MAYOR KEITH HOBBS SUPPORTS STAAL FOUNDATION OPENPRESENTED BY TBAYTEL

June 2014

Canadian Rockies GolfDestination World Class

TOM WATSONLESSONS OF A

LIFETIME II

TBDGA 2014Tournaments

Sunice Ultimate V6Lives Up To Name

TOM WATSONRELEASES NEW

INSTRUCTIONALVIDEO

TOM WATSONLESSONS OF A

LIFETIME II

Violating GolfFashion Since '99 |Think Outside The

Tee Box

Leading youth sports franchise compa-ny to grow the game and enrich the lives ofstudents in Canadian schools London,Ontario – TGA Premier Junior Golf(TGA), the largest school-based junior golfprogram in North America, announces ithas launched its innovative youth sportsbusiness in Canada with two new franchiseterritories in London, and Sault Ste. Marie– Sudbury.

TGA (Teach-Grow-Achieve) hasbecome a global leader in growing thegame through its self-sustaining activationmodel that makes golf accessible, availableand affordable for all youth. The companylaunched its first international franchisebusiness in Spain in 2012, and now isbringing its successful school-based busi-ness model to schools across Canada.

Joe Barnes and Brian Miller havebecome the owners of TGA of London,while Darren Hore has acquired TGA ofSault Ste. Marie and Greater Sudbury. Inaddition, Barnes and Miller have alsonegotiated the TGA master-developmentrights to expand the TGA business modelthroughout Canada. Barnes, a collegefinance professor who helped to buildCanada’s largest Century 21 franchiseoperation, and Miller, an educator for over30 years, have together owned dozens ofsuccessful businesses including several inthe golf industry.

“It is our belief that TGA will deliver a sig-nificant part of the solution to many ofgolf’s problems by helping to grow and

rejuvenate golf, by making it fun andaccessible for youth,” Barnes said. “WithBrian’s teaching and coaching experiencein schools and my golf and business back-ground, the opportunity to bring the TGAschool-based model to Canada seemeddesigned for us.”

Hore also brings extensive business owner-ship and education experience as the ownerof a Montessori school in Sault Ste. Marie.He discovered TGA while exploring alter-nate business opportunities that could com-plement his operation of the school.

"I like that the TGA program not onlyintroduces students to the game of golf butit also introduces them to common socialcourtesies and practical life skills that theycan use every day throughout their life-time,” said Hore.

TGA, which was launched in 2003 at sixLos Angeles area schools, was the first toincorporate junior golf into after-schoolenrichment programs utilizing educatorsalong with PGA and LPGA Professionals.In 2006, TGA launched its school-basedfranchise model across the United States

and today has franchises in more than 70territories across the U.S., Spain, and nowCanada. TGA impacts hundreds of thou-sands of youth annually by activating andengaging youth (ages 3-13) in golf througha year-round, multi-level enrichment pro-gram. TGA’s programs are conductedindoors and outdoors on school campusesand at community centers where TGA pro-vides all the golf equipment for participat-ing students. The curriculum is designedto enrich the lives of students throughincorporating physical activity, health,nutrition and character building, as well assupplement core academic subjects likemath, science, reading and social studies ineach lesson. In addition, TGA has devel-oped a Player Pathway model, which tran-sitions students from school-based pro-grams to local partner golf courses througha variety of summer camps, parent-childevents, and leagues. The TGA programalso serves as a feeder program for golfassociation junior programs and tourna-ments.

“What excites us about our expansion into

Canada is the great people we've partneredwith to develop this proven business modelto grow the game of golf,” said TGA chiefoperating officer, Steve Tanner. “We arethrilled to have people like Joe, Brian, andDarren, with their impressive credentials,joining the TGA organization and settingthe bar high for the first of hopefully manyCanadian franchises.”

