A Good Walk Unspoiled

There’s something special about golf this side of the Rockies. Maybe it’s the mountains. Perhaps all the beautiful water. Certainly it’s the weather. And while Kimberley has its allotment of amazing courses, 90 minutes up the road is another golf Mecca, Invermere, where I recently enjoyed a unique experience. 

Ever looked at that long putt and asked yourself, “I wonder which way this thing is going to break?” You shrug, make a decision, hit the ball… and watch it wander off in the wrong direction. Now imagine having someone standing over your shoulder, somebody offering expert advice. Someone like Floren. 

Eagle Ranch has been a perennial favourite in the Columbia Valley for two decades but this year introduced something unique to golf in these parts. A Caddie Program. The course seeks to emulate what golfers enjoy at famous tracks around the world: Ballybunion in Ireland, St Andrew’s in Scotland, Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia. 

I was early for my tee time but when I pulled up to the bag drop Floren was there, offering a hand—and a handshake. “Hello Gerry,” he said grabbing my clubs. He glanced upward at the Rockies and decided, “It’s going to be a good day.” A good attitude can go a long way where golf is concerned. “Yes it is,” I agreed. I tied up my shoes and off we headed to the driving range to hit a few. Then it was just a few steps to the first tee. 

I hit my first shot down the middle, over a hill and out of sight. “Nice,” said Floren. Then he threw my clubs over his shoulder, stepped off the tee box and strode purposefully down the fairway. I followed behind, feeling content comfortable and frankly… rather important. Like I was on my own private course. With apologies to Mark Twain, golf is not a good walk spoiled…  particularly when someone else is carting your clubs!

“You should be at the 150yd marker,” Floren said. We cleared the crest and there sat my ball, right by the white post. He measured it at 151.5. “I’ll let that little mistake go this time,” I joked. So things began well. Good drive, decent approach. Disregarding Floren’s advice I accomplished my usual. A disappointing three-putt bogey. Ditto on hole two. On the third hole I had another tester. “This has got to go hard right,” I said. “Left edge,” Floren offered. I looked at him uncertainly. He just said, “Trust me.” I did—and finally salvaged par.

Perched above the Columbia River wetlands, Eagle Ranch wends its way around and over ancient bluffs and deep canyons. The course was in fine shape. The greens were fast and true. On every shot Floren politely handed me a clean club. On the tees and greens it was a freshly-scrubbed ball. If you find a perfectly spotless Titliest Pro V1 in the woods at Eagle Ranch, that’d be mine. Four of them actually. 

The Caddie Program offers options. Walk or ride. To get the full experience, I chose to hike the front nine but jumped in a cart with Floren for the back. It was most pleasurable.

At the end of the round Roxanne, Eagle Ranch GM, invited me to enjoy lunch on the deck at Traders Lounge overlooking Lake Windermere. It was a glorious afternoon. Seems like the weather’s always perfect this side of the Rockies. As I tucked into the Sand Wedge Saku seared ahi, a familiar voice shouted, “Feehan, what are you doing here?” It was an old Red Deer friend.  “Working,” I replied. Then I related my day with Floren. He chuckled. “Looks like things are tough out here!” A bald eagle flew into view (I’m not kidding). “Yup, really tough,” I replied, then raised my glass and took a sip of Chardonnay.

Gerry