Guide to the Best Golf Courses in the Okanagan

Looking for the best golf courses in the Okanagan Valley and a wine-filled getaway in British Columbia?

The Okanagan Valley — often nicknamed Canada’s Napa North — offers an unforgettable mix of championship golf courses, world-class wineries, gourmet dining, and spectacular scenery. With over 200 wineries, 300 days of sunshine, and some of the best golf courses in Canada, the Okanagan is a dream destination for travellers who love to sip, swing, and soak in the views.

Kelowna Golf Courses

Okanagan Golf Club – The Bear and The Quail, Kelowna

Just five minutes from Kelowna’s International Airport, the Okanagan Golf Club has two 18-hole courses that tumble through Ponderosa pine forests. The Bear, designed by Jack Nicklaus, can be as ferocious as a grizzly or almost as gentle as a teddy, depending on which of the four sets of tees you choose to play.

Tougher and tighter is Les Furber’s Quail course. Bring your camera to take a shot from the elevated tees on the memorable number six signature hole, a devilish dog-leg par five with a raised green surrounded by very effective bunkers.

Tower Ranch Swingers’ Bonanza, Kelowna

When it opened in 2009, Tower Ranch was voted into “top ten best new courses in the world” by Travel + Leisure magazine. Canadian architect Thomas Broom transformed a cattle ranch into a rugged championship tract, blanketed in golden fescue and fragrant wild sage. Plenty of bunkers, including numerous deep ones fringed with wild grasses, have become a McBroom trademark. I’ve been in enough of them to give them my own nickname— “McBrunkers.”

Vernon Golf Courses

Double Your Pleasure – Golf at Predator Ridge, Vernon

When people think of a golf vacation in the Okanagan Valley, Kelowna usually steals the limelight. But Vernon, at the northern end of the Valley, is also an outstanding golf destination. The courses are fantastic and, generally, so is the weather. This semi-arid geographical jackpot basks in an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.

Now we approach phenomenal,” remarked my playing companion, as our cart climbed up to the number five signature hole of the aptly named The Ridge course at Predator Ridge Resort.

He was not exaggerating. From the elevated tees of the gorgeous par-three, golfers inhale panoramic views of the violet-tinged Monashee Mountains, granite rock outcroppings and sparkling Lake Okanagan below. A couple of deer bounded gracefully out of the trees for added effect.

Canadian architect Doug Carrick has seamlessly carved his 7,128-yard design through rugged mountain terrain.

Apart from the drop-dead natural beauty of the place, and a four-and-a-half star rating from Golf Digest, Predator Ridge boasts 36 holes of golf—the newer Ridge and The Predator, which has hosted two Skins Games. With its azure lakes and streams, wild sage, wheatgrass meadows and the sunbaked red hills fringed with golden fescue, The Predator, designed by Les Furber, is more of a links-style course and probably more harrowing than its younger beauty queen sister. At sunset from the clubhouse dining-room deck, Predator looks like a larger-than-life painting.

The Range Restaurant

On this trip to the Okanagan, I noticed that a couple of the golf clubhouse restaurants had elevated their food and wine offerings. Predator’s recently renovated Range is one such example. Sure, you’ll still find burgers on the menu, but the fries are served with truffle oil, Padano shavings and paprika aioli. Or perhaps you’d prefer the raw tuna poke cups, wild mushroom soup and tomahawk steak?

Fairways to Heaven at the Rise Golf Course, Vernon

“Boom-Boom” PGA pro Fred Couples created his signature debut western design, in collaboration with Gene Bates, also in Vernon. Aptly named, The Rise, the gigantic roller coaster is set 300 metres above Okanagan Lake, where the views are rivalled only by the drama of every vertiginous fairway.

There is quite literally a tee block for players of all handicaps at The Rise. Heavy hitters can let it rip from the “boom boom” purple tees measuring 6,675 yards; more dainty swingers can choose the extreme forward “social tees” measuring 3344 yards.

The sixth hole, an elevated tee 192-yard par three, is a sight to behold. To your right, water washes down a natural black rock cliff face and 100 feet below, the green teases from behind a glistening pond at the foot of the waterfall.

Edge Restaurant

For another après-golf gourmet experience, book a table at the new Edge restaurant.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and a large patio ensure fantastic views of the course and Lake Okanagan. From farm-fresh produce to sustainably caught seafood and artisanal meats, every bite celebrates the Okanagan’s bounty. The extensive wine list pays homage to the region’s outstanding wineries.

I recommend the beef bourguignon accompanied with duck fat fingerling potatoes, baby onions, smoked bacon, veal demi-glace and a truffle sour cream topping. This is not your typical golf clubhouse fare.