For more information about TGA PremierJunior Golf, visit www.playtga.com or fol-low @TGAJuniorGolf on Twitter. MediaContacts: TGA of Sault and GreaterSudbury Darren Hore - Owner/TerritoryDirector 1-705-297-4653dhore@playtga.comwww.PlayTGA.ca/ssmandsudbury

For more information about TGA inCanada, contact Joe Barnes atjbarnes@playtga.com) and Brian Miller atbmiller@playtga.com or call toll-free 1-866-394-4774.About TGA Premier Junior Golf TGAPremier Junior Golf (TGA) is an innova-tive franchise model for self-starters whoenjoy working with children in a businessventure that provides a unique entry intoyouth sports, education and the golf indus-try.

Page 2 June 2014

TBDGA 2014 Tournaments

TGA Premier Junior Golf Launches School-Based Activationand Business Model in Canada

JORDAN STAAL VISITS CITY HALLTO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEER

SUPPORT

PGA TOUR CANADA STAAL FOUN-DATION OPEN PRESENTED BY

TBAYTEL | STAALOPEN.CAThunder Bay, ON (May 29, 2014) MayorKeith Hobbs and Jordan Staal teamed upwith event organizers today at City Hallpledging support and encouraging thecommunity to come out and volunteer forthe Staal Foundation Open presented byTbaytel July 14-20 at Whitewater GolfClub in Thunder Bay.“We are excited that our community willbe hosting this great event,” said MayorHobbs. “Our administration has workeddiligently with event organizers supportingtheir efforts from transportation and mar-keting to welcoming players and officialsin the great way Thunder Bay is so knownfor. Sport tourism is a growth area for ourcommunity and the Staal Foundation Openpresented by Tbaytel will also have a sig-nificant economic impact.”Event organizers are pleased with the levelof enthusiasm shown so far and want toencourage those that are thinking of volun-teering to visit staalopen.ca to officiallyregister. Volunteer Chair Gloria Sherbanand Caddie Chair Rick Bevilacqua bothsay that activity on the web has beenencouraging thus far but registering earlywill help to ensure that individuals seekingspecific jobs will get their preferred pick.“We have many positions available includ-ing scoring, hosting, transportation andcaddying to name a few,” said Sherban.“We are confident we can accommodatespecific requests.”Local NHL star and Staal FamilyFoundation representative, Jordan Staal,also visited City Hall today personallylending his support to the event organizersand encouraging community involvement.

“Thunder Bay is our home and our familycouldn’t be happier supporting an eventthat will bring national and internationalattention to our community while doingsuch important charity work,” said Jordan.“Our whole family will be participating inthe week-long event. We are really lookingforward to it.”The Staal Foundation Open presented byTbaytel is the sixth tournament on the2014 PGA TOUR Canada schedule. “Thestart date is getting close.” said ScottSmith, Executive Director. “The excite-ment is growing and although there is a lotof work to be done, our Committee isextremely dedicated to making certaineverything is done well and on time. Ican’t thank them enough.”

Jordan Staal. “ We are just starting up ourfoundation and being able to jump into thisright away, it is a little bit surreal but at thesame time exciting. We are glad to get ourfoundation going and now to be the brand

for this tournament is exciting. Everydaywe get emails to help us make our founda-tion better. We have sent out some emailsto hockey players to play in the pro ams atthis tournament.”

“ I should be out practising my game butjust excited to see the players. I have goneto the Ryder Cup in the past and watchingthose guys was amazing. I know theseguys are not that far off. Just being able towatch them swing will be pretty neat. Thebest Staal golfer is not Marc lets just say.Eric and I have had a few good battles.”

“We had an up and down NHL seasonand just didn’t find our consistency withthe Hurricanes. Sometimes we dominatedother teams and then didn’t play well othergames. I still believe in our team and theplayers we have. There is potential and weare a very young team. I am one of theolder guys but still fairly young. We arevery happy for Marc to be doing so wellthis season after coming back from aninjury.”

Gloria Sherban, Chair Volunteers, StaalOpen “ We are looking for 400 plus vol-unteers and are about half way there. Thereare lots of opportunities. You don’t have tobe a golf expert. We have all kinds ofopportunities on the course, in hospitalityand in the registration. They will be allfun, wonderful experiences and we encour-age people to come out and volunteer. Goto www.staalopen.ca.

