Greywolf Hole #11

Greywolf Golf Course Hole #11 "Panorama" 339-yd Par4 Handicap 14

A bold tee shot could make the green from the elevated tees. A conservative play with a long iron or fairway wood to the lower portion of the fairway will take the water out of play and leave an uphill pitch.

No. 11 is that one "driveable" par 4 which so many architects like to feature. The decision to "go for it" must be balanced by the fact that water left and a rocky slope to the right are undaunted by your "guts".

http://greywolfgolf.com/hole-11

Greywolf GC:

However, what sets Greywolf apart from other mountain golf courses, are not the elevation changes, spectacular views or imaginative design, but rather the turf that the golfers will play on. Greywolf was designed and built with, not only, bentgrass greens, which is typical for most northern courses, but also bentgrass tees and fairways, giving the course a very dramatic and manicured appearance. Bentgrass is a much finer textured and tighter knit grass than your typical Kentucky bluegrass fairway. For this reason the golfer will find that the ball will roll much farther on bentgrass.

Near Panorama:

About three miles before the twisty road reaches the Panorama Mountain Village Resort, and 1,500 vertical feet below it, a sharp curve in the road gives way to a turnaround area. Of course, approaching a mountain paradise, nobody in his or her right mind would "turnaround". A closer inspection to this unmarked roadside turnaround and you'll discover a footpath that dives down halfway into a gorge. Two hundred feet down the path you'll end up atop the remnants of an old bridge which used to span the chasm. The trail will be replaced by the pure, misty air of the Purcell Mountains and your knees will start to shake. Over one hundred feet straight below, Toby Creek thunders its way down the valley, finally spilling into the mighty Columbia River ten miles down stream. Don't get too close to the edge!

Greywolf Hole #10

Greywolf Golf Course Hole #10 "Tranquility" 580-yd Par5 Handicap 12

The longest hole here at Greywolf requires a tee shot down the right side toward the fairway bunkers. Keep your second shot to the right setting up an open pitch into the angled plateau green.

The entire back nine is a rolling, tumbling ride featuring holes that ride along the cliffs and creeks which frame the area. Each hole offers an entirely unique visual experience from the previous hole - the only consistency is the backdrops filled with mountain vistas, creaking pines, and eagles soaring high.

http://greywolfgolf.com/hole-10

Greywolf GC:

Golf Digest's Best New Canadian Course of 1999 (Silvertip was runner up), and the course keeps getting better every year.

Must do Stops:

Lake Louise -- The turquoise water draws its brilliant colour from the “rock flour,” fine particles of glacial sediment which are suspended in the water that reflect blue and green wavelengths of light because they are so small and uniform. Framed by Mount Victoria and Victoria Glacier, the water temperature only gets a few degrees above freezing in summer. The native’s called it “Ho-run-num-nay” or Lake of Little Fishes, long before they took outfitter and explorer Tom Wilson up for a peek in 1882, although he is credited with “discovering” the world-famous location. In 1890 a cabin was built on the shores of the lake, which is 2.4 km (1.5 mi) long, 500 m (1,649 ft.) wide and 90 m (295 ft.) deep and was later named for Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and later the wife of the governor general of Canada. Lake Louise is considered the birthplace of mountaineering in Canada, after the railway imported Swiss mountain guides to prevent its well-heeled guests from falling off the nearby peaks…………………. For first timers, Stermann also suggests hitting the Lake Louise area, just 4 km out of the town of Lake Louise, which, he notes, is a busy place “for a very, very good reason.” One hike to check out there is the Lake Louise Lakeshore trail, which starts in front of Chateau Lake Louise, and is just 4 km total with little to no elevation gain, which makes for a quick 1-hour round trip. The trail is easy to walk for just about anyone, yet offers amazing views of the lake and surrounding peaks, and access to several longer trails.

