late Gordon MacKay and he built a very good 9 hole course. He made good use of doglegs, four or five, bunkers and mounding around the greens. Each hole has good visual qualities and different
from the others to make it interesting course to play. Water only comes into play on the last hole where a small lake circles about 2/3 of the green. An excellent feature, is the second set of tee boxes, that make this 9 hole course more fun to play the second time around. The second time around the holes change their looks and yardage thus giving this nine hole course an 18 hole feeling.The first hole is par 5 of 502 yards with tall trees, fairway bunker, and bunkers protecting the green in the front. The second hole is a pretty par 3 with two sets of tee boxes that change the angle and yardage.Why all 9 hole courses do not do this I do not know. |
| Value for $$$: | 8/10 | At $25 for 18 and $20 for seniors and only $18 for a power cart with a wind screen, this course offers very good value. Also my favourite beverage was only $3. The course is most of the two for one coupons books. The price is right for a mountain course. |
| Difficulty: | 7/10 | The course is not a difficult course but you can get in difficulties if you do not keep it on the fairways. Ball placement is important on the doglegs if you want to reach the green in regulation. The slope from the blue tees is 117 and plays to 6500 yards. |
| Scenery: | 8/10 | This course offers some great mountain views from a number of locations on the course. Yesterday the mountains had their first dusting of snow and looked great. The mature trees and the green fairways make this a scenic mountain course. |
| Staff: | 8/10 | The staff I met were very friendly and made you feel welcome. I did not see a beverage cart during my round. |
| Clubhouse: | 3/10 | The clubhouse does the job. They have a small area for eating and a small patio where you can have a beverage and enjoy the mountain views. The parking lot and entrance road are both gravel.
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| Other Intangibles: | 7/10 | The course has a 300 yard practice fairway, and putting and chipping areas to help you warm up or take lessons. There are two fountains on the water hole as you come in that adds to the appearance of the course.
There are a number of picnic tables around the practice area as well as an RV park attached to the course. The town has enough motels, b & b’s and restaurants if you decide to stop in Valemount to accommodate your needs. |
70/100
I was pleasantly surprised by the course. As a nine hole course I was not expecting too much. But the value is outstanding and the course is interesting. The second set of tees is a good addition. I would play this course again. Being about 5 hours from Edmonton and three hours from Kamloops it is a good place to stop and have a round of golf and enjoy the mountain wilderness. The town is large enough for all you may require whether you are staying a week or just overnight |
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