Vancouver Golf
By Ray Chatelin
Photos By Toshi

Vancouver is a complex brew of Oriental mystery, British traditions, Aboriginal mythology, European sophistication and, most of all, it is a hostage to nature. Bear sightings are commonplace in the nearby mountainous suburbs and Coyotes can be seen on local golf courses. It makes for a fascinating mix of natural settings and sophisticated urban living.

It is also a city and region that take great pride in its golf courses with some 75 layouts within an hour-and-a-half drive from downtown Vancouver and only a few of them private. And just two hours away are the three great courses of Whistler Village, high in the Coastal Mountains.

Just south of downtown, towards the Canada/US border and accessible by Highway 99, the main road south, are four of the region’s most challenging and easiest to access – Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club, Hazelmere Golf and Country Club, Peace Portal Golf Course, and Morgan Creek.

While others courses in the Vancouver area offer challenge and spectacular views – like Northlands Golf Course with its mountainous terrain; and Swan-E-Set Bay Resort Golf & Country Club with its contemporary clubhouse and two-course layout – it’s Morgan Creek that’s the crown jewel of Vancouver golf.

It’s no accident that this Championship, 6,934 yard, par 72 golf course is also the home of the British Columbia PGA. It is simply the most user-friendly course in the entire region, sitting on a gorgeous site just 35 minutes south of Vancouver. The course enjoys the best weather in the entire Vancouver area and with rolling bent grass fairways, there is superior drainage for year-round play.

Morgan Creek is the creation by Canadian golf course designer, Thomas McBroom, having the characteristics of a time-honored classic layout - inviting to high-handicappers and challenging to more experienced players.

Yet, in shaping the course, traditional methods of landscaping were rejected in favor of natural shaping, so the course follows the natural contours of the land. Creeks and ponds were enhanced, preserving as much of the site's unique character as possible.

Hit a ball into one of the environmentall sensitive areas, and you are not allowed to chase after it. So either bring a few extra balls or be accurate off the tees.

It’s a waterways and old trees left in their natural settings. Brilliantly white sand bunkers, greens that roll true and are relatively quick, a game improvement center, full banquet facilities, a superb restaurant, corporate & tournament packages, a complete pro shop, and a romantic wedding garden complete the golfing and off-course package.

With four sets of tees (Red, White, Blue, Black), Morgan Creek measures 6,934 yards from the back tees. and at 5,221 yards from the forward tees, provides an enjoyable challenge for players of all levels of ability. Ten ponds either come into play or view, and the creek that gives the course its name gets the players' attention on holes 1,8 and 9 on the front side and again on 17 & 18.

The greens roll true and are relatively fast. The rough is long yet fair and the fairways are cut short, and a course Marshall is present to ensure pace of play that averages about 4 hours 15 minutes.

The opening hole, ranging from 325-421 yards depending on the tee box, provides a quick insight into what to expect the rest of the way. The hole doglegs gently to the right leaving your approach shot to carry over Morgan Creek that crosses in fron of the green. Your tee shot should favor the left side of the fairway, allowing for a clear shot to the wide yet shallow first green. Miss the approach and your ball will be fish-food.

Throughout the first nine, accuracy and course management is a priority although the fairways are generously wide and the greens are accommodating. On the fourth hole, for example, the hazard crossing the fairway is 247 yards from the blue tee (218 from the whites) and dictates careful club selection.

At 230 yards, the par-3 eighth hole is a heroic carry over Morgan Creek and its' marshy perimeter. Spectacular and somewhat intimidating in appearance, the hole will play tough. From the back tee it's a fairway wood or long iron shot. The forward tee is on the green side of the creek and, at 107 yards, avoids the long carry.

The closing hole for the front nine is a par-4 that’s 442 yards from the black tees and often plays into the prevailing wind. Although the landing area is wide and receptive, a large pond at the base of the green sets up a daunting pin placement at the right side of the green.

The back nine starts with the course’ longest par 4 ranging from 401 yards off the red to 470 from the blacks. It is the first of 3 consecutive tough par 4's. Club selection for the second shot is vital as the long green is very tricky and you should be close to the hole.

The 13th is not only the longest par 5 on the course, ranging in length from 446-562 yards, it’s also one of the most scenic holes and Morgan Creek signature hole. A tee shot between bunkers on both sides of the fairway will set up your second shot which will be for most players, a lay-up shot short of the lake and creek that guard the undulating green.

And just when you think you have made it past the most terrifying hole on the course, you are met with four successive holes – a par 5, a par 3 and two par-4s, in which you have to navigate water and well placed hazards.

But when you are standing on the tee box on the 333-426 yard, 18th, you are ready for a powerful climax to the round and this hole provides it as you hit towards the clubhouse. Often hitting into the prevailing wind, a long, solid second shot is needed to reach the green that is flanked by ascending bunkers on the left slope.

Afterward, you can sit in Morgan Creek's 25,200 sq. ft. clubhouse that’s in a natural setting, with stunning interior design. With full-service banquet facilities, the clubhouse creates just the right atmosphere for weddings, receptions, tournaments, business functions, and seminars. It overlooks the golf course and the North Shore Mountains beyond.

Morgan Creek is one of B.C.'s premier championship courses situated only 45 minutes from Vancouver it is ranked 44th on Score Magazine's "Top 50 Golf Courses" in Canada.