30d91562-f63a-53cd-868c-c4b2479c2695

David168485

Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Lives
Vermilion, Alberta, Canada
Handicap
10-14
Age
55-64
Gender
Male
Skill
Intermediate
Plays
A few times a week

About

My golfing highlights include:

Sept. 6, 2011: Albatross, Loon Lake GC, Hole 8, Par 5, 450 yards, (Driver, 7 wood).

June 11, 2017: Hole in One, St. Paul GC, Hole 8, Par 3, 166 yards, (7 iron).

Review Statistics

Average Rating

3.9
3.9
Total 259 Reviews
4 Featured Reviews

Rating Breakdown

259 Reviews
5 Stars
50
4 Stars
135
3 Stars
66
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
1
Recommended Courses
253
Not Recommended Courses
6
Helpful Votes Count
975
Not Helpful Votes Count
25
First Review
01/24/2013
Last Review
11/21/2023

Reviews Map

Reviews

3.9

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Recommended
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Tobiano Golf Course

Played On 04/22/2019
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Tobiano GC

I've played Tobiano over a dozen times and it still remains at the top of my list of favorite courses to play. The course has only been open two weeks into the 2019 golf season and it's still worth driving the 9 hours from home to play.

The morning brought overcast skies, the wind strong enough to lift the flags straight and there was a light rain falling. Conditions that would keep most golfers at home but I see it more as an opportunity to enjoy the scenery and the added challenge.

Arrive early as use of the range and practice areas are included in your playing fees. Always best to work out any deficiencies in your game on the range as opposed to on the course.

How much fun you have at Tobiano will depend entirely on which set of the five tee boxes available you play off. The Spur/Lake combination (6258 yds) plays right into my handicap and it's probably the main reason I have yet to have a bad round of golf at this course.

Overlooking Kamloops Lake the course presents one of the most scenic challenges you will play. Excellent routing, wide fairways, light rough, large undulating greens and fantastic bunkering all add up to a special round. Myself and the two members I joined on the first hole got around the course in just shy of 4 hours.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

Dunes at Kamloops Golf Club

Played On 04/21/2019
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

The Dunes at Kamloops

Quite a scenic course surrounded by the hills of the Thompson Valley and running along the banks of the Thompson River. Nice to be greeted by friendly staff, a well stocked pro shop and a restaurant with a great menu.

I arrived mid morning and found the parking lot starting to fill with classic cars. What a bonus, came for a round of golf and a car show appeared.

A great opening hole, a par 4, dogleg left into a green protected by a water hazard and tucked amongst small dunes. The fairways are framed by small rolling dunes, a few water hazards and a sprinkling of both greenside and waste bunkers. The greens were receptive and rolled smoothly at a nice pace.

Opened in 1997, the course has its own challenges and golfers of all abilities will enjoy themselves.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate

Sandia Golf Club

Played On 02/13/2019
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Sandia Golf Club

Situated right next to the Sandia Casino and Resort, the Sandia Golf Club appeared to be a busy place. "No problem in getting you out this morning" was the response I received from behind the counter of a well stocked pro shop. The check in was efficient and painless, my bag already on the back of a cart downstairs and waiting for me. I was hooked up with three players (Lee, Pat & Marlin) who turned out to be regulars at the course.

They were starting the morning groups off the back nine, made no difference to me as it was my first time golfing here and I was hooked up with a group that knew their way around the course. The holes follow the topography nicely, fairways turning both ways, a good variety of different length par 3's, 4's and 5's, pleasing elevation changes, all set against the stunning back drop of the Sandia mountains.

Hole 10, a visually appealing hole with the fairway flanked by sloping sides that would help feed any off line shot back towards the fairway. Hole 18 is a memorable finishing hole that requires a strong drive followed by an accurate shot into a green flanked by water on the left. The entire layout should have you examining every part of your game.

