Like most other courses in Kelowna, the area’s only mostly private golf course opened in excellent condition this season.
The Kelowna Golf and Country Club is up and running for another season. Situated in the middle of Kelowna, the old course is owned by its membership and features towering Ponderosa Pines and meticulous condition.
“We opened in phenomenal condition this year,” said general manager David Walker, who added several renovations have been completed and are getting positive feedback from the members. “All of the renovations have been a great addition to the course and are receiving rave reviews from players of all caliber.”
Among the changes at the country club is a new irrigation system that Walker says will assist the club in managing its water in the most efficient manner.
The club has also renovated the 7th, 8th, 13th and 14th holes with work primarily around the green sites and some new bunkers.
“We have also completed a minor renovation on one of our strongest holes on the course, hole 10,” said Walker. “We’ve done some selective tree removal, enlarged the green to the front, widened the fairway to the right side of the green and filled in a green side bunker on the left.”
The Kelowna Golf and Country Club has a busy tournament schedule each year and here is a look at the events coming up this season.
VIPOND Golf Classic – June 7
Senior Mens Invitational – June 13 and 14
Ogopogo Invitational – July 18 to 20
Friends of Tom Golf Classic – July 25
CNIB Walter Gretzky Pro Am – July 29
Mens Open – August 10 and 11
Ladies Open – August 19 and 20
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The Molson Tour at the Okanagan Golf Club held a friendly scramble event on Monday as close to 90 players came out to kick off the fourth season of the golf league that plays Mondays at the Quail and Bear courses and ranks players using the Stableford scoring system through the regular season before a match-play playoff.
The Mexican scramble was a pre-cursor to the tour which begins play on Monday May 6.
After beginning with just 30 players in its first season the tour has grown to nearly 100 members this year.
But some things never change as perennial long ball hitter and tour elder-statesmen Randy Ledyard laid down the gauntlet on Monday winning both long drive holes with massive drives.
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The Harvest Golf Club is held a demo day on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. where golfers tried out some new clubs and had lunch while they were at it.
Players were able to test the latest 2013 gear from TaylorMade, PING and Cobra with free range balls while enjoying a BBQ.
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If you have an item for the golf digest such as a great shot, hole-in-one, upcoming tournament, a golf picture or a story, e-mail kparnell@kelownacapnews.com.
