The New 18 Holes at Predator Ridge Ready June 2010

A number of golf industry representatives were recently treated to one of the first looks at the new 18 hole course nearing completion at Predator Ridge, in Vernon BC.

The new Doug Carrick design will blend 9 holes of the former Peregrine course with completely new 9 holes constructed on the north side of the property.  The course looks playable now and is in very good condition, but is scheduled to open in June 2010.

Although the new course makes use of the Peregrine 9 and golfers will recognize most of the layout, changes have been made to every hole.  Number 1, leading south from the clubhouse, has been subtly changed by the addition of several feet of soil that has had the effect of flattening the fairway and making it wider.  The fescue has been reduced and will be maintained in a much less dense and shorter manner so that errant balls can be found and played.  On several holes, cart paths have been relocated to take them out of play.  Most greens have been reshaped to provide lots of movement, but in a more subtle way.  The old #9, coming back up to a green set on a high ledge, has had the most serious makeover, with soil added to the fairway to increase its height, while the green has been cut down 10 feet so that the elevation change on the approach shot is not so high.  The green itself retains its back to front slope, but is now more subtle.

The number of bunkers has been reduced and the 18 holes will play with only 43 bunkers, about 1/2 the normal number.  However, in many places, especially on the new 9, rock outcroppings have been exposed that will come into play, as well as providing great visual relief.  The fairways have been seeded with blue grass to help reduce water consumption, while tees and greens use bent grass.

The new 9 starts at #5.  It boasts 105 feet of elevation change - down thankfully.  #6 requires a 200 yard carry from the back tees, but 5 tee boxes provides relief for high handicappers.  This hole is among the most scenic, with distant mountain and lake views.  #10 is one of the most striking holes, and is the only one given a name so far- Peyote.  Reputedly, the name comes from one of the owners who wondered what Carrick was using when designing the hole.  The tee box is very elevated up a rocky cliff, dropping down about 70 feet into a low valley.  The 410 yard hole then climbs up  hill to the green.  The landing area is well guarded by bunkers on either side of the fairway.

#13 takes you back to the Peregrine course (#5), but even here, the tees have been moved back and elevated and the cart path moved.

In many places, the course has the look of a Muskoka course with the rock outcroppings used to define fairways and create hazards.  This is unusual in BC designs.  However, there is no course in the Muskoka region that has the elevation changes that Predator offers, nor are there the mountain and lake views that take your breath away standing on some of the tee boxes.

The new course, combined with the existing 18, will make Predator Ridge one of the top resorts in the country, and should be in the running for best new course when its eligible in 2011.  Get in line.