I continue to work on my golf course project, hoping to complete the photography this weekend. This project has taken longer than I anticipated, due to less than favorable conditions for taking the pictures. First the weather and now smoke in the air from forest fires in neighboring British Columbia. With a little luck, I’ll be out there on Saturday morning to get the final shots.
In this blog, I’m including some of the more interesting (to me) shots that I have gathered over the past few weeks. I think they will appeal to golfers who will appreciate some of the design aspects of the course, but I expect the scenery will appeal to all.
This first picture was taken at sunrise from behind the green at the 7th hole, named “Outcrop”. The name is taken from the rocky outcrop inconveniently located in the middle of the fairway, just in front of the green. You can see it in the very middle of the picture. Many a ball has gone astray after landing there.
The ninth hole, named “Bear’s Den” is a great one to photograph, as well as to play. It features a roughly 100 foot drop from the fairway to the green, with an absolutely stunning backdrop, the Fairholm Range on the opposite side of the Bow Valley. I can think of nothing more sublime than the sight of the golf ball, seemingly suspended in air on its way to the green (hopefully).
“The Aspens” is a lengthy par 5, measuring over 600 yards from the back tees. Three solid blows to get there, presuming you do not run afoul of the water and trees along the way. This photo shows its entire length and some of the pitfalls along the way. It’s a beautiful place to pause and take in the scenery. The reflections in the pond on a calm day can be picture perfect, particularly if they include some deer having a drink.
The thirteenth hole, “Ha Ling” is named for Ha Ling Peak, seen to the immediate left of the large pine tree near the middle of the fairway. In 1896 Ha Ling, a Chinese cook for the Canadian Pacific Railway was bet 50 dollars that he could not climb the peak and plant a flag on the summit in less than 10 hours. According to the Medicine Hat News of October 24, 1896, he started the ascent at 7:00 am the previous Saturday morning and was back in time for lunch. As nobody believed his story, he led a party of doubters to the summit where he planted a much larger flag beside the original, this one visible to the naked eye from Canmore. The peak is named in his honour.
The finishing hole, “Cascade” comes complete with a “jaw-dropping” finishing view. First time visitors must find it difficult to keep the eye on the ball with Grotto Mountain and the Fairholm Range in the background. You can also see the Stewart Creek clubhouse peeking out from the trees atop the hill behind the green.
Very nice shots looking out of the woods after retrieving your ball or was it Rolande’s.