Greywolf Hole #9

Greywolf Golf Course Hole #9 "Wolf's Lake" 181-yd Par3 Handicap 17

Right is the only place to miss this water flanked green with trouble long, short, and left. A high right to left iron shot is ideal. The seventh and eighth, both rock-solid par 4's, are a good tune up for No. 9. The ninth requires a little more courage as "Wolf's Lake" must be carried to reach the green on this 181-yard "teaser". As you play the 9th, you will think you have been transported to the Alps with the Swiss chalets behind the green. Greywolf is without question one of the world’s premier mountain courses, and it is both stunning and intimidating. For the serious golfer, this is a day-trip from Banff that is a must-happen!

http://greywolfgolf.com/hole-9

Greywolf GC:

If you have a desire to blend your love for the game with your love of nature and creation, you'll hit a "bulls-eye" playing Greywolf. Greywolf is an ideal mountain golf getaway. Grab your sticks, hiking shoes, and free spirit and head for the Purcells - you will soon find out that at the Panorama Mountain Village, the mountains truly "bring peace to the people".

Bear Quiz Time (no cheating):
http://animal.discovery.com/games-quizzes/grizzly-safety-quiz/

Also on a completely unrelated note, I foresee Roscher being beligerant and starting a fight with a) a Canucks fan b) a Flames fan or c) Sasquatch. Be sure to parade around in your Chicago sports gear!

Greywolf Hole #8

Greywolf Golf Course Hole #8 "Hideawar" 446-yd Par4 Handicap 9

This long and demanding par 4 requires a solid tee shot that should favour the left side leaving a mid to long iron approach. The slope flanking the left of the green can be used to feed your ball into the centre.

http://greywolfgolf.com/hole-8

Greywolf GC:

When it comes to scenery, the rest of the valley gets a 9, Greywolf gets a 10. You are higher and right in the mountains. The views from the elevated tees are outstanding. You will play golf at over 4,000 ft surrounded by the Purcell Mountains. The mountain lakes and creeks add to the visual display!

Things to See:

Grassi Lakes -- This short, easy hike, with one moderate section has beautiful views of the Canmore townsite and Spray Reservoirs, plus a gorgeous waterfall. The trail leads to two popular emerald-green pools with interpretive signs. Take the difficult trail; the only way it is difficult is in terms of footing, and has one steep section with stone steps. The easy trail is a boring access road. Grassi Lakes was named after Lawrence Grassi, a well-respected mountaineer and guide in the Banff Area. The stone steps you will use on the trail plus the the quaint wooden branch bench was built by him. Small and stout, he had fantastic strength, and was known for carrying injured hikers on his back.

Takakkaw Falls -- We used to go for hikes to Takakkaw Falls, the tallest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies. The base of the falls is unbelievable. The roar and the wind from the water falls is unreal. You could hear and feel big bangs, as pieces of the glacier ice would crash over the falls. This was all in July of 2003. I have told everyone I know about this place . In my books it was #1!

Greywolf Hole #7

Greywolf Golf Course Hole #7 "Prospector's" 418-yd Par4 Handicap 5

A long right to left tee shot sets up the best approach to this undulating peninsula shaped green. A high left to right approach shot is ideal and do your best not to finish long or left of the green.

http://greywolfgolf.com/hole-7

Greywolf GC:

Ranked #1 Course In B.C. by Golf Digest.

Greywolf fits comfortably into my "Top 5 Resort Course" list within the prestigious ranks of Bandon Dunes and Pebble Beach. Surprised? Go see for yourself. – Worldgolf.com writer

Ha Ling Peak:
You can see Ha Ling Peak from the Trans Canada Highway, as you approach Canmore. It recently has been the subject of much controversy, as it was once named Chinaman's Peak.Originally called "The Beehive", it became Chinaman's Peak in 1896, when a cook named Ha Ling climbed the peak for a bet of $50.00. Ha Ling was a cook at the Okaloosa Hotel in Canmore, and took up a challenge that he couldn't go up and down the mountain in 10 hours. He started one Saturday morning at 7:00 am, and was back in time for lunch. Because no one would believe him, he took a group of doubters up the next day, and there, flapping in the breeze, was a small flag he had planted the day before. It was then proudly announced, "As the peak has no name, let it henceforth be called Ha Ling Peak in honour of his daring intrepidity". Unfortunately, many people reverted to "Chinaman's Peak", and was known as such until quite recently, when under political correctness, it started be referred to by it's rightful name.

Greywolf Hole #6

Greywolf Golf Course Hole #6 "Cliffhanger" 200-yd Par3 Handicap 7

The blue, white, and black tees all require at least one club less and consider the swirling winds from the Toby Creek Valley. Favour the right side as the vertical rock cliffs guard the front, back, and left.