A stop in the clubhouse for a bite afterwards. Good company, fair weather, plush fairways, fantastic greens, Sandia Golf Club is a course that should be at the top of your play list if you're in the Albuquerque area.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate

Sierra del Rio Golf Course

Played On 02/12/2019
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Sierra Del Rio GC

Sierra Del Rio was on my list of courses to play when I was planning this golf trip to New Mexico. It was a good choice.

Dave in the pro shop had me in a cart & out to the first tee in a timely fashion.

There is a nice variety of holes here, a couple of risk reward holes that are going to tempt your confidence, a few elevation changes that allow you grip it and rip it, doglegs left and right, generous fairways, the bunkers are well placed but some were in need of a little attention. The greens were holding approaches nicely, putts rolled consistent and good reads are rewarded. Holes 14, 15, 16 and 17 are standouts.

Off season conditioning was expected but it didn't affect my play or my impression of the course. Visitors would have little reason to be disappointed playing Sierra Del Rio.

An inviting clubhouse, good menu, huge patio and well stocked pro shop to round things out.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Red Hawk Golf Club

Played On 02/11/2019
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Red Hawk Golf Course

Another friendly reception by the pro shop staff. A quick warm up at the range, a little putting practice and I was off to the first tee.

The forecast called for 15-25 mph winds and the weatherman was bang on. Needless to say it didn't help that I was fighting a pull all day. Scoring conditions were tough but the course played fair until I got to Hole 9. A pulled tee shot found the water left. The drop gave me 198 yards to the green and unfortunately it was my "Tin Cup" moment as 3 more attempts splashed just short of the green. My fourth effort rolled tight to the pin. A one putt had me pencil an 11 onto the scorecard.

Todays round was my fourth in three days at Red Hawk and I had a blast playing here all 4 rounds. Attentive staff, good practice facilities and the members and staff (Lee, Tom, Ray & Jim) that I played with were great company.

Red Hawk visitors can expect an eventful round, wide rolling fairways, blown bunkers, fast sculptured greens proteced by more deep bunkers and steep drop offs. The routing of the course is exceptional and is set against spectacular views of the Black, Organ and Doña Ana mountains ranges.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Red Hawk Golf Club

Played On 02/09/2019
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Red Hawk GC

I showed up early Friday morning completely unaware that the course had been booked for the day for a fundraiser. Hats off to the staff for allowing me to get in a quick 18 holes before the course closed.

The front of the scorecard reads "Championship Golf in the Land of Enchantment", and that's exactly the sensation I had stepping up onto the first tee. Under clear blue skies and surrounded by spectacular views of the Organ and Black mountains to the east & the Doña mountains to the north, I just knew I was in for a great round.

With five huge tee boxes available pretty much on every hole, golfers of all standards can enjoy themselves. There are no surprises on the course as views from the tees provide good sight lines. The fairways have slopes up and down, left and right and are wider than the freeways leading into Las Cruces. The first cut of rough was manageable, beyond that you could be assured of losing strokes. I lost count of the over 70 links style bunkers that can come into play on the course. Four of the five water hazards on the course will penalize those golfers that have a tendency to pull their shots. The sculptured greens were rolling fast and true.

I was able to complete 18 holes in just over 2 hours and played 2 under my handicap. What a good day.

Wide fairways, well sited bunkers, strategically tiered greens, exceptional routing, some difficult water features and with spectacular views, Red Hawk is definitely not a course to be overlooked.

After my round I felt I could do with some additonal bunker practice. White Sands National Moument is just a 40 minute drive away...bring your sticks.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Sonoma Ranch Golf Course

Played On 02/08/2019
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Sonoma Ranch GC

First time playing here and I was pleasantly surprised with the layout and variety of holes on offer.

Attentive staff in the pro shop made the check in smooth and then had me paired me up with three of their members.

Sonoma Ranch GC is nice track that is in fair condition for the off season. Five large tee boxes on every hole allow you to pick your poison (choose accordingly), there are numerous elevation changes and for those that are overly confident in their abilities Sonoma Ranch has several good risk/reward holes. The routing makes good use of the topography and the bunkers seem to be in all the right places. Of the two water hazards on the course (holes 8 & 18), well you'd really have to be having a bad day to find them. The surprisingly quick greens rolled well and if you aren't paying attention to the numerous breaks you'd be pencilling in some big scores.

