Vancouver, British Columbia, is a complex brew of Oriental mystery, British traditions, Aboriginal

Swans glide across the lake at one of the golf courses near Vancouver, Canada

mythology, European sophistication and, most of all, it’s a hostage to nature. Bear sightings are commonplace in the nearby mountainous suburbs and Coyotes can be seen on local golf courses. It makes for a fascinating mix of natural settings and sophisticated urban living.

It is also a city and region that take great pride in its golf courses with some 75 layouts within an hour-and-a-half drive from downtown Vancouver and only a few of them private. And just two hours away are the three great courses of Whistler Village, high in the Coastal Mountains.

Just south of downtown, towards the Canada/US border and accessible by Highway 99, the main road south to and from the US border, are four of the region’s most challenging and easiest to access – Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club, Hazelmere Golf and Country Club, Peace Portal Golf Course, and Morgan Creek.

Clubhouse and practice facility at Morgan Creek Golf Course

While others courses in the Vancouver area offer challenge and spectacular views – like Northlands Golf Course with its mountainous terrain; and Swan-E-Set Bay Resort Golf & Country Club with its contemporary clubhouse and two-course layout – it’s Morgan Creek that’s the crown jewel of Vancouver golf.

It’s no accident that this Championship, 6,934 yard, par 72 golf course is also the home of the British Columbia PGA. It is simply the user-friendliest course in the entire region, sitting on a gorgeous site just 35 minutes south of Vancouver. The course enjoys the best weather in the entire Vancouver area and with rolling bent grass fairways there is superior drainage for year-round play.

Morgan Creek is the creation by Canadian golf course designer, Thomas McBroom, having the characteristics of a time-honored classic layout - inviting to high-handicappers and challenging to more experienced players.

The 9th green at Morgan Creek

Yet, in shaping the course, traditional methods of landscaping were rejected in favor of natural shaping, so the course follows the natural contours of the land. Creeks and ponds were enhanced, preserving as much of the site's unique character as possible. Hit a ball into one of the environmentally sensitive areas, and you are not allowed to chase after it. So either bring a few extra balls or be accurate off the tees.

It’s a complete course by any and every definition - with waterways and grand old trees left in their natural settings, brilliant white sand bunkers, greens that roll true and are relatively quick, a game improvement center, full banquet facilities, a superb restaurant, corporate & tournament packages, a complete pro shop, and a romantic wedding garden complete the golfing and off-course package.

With five sets of tees (Red, White, Blue, Black), Morgan Creek measures 6,968 yards from the back tees. And at 5,226 yards from the forward tees, provides an enjoyable challenge for players of all levels of ability. Ten ponds either come into play or view, and the creek that gives the course its name gets the players' attention on holes 1,8 and 9 on the front side and again on 17 & 18.

The opening hole, ranging from 325-426 yards depending on the tee box, provides a quick insight into what to expect the rest of the way. The hole doglegs gently to the right leaving your approach shot to carry over Morgan Creek that crosses in front of the green. Your tee shot should favor the left side of the fairway, allowing for a clear shot to the wide yet shallow first green. Miss the approach and your ball will be fish-food.

Teeing off at the 15th tee at Morgan Creek

The next hole, the first of the par-5s, offers a birdie opportunity for a long straight tee shot that carries about 250 yards. But, most golfers will lay-up in the front of the brook that crosses the fairway, making the hole a natural three-hot approach. A gorgeous red maple guards the green from approach shots coming from the left. Birdie is great, but par is a good score on this hole.

Throughout the first nine, accuracy and course management is a priority although the fairways are generously wide and the greens are accommodating. On the fourth hole, for example, the hazard crossing the fairway is 247 yards from the blue tee (218 from the whites) and dictates careful club selection.

At 230 yards, the par-3 eighth hole is a heroic carry over Morgan Creek and its' marshy perimeter. Spectacular and somewhat intimidating in appearance, the hole will play tough. From the back tee it's a fairway wood or long iron shot. The forward tee is on the green side of the creek and, at 107 yards, avoids the long carry.

The closing hole for the front nine is a par-4 that’s 442 yards from the black tees and often plays into the prevailing wind. Although the landing area is wide and receptive, a large pond at the base of the green sets up a daunting pin placement at the right side of the green.

Morgan Creek offers a challenge to all levels of golfers

The back nine starts with the course’ longest par 4 ranging from 401 yards off the reds to 470 from the blacks. It is the first of 3 consecutive tough par 4's. Club selection for the second shot is vital as the long green is very tricky and you should be close to the hole.

The 13th is not only the longest par 5 on the course, ranging in length from 446-562 yards, it’s also one of the most scenic holes and Morgan Creek's signature hole. A tee shot between bunkers on both sides of the fairway will set up your second shot which will be for most players, a lay-up shot short of the lake and creek that guard the undulating green. 

And just when you think you have made it past the most terrifying hole on the course, you are met with four successive holes – a par 5, a par 3 and two par-4s, in which you have to navigate water and well placed hazards.

Nature abounds in Vancouver and around its many courses

But when you are standing on the tee box on the 333-426 yard, 18th, you are ready for a powerful climax to the round and this hole provides it as you hit towards the clubhouse. Often hitting into the prevailing wind, a long, solid second shot is needed to reach the green that is flanked by ascending bunkers on the left slope.

Afterward, you can sit in Morgan Creek's 25,200 sq. ft. clubhouse with its stunning interior design. With full-service banquet facilities, the clubhouse creates just the right atmosphere for weddings, receptions, tournaments, business functions, and seminars. It overlooks the golf course and the North Shore Mountains beyond.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Morgan Creek Golf Course
3500 Morgan Creek Way
South Surrey, B.C. V4P 2J9
Tel: (604) 531-4653
Fax: (604) 531-4652
Director of Golf – Wayne Vollmer
Proshop - (604) 531-4696 or 1-800-513-6555
admin@morgancreekgolf.com
Website: http://www.morgancreekgolf.com