Co-authored by Dee Raffo and Jason McClean, Whistler.com’s Groups & Golf Specialist
As the days get longer and the sun beats down on the snow-laden slopes of Whistler, there’s a group of people counting down the days until the greens emerge from under the white blanket, we call these people – golfers.
Even though the greens are only just poking out of the snow, Whistler tee sheets are open and starting to fill. Recent data indicates that golf is growing in popularity.
Whistler is home to four stunning, championship golf courses, and after a successful spring and summer last year, they know how to keep people swinging safely. The courses typically open in early May and with tee sheets now open at all four courses, it makes sense to plan ahead and bag a good deal along with your preferred tee time.
We caught up with each golf course in Whistler to find out what’s new for the 2021 season.
Big Sky Golf Club
The days are now getting longer in Pemberton, and at Big Sky Golf Club, the excitement is building. Picking up from last season, Director of Instruction, Shawn Keough, has continued releasing videos of exercises and stretches to help you shed the winter rust, getting your body ready to perform for the upcoming golf season.
Shawn is currently the only TPI Certified Instructor in the Sea to Sky. Stay tuned in the coming weeks, as he will be releasing swing and course management tips in the lead up to the season.
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If you’re new to the game, you don’t have time to play 18 holes, or are just looking for a casual, laid-back and fun afternoon, try out Big Sky’s Academy Par 3 course. It has five holes ranging from 90 – 190 yards for all to enjoy and you can play just once, all day long, or opt for a season pass.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club will be busy resurfacing 16 bunker complexes and embarking on course-wide top dressing this spring to get those fairways and greens ready to go!
They’ll also be welcoming a new member to the team, golf pro Kevin Mumford. Kevin has taught all over the world including at the prestigious Glen Abbey Golf Club in Toronto as well as in the Caribbean, Hawaii, The Bahamas and China. He’s joining an award-winning team, as Padraic O’Rourke, Assistant Director of Golf, was named the 2020 Head Professional of the year by the PGA Golf Association of BC.
Kevin will be overseeing the Chateau Whistler Golf Learning Centre alongside O’Rourke and Assistant Golf Pro, Mike Nedoszytko. Mike is entering his fourth season as a PGA of Canada Professional and most recently competed on PGA Tour Canada`s Golf BC Championship in Kelowna, BC. Together they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to anyone looking to improve their game; look out for the six-week Increase Your Swing Clinic, and junior and women’s camps.
The learning centre is one of Canada’s most scenic practice facilities, showcasing a Short Game Area featuring a 10,000-square-foot putting green, practice bunkers and chipping and pitching areas. Use of the facility is included with all green fees and comes equipped with combination grass and artificial turf teeing areas – nice!
Nicklaus North Golf Course
Nicklaus North Golf Course pumped 2.4 million dollars into clubhouse renovations last year and the results are stunning. The patio at Table Nineteen is one of the best in Whistler, and it now sports a retractable roof, which is good for those rainy days (hey, we are in a temperate rainforest).
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This year, they’ve put $91,000 into equipment, cultural practices (to keep those greens and fairways looking sharp) and on-course Refreshment Centre upgrades. 2021 will also see them rolling out new power carts with GPS.
However, the top thing they wanted to share with golf fans is The Cabin. It’s Whistler’s only indoor golf instruction, practice, play (golf simulator) and club fitting centre (PGA of Canada professionals offer club fittings from TaylorMade, Ping and Callaway).
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The 1,500-square-foot Cabin offers two private bays with generous 14-foot bay doors that open in summer and close in winter while using retractable impact screens. Available year-round, it utilizes state-of-the-art technology including Trackman 4 and Flightscope X3.
Whistler Golf Club
“Golf has continued to be very popular throughout the winter in the lower mainland and prime tee times are getting booked up as people plan a close-to-home type of summer,” explains Ro Davies, Sales Manager at Whistler Golf Club. “Our tee sheet is open and available to make plans, secure the best tee times at the best rates, and book with confidence if your plans change.”
The team at Whistler Golf Club has already started blowing the snow off the greens and tees to ensure they’re in prime condition for an early May tee-off. They’ll have a brand new fleet of E-Z-GO golf carts this year complete with touchscreen GPS (giving you the ability to know exactly how many yards to the hole, order food and contact the Club House) and will have Titleist rental clubs and fitting centre if you’re in the market for some new equipment.
Whether you’re new to the sport or looking to improve that swing, take a look at The Academy offerings. They have private instruction, group clinics for all abilities (max ratio 6:1), and programs for junior golfers.
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Book with Whistler.com for local, expert golfing advice, the best value and flexible cancellation options. Consider visiting midweek to get an even sweeter deal with Midweek Stay & Play Golf packages.
And for you green-watchers, you can keep your eye on the Whistler tees via this YouTube video of the first hole at Whistler Golf Club and watch them emerge from under their wintery blanket.
