Whistler and Vancouver
After 14 courses in 19 days we are both taking a break from golf now.
The golf courses in the Rockies have been amazing.
On our visit to Whistler we played 3 courses:
The Whistler (designed by Arnold Palmer) www.whistlergolf.com
and
Chateau Whistler (Robert Trent Jones) www.fairmont.com/whistler/golf/
A favourite was Fairmont Chateau Whistler- with some of the hardest starting holes – all uphill for the first 4, with chasms and trees. Jo played it twice (in bright green) whilst Sarah went for a walk instead.
Water features on Nicolas North.
We were bear spotting on the course. Black bears were spotted crossing fairways. Sadly, Jo did not get the camera out quick enough. The bear was on the prowl for food; fortunately none in the golf cart as we’d eaten it all!
All Jo could capture on camera were some claw marks on a tree
Bear catching seems quite basic.
We also had fun messing around with a few bear starting blocks - pixies and head covers in the trees.
We had a side competition for the most inventive selfie with bears on Nicolas North.
We did not win.
Disaster struck on The Whistler no.9. Jo was playing with Sonia from Rangiora, Christchurch. Both of us had moved ahead of another player, parked the cart and were standing aside. A bad shot (shank) headed towards us at head height; we both stepped back further into the trees. Sonia shrieked; there was a very loud crack. Sonia broke her ankle in 2 places and was in agony. Jo was shaken but not hurt and ran for a phone, got hold of an ambulance, then the marshal (who was actually a maintenance man and pretty hopeless) Almost 1 hour later Sonia was taken to hospital. The rest of the group had to carry on but needless to say, the golf was rubbish from there on in.Sonia’s holiday was cut short as she had to return to NZ to get her ankle fixed.
Life is one big lottery.
Whistler has become a large tourist trap with every possible outdoor shop represented. Jo was last here in 1999 on the way back from Tokyo to London. It has changed dramatically from a quiet ski resort to a hopping town.
Sarah enjoyed the masks in the art galleries
Jo enjoyed the golf and oysters
Off to Vancouver. Chateau Fairmont - looks like a French castle-
Our last course played was Mayfair Lakes outside of Vancouver. www.mayfairlakes.com/golf_course
This course could have been anywhere. It was full of lakes, bunkers and was very flat and windy. With no course guide, we found that we could not see all the hazards. The lakes jumped out to grab the ball at every opportunity; even in ditches just in front of the green. An evil course designer!
After all that trauma, it was a relief to retire the golf clubs. We had both won one comp, but it all went downhill after that.
On a Tuesday evening in Vancouver, we visited the Art Gallery with an exhibition of work from Alberto Giacometti (mostly from the University of East Anglia)
Today we went for a short cycle around Stanley Park and Granville island in Vancouver.
Spot the bear behind Sarah?
Of course, Sarah had filled Jo's bags with lots of heavy art. The last purchase; a 11kg stone sculpture we had to carry across the city. Here she is
Imagine our trip tomorrow with this as hand luggage. :)
We arranged this tour through a company called Par NZ. They are a very well organised, well run company owned by two fabulous women called Kim and Denise. Both excellent single figure golfers, fun people and very knowledgable about golf. If you want a stress free golf holiday, try Par NZ. www.parnz.co.nz
It has been a great holiday.
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