“ Some of the opportunities involve scor-ing, walking around with signs, marshalls,starters and you can’t get any closer to theplay than that. We have opportunities onthe range issuing golf balls to the playersand the volunteer tent as well. They are alldescribed on the web site. There is a won-derful volunteer package for you as wellincluding the shirts we are wearing today,a cap or visor, passes, meals and adidassling bag as well as the appreciation partyfor everyone at the end. It is just going tobe a great event.”

www.golfingnews.ca

MAYOR KEITH HOBBS SUPPORTS STAALFOUNDATION OPEN PRESENTED BY TBAYTEL

Page 3june 2014

Miranda BoltGraphic Designer

Sonia Rutter @ 807-631-4244

DFX stands for Deep Face Extreme.Once the golfer stands over this driver theywill see the difference. The clubface isnow 5 mm deeper than the previous ver-sion, which catches the ball at impactslightly longer and combines with thenitrogen inside the clubhead to createreduced spin and more distance.

In mygolfspy.com, Most Wanted Driver of2014 article it rated the Air Force OneDFX fifth among all new-for-2014 drivers.The article is located online athttp://www.mygolfspy.com/2014-most-wanted-driver-overall-awards/ -- claimsthe Air Force One DFX did well in all ofits test categories. Total driving distancewas 222.59 yards; total gained vs. controlwas +1.72 yards; spin was 2991.89 rpm;launch angle was 10.9 degrees, and ballspeed was 138.31 mph.

PowerBilt has signed MMA athlete CubSwanson to promote the DFX driver andall of its latest golf equipment. An avidgolfer who grew up mostly in the PalmSprings area, the MMA pro Swanson ispart of a new marketing campaign to posi-tion PowerBilt with an edgier personality.

The Air Force One DFX features NitrogenN7 "Nitrogen Charged" technology, anewly patented method to reinforce the

clubface without adding any weight. Theforged titanium body comes with titaniumcup face technology, as well as aerody-namic clubhead shaping. It's available inboth the high MOI and Tour Series, in loftsof 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 12.5°. Standardshaft length is 45 ?". The club is offered inseveral leading shaft models from the topOEM shaft brands, so that golfers willachieve the optimum launch angle and spinrate for their unique swing. MSRP starts at

$299.99, and there is an upcharge for someshaft models.About PowerBilt Golf

Since 1916 PowerBilt Golf has designedgolf clubs the world's best have used towin such tournaments as The Masters, theU.S. open, and the PGA Championship.today, PowerBilt is pushing the limits ontechnology with REAL innovation. USGAConforming, Air Force One woods featureNitrogen Charged Club Heads, faces asthin as 2.6mm, the largest sweet spot ingolf, and maximum COR regardless ofswing speed. And all Air Force One woodsfeature customized speed-rated shafts fromFujikura. New Nitrogen Charged Air Forceirons also feature the hottest and thinnestface in golf. PowerBilt also remains theNo. 1 choice for junior golfers; and thePowerBilt Air Force One irons werenamed to the 2011 and 2013 Golf DigestHot List. Plus One Sports, Inc., is the U.S.licensee of the PowerBilt brand. PowerBiltis a division of the Hillerich & BradsbyCo., a family owned-company which hasbeen making golf clubs since 1916. Basedin Louisville, Ky., Hillerich & Bradsby isalso the maker of the world-famousLouisville Slugger bats and Bionic gloves.

Deep Face Extreme

Canada has some of the best golf desti-nations in the world. One area left for meto experience firsthand was the Banff/Canmore destination located in theRockies about a 1-hour drive west ofCalgary. My mission was to play 5 coursesthat are members of the Canadian RockiesGolf group.

My journey began with an early morning

wake up call at 4 am and Air Canadaflights to Winnipeg with a short touchdown and then on to Calgary. Given the 2-hour time change I arrived in the Calgaryairport at 7:20 am. That’s a pretty goodconnection in my mind and after a quicktrip to Budget Rent a Car I was on my wayto Canmore.

