Attention getter

PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, British Columbia – Once you have stared down “Cliffhanger” for the first time, you will most likely carry the image of this breathtaking par-3 in your mind for a long time. Quite possibly forever. A spectacular 200-yard carry over a deep, gnarly canyon to a green perched precariously atop a rock cliff is a golf memory that tends to stick with you. Which, in this case, is not necessarily a good thing. Because the unforgettable brilliance of, perhaps, the best short hole in all of Canada makes it difficult to properly cherish the other 17 that help make Greywolf Golf Course the wonderful golf treat it is. Not that “Cliffhanger” doesn’t deserve the massive amount of attention it receives.

According to Peter Smith, who has served as the course’s director of golf since it first opened in 1999, it was the natural beauty of the rugged terrain on which the hole sits that initially inspired architect Doug Carrick.

“They say he envisioned this par-3 playing over Hopeful Canyon, and then built the rest of the course around it,” Smith explained.

Playing a smidgen over 200 yards from the back (gray) tees, the hole both intimidates and mesmerizes. The tee shot, which is complicated by the swirling canyon winds, is played over the tops of the mature, towering pine trees growing from the sides of the steep, rocky cliffs that guard the green front, left and back. In addition, two ball-magnet sand traps fill the narrow gap between the right front of the putting surface and the canyon wall, leaving right as the only bail-out option.

And once on the green, which is much larger than it seems from any of the four tee boxes, golfers are treated to an awe-inspiring view of the massive canyon and Toby Creek, which serenely winds its way along the bottom of the valley.

“It’s just a great golf hole,” Smith said. “Everybody that plays it remembers it.”

But there is much more to Greywolf than “Cliffhanger.”

Named by Golf Digest as the Best New Canadian Golf Course in 1999, this 7,140-yard layout takes every advantage of the raw natural beauty of the region and includes mountain views on nearly every hole. Since opening, it has been honored by Golf Digest with a four-star rating and was voted the magazine’s Best Course in British Columbia in 2003.

Situated in the northern Rockies about 12 miles west of Invermere on the Lake and a little over 5 hours north of Spokane, the course has helped turned Panorama Mountain Village – best known as one of Canada’s top ski resorts – into a summertime destination, as well.

Boasting bent grass greens and fairways, along with four sets of tees on every hole, Greywolf can challenge and excite golfers of all ability levels.

From the back tees, the course features jaw-dropping scenery, dramatic elevation changes and seven par-4s that stretch more than 400 yards – including the 490-yard fourth that is marked by a 200-foot elevation drop from the tee to a fairway protected along its entire right side by Hopeful Creek.

The most intriguing of the par-4s, however, is the 339-yard 11th, which gives long hitters the opportunity to go for the green from the elevated tee box. The risks are considerable, though, thanks to a large pond that guards the left sides of both the angled fairway and deep, narrow putting surface.

The toughest hole on the course just might be the 408-yard, dogleg-left par-4 first, which requires a left-to-right tee shot in order to avoid the two strategically placed bunkers on the right side of the fairway. Little Hopeful Creek runs down the left side of the hole for about 290 yards before crossing the fairway 100 from the green and winding along the right side of the putting surface.

The approach shot plays uphill to another deep, narrow green that slopes wildly and features a devilish false front.

“It’s another great hole,” Smith said. “But in my opinion, it’s a little too severe for an opening hole. If you’re not ready, it can make for a miserable start to your round.”

And that’s really all there is to criticize about Greywolf, which also has a free practice facility for all guests who stay in one of resort’s five lodges or numerous specialty townhomes.

Walk-up greens fees, which include a riding cart, range from a sundown rate of $59 (Canadian) to a peak-season weekend rate of $119. But various stay-and-play packages are available.

While in the village, golfers can sample cuisine from a variety of on-site restaurants, including the Greywolf Clubhouse, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For those who favor pub fare, there is the T-Bar and Grill. And for those more inclined to a more refined dining experience, there is the family style Starbird Restaurant and Ferrari’s on Toby Creek.

In addition to golf, Panorma Mountain Village offers summertime adventurers superb mountain biking opportunities, horseback riding, river rafting, fly fishing excursions, gondola rides and ATV trails and rentals.

To set up tee times at Greywolf Golf Course, call 1-888-473-9965.