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Classic’ course at Birchbank an anomaly in the Kootenays Bob Hall – Nelson Star Editor
West Kootenay Advertiser - In a landscape full of mountain steeps and thick forests, carving out a traditional golf course is nearly impossible. The Kootenay anomaly is found just outside Trail at Birchbank Golf Course. Also known as the Rossland-Trail Country Club, the course is nestled on a relatively flat tract of land along banks of the Columbia River. “Being a lifetime golfer, I would call it a classic,” says Birchbank head pro Jeff Papilion. “It was built in the ‘60s and it kind of looks like a course built in the ‘60s. Very thick tree-lined fairways that move both directions – right-to-left, left-to-right. “We’ve rebuilt a little more than a third of our greens so our greens aren’t all tiny pie-domed shaped greens like they used to be in the ‘60s. But it gives that classic feel… it’s really easy to walk, with lots of greenery and lots of trees.” The par-72 course boasts four sets of tee boxes, always a treat for players of all abilities. The reds measure 5,345 yards, while low handicappers will find a challenge from the gold markers at 6,788. With white (5,882) and blue (6,555) thrown in the middle there is a fit for everyone. “If you are playing it from the forward tees it’s a lot of fun, it you are playing it from the back it can be challenging,” says Papilion, who is in third season at the course after arriving from Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course in Oliver. Birchbank does not fit the accustomed Kootenay layout that tends to come with plenty of elevation changes and thick natural forest. A more manicured country club feel is what golfers will find, but don’t let its appeal fool you. “It can lull you into a false sense of security,” Papilion adds. “There are some fairly expansive fairways and if you fall asleep and miss a couple of fairways… you can start making some big numbers. It can be easy to play, but it’s so peaceful that you need to be careful.” |
And Wildlife Too If you have never played Birchbank the hole that will leave the biggest impression while cooling off at the Birchbank Bistro after the round is Number 13. The course’s signature hole stands out because the par 3 features an elevation drop of 50 feet and some pretty special views. “You get up to the top of that tee box and all of a sudden you’re looking over the valley and the river with the mountains… it’s memorable,” says Papilion. The hole plays 109 yards from the red tees, 152 from the whites, 160 from the blues and a tricky 173 from the tips. The drop makes club selection vital and hitting the green is no lock. But once you get down to the putting surface, there are more surprises in store. “When you are down at the green and you look across the river, usually every day at this time of the year you see the mountain goats along the mountainside which is kind of nice,” says Papilion. Both Ends of the Spectrum One of the most important tests of a golf course – particularly out here in the hinterlands of British Columbia – is what kind of reception it gets from the province’s golf overlords. In the case of Birchbank, the course has passed with flying colours having hosted several provincial championships in past years. The facility will once again play host to the BCGA (British Columbia Golf Association) when the best boys in the province tee it up for the B.C. Junior Boys’ Championship in the first week of July. The best 18 and under players from around the province will take part in the four-round event to determine junior dominance. Then in mid-August it will be the more seasoned players hitting the links when Birchbank co-hosts the B.C. Seniors Games golf venue. “Once you have a few of these RCGA events the word gets out,” says Papilion. “I think we have done a proper job of presenting the facility so when the opportunity comes for this area again it’s easy for them to pick us.” To book a tee time at Birchbank call 250-693-2255. |
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