Kelowna's golfing roots go back to near the turn of the century with The Kelowna Golf and Country Club establishing itself as Kelowna's first golf course at its present day location back in 1920.
Since then Kelowna has built a reputation as being one of the finest golfing communities in Canada with over 15 golf courses in the local area and growing.
Most courses are set on the natural bench lands that were created by the glaciers many thousands of years ago. These glaciers also carved out the valley bottom that Kelowna and Okanagan Lake sit on today.
Kelowna's golf courses have diverse range of terrain from dry desert open style courses with cactus and indigenous growth to beautiful courses lined with apple orchards, vineyards and stunning lake views. Lush natural pine and fir forests offer well shaded fairways on some courses which can help take the heat off on those scorching summer days.
With summer months mostly sunny and hot, the early mornings are best times to golf in the Okanagan. The golfing gets started in the early spring and ends in the late fall, making it one of longest golfing seasons in Canada.
The golf courses range from pitch and putts to challenging courses professionally designed by some of the greatest pro golfers and course designers in the world today. Kelowna offers any golfer a variety of different layouts and challenges.
Shannon Lake Golf Club & Two Eagles Golf Course: West Kelowna offers two quality courses. “Shannon Lake Golf Club” is an 18 hole, par 71 course overlooking Shannon Lake that is located on the west side of Hwy. 97 up behind the hills. “Two Eagles Golf Course” sits just north of the Westbank town centre on the east side of Hwy. 97n. Two Eagles is an 18 hole, par 65 course with amazing lake and vineyard views and a terrific restaurant with banquet facilities.
Gallagher's Golf Course & The Pinnacles: “Gallagher's Golf Course” is located in East Kelowna and is nestled in the pine forests, offering terrific views overlooking Layercake Mountain and Mission Creek flowing by the bottom of the picturesque Valley. Gallagher's is a full length par 72, 18 hole (6801 yards off the long tees), it's a technical golf course with a variety of challenging holes. There is an adjacent mid length course called the “Pinnacles” with an extra 9 hole par 32 course available. Gallagher's has a driving range, chipping and putting greens with a separate 18 hole putting green, all surrounded by the residential village at Gallagher's Canyon.
The Harvest Golf Club: “The Harvest Golf Club” is a picturesque Par 72, 18 hole, 7109 yard wide open golf course that is lined with manicured fruit trees and surrounded by vineyards. The views of Okanagan lake are second to none, looking from Traders Cove to the north and past Peachland to the south. The Harvest Grille in their clubhouse offers excellent dining with a spectacular view of the city and the lake.
Orchard Greens Golf Club: “Orchard Greens Golf Club” sits next to the Harvest Golf Club and is a 9 hole short course that sits in between a working orchard and offers a lit up course for night golf for those who can't make it to the big courses during the day and still need their fix.
Mission Creek Golf Club: Heading west down K.L.O. Rd will take you towards the city centre and the valley floor to “Mission Creek Golf Club”. It borders the Mission Greenway and offers 18 holes on a mid length course with large tree lined fairways and some challenging greens.
MichaelBrook Ranch Golf Course: “MichaelBrook Ranch Golf Course” is located in the southern Mission area of Kelowna between Swamp Road and Gordon Drive. Catering to the beginner and intermediate golfer, this par 4 course has fairly wide open fairways with easy to manage greens.
Club at Tower Ranch: Sitting on the upper bench of Rutland north of Hwy. 33 is the “Club at Tower Ranch”. A brand new housing development with an 18 hole, Par 72, 7212 yard course with beautiful views of Kelowna and the Okanagan Lake.
Kelowna Golf & Country Club: Just north of Kelowna's city centre off Glenmore Drive is the city's oldest established golf course, the “Kelowna Golf & Country Club”. Their facilities offer an 18 hole, par 72, 6317 yards (off the Blue tees) pine tree lined golf course. This established golf course has had many updates throughout the years and offers a challenge to any level of golfer.
Black Mountain Golf Course: A short drive up Hwy. 33 is a new golf course and housing development called “Black Mountain Golf Course” and Community. Black Mountain is an 18 hole, Par 71, 6400 yard course built into its natural setting of hills, slopes and valleys with one hole that features a signature island green.
Kelowna Springs Golf Club: “Kelowna Springs Golf Club” is an 18 hole, Par 71, 6241 yard golf course with spring fed lakes throughout that sits in the valley bottom with fabulous mountain vistas. Kelowna Springs also offers an extra 18 hole putting green.
Shadow Ridge Golf Club: Close by is the “Shadow Ridge Golf Club”. An 18 hole, par 71, 6475 yard course that offers mature landscaping with willow trees and water hazards making it a challenging course for all levels.
Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club: “Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club” is also located in the same area with an 18 hole, Par 72, 6492 yard golf course of dense pine forest surrounding their fairways with rolling slopes and some beautiful vistas.
The Okanagan Golf Club: Offers 2 courses, “The Bear” and “The Quail”. These Jack Nicklaus and Les Furber designed golf courses are surrounded by pine forests and water hazards. These two challenging 18 hole, par 72 courses will test even the lowest handicapped golfers. The Bear course is 6885 yards off the long tees and The Quail course is 6794 yards off the long tees.
Predator Ridge: A 30 min drive from Kelowna to the north, just outside of Vernon is “Predator Ridge” which has two 18 hole courses, one called the “Predator “and the other called the “Ridge”. A sprawling community has been built around these exciting courses with a beautiful clubhouse with all the amenities of a world class resort. They have hosted the professional “Skins Game” twice over the years. They offer suites and cottages to accommodate any avid golfer and if you need a little extra pampering there is the Sparkling Hills Resort and Wellness Centre located near by.
Check in with our local pro shops for some more information on golfing in the Okanagan.
Golf Courses