This is a solid track and good ball striking is rewarded. Go out and have fun.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

NM State University GC

First time playing the NM State University GC. I was met by friendly staff & members. Impressive clubhouse and exceptional practice facilities on site.

A mid morning tee time, blue skies, and a gentle breeze to start the round off. Winter conditioning of the course was very good. As the fairways were dormant and as expected, they ran fast and firm which allowed for more options, carry my shots into the greens or bump and run them into the pins. There are a few elevation changes, some good bunkering, a scattering of trees. Stick to the fairways and you'll do well.

I always enjoy playing a course that can bring every stick in your bag into play. NM State University GC is a good and fair test of golf that provides exceptional value for your golfing dollar.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

UNM Championship GC

The UNM Championship GC has been challenging area golfers since the mid 1960's. I've played it dozens of times as it was my home course the two years I lived in Albuquerque.

Wanting to get in an early round I arrived at the course before the gates opened. The pro shop staff got me sorted out in short order and I was the first one teeing off from the whites at 08:30 sharp.

There are plenty of elevation changes that provide great views as well as letting you see where you need to put your shots and all the areas you need to avoid. The routing of holes is exceptional, the holes flow well, it's one good hole after another. The fairways were running firm and fast, the greens are a nice size and will require accurate approach shots. Take your time reading theses greens as there are few straight putts. Bunkering is exceptional, both on the fariways and greenside. Bottom line is there really are no weak holes on this course.

If you're able to find good lines off the tee, can work the ball both left and right and can read the subtle breaks on the greens there are birdies to be had. I was pleased with the game I brought to the course.

You will not go wrong playing here as the UNM Championship GC is as strong a test today as it was 20 odd years ago when I first played it.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Santa Ana Golf Club (Star/Tamaya)

After a 21 year absence I figured I would give the state of New Mexico a re-visit. NM was my home state for two years in the mid 1990's. I absolutely loved the endless variety of interests the state offers both residents and visitors alike.

Not really a state that's renowned for its golf but it does have some good tracks. I made my first round of golf for the year playing the Santa Ana GC. The pro shop hooked me up with three locals that made for an enjoyable round.

The fairways are generous as are the bunkers and greens. The somewhat dry course conditions allowed rollout of most drives that found the fairways. The rough was very manageable and wasn't necessarily penalizing. Course bunkering is good and any of the shots I played from them were somewhat predictable. The greens were receptive and rolled nicely but I did have some trouble adjusting to the pace as I had 5 three putts. I can't blame that on anything but the operator of the flat stick.

Albuquerque sits at 5200 feet above sea level so I played off the blue/white combination of tee boxes, ideal for my handicap. The ball flies and carries well at this altitude and I managed to get around this moderately challenging track just 3 over my handicap.

The course obviously isn't in mid summer shape but overall I was happy with everything on offer, pleasant staff, nice routing, well stocked pro shop, a large clubhouse, scenic surroundings and good company. If things don't go smoothly for you on the course you can always try your luck next door at the casino.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate

Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club

Played On 07/08/2018
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club

The Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club is a military course situated on the grounds of Canada's largest and busiest air base, CFB Cold Lake. Playing here provides some awesome entertainment in the air as well as on the ground.

At just over 6600 yards from the tips, the course provides a great golfing experience with its parkland surroundings that challenges and satisfies in equal parts. Holes 9 & 10 are appropriately listed as stroke index 1 & 2.

Hole 9, a sharp dogleg right that demands a pair of accurate shots to find the small green in regulation. A hole that can routinely derail a good front nine score.

Hole 10, a tight dogleg left that requires steady nerves off the tee to place your drive in just the right spot to have any chance of guiding your approach shot through a narrow chute of trees and shrubs onto a green that slopes from every angle. Completing 9 and 10 without any blemishes on the card is an achievement.