As you leave Calgary on their excellenthighways you will soon begin to see high-er elevations. By the time you arrive in thepretty town of Canmore you are amoungstsoaring snow-covered peaks of 9000 feet

plus. This is a beautiful part of our worldand just the scenery makes the destinationa great one.

My first stop would be the StoneridgeResort. This is a beautiful new hotel facil-ity that features condominium style rooms.My 2 bedroom 2 bath unit complete withfull kitchen, flat screen TV’s and fireplacein a 20 foot high ceiling great room mademe feel right at home. There is a fantasticSafeway store in Canmore that would bemy next stop to stock up on some food!

Even after this travel I was right onschedule for my first golf game that after-noon at Stewart Creek, a few minutesaway. Stewart Creek located in Canmoreopened in 2000 and was designed by GaryBrowning who has done a fair amount ofwork in the west and is based out ofCalgary. Canmore has about 13,000 resi-dents and with part time people over15,000. Weekends there can be over30,000 in Canmore.

“ We are at 4000 feet elevation here andare set right into the 3 Sisters Mountains.There are some great views up and downthe Bow Valley. We have ranked well overthe years with Golf Digest’s 4.5 star courserating,” said Chris Schatzmann, Head Golfprofessional at Stewart Creek and original-

ly from Aurora, Ontario. “ Stewart Creekis a very playable mountain course. Youget rewards for good shots and can hitdriver quite a lot. We are 7200 yards fromthe tips with 5 different tees. Our weathercan be awesome especially in July andAugust. We get a fair number ofAmericans here each year. It is a Meccafor outdoor enthusiasts from fly fishing, torafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hikingand wildlife viewing.”

“ My favourite aspect of the course isthe design which is very simple in that itwas formed to land that was here beforethe golf course. There is also elevationchange and undulation. You get a little bitof everything from short par 4’s to longpar 5’s and interesting par 3s,” saidSchatzmann. “If you want to play a num-ber of courses in the area you can go towww.candianrockiesgolf.com. You arealways dealing with a person when youcontact us to book tee times by phone,”said Schatzmann.

There are 238 members at Stewart Creekand about half of their play is with mem-bers. The public can play any day. Themembership cost is $50,000 non-equity.Green fees from June 1st are $175 to $195and specials as low as $129 depending ontime. It includes cart and range. Their sea-son is mid May to October with the goal toget over the 20,000 rounds.

My first round in this area was fun withweather changing from sun to light rain tosnow flurries in rapid succession. The Elkwere out enjoying themselves here as well.Stewart Creek is a very pretty course!

Continued Next Page

Canadian Rockies Golf Destination World ClassBY SCOTT A. SUMNERNW Ontario Golfing News

Page 4 June 2014

2014 Cadillac ATS 2.5L* Preferred Equipment Group * 2. L DOHC DI I4 W/VVT * 6 SpeedAutomatic Transmission * Sirius XM Satellite Radio * Power SlidingGlass Sunroof * Automatic Climate Control * 17” Polished Aluminum

Wheels * CUE (Cadillac User Experience) W/BOSE (R) *

Lease 48 Month $459.70/Mth Buyout $20,300Interest Rate 1.5% Total Lease Obligation $21,605.90

399 Memorial AvenueThunder Bay, OnP7B 3Y4

Tel: (807) 683-4900Fax: (807) 345-8005Toll Free: 1-800-465-3915

2014 Cadillac ATS

GMMakes 1stPayment!

(plus tax, dine in only)

Continued From Previous Page

The next day it was off to the CanmoreGolf and Curling Club also located a fewminutes from my hotel. Darren Cooke isthe Director of Golf here and fromMedicine Hat originally. “ Golfing inCanmore started in 1926 in this locationwith 9 holes in 1961 and 18 holes in theearly 80’s. Les Furber helped with ourmaster plan and lives just down the street.We have mountain views everywhere andthe Bow River on the 5th hole. You get tolook up from the valley and people canwalk the course quite easily,” said Cooke.“ The snow will stay on the peaks sur-rounding us until July. We are at about4000 feet and the peaks will go to 8-9000feet.”