Calling all Oenophiles – Top Wineries for Après-Golf Tastings

What makes a golf trip to the Okanagan Valley so unique is the opportunity to sample some outstanding wines produced here after your games.

Almost every winery in the valley welcomes visitors for tours and tastings and most have an excellent restaurant. The majority boast great views of Lake Okanagan, where Ogopogo, the mythical green serpent monster, is purported to lurk. (My editor claims she and several others spotted the Ogopogo!)

Cedar Creek Estate Winery

Cedar Creek is one of my favourites. At the Home Block restaurant, Chef Neil Taylor follows a terroir-to-table philosophy, sourcing seasonal, local ingredients. Cedar Creek has garnered many awards for its Pinot Noirs.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery – Canada’s largest organic winery store

Although I found all those involved in Okanagan’s grape industry to be passionate and innovative, the quirkiest of them all is Summerhill, Canada’s largest certified organic winery. Owner Stephen Cipes gave up his real estate business in New York and started planting grapes here in 1986. In 1991, Cipes’ Gabriel vintage won the gold medal at the Chardonnay du Monde event, beating French Champagne.

But what sets Summerhill apart from any other winery in the region (and possibly the world) is the scaled-down replica of Egypt’s Giza pyramid, where Summerhill’s wines are stored for at least 30 days. Our guide informed me that the “sacred” or perfect geometry of certain three-dimensional shapes, such as domes, arches, and pyramids, has an enhancing effect on liquids.

In blind tastings over the years, testers consistently preferred the wines stored in Summerhill’s pyramid over those stored in traditional conditions. “Mind you,” cautioned the guide, “not even pyramid power can turn something like Baby Duck into a fine vintage.”

Sandhill Wines

Conveniently located in central Kelowna, Sandhill Wines offers myriad tasting experiences. I enjoyed their Barrel Room session with Rachel Y., a passionate golfer and knowledgeable oenophile. She guided me through five white and red wines, served alongside a cheese and charcuterie platter.

I learned that the southern Okanagan, known for its warmer climate, produces the best reds, while the northern vineyards are better known for their whites. I purchased a bottle of the 2018 Sangiovese, crafted from the same grape used in the highly prized Super Tuscan wines. On Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30, it’s Happy Hour at Sandhill with wines, small plates and live music.

Afterward, head just a few blocks away to Bernie’s Supper Club & Cinema.

Bernie’s Supper Club & Cinema

What was once a “dive bar” on Bernard Avenue is now a funky upscale eatery featuring sushi rolls, Wagyu beef dumplings and freshly shucked oysters. Bernie’s also has a talented troupe of mixologists who concoct cocktail magic. Guests can dine in the ground-floor restaurant or head upstairs where they can enjoy dinner and a movie.

Where to Stay in Kelowna

The Royal Kelowna

You won’t find a finer view or more commodious accommodations than at The Royal Kelowna by Bellstar Hotels. These luxurious apartments offer all the comforts of home, including well-equipped kitchens, balconies overlooking Lake Okanagan and the lakeside promenade. There’s a rooftop retreat with a heated infinity pool, hot tubs, a fire pit and a barbeque area where you can unwind and enjoy dinner al fresco.

After an energetic day of golf, how about a massage? The Royal Kelowna has teamed up with Sally Thompson to provide guests with in-room pampering. Sally, who has worked in award-winning spas all around the world, now brings her table and professional touch to your room at The Royal Kelowna. She offers a variety of facials and massages.

Plan Your Okanagan Golf Getaway

• Destinations: Kelowna & Vernon, BC
• Best Time to Visit: May to October
• Getting There: Kelowna International Airport (YLW)
• Top Golf Courses: Predator Ridge, The Rise, Tower Ranch, The Bear & Quail
• Top Wineries: Cedar Creek, Summerhill, Sandhill
• Accommodations: The Royal Kelowna

Ready to sip, swing, and stay in style? Bookmark this guide and start planning your Okanagan golf and wine escape today.

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Read more of Anita’s golf adventures: Celtic Fairways: A Golf Lover’s Journey Through Wales’ Iconic Courses, Los Cabos Luxury: All-Inclusive Quivira Golf Club and Pueblo Bonito Resorts is World Class, Where to find the best golf courses in Thailand, Discover some of the best Golf Courses in New Brunswick, and if you are interested in travel in Canada, here are 12 Hidden Gems in Canada You May Not Know About (But Should).

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Travel Writer Anita Draycott participated in a press trip hosted by Tourism Kelowna, which did not review or approve of this article before it was published.