Sunshine Coast BC Canada - Visitor Information for Powell River and area

Golfing in Powell River - the Myrtle Point experience

Stunning views of Georgia Strait and Texada Island abound from
Myrtle Point's 18 hole course
Images courtesy of PhotographyTips.com

Content courtesy of Tourism Powell River

When the double-decker bus pulls up to the ferry terminal at Powell River, the golfers walking down the ramps to shore know they are in for something special.

The fishing, hiking, boating and the scenery are a very special part of the upper Sunshine Coast. And so is the golf at the wonderful Myrtle Point Golf Club, five minutes south of Powell River. So to make golfers feel more than welcome, all those coming over as foot passengers on the ferries are driven back and forth to the Les Furber-designed championship course in a 12-seat van. Players arriving in large groups for a special occasion or tournament get to ride in the double decker.

But no matter how you get there, from Comox on Vancouver Island or up from Saltery Bay via Earl's Cove, the fun really begins at this superbly conditioned layout designed by one of Canada's preeminent golf architects.

From the back tees, Myrtle Point is a true championship course at almost 7,000 yards.

But from the variety of tee boxes - the course can play as short as 5,523 yards - Myrtle Point offers every player a walkable and delightful round in one of the most naturally beautiful settings imaginable. Your playing partners may well include bald eagles soaring over head, a few of the resident elk, or white-tailed deer. And except for the hibernating black bears, golfers and the rest of the local fauna can be seen on the course year-round thanks to the tempering effect of Malaspina Strait.

"It is really an unspoiled, virtually untouched area," said executive professional Wayne Gamborski. "There is wildlife all around and great views of the Strait, Texada Island and the snow-capped mountains over on Vancouver Island."

The views from the tees are just as captivating.

Each hole seems to stand out on its own. Laid out in the dense coastal forest - all but four holes are tree-lined - with subtle mounding, the course is dotted with ponds. And shimmering trout run in Deighton Creek that comes into view or play on five holes and crosses the ninth fairway.

Looking back at the course from behind the clubhouse
Aerial view from behind the clubhouse

"It is a very, very strategic golf course," Gamborski explains. "If you play it safe, you will shoot some pretty good numbers and be fine. It won't eat up the average player.

"But if you are a little more aggressive and want to take some chances, the reward factor is quite substantial. However, it can be quite penal as well."

Every hole offers some of that risk and reward strategic choice, and as a result, the shot values are quite high at Myrtle Point.

The par 3 sixth hole is a fine example. With the green nestled into a peninsula jutting into the pond, fully one-third of the green is protected by water and bunkers. But architect Furber has designed it to be enjoyed by everyone. It plays 170 yards from the championship tees but a comfortable 129 yards from the regular tees. Once on the superb green - firm, fast and hand- mown like all the greens at Myrtle Point birdies are definite possibilities.

With the spectacular views, creeks and ponds on 11 holes, the inviting clubhouse with patios, lounge and banquet facilities, and the unique tranquillity of the upper Sunshine Coast, it's little wonder that the double-decker bus keeps pulling up to a very special course in a special part of British Columbia.

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