Going West This Summer ?

By J. ERIC ECKARD
On the Links Magazine /Golf Travel Contributor

With such acclaimed golf courses near Calgary like Jasper Park Lodge, Banff Springs, Stewart Creek, SilverTip and Kananaskis, it’s often easy to overlook several top-shelf courses within a short drive of Alberta’s largest city. But those hidden gems make a mini golf trail of some of the best courses in the region, particularly with the Rockies as distant backdrops coupled with a variety of unique course designs.

Heritage Pointe Golf Club (above) Located in DeWinton, Heritage Pointe is a 15-minute drive south of Calgary. With Pine Creek meandering throughout the 27-hole complex, the Ron Garl design is highlighted by a plethora of elevated teeboxes and hazards that range from tall fescue grasses to deep bunkers to water, water, everywhere. Each 9-hole section – Pointe, Desert and Heritage - offers a distinct feel for golfers. And combining different nines presents a diverse experience for each visit. The Pointe, at 3,369 yards, is the shortest of the three and features No. 5, a 518-yard par 5 that crosses the creek five times. The Desert (3,573 yards) and the Heritage (3,581) probably present the most challenging 18-hole combination.

The Links of GlenEagles Just 15 minutes northwest of Calgary on the edge of the Rockies sits the Links of GlenEagles, a Les Furber creation that features plenty of elevation changes and magnificent vistas of distant mountains. Escarpments and ravines highlight GlenEagles, which plays 7,019 yards. No. 16, a par 3 with its teebox 130 feet above the hole, stars on the back nine. The straight downhill hole sits beside Bow River, which runs along the edge of the course. The closing hole is a 535-yard par 5 with a sloping green protected by water and a huge bunker complex on the left.

Wolf Creek Golf Course Located in Ponoka, Wolf Creek is worth the two-hour drive north of Calgary. Designed by Rod Whitman, Wolf Creek offers 27 holes of links-style golf, complete with coulees, humps, sod and pothole bunkers, massive waste areas and small traps carved into the sides of hills. A true shotmaker’s course, Wolf Creek’s three nines – West, East and South – also present unique combinations for an 18-hole round. The South (3,516 yards) is the newest and longest at Wolf Creek. An East/West combo isn’t long (6,624 yards), but it requires accuracy, especially on the East’s third hole, a 427-yard par 4 called the Gorge.

Tourism Ireland At Toronto Show This Week

Toronto, ON (February 28, 2011) -- Tourism Ireland will be kicking off the 2011 golf season with five of its Irish golf partners at the Toronto Star Golf & Travel Show (Booth #1807) from March 4 to 6 in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The three-day show is Canada’s largest consumer golf exhibition and is expected to attract over 32,000 visitors. The Tourism Ireland booth will showcase all five partners and will feature entertainment on Saturday March 5 by legendary musicians Dan MacDonald and Dan Restivo between the periods of 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Visitors to the Tourism Ireland booth can also enter for a chance to win a golf trip to Ireland courtesy of Tourism Ireland and its partners. The grand prize winner will receive return economy flights, six nights’ accommodation, seven-day car rental and six rounds of golf. For entry options and full contest details visit www.discoverireland.com/golf2011.

“Golfing on the island of Ireland continues to be a great draw for visitors,” says Sinead Murray, Manager of Tourism Ireland in Canada. “A golf vacation to Ireland is not just about golf but about the stunning scenery on our award-winning courses, the friends you’ll meet at the 19th hole and the genuine welcome you’ll receive from everyone you meet.”

Participating Golf Partners:
Carton House/The K Club - both venues offer luxury accommodation & championship golf courses
Ballybunion Golf Club - dating back to 1893 it’s now home to two of the world’s finest links courses
Golf Vacations Ireland - family-run Irish golf tour operator offering quality golf vacation packages
North & West Coast Links - provides marketing and golf packages for 12 Championship Links courses
Travelling the Fairways - 20+ years’ experience arranging tailored golf vacation packages and more

Get a Grip at Ricart

Tony’s Clubhouse Custom Golf Shop Depot

If you can't make it to Tony’s ClubHouse Custom Golf Shop, grip samples are now at Ricart on High Street in Peterborough.

Stop by and see Tony Porter and check out the new styles with a 24hr turnaround on regripping, also drop off for all golf repairs.

Ricart is the official outfitter of the On the Links Tour and Tony's Club House is the " repair golf shop" on On the Links.

Tune Up With Tony

By Tony Porter
Official On the Links Club fitter
Tony's Clubhouse




Peterborough-- Spring training for your golf game
Are you and your golf game ready to kick off the new golf season? It’s just about here you know, so let me give you a primer on a few things you’ll need to think about.


Before bringing your clubs out for a new season, give them a good once over to check for issues that could affect your game.

Club Heads

Any scratches, nicks, dents, rust or worn spots ? Examine the face of your woods for cracks –any imperfections here will lead to imperfect shots on the course.

Rattling? Caused by loose weights in the shaft or epoxy that has broken loose, this can be repaired quickly and inexpensively. While it may not affect the playability of your club – it can be distracting when you swing.


Grip Check

Check your grips for wear and tear. Any smooth, shiny or worn spots? Any cracking? It’s time for a grip replacement. Regular players should replace their grips once a year. Re- gripping can make a big difference in the level of enjoyment you experience in your game.


Shafts

Dents or rust on the steel shafts? Avoid possible breakage, and consider having the shaft replaced.

If you play graphite shafts, look for fraying or peeling where the shaft enters the club head. Is there excessive wear at any point on the shaft, particularly where the shaft rests against the bag when you carry it? Depending on the severity, you may need to replace it.


Specs

Are your loft and lie angles correct? A minor change in the lie angle of any club can greatly affect the accuracy of your shot. Many experts recommend that you have yours club specs checked twice a year. This is definitely worth the effort and a small expense when done by a qualified professional. You will be amazed at the ease for more consistent shots by these small adjustments.


Be a wise golfer and check your equipment regularly. Knowing that your equipment is in good shape will put you a step ahead of your competition when you step on the first tee this season. The best players in the game are constantly upgrading the performance of their equipment. Doing so on a regular basis will help you do just the same.

Spring Tune-Up Package $45.00 Tax included February, March only

• Provide grip fitting analysis and
recommendations
• Inspect shafts for damage and corrosion
• Inspect condition of ferrules
• Thorough cleaning
To book your tune-up, call me at 705.761.3836 or email tony@tonysclubhouse.com


*Certified member of the Canadian Golf Teachers Federation