Golf
Golfer at sunset (Picture BC photo)
Maple Ridge, in tandem with neighbouring Pitt Meadows, is one of British Columbia's most underrated golfing destinations.
The six championship golf courses in this area, just a 45-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, offer affordable variety for hackers and pros alike, and they're all close together. At a typical course, three or four sets of tees are available, and the dining facilities, pro shops, and other amenities are attractions in themselves.
Meadow Gardens Golf Club
Meadow Gardens Golf Club lures golfers with its stately par-72, 18-hole course designed by Les Furber. It won the Readers Choice Award from the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Times newspaper each year between 2003 and 2008. Lush greens, abundant water features, and views of the Golden Ears Mountains define the visual appeal of this semi-private club in Pitt Meadows. Book tee times well in advance. Enjoy fine West Coast dining at the in-house restaurant, The Loft, relax in the Jacuzzi and sauna, or stock up at the pro shop.
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Swan-E-Set Bay
Billed as a "resort and country club," Swan-E-Set Bay offers a whopping 36 holes to play on two championship courses designed by the legendary Lee Trevino. In this peaceful rural setting, spotting fawn or bald eagles while on the links isn't uncommon. Looking to improve those skills? Tee off with help from one of Swan-E-Set's six golf instructors. A dress code is in effect.
The huge clubhouse resembles a baron's ancestral home, and features stone balconies and a grand ballroom with a 60-foot ceiling, which hosts more than 100 weddings a year. Sit under green umbrellas on the patio and admire the hanging flower baskets while savoring beers and hearty dishes from the clubhouse restaurant.
Golden Eagles Golf Club
Surrounded by the Coast Mountains, Golden Eagles Golf Club provides another dynamic 36-hole alternative for Pitt Meadows golfers. It's open 365 days a year (weather permitting). The North Course and South Course have rolling fairways and lots of risk-reward situations, from sand traps to water obstacles. There's a charming gazebo, a driving range, and a well-stocked pro shop.
Before or after rounds of golf, enjoy the view with steaks, Italian cuisine, and West Coast edibles on the 150-capacity patio at the homey clubhouse. An artificial waterfall tumbles gracefully nearby, and staff are friendly and attentive. Golden Eagles stages regular men's nights and ladies' nights.
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Heather Hills Golf Course
Maple Ridge proper is home to an innovative merger of farming and golfing: nine-hole Heather Hills Golf Course is part of a farm that grows heather, hazelnuts, and corn. The well-groomed course takes about an hour and a half to play. There's also a public par-3 course called Hacker's Haven in Maple Ridge. This nine-hole course is noted for its ravines and narrow, tree-enclosed fairways.
Pitt Meadows Golf & Country Club
Don't overlook the 1963-founded, membership-based Pitt Meadows Golf & Country Club, offering an 18-hole course on the former site of Greybrook Farm and featuring a comfortable 2,323sq m/25,000sq ft clubhouse.
To learn more about golf in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, contact the Visitor Centre.
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