CLIENT FEATURE
Go Time Events solves common golf trip problems
By Brandon Tucker,
Senior Writer
Trying to squeeze in golf on a vacation or business trip can be an ordeal. Not only must you make the decision to either bring your clubs or settle for the uncertainty of rental clubs, but you also may have no way of getting to a course if you don't have a rental car..
And even if you do, picking the right course and being able to find it isn't exactly easy in a new city..
Robert Fullerton, owner of Go Time Events Inc., saw this problem and offered a solution.
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"We were the first company to have a daily shuttle from hotels to courses in Vancouver," Fullerton said. "The logistics are a nightmare when it comes to playing golf in a strange city.".
According to Fullerton, Go Time was the first company to shuttle travelers to courses in 1997, something he also says helped travelers find the best courses out there, not just the most convenient..
"In a travel market, the traditional thing to do is go to the closest course, not necessarily the best," Fullerton said. "Since our shuttle service started in Vancouver, we've been equalizing all the courses so there's no bias based on location.".
As a golf destination, Vancouver is fantastic. Not just according Fullerton, but also to the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, which voted British Columbia the "2004 Undiscovered Golf Destination of the World." Courses of all styles can be found, including former Canadian PGA courses Northview Country Club and Classic Mountain..
Along with courses in the Vancouver area, Go Time also
offers packages with the neighboring Victoria and Whistler
areas..
Whistler, known mostly for its world-class skiing is a small but beautiful golf destination in the summer months, with a season that starts relatively earlier than in the American Rocky Mountains due to its lower elevation. In the spring months, it's often possible to ski down the top of Whistler or Blackcomb, followed by some golf in chilly but manageable temps at the base..
Go Time has also recently added Kamloops, B.C., to its offerings as well. A town of more than 80,000 residents, Kamloops is the warmest city in Canada with an average summer high of 27.2 degrees Celsius. The 18 area courses include designs by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Graham Cooke..
An option that has picked up some steam lately has been Go Time's adventure packages, especially their Rocky Mountain Adventure. With this option you and your group arrive in anywhere from Vancouver to Calgary, get a rental van, and trek the beautiful Canadian wilderness while fitting in some golf, including one of Canada's most famous courses, Banff Springs in between..
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These tours generally last 10 days with eight rounds and are also a real bargain. The Coast Golf Adventure package keeps the tour within the confines of Whistler, Victoria and Vancouver, with two rounds and accommodations at each destination. This option is ideal for those who can't decide which part of the area to focus on.
If you're looking for somewhere with golf year round, Go Time events also provides SoCal packages in Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles and the ultra-ritzy Palm Springs area. Packages are available with many of the desert's 100-plus courses, including Pete Dye's Mission Hills in the Central Valley to the TPC at PGA West..
Packages with Go Time Events at either location are available for all sizes, from groups to singles. They have also recently expanded their offerings to ski packages and cycle tours as well.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