The Canmore Golf And Curling Clubcurrently has a wait list for members withover 600 adults, 150 juniors and 45 otherslife members. The local green fee rate is$73 and $80 if not a resident and the cartis optional. They do 30,000 to 36,000rounds per year opening the last Friday inApril to Thanksgiving with temporary tees

in after that.

“ I like that the course is playable at alldifferent levels of ability. It doesn’t havelong carries or water. It is walk able, notlong, but has its challenges. The member-ship is great. We have members that havesecond homes here for the summers andare from say Toronto or Texas. There islots of wildlife that wander through here.Elk live here in the winter and there aregeese, deer and coyotes. The Bow River isalso great fishing,” said Cooke. “ Wework as a group to market our golf andhave so much to offer for a 4 or 5 day peri-od with great designers. It is world golfdestination with all these courses close by.You can ski and golf the same day for partof the year.”

Right from my hotel room you couldalmost see my next course, Silvertip, beau-tifully framed in the window. This courseis also just a few minutes away and wouldbe my next game. Silvertip opened in 1998to a soft opening and fully in 1999. It is aprivate development spread over 600 acres

and the golf course consumes just over 100acres along with wildlife corridors, realestate and developments. The course is aLes Furber design and he calls it his signa-ture golf course. The private owner is GuyTurcotte, an oil person by trade, who alsoowns the nearby Eagle Ranch golf courseas well.

“ We sit at the clubhouse at just under5000 feet and the peaks surrounding thecourse are 8000 feet. There are views

across the valley on almost all 18 holes. Itis a golf experience. You have incredibleconditioning, the dining experience andgreat service, “ said Rhett Bokitoch, GolfSales Manager for Silvertip and a PGA ofCanada member. The views are incredible.It is 360 degrees on every hole. We havethe Three Sisters scenes from many holes.The condition of the course is incrediblefor the terrain and weather.”

Continued Page 8

Page 5June 2014

Canadian Rockies Golf Destination World Class

Page 6 June 2014

Sunice Ultimate V6 Lives Up To Nameby Scott A. Sumner

Last year the Presidents Cup held atMuirfield Village, Dublin Ohio was exciting!The top players in the world played at abeautiful venue in early October and the USteam was victorious. The weather was rainybut didn't dampen the spirits of the thou-sands of spectators.

The International team, which includedCanadian Graham Delaet, remained warmand dry in their official Sunice outerweargear.

Recently I was able to try out my secondSunice outerwear product, the Ultimate V6.This high tech gore - tex product is light,stylish and feels very comfortable. I reallyenjoy how its makes me feel non restrictedin any way with my golf swing. In my partof Canada the golf courses are just openingand I know the Ultimate V6 will make myexperience on the golf course in all weatherconditions a great one.

Ultimate V6

Hurricane collection

GORE-TEX® STRETCH SHELL BACKINSERT ULTRA QUIET AND SOFTHAND FEEL X-STATIC® STRETCH LIN-ING PRO TRIM™ WAIST CINCHINGSYSTEM UPPER BACK STRETCHPANEL FOR ULTIMATE FREEDOM OFMOVEMENT DECORATIVE TWILLTAPING FOR A MORE STREAMLINEDLOOK BALL CLEANER SHAMMY INRIGHT SIDE POCKET EXPOSEDWATERPROOF YKK HAND POCKETZIPPERS NEW SUNICE BRANDEDLOCK DOWN ZIPPER PULLERS SOFTTOUCH CHIN GUARD LASER CUTPOCKETS WITH TWILL TAPE FRAMINGLYCRA ACTION CUFFS ADJUSTABLE

VELCRO SELF FABRIC CUFF TABSADJUSTABLE BUNGEE AT HEMSUNICE DOUBLE BAR PATENTED VCOLLAR WITH NEOPRENE FINISHHARD WELT CENTER FRONT PLACK-

