After playing one of the most underrated golf courses in the province (hint: it was just outside Stettler and it was called Pheasantback), my four-man posse plunked itself down on the beautiful outdoor patio, ordered a pint, and watched the western sky explode in red-orange fire. We tallied scores, we laughed, we ate, we quenched our thirst. It was a perfect day of golf. Capped off, of course, with an amazing patio experience.
Not surprisingly, given the spectacular natural beauty of our province, the quality of the golf courses we have here, and the fact that the vast majority of golfers cherish post-round nourishment, there is no shortage of pristine patios at Alberta golf courses.
As long as the wind is down and the temperature is decent, you can bet that the outdoor patio at your friendly neighbourhood golf course will be bustling. After all, the season is relatively short in these parts. And those idyllic summer days are at a premium. You gotta take advantage when the going is good! Definitely don’t have to twist my arm.
While the patio at Pheasantback – especially when those prairie sunsets offer a breathtaking show! – is certainly a gem, there are numerous others sprinkled throughout Wild Rose Country. From Lethbridge to Fort Mac, Medicine Hat to Banff, great patios are par for the course. Here are a few more that rate high on my list. (Disclaimer: I readily admit that there are many more that should be included here. Hopefully I’ll get to those…soon!)
Crowsnest Pass Golf Club – The spectacular mountain golf experience at the refurbished Crowsnest Pass Golf Club is no longer a secret! And the awesome new clubhouse, perfectly situated on the ridge overlooking the course and the snow-dipped mountains, is the appropriate way to cap off the day.
Kananaskis Country Golf Course – Regardless of which course you play at the storied Kananaskis Country GC (my favourite is Kidd), a “session” on the patio is required. Perched above the course on the bench, the towering ramparts of Mt. Lorette and Mt. Kidd looming overhead, this is, unquestionably, one of the most scenic patios in the entire golf world.
Priddis Greens GC – Just fifteen minutes west of Calgary, the private Priddis Greens GC, which is right on the doorstep of Kananaskis Country, is bordered by unspoiled forests and stunning natural scenes. And the view from the wraparound patio is the ideal place to soak them all in.
Fort McMurray Golf Club – It’s a fact: neither fire nor flood can keep the fabulous Fort McMurray Golf Club down for long! The stunning new timber-framed clubhouse at this resilient club is anchored by The Bear & Buffalo, which has to be in the running for one of the best golf course restaurants in the country. And, yes, the massive patio is pure perfection.
Desert Blume Golf Club – The sneaky-good Desert Blume GC in the sun-soaked city of Medicine Hat is always a treat to play. And the spacious clubhouse, which features the largest patio in town, serves up tasty food (thanks to the talents of Executive Chef, Brent Donkin) and delicious views of the golf course, the coulee, and Seven Person’s Creek.
Blackhawk Golf Club – Routed along the pine-covered banks of the North Saskatchewan River, the exceptional course at Blackhawk, a masterpiece by Alberta architect Rod Whitman, is rightfully regarded as one of the top private clubs in the country. And the amazing clubhouse patio overlooking the pristine valley? Yes, that’s absolutely upper-tier as well.
Obviously, with over 300 golf courses in Alberta, I’ve just scratched the surface here. And I’d conclude with this: with good friends, good food, good drinks, and good weather, any patio in our province is perfect!