The overall conditioning of the course is pretty good, fairways are plush, the bunkers are placed in all the right places, the greens are healthy and receptive to approach shots. Find the right line on your putts and birdies are available.

A well stocked pro shop with attentive and friendly staff will look after your golfing needs. There's plenty of room in the clubhouse for after round refreshments and banter.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Grand Centre Golf and Country Club

Played On 06/23/2018
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Grand Centre Golf & Country Club

Although it's a two hour drive from home, this is a course I make an effort to play three or four times a year. This past weekend it was competeing in their annual two day Men's Open.

Large flat tee boxes provide good sight lines out to wide carpet like fairways framed by mature pines and birch trees. Errant shots will gravitate towards the strategically placed bunkers along the fairways and around the greens. Although there are four water hazards on the course, only one comes into play. Beware of Hole 4, a taxing 426 yard, Par 4 is stroke index 1 on the card and it will stretch the nerves of any golfer. A few of the greens were a bit bumpy but considering I made a 42 footer for birdie on Hole 9 to take the "longest putt" prize I can't complain.

The course plays 6497 yards off the tips & over the course of two days I was pretty pleased with being just 8 over my handicap.

The restaurant as usual outdid themselves, the groundskeepers presented a challenging track to compete on. Hats off to Dean and all the staff at Grand Centre Golf & Country Club.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

RedTail Landing Golf Club

Played On 06/05/2018
2.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Redtail Landing GC

Looked forward to playing Redtail again as I love the layout and I have had some great rounds here in the past. Took part in an Alberta Golf Tour tournament here on June 5/18 and made good use of the practice facilities available, nice range, practice bunker and practice putting green.

Our four ball got up to the first tee box and didn't give a lot of notice to the spartan fairway. It turns out most fairways displayed varying degrees of winter kill and green after green after green with more dirt/sand than blades of grass. This past winter was hard on this course. I got the sense that every participant left disappointed with the overall conditioning of the course that was on offer for a tournament.

The grounds keeping crew will have their hands full getting this course back to where it once was.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Northern Meadows Golf Club

Played On 06/05/2018
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Northern Meadows GC

Regularly ranked as one of the better courses in Saskatchewan, Northern Meadows is a wonderful golf destination. With creative use of the rolling countryside, it's scattering of mature pine and poplar trees, good bunkering, clever water hazards, groomed fairways and well tended bent grass greens offer golfers of all abilities a challenge. Fairways turn both right and left and the holes flow naturally throughout the course.

Always a treat to play a well presented course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

The Links at Moses Pointe

Played On 03/30/2018
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

The Links at Moses Pointe

There's a saying that "good help is hard to find" and the indifferent greeting I received from the pro shop guy fit that description. Rather than assisting a walk on looking for a game, he left me standing at the counter for roughly 6 minutes while he discussed his Friday night itinerary on the phone.

The early spring conditions (ie: dry, windy) had the fairways running fast and firm providing for some extra runout for golfers finding fairways off the tee. That being said, it also gave you more options with your approach shots (bump & run) into the greens as they played fast and firm as well. Holes 7 and 9 are two good holes on the front. The back nine layout is quite varied and has some strong holes (10, 11, 15 & 16) that require your full attention, more so if the wind is up as it was today.

Overall "The Links at Moses Pointe" is a generally wide open course that plays fun and fair.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate

Trophy Lake Golf & Casting Club

Played On 03/29/2018
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Trophy Lake Golf & Casting Club

The Pacific Northwest has an excellent assortment of quality golf courses to satisfy most any golfers needs. The Trophy Lake Golf & Casting Club definitely will cover those needs.

The lodge styled clubhouse has a comforting ambience about it one seldom feels at a golf course. A leisurely breakfast in the Dry Fly Café is a good start to your morning.

The 178 yd Par 3, third hole plays well, with a bunkered hill fronting the right side and a false front and a drop away slope along the left will grab your attention.

