A Big Day at Shadow Mountain Golf Club
For Malcolm and Joan Fruin July 20th was not only their 52nd wedding anniversary but for Malcolm it was also the day he played his 600th golf course in the World with Joan and Peter Mann a close friend from Kamloops
In trying to decide where to play #600 Malcolm says there were several course options to the north of Kimberley but he said the decision to make it Shadow Mountain was quite easy.
First it was a local course and secondly its owner Fred Mehl together with Irene and Wayne Barnes and staff have been good supporters of the Kimberley Helping Hands Food Bank where Malcolm has served as a volunteer and Director over the past several years.
Shadow Mountain is in a spectacular Rocky Mountain setting and is certain to soon be on the must play list of both locals and visitors. The course has so many strong features that it is hard to name them all but the two spectacular downhill tee shots on #s 15 and 17 are memorable. Another feature is the playability and enjoyment it can provide for all levels of experienced golfers provided they play off the recommended tees and bring their “A” game with them.
There is British Open style rough in play awaiting careless shots and strategically placed bunkers to be avoided on a lot of holes which help make the course such a challenge.
Some of the views from the tees are breathtaking especially on #6 hole named Shadow and the 600 yard Monster #17
In summary it was like playing one of the top rated courses in the world and it will surely end up in this category when the judges have played there. It will in Malcolm’s opinion soon become the golfing crown jewel of the Rocky Mountain trench.
The restaurant serves excellent food at affordable prices and the staff go out of their way to help you enjoy the day.
Malcolm’s Golf experiences include three holes in one and more importantly a 3 at the 16th hole at Cypress Point in California which is often regarded as the toughest par 3 in golf.
Highlights and memories of games among the 600 courses Malcolm has played in 17 countries include playing with Sir Bob Charles in the Canadian PGA Pro Am at Kitchener Westmount and enjoying a beer afterwards with Arnold Palmer in the locker room!
Also a few holes with Gary Player during a South African Airways promotion at Rand Park in Johannesburg come to mind as well as games with Toronto Blue Jay’s manager Cito Gaston
His favourite courses include Royal Dornoch, Ballybunion, Pebble Beach, the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Worlington – a nine holer in England and almost all the Stanley Thompson courses in Canada especially Capilano,Banff Springs and Jasper as well as Scarboro where he was a member for almost 20 years.
Among his fondest golf memories are his days as a member of the Transvaal (now Gauteng) Nomads a charity club in South Africa which played at different courses every month and was very friendly and provided very competitive Stableford golf.
He is still a member of the club and keeps up to date on their activities
Malcolm’s best score on a 6000 yard plus course was 76 and a one under par 34 on the back nine at the very challenging Whirlpool course in Niagara Falls. Worst scores-too many to count over 100 !!
Nowadays reality has finally set in as his handicap now forces him to count triple bogeys.
Malcolm says both Joan and I have made a lot of friends playing golf over the years.
In summary some of our happiest golf times have been playing together even though we are starting to show our age in the distance and handicap categories but we were able to forget these things at Shadow Mountain and just enjoy the game.
A wonderful golfing memory in a truly magnificent setting.
If you would like to Golf Shadow Mountain, Timberstone Kimberley offers an exceptional Stay and Play Program.
Shadow Mountain Explodes onto the Golf Scene with 19 Times the Awe
The Kootenay Golf Crown just got a new jewel, and it is breathtaking. July 1st marked the opening of Shadow Mountain Golf and response from the golfers back at the club house has been all smiles.
In fact the comments have been almost unanimous – this is the best course in the area.
“9 out of ten golfers come back to the club house and indicate that it’s the best course that they have played, whether it is international or local. It’s really a positive response to where the course is at, because we allowed it that extra time to grow.” said Shadow Mountain’s Fred Mehl.
It is this maturity that takes everyone by surprise. People cannot believe that this is brand new course.
Early in the development of Shadow Mountain, Golf Course architect Wayne Carleton was asked which was the signature hole. Mr. Carleton indicated that there was no single hole that stood apart, and that they were all signature holes.
Indeed, Wayne has been proven correct. All the holes are both challenging, beautiful, and mature.
That being said, there are two elevated Tee Shots that the surpass the word ‘dramatic’ 15 and 17. This Par 4, Par 5 respectively will leave you breathless, and desperately wanting to take a mulligan just for the shear joy of crushing the ball.
Hole 15 overlooks the Clubhouse, and the 4 acre manmade lake, while the 17th offers an astonishing view of the river, bridge and majestic Fisher’s Peak. You better have your Wheaties for breakfast, and bring your camera. As a amazing of a hole this is – there are 18 others!
“What we have created is a 19 Hole signature tree-line golf course. Preserving and enhancing the environment is very important. 19 Holes is a bit different.” Wayne Carleton said.
The 19th hole is just another feature that sets Shadow Mountain apart from every other course in the area. This par three sits on the side of a cliff, between the 17th and 18th. How does the 19th work, and why the additional hole? Wayne Carleton explains:
“One thing that we try do to on a lot of our new golf courses is create one more hole in the event that we do a renovation project in the future. Also the reason that we created the 19th hole is to connect the 17th and 18th hole. People might also use the 19th as a betting hole, or just to make up a few shots, or have some fun with it.
Another feature that is not prevalent in the area is Squared off Tee Boxes. This is something that more established golf courses in the US have. This is more of a traditional design.
This one of the longest courses in BC, be sure to allow four and half hours to enjoy this course. If you are looking to book a golfing get away, click here for the best rates.
Want to live the dream? Talk to Irene about living at Shadow Mountain, 250-432-9200.
