First impressions of golf in Alberta's Canadian Rockies

I haven’t even set foot on a golf course in the Canadian Rockies yet and I’m already blown away by Alberta as a world-class golf destination.

The views start even before you get off the plane. I flew up from on a small 80-person prop plane from Seattle to Calgary. The snow-capped mountain peaks tower above the clouds. The flight is just a teaser of what’s to come.

The mountains seemed even more imposing during my short drive to Kananaskis. They soar upward, jutting in all directions. Some are blanked with evergreens. Others offer nothing but rocky faces. They shimmer different shades in the ever-changing summer sun.

A quick stop and tour of the Boundary Ranch showcased the hospitality of the people and the versatility of the region. Outdoor fun, like horseback trail rides and camp outs in sheer wilderness, is part of life here.

After a brief squall, a rainbow appeared outside my hotel room window at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis. Truly remarkable.

Assuming the views are just as spectacular – probably even more so – from the courses I’m set to play this week, there’s little doubt that this is one special place every golfer must see. Just ask fellow WorldGolf.com writer Brandon Tucker.

Visiting and playing the famous layouts at Banff Springs Golf Club and Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course have always been high on my life list, but I can’t wait to experience the other top golf courses in Alberta: The 36-hole Kananaskis Country Golf Course, Canmore Golf & Curling Club, Silvertip Resort and Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club.

Rain or shine. Good scores or bad. This is a golf destination to remember.