ET SUNICE / GORE-TEX BRANDING ONLOWER RIGHT SLEEVE 3.25 INCHSUNICE BRANDING ON UPPER SHOUL-DER

ABOUT SUNICE

Sunice®, founded in 1976 in Alberta,Canada as a skiwear brand, successfullytranscended its technical outerwear capabili-ties into the golf market in the early 1990sas the golf industry gravitated towardsdesigning sport-specific garments that trulyhelped enhance the game. Thus, it's no sur-prise Sunice® - owned and run by Montreal,Canada-based Fletcher Leisure Group Inc., acompany with 47 years of golf industryexperience - meets the demands of the mostdiscerning golfer. Sunice® golf rainwear is achosen favorite by many PGA and LPGATour players around the world

Unique Golf Clothing & Accessories |Mens Golf Shirts & Ladies Golf Apparel -The Tattoo Golf brand continues to shakeup the golf community with its edgydesigns of performance golf clothes andaccessories. Golf is a fun game (usually)so why are you wearing the same golfclothes as your Grand-Pa? Take a lookaround our site and check out innovativeand aggressive designs on the performancegolf apparel and gear. Tattoo Golf clothingis the # 1 solution for all the tired, dull,and same-old golf gear being sold in justabout every shop in town. Check out ourunique selection of tattoo inspired designson high performance golf apparel featuringour world famous skull & crossed clubsdesign.

.The Tattoo Golf clothing brand was creat-ed because there is a serious shortage inthe golf apparel industry that actuallyreflects the style, fashion sense and attitudeof today's golfer. Our golf clothing lineoffers a realistic alternative to the "tradi-tional" golf clothes you will find at thecountry club. TG mens golf shirts andladies golf apparel is guaranteed to keepyou stylin on and off the course

Violating Golf Fashion Since '99 | Think Outside The Tee

Page 7June 2014

TWestwood, Kansas - Renowned profes-sional golfer and World Golf Hall ofFamer Tom Watson has announced therelease of over 20 new lessons for his verypopular and successful Lessons of a

Lifetime DVD set.

"I felt it was time to provide furtherinstruction in areas not just about hittingthe shots, but also about the mentalapproach of playing the game," saysWatson. "One of the many great thingsabout golf is that it can never be mastered.

Sure you can have a good run of play, butsooner or later the wheels will come off.I've been experiencing the game for half acentury, and I promise you I'm still learn-ing."

Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime wasreleased in 2010 and has become one ofthe best-selling golf instructional videoprograms of all time having sold over70,000 DVD sets in 5 languages in over 40countries. In extensive surveys conductedwith buyers, 88% said the program hadimproved their game and 79% rated theprogram as excellent.Lessons of a Lifetime IIThe new lessons cover many advancedtopics, including pre-shot routine, theimportance of the bottom of the arc, headmovement, how to benefit the most withyour time on the practice tee, handlingpressure, the 40 yard wedge shot, control-ling trajectory on chips, chipping with aputting set up, several putting lessons andinstruction for kids and seniors.

These new 2014 lessons are being soldseparately and also combined with theoriginal 2 disc Lessons of a Lifetime pro-gram.

• Tom Watson Lessons ofa Lifetime II With New Advanced Lessons(3 discs and a 20 page booklet) will have aMSRP of $49.95.

• Tom Watson Lessons ofa Lifetime II: The New Advanced

Lessons (1 disc and a 4 page booklet) willhave a MSRP of $24.95.These DVD programs are available forsale at TomWatson.com, Amazon - U.S.,Canada, U.K., Japan and select golf andsporting goods retailers. Both programsare can also be purchased by telephone at800-993-5589.

Watson has long-standing professionalrelationships with Adams Golf, Rolex,MasterCard Worldwide, Transamerica, The

Greenbrier Resort, Polo Ralph Lauren,Executive AirShare, G/FORE, Golf Digestand Titliest. These instruction programswere filmed at The Greenbrier Resort.

A portion of the proceeds from all saleswill be contributed to the Bruce EdwardsFoundation for ALS Research.

