There is a little gem of a golf course, just three-quarters of an hour from Red Deer called Canyon Creek.
Head west on Hwy. 11, turn north on Hwy. 20 to the Bentley turn-off, then west on Hwy. 12 for about half an hour and there she be on the left hand side of the highway.
Canyon Creek is a nine-hole course on the banks of the Last Hill Creek Valley.
Steep, densely treed canyons and dramatic elevation changes make each play unique. Took the youngster Chris and his buddy Monty along with old Wayne out for a most pleasant round of stickball.
The young ‘uns pound the ball about 250 yards out and Wayne and I follow up by pounding the ball 150 yards. See, things always even out.
The fairways are lush and fully filled in and the greens are large, placed in a natural setting backed by rolling terrain, ponds and streams. The par-four fifth hole is spectacular, playing from a tee box to a fairway that descends 85 feet to the valley below your drive just seems to travel forever, but a slight slice will find the river.
What goes down must come up, so the sixth hole is a toughy, playing up to an elevated two-tier green.
The course has four tee boxes and plays over 3,000 yards from the back tees down to 2,215 yards on the forward tees.
Canyon Creek will demand intelligent use of every club in your bag. There is also an adjoining full service campground with large RV stalls situated between two ravines. Hard to beat the setting.
Tee Times – call 403-845-5001 or www.canyoncreekgolf.ca.
Green Fees – nine holes are $20 weekdays and $24 on weekends. Eighteen holes are $32 on weekdays and $36 on weekends. Power Carts $29/9 holes; $30/18 holes.
Camping – full service is $37/night. Power/water is $30/night.
Chip Shots: Debbie Brigley at Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum would like me to mention their annual fundraiser goes Aug. 4th at the Innisfail Golf Course, one of the finest courses in all of Alberta. She is looking for hole sponsors and company or individual golfers. For further info give Debbie a buzz at 403-341-8614 or e-mail her at debbie@albertasportshalloffame.com.
