I’ll be the first to admit that before landing in Alberta for a week long golf trip, I wasn’t overly familiar with the golfing landscape in the region.
In my mind there was Banff Springs, and well, everything else.
What I wasn’t prepared for was just how spectacular, and unique, each of the courses near Banff, Canmore, and Jasper would be.
Canmore Golf and Curling Club felt like an old school throw back that was similar to a course I might play back home in Portland – oh, except for the killer mountain views.
At Jasper Park Lodge you feel completely removed from the world, and as though you might run into a grizzly bear at any moment.
Kananaskis has two Championship courses that give you variety and a stout challenge.
And then with Stewart Creek Golf Course? Well, you get a little bit of all of that.
And then some.
In this Stewart Creek Golf Course review we’ll look at the experience, the views, and if it’s worth you’re time to play when you’re in Alberta (Spoiler alert: It is).
First Impressions of Stewart Creek
When we arrived in Canmore the night before, I didn’t really know what to expect in the morning as it was pitch black.
But as I woke up the next day and looked out my window, I was pretty impressed by what I saw:
You see the Canadian Rockies are well, much rockier than their American counterparts. In fact, the steep, craggily peaks found in Alberta make Colorado look like a bunch of big hills by comparison.
Upon pulling up to Stewart Creek, it was clear we were in for a special round.
The clubhouse is perched above the forest where the course careens through the trees below. It gives you just the slightest glimpse of what’s to come in your imminent golf adventure.
The range is slightly uphill and is one of the most picturesque ranges I’ve ever been in.
The surrounding mountains have a way of enhancing everything about the setting, location, course, and your enjoyment of each.
From the first ball I struck on the range I felt a peace and calm that often only fresh mountain air can bring.
Stewart Creek Golf Course
The course comes out swinging with a phenomenal opening act. An elevated teebox looks down to a slanted fairway that just begs you to take a rip.
However, unlike some mountain golf courses, you aren’t going to find crazy elevated tee boxes on every hole (save for the incredibly fun, and incredibly downhill 9th hole). Rather, they’re used selectively, and sparingly in order to preserve strategy, and keep things from feeling overly gimmicky.
The first three holes feature some homes and condos tucked into the trees, but after you walk off the excellent par 3, 3rd hole – it’s just you and the course winding your way through the forests, with impressive mountain views dotting the landscape.
Stewart Creek isn’t an overly difficult course, as long as you know how to hit the ball relatively straight.
I developed a wicked slice during this round, and it didn’t matter how wide the fairways were – I was determined to find the trees and lose as many balls as possible.
Fortunately, no one else in our group seemed to have the same issue.
Despite the tips stretching out to just over 7,000 yards, it carries a modest course rating of 73/128.
Being at elevation truly works to your advantage here, and it wasn’t unusual to see drives 10+ yards longer than what you might be used to.
Final Impressions of Stewart Creek Golf Course
Overall, I truly enjoyed my round at Stewart Creek.
It doesn’t have quite the architectural pedigree as Jasper or the global recognition of Banff Springs, but Stewart Creek very much holds it’s own when it comes to scenic beauty, strategic golf holes, and plain ol’ fun.
I wouldn’t expect to walk this course due to significant elevation change, and it’s best to make tee times ahead of time, as it can get busy with both member and tourist play during the summer and early fall.
Rates range from $129-195 depending on time of year and day of the week.
And after the round? Drive the 10 minutes over to the reservoir in Canmore and do some paddle boarding 🙂
Book tee times and learn more about Stewart Creek at their website here. If you want help booking a golf trip of your own to the Canadian Rockies, then check out Canadian Rockies Golf.