TOM WATSON RELEASES NEW INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOTOM WATSON LESSONS OF A LIFETIME II

Next Issue of

NW Ontario GolfingNews

Contact Sylvia or Soniaat

623-2348www.northsuperiorpublishing.com

www.golfingnews.ca

Continued From Page 5“ We are service oriented and have a

busy summer season opening mid May andclosing late September or early October, “said Travis Mann, Head Golf Professionalat Silvertip Resort who is originally fromNelson BC and had aspirations at onetime for NHL hockey. “ We are also bigon weddings and have over 115 weddingsbooked for this year. The food and bever-age drives a lot of business.”

“ My first game here was one of thosegoose bump moments. It offers challengefor everybody of different abilities. Ourtee boxes are from 5000 to 7100 yards.You should play the tees for your ability.Once you find the fairway it is quite easy,but you have to get the ball in play.” saidMann.

They target 16,000 rounds and have nomembers at Silvertip so are fully public.To get a tee time is never a challenge. Thegreen fees are $155- 7 days a week all day.They also have a 9 and dine rate for $80which includes power cart, driving range,GPS and tees and bottled water for everyguest. www.silvertipresort.com orwww.canandianrockiesgolf.com

My game at Silvertip was fun playingwith Travis and Rhett. They both play thegame very well and made the spectacularsetting even more enjoyable.

It was time for me to pack up my suit-

case and drive the some 20 km’s west tomy next stop the iconic Fairmont BanffSprings Hotel for my last night in the area.This stately luxury hotel is world-renowned and was a real treat to callhome. The views of the course I had frommy room were fantastic.

Steven Young is the Director at Golf atthe Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course,originally from Ottawa and then NewBrunswick. Steven was a strong juniorgolfer and worked at the New BrunswickGolf Association before moving on to theAlgonquin Hotel and then the Banff oppor-tunity came up.

“ Golf was started here on sand greenson an informal basis before the 1900’s butin 1911 organized golf began here with a 9hole course designed by Scott WThompson. Stanley Thompson built the18-hole course. In 1888 the historic BanffSprings Hotel was built to help import thetourists. It looks like a Sleeping Buffalo,”said Young who is in his 7th year at BanffSprings. “ Stanley Thompson courses arewhat you see is what you get. The greenshave subtle challenges with some bunkersthat are fair. There are no forced carries.This is a course that has tremendousscenery, is very well manicured and keptup given the conditions we have at thebase of a mountain covered in snow forover 7 months of the year. A really goodgolfer can play from the tips and yet anovice golfer can play from the forwardtees and enjoy the course. That is a truemark of a great facility. When you hit abad shot all you have to do is look up atyour surroundings and you will remember

what is really important in life.”

The Banff Springs Golf Course use anonline booking system or 1 800 number.Their agents can help you book golf, a

hotel room or the spa. “ People who comehere usually like food, drink, hiking andwe have all of that. We get people from allover the world. Many have played ourcourse on the golf simulator before evenarriving.” smiles Young.

In peak time the green fee is $225 atBanff Springs, while in the afternoon it canbe $185 or later $155. A good deal is the9 and dine where you can play the tunnel 9courses with dinner for $79 or play theStanley 18 hole course front 9 with dinnerfor $89. The clubhouse is built like ateepee in recognition of the first nationswho used to migrate through the valleyand put up their tents.

My game with Steven Young at theBanff Springs Golf course was a greatexperience. You are right at the foot ofsoaring mountains on many holes and it isjust a spectacular setting. When you add in

the great service and accommodation at theBanff Springs hotel it makes for a veryspecial stay.

It was great fun for me to play CanadianRockies golf. A special thanks to all myhosts.

We really do have a beautiful country tolive in, Canada. The Banff area is placeeveryone should visit at least once in his orher life! Visitwww.canandianrockiesgolf.comfor more information.

Page 8 June 2014

Canadian Rockies Golf Destination World ClassBY SCOTT A. SUMNERNW Ontario Golfing News