Predator Ridge offers a multitude of accommodation options to compliment two of the best golf courses in Canada and a state-of-the-art practice facility.
The Ridge Course is a spectacular mountain design with huge elevation changes. Every tee shot seems to start from an elevated plateau offering numerous photo opportunities. Sir Isaac Newton could have been playing The Ridge when he was quoted as saying “What goes up must go down”. The only uphill drive you will find is in your power cart heading up to the next tee block. The fairways are well tree-lined that are mounded like a stadium allowing for errant shots to funnel back to the short stuff.
The first hole used to be the 10th on the original ‘The Predator Course’ but that is where the resemblance ends, and the sibling rivalry begins. From there on you are in for a roller coaster ride.
In my opinion you would be prudent to leave the driver in your bag for the first five holes since accuracy is more important than distance to begin your round.
One of my most memorable holes is #5, a downhill 229-yard par 3 with the Okanagan Lake in the background. Spectacular view. The advantage is that the power carts come equipped with GPS, with readings to the pin. But the most unique bonus is that all sprinkler heads are marked to account for the slope change. As well all the 150 yards poles have stripes on them to indicate the pin depth.
This course is visually stunning, with large fast greens and consistent white silica sand bunkers. Certainly, worthy of being ranked #33 in the Top 100 Courses in Canada.
The Predator Course looks sublime in comparison to its’ younger sibling but do not be fooled by first impressions. This layout offers a unique blend of parkland, mountain, and links-style designs in one truly, unique experience. I found it difficult to describe but Claus Larsen, Director of Accommodations, best summed it up by calling it a “links-style hybrid”.
The front nine is more dramatic and very picturesque but the back nine proved to be more difficult. Holes 2 through 5 make a lasting first impression. Your tee shot on #2 is from a plateau and your approach is over valley to a raised green. Do not go right or be short as your ball will funnel away.
Claus told me that the par 4, 3rd has been changed to widen the fairway and remove the large gully in front for ease of play. The 4th hole is a brand-new short par 3 since the original green had a severe slope making it just too tough. #5 is a very picturesque uphill par 4 to a well protected raised green that is narrow but deep and slopes severely from back to front.
The back side starts with uphill dogleg left par 5 to a raised green that is protected by three large bunkers in front. In my opinion this is the toughest hole on the course. The green is narrow and deep, and the greenside bunkers add salt to an open wound.
The 16th hole requires you to drive your tee shot to the end of the plateau leaving you with a downhill approach of some 80 feet to a raised green. The 18th is a tough finishing hole as the green sits on a peninsula with a large pond on the right.
The greens are in perfect condition and the overall design certainly make ‘The Predator Course’ worthy of being in the Top 100 Golf Courses of Canada.