Fairways wind their way through mature trees and rolling hills, the generously proportioned greens are receptive and rolled true. Numerous well tended bunkers pepper the course. The course closes out with a challenging Par 5 and a postcard view of the clubhouse set back of the 18th green. A course that could bring out the very best in your game.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate

Washington National Golf Club

Played On 03/28/2018
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Washington National GC

A gracious welcome from the pro shop staff. I think they were pleased to have more than a few die hard golfers out playing under gloomy, overcast skies and a steady light rain falling. The kind of day when top of the line rain gear pays huge dividends.

With todays wet weather and incredibly soft conditions, deciding which tee box to play off was an important decision. There were areas of standing water on many of the wide fairways so even well struck tee shots didn't run out. As a huge fan of great bunkering on any course I was blown away by both the waste bunkers and the brilliant white sand bunkers on this course. I only had to play once out of the waste bunkers when I snap hooked my approach shot into the generous green on Hole 18.

Weather and wet conditions aside, Washington National provided a great layout and a good test of golf. Would love to play again...but under ideal conditions.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2018

Thanks so much for coming out, David! We're so glad you enjoyed your round despite the infamous Seattle rain you endured. We'd love to have you out here again soon!

I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

The Reserve Vineyards & GC, North Course

The day I arrived to play the clouds were hanging low in the sky and there were intermittent showers. Not a deal breaker when you carry good rain gear. Loved the imposing feel of the huge clubhouse and received a friendly greeting by the pro shop staff. The North Course was in play on this visit.

Thirty minutes on the range and another 20 getting a feel for the pace of the practice putting green and I was primed for the first tee. 90* cart rule in effect today as some of the fairways were holding their share of moisture. As an extra challenge (not that my game doesn't need more) I did my best to keep my ball on the side of the fairways the cart paths were on.

Large, flat tee boxes were a pleasure to play from, the fairways were generous in width but with the moisture on the ground the ball wasn't running far. The 3-4" rough was wet and was good for an extra stroke. The undulating greens are large and with todays soft conditions they held shots well. Putts rolled nicely and all the greens were running at a nice speed. There aren't a lot of bunkers or water hazards on the North Course and they really never came into play for me.

Overall, an exceptional day of golfing on a fair course. It would easily get a 4 star rating from this golfer if it weren't for the wet spring conditions.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate

Salishan Golf Links

Played On 03/26/2018
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Salishan Spa & Golf Resort

Spring golf in the Pacific Northwest, you can expect some inclement weather so today's overcast skies and light drizzle weren't going to keep me from exercising some new G400 irons. The temperature was a comfortable 18*C and no wind...so a fairly good day.

With a half dozen low compression balls in tow it was off to the races. The first hole is eye candy, across water & a gentle dogleg left, I split the fairway and found a perfect line into the green.

I enjoyed the layout of this course, with numerous elevation changes, left and right doglegs, a nice mix of short and long Par 4's that will allow you to decide if the risk is worth the reward, some good greenside bunkers that grab your attention, with the light drizzle a few fairways didn't roll out as far as expected but the greens were very receptive to good approach shots. I even made a few balls back up and dance. I had 10 GIR's but the flat stick was having trouble finding the right line. All the greens rolled out consistently throughout the day.

Overall a fun track, pick some good lines off the tee, make good swings and if the putter is hot, you can expect to score well.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Alberta Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Rancho Las Palmas: South/West

Ted Robinson put together the 27 holes that make up Rancho Las Palmas, you just need to pick your combination from either the North, South or West nines.

Chances are pretty good that there will be someone to meet you at the bag drop and point you in the direction of the pro shop. The 3 nines are intertwined and have a similar look and feel. The fairways turn both ways, a couple of pleasing elevation changes and a variety of different length par 3s, 4s and 5s. The lies are tight, the greens receptive and quick, the bunkers and rough forgiving, the few water hazards, not so much.

Bottom line, Rancho Las Palmas is a fun course.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
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