Golf the Riviera...in Canada

The Okanagan Valley, in south-central British Columbia, is known as the "Riviera" of Canada because of its inviting weather. It is a popular vacation destination for both Canadians and Americans.

The golf tradition began in the region in 1913 and has grown until there are now nearly 40 courses in this one small area. The region can be traveled from one end to the other in a day, which leaves plenty of time during a golf vacation for side trips to enjoy water sports at one of the numerous lakes, to try horseback riding and other ranch activities, or to attend one of the many community celebrations.

Another intriguing aspect of the Okanagan Valley for those looking for an out-of-the-ordinary golf vacation is the growing wine industry. There are now 37 farm and estate vineyards, most offering tours and/or tasting rooms.

The diversity of the region provides a great variety of venues….everything from desert terrain to mountain and forest courses. You will find layouts not just surrounded by orchards, but actually in them, making for the unique experience of trying to play an errant ball underneath a canopy of ripening fruit.

What makes the area especially inviting is the exchange rate-your dollar goes farther than it would in the U.S. To entice you north, a number of economical golf packages are available. Another bonus: the Canadians, who are very friendly and go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome.

Here's a suggested mini tour of courses in the Okanagan Valley to start you on your way:

Begin just north of the boarder at the Osyoyoos Golf and Country Club. You have your choice of three different landscape environments. The Desert Nine is built in the Arizona style, with defined target landing areas flanked by sagebrush and sand. The Park Nine offers shaded fairways lined with elegant Lombardy poplars. The Meadows Nine features rolling terrain brightly dotted with bedding plants and natural flora. Easy to walk. Twenty-seven holes means more tee times, fewer delays, and nine-hole play. Tee times: 604-495-7003.

Heading north on Highway 97, you'll come to the town of Oliver and Fairview Mountain Golf Club. A challenging design makes the most of terrain quirks including benches and steep hills - golf carts are a must. Expect scenic views, huge elevated greens, a few blind tees, and variations in slope and elevation. The 18th hole is a whopper. Tee times: 1-866-534-7264 or 250-498-6050

Further north, near the town of Kelowna, is The Harvest Golf Club, a user-friendly course in a spectacular setting. The property was formerly an orchard, and approximately 1,000 fruit trees, mostly apples and pears, remain strategically scattered throughout the course. Roomy, flowing bent grass fairways - no tricks here - are impeccably manicured and accommodate golfers of all calibers. The most intriguing feature of the course is probably its undulating greens. Tee times: 1-800-257-8577 or 250-862-3103.

Nearby is Gallagher's Canyon Golf and Country Club. The course attracts both pros and star amateur players and has hosted several national tournaments, along with exhibitions featuring PGA and LPGA players. Fairways thread through ponderosa pines on this mountain-style course. Interesting views into the canyon itself and challenging shotmaking add to your experience. Also available is a nine-hole course with a variety of tee placements. Its clever design is forgiving enough for beginners yet still of interest to seasoned golfers. Tee times: 1-800-446-5322 or 250-861-4240.

Two more courses deserve special mention. The Kelowna Springs Golf Course plays among seven spring-fed lakes and an abundance of sand. This target-style course tests you both on the fairways and on the greens-larger than average and among the valley's trickiest. Not for the faint of heart. Also on the grounds is the Peaks and Ponds 18-hole championship putting course. A round takes less than an hour-and-a-half to play and can even be done under lights. Tee times: 250-765-4653.

For another challenge, check out Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club. A "natural" layout, the track highlights tree-lined chutes and Scotty's Creek, which flows through the course, coming into play on eight of the eighteen holes. This is one of those courses that levels the playing field-big hitters may fall into the trap (or in this case, the water) of over-confidence. Tee times: 1-877-606-7700 or 250-765-7700.

By car, the Okanagan is only four hours from Vancouver, six-and-a-half from Calgary, five hours from Spokane, and five-and-a-half from Seattle, where major airports are located. Horizon Air and WestJet fly into Kalowna and Penticton.