Using a Top 10 list to rank golf courses does one of two things: it makes some people happy and others angry. Instead, let’s look at the some of the toughest holes in the area. To keep it simple, I’ll consider one of each: a par 3, a par 4, and a par 5.
The toughest par 3 is an easy one to pick. The 7th hole on the Quail Course at the Okanagan Golf Club. It measures 227 yards from the back tees and can play just under 250 yards when fully stretched out. Length is only half of the equation; the other is accuracy. The opening to the green if you try the ground route is only about eight yards wide as the front right of the green is protected by two bunkers. The chance of a ball running onto the putting surface is also negated by the steep bank leading up to the green. At its widest, the green is a mere 18 yards and has a large tier about 12 yards from the front of the putting surface dividing the green in two distinct tiers. For some golfers it may be best played as a short par four. Place your tee shot just short of the green and then try to chip and putt for your par. Don’t go left either; more trouble waits in the form of two bunkers set well below the putting surface. Go left of the bunkers and we may not see you for about 5 minutes as you search for your ball. Anyone making three on this hole should be quite pleased and most likely will be hitting first on the next tee.
The toughest par 4 is not so easy to select. Holes that come to mind are #1 Gallagher’s Canyon, #10 Kelowna Golf and Country Club, #17 Kelowna Springs, #9 at Sunset Ranch, #’s 8 and 9 at the Quail, and the 498 yard #17 at the Harvest. My toughest par 4 around town is the 17th at the Shannon Lake Golf Club. At 405 yards it is not the length that makes the hole tough, but rather the looming hazards both off the tee and around the green. Shannon Lake is in play down the entire right side of the hole and in front of the green. Fairway bunkers protect the left side of the driving area. Playing to the green out of any these bunkers can be daunting with the lake directly in play. The putting surface is relatively flat but is protected by water and a steep bank behind the green. A par on this hole could be the highlight of your round; it is easy to understand why this is the signature hole at Shannon Lake.
In selecting the toughest par five, I am going to be a bit of a “homer”. The 12th at the Kelowna Golf and Country Club is my pick. At 552 yards it has some length to it. When fully stretched out with back tee and back pin placements it can measure nearly 585 yards. The tee shot needs to be well placed to avoid trees and a fairway bunker on the left. Be sure to favour the left side for the easiest layup shot. Get the ball in the fairway and you are only one third of the way home. The second requires a well positioned shot downhill to the right side of the fairway. Don’t go too far as Eagle Pond awaits and is closer than you think. The second shot is also blind and turns left at the bottom of the hill making the hole a slight double dogleg. Should you find the fairway with your second shot, your third is usually played from a downhill and side-hill lie. The green is the largest on the course and has many imposing undulations with a slight false front. Depending on the pin selection for the day, a two putt can be difficult. #12 is a great par five that can be played in many different ways and any par is well earned.
One person who may think #12 is an easy hole is Mark Parry. Mark holed his second shot on #12 during the 2009Ogopogo this year making a rare albatross two. His magic club - a 3 iron from 247 yards.
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