Whistler Golf
The Province Newspaper – Whistler Supplement
Whistler, Chateau Whistler, Big Sky and Nicklaus North golf courses renew their commitment to residents of British Columbia and Washington State to provide significant playing incentives through their Golf Whistler Passport program.
Forty years ago the Resort had established itself as a premiere winter destination. Municipality of Whistler and tourism officials began the creation of a master plan that would showcase the region as a year round mecca for outdoor recreation, accommodation and dining.
Golf became the catalyst for this warm season revival. In the early 80’s a nine hole golf course existed, popular with the locals but of no real interest to those living outside of the small community. That all changed when Arnold Palmer, at the top of his illustrious career, was invited to design what would become, at that time, one of his finest accomplishments. In 1983, the Whistler Golf Club was officially opened.
Brandon Johnson, Senior VP of Golf Course Design at the Arnold Palmer Design Group said that Whistler was a special project for Mr. Palmer as the selected venue “encompassed the beauty, sustainability and terrain in the development of a strategic yet enjoyable experience for golfers of every ability.”
In 1992 as golf continued to grow in popularity, the Fairmont’s Chateau Whistler Hotel contracted world-renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. to create a world-class golf facility from the bench lands of Blackcomb Mountain. Celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this year, Chateau Whistler Golf Course features a 400-foot elevation change where a camera should be a part of everyone’s kit as spectacular views and wildlife sightings are continual distractions.
Thirty minutes north, the pastoral Pemberton Valley is the setting for Big Sky Golf and Country Club. The longest of the four championship courses it boasts one of Western Canada’s leading golf academies and practice facilities. Woody Bishop, General Manager stated, “we’re a course of nature, hospitality and memorable golf experiences.” Located in the shadow of the 2591m Mount Currie, the course was designed by the legendary Robert Cupp who utilized many facets of the landscape to create what Golf Digest, thirteen years following it’s opening in 1993, rated one of the Top 30 Courses in Canada.
The final of the four iconic properties, which make up the Whistler Passport group, is Nicklaus North. Completed in 1996, this multiple award winning golf facility is a short drive from Whistler village. Nestled between Green Lake and the River of Golden Dreams the course is true Nicklaus in its design features broad fairways, large greens and an abundance of cleverly placed bunkers. It’s one of only a select few golf courses throughout the world that bears the signature ‘Nicklaus’.
A passport is defined as ‘an authorization to travel’. Enjoy your journey.
More details can be found at www.golfwhistler.com or call 1.844.955.3263