The quintet of par three's are all treasures. The sixth, or "Cliffhanger", is already regarded as one of the most exhilarating par 3's in all of golf. The green sits perched atop a granite plateau, 200 yards from the tips. What's truly remarkable about the Greywolf layout is the fact that Doug Carrick routed Greywolf specifically around the spectacular green site at the sixth. While it's likely that whatever postcard you purchase from the Greywolf golf shop (and believe me, you'll want to send a postcard) will feature a dazzling shot of the "Cliffhanger", every hole at Greywolf warrants "postcard" status. However, every photo not on the Greywolf website is of the 6th, hence the lacking extra photos of the rest of the course, but if you are inspecting the link for each hole, you should find those will more than suffice.)

"I still remember my first time stepping on this tee box," said Gavin Moran, the club's head pro, "and I didn't think it was real. I'd seen photos, and I got out here and stood up, and I just couldn't believe my eyes."

The top-ranked course in Western Canada is located just across the Alberta/British Columbia border and is only a 90-minute drive from Banff. This is Greywolf Golf Course and it is the site of a green setting that is straight from the imagination, one that must be seen to be believed. It is the green on the par-3 6th, named “Cliffhanger”, and no more apt name exists on any golf hole in the world. A 200 yard carry over equally aptly-named “Hopeful Valley” is required to what can only be described as a “mountain-island” green. The drop offs short, left, and long are beyond severe, and it is one of the most awe-inspiring holes you could ever have the privilege to play.

http://greywolfgolf.com/hole-6

Greywolf GC:

Greywolf continues to overwhelm, inspire, and rejuvenate the golfers' soul.

Another hike that will blow your mind:

Cory Pass --- good god … For people willing and able to do a more difficult trip, Ettinger strongly recommended hiking Cory Pass, noting, “It’s a fairly gruesome hike.”According to Parks Canada, in fact, this is “One of the most difficult hikes in Banff National Park,” and is recommended “for strong hikers with good route finding skills.”Cory pass is a 13 km loop, with an elevation gain of 915 m, and takes about 6 hours round trip.It’s all worth it, according to Ettinger, “You go through a very high pass, where you can see the whole basin back behind you.” “When you drop back down the other side, it’s true wilderness,” he says. “You’ll see sheep for sure, and it’s great bear country.” The hike starts from Fireside Picnic Area at the eastern end of the Bow Valley Parkway. From there you follow a 1 km access road from the parkway to the picnic area. You return from Cory Pass by making a loop around Mount Edith and descending the Edith Pass trail. Check a trail guide for detailed directions.

Greywolf Hole #5

Greywolf Golf Course Hole #5 "Hopeful Crossing" 570-yd Par5 Handicap 13

A tee shot over the fairway bunkers on the right is ideal. A conservative second shot over Hopeful Creek, a rushing mountain stream, should be aimed left of the 150 yard marker. Going for it in two requires less club and bravery.

As a world-renown golf course architect, Doug Carrick followed with great admiration the work of Stanley Thompson (Banff Springs, Jasper Park Lodge, and Capilano - among others). Thompson's work was signified with ample use of target bunkers - Carrick followed suit. The beautiful par 5, 5th offers one of many "target style" cross bunkers not meant to punish the player, but rather to provide a visual in terms of indicating the ideal line. The fifth appears "meaty" on the card, but it too follows the fall line and at 570 yards is reachable for not just the longest of hitters.

http://greywolfgolf.com/hole-5

Greywolf GC:

For this course I am going to say very little. You will have to go and play it. The design is awesome, enjoyable and well worth the little trip up the mountains. I find it remarkable that Doug Carrick can go into the mountains and design a course that fits, is playable and scenic. There are elevation changes, attractive bunkers, water and other factors that make a great course. This has to be one of the best true mountain courses in the world.

As an overview of the course; water comes into play on about five holes. The fairway bunkers can also cause some trouble. The fun is found in the number of elevated tees that create longer drives then you might normally achieve. The elevation won't hurt!

My Final Bear Tips (before your quiz):

It may be tough to resist running, but if you want to survive, stand your ground until she's within 25 feet, then give her a 6-second shot of bear spray. Hopefully you bought the right kind at the general store! Also, when a grizzly is upon you, shield your vital organs by lying down or curling into a ball, protect your head with your arms, and lie still. An enraged grizzly will attack until you stop moving, one way or the other.

The bears can smell the menstruation….there will be none of that Halbert.