Rolling greens, tall trees, the Purcell mountain range to the east and Selkirks to the west — whether you’re a golfer or not, there’s no denying that the Creston Golf Club is a jewel of the Creston Valley.
With 18 holes that challenge and excite — often requiring the use of every club in your bag — it receives rave reviews from local and visiting golfers, as they enjoy their sport surrounded by the Creston Valley's natural beauty.
“It’s a hidden gem of the area,” says club pro Peter Kenneford. “From the seventh and twelfth tees are some of the best views in the Creston area — or in our region, I think.”
The Creston Golf Club has hosted both provincial championships, international championships for visually impaired players, and tournaments for local players.
Tees range from 5,300 to 6,500 yards, and short distances between greens and tees make it a great walking course, although power carts are available. (And who doesn’t like to zip around in one of those?) And with Creston’s moderate climate, the season is a bit longer than other Kootenay courses, often running from mid-March through October.
“It’s always in great shape,” says Peter, now in his second year at the club. “The greens are always perfect — probably some of the best greens around. We take really good care of the golf course, even in the dry season.”
Under Peter’s direction, the pro shop has been revamped, new mats have been installed on the driving range, and mid-course outbuildings have murals painted by high school students. It all adds to the charm of this fantastic course — which always impresses visitors who may have previously passed it by.
“When people play it, they realize what they’ve been missing,” Peter says.
Kootenay Lake's East Shore Greens
Creston also makes a great home base for a golfing trip on the nearby East Shore of Kootenay Lake!
The Kokanee Spring Golf Resort is an hour north on the East Shore, with its par-71 course, lodge and villas nestled among towering old-growth cedars. Each hole has its own name, such as Noble Arbor (for the original owners), Kokanee Glacier (for the view of, well, Kokanee Glacier) and Tinker’s Grave (for designer Norman Woods’s dog Tinker, buried there).
The nine-hole, par-30 Riondel Golf Club is located a bit farther north on Kootenay Lake in the community of Riondel, and is run by a non-profit society. It originally opened as a three-hole course in 1961, started by volunteers who worked at, or had family working at, the now-defunct Bluebell Mine. The course now offers more challenging greens while maintaining a reputation for being a relaxing, fun course to play while enjoying some truly beautiful views of nearby Kootenay Lake.
Want a few more rounds while in the area? Nearby courses within a couple of hours’ travel from Creston can be found in Balfour, Nelson, Kaslo, Trail-Rossland, Castlegar and Cranbrook, plus a few across the U.S. border.
Aprés Golf
Looking for something to do after your game to celebrate and round out the trip? You don’t need to stray too far - Creston offers a range of things to do to keep the excitement going or to wind down.
After working up an appetite and thirst drop by the Creston Golf Club's on-site restaurant or head back into Creston for more dining options. Those just seeking a post-game libation should make a pit stop at Wild North Brewing Company to have a refreshing local beer or Frisky Whisky for a signature fine cocktail. After dinner you might want to finish the night with some entertainment. From concerts to pub quizzes and even karaoke, be sure to check out our Event Calendar page to see what's coming up.
Finally, the next day I'd suggest pairing your golf trip with a visit to one the area's exceptional wineries for a tasting or by taking a guided tour with the Creston Valley Tour Company. You are certain to leave the Creston Valley feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after this well rounded itinerary.
Looking For More?
There is so much more to see and do in the Creston Valley. Check out the rest of our Get Inspired Blog section for more trip ideas or explore the Play and Shop sections to find other unique things to do and places to visit while you are here. For now, happy hunting and see you out on the greens!
Freelance writer Brian Lawrence is a former editor and publisher of the Creston Valley Advance. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and trail running, and acting in and directing productions with Creston's Footlighters Theatre Society.
