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Golf In Canada's Okanagan Valley
By Ron Strand
Combine course variety, with a beautiful landscape in a moderate climate, and you have in Canada’s Okanagan Valley. This valley stretches north and south through the interior of the province of British Columbia. The town of Osoyoos, in the heart of Canada’s only desert ecosystem, provides the southern entry to the valley, just a few kilometers north of the border with Washington State. Highway 97 winds its way north through the cities of Penticton, on the south tip of Lake Okanagan, through Kelowna and on to Vernon, the location of the world-class Predator Ridge course. The valley extends from there to the beautiful Shushwap region, home of the challenging Hyde Mountain course.
Lake Okanagan is the central feature of the valley. This huge, 120 kilometer long, lake provides the water to irrigate the courses, fruit orchards and vineyards that dot the region. The lake, bordered by mountains, provides the spectacular views along the drive and from many of the 50 or so courses that can be found throughout the valley. In July and August, fruit stands on the highway yield their harvest of cherries, apricots and peaches, and in the fall, apples and pears. The lake has many clean beaches and clear, clean water, suitable for all types of recreation. There are many wineries throughout the valley, many with fine dining facilities, so booking a wine tour as a part of your trip can be a very enjoyable accompaniment to golf.
The valley is about a four hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia and about a six hour drive from Seattle, Washington or Calgary, Alberta. It is also possible to fly direct to the International Airport in Kelowna, the valley’s largest city with a population of just over 100,000. Penticton and Vernon also have regional airports. If you fly your own plane, consider going to Mabel Lake, which has a nine-hole, alpine course, sheltered by towering pines, with a landing strip and runway designed into the course.
There are about 50 courses in the valley. The southernmost
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