Saskatchewan a hidden gem in Canada for golf courses

Watch above: Saskatchewan’s hidden golf gems shine in the summer months

SASKATOON – Capilano Golf and Country Club in West Vancouver, Glen Abbey in Oakville and Royal Montreal Golf Club are just a few that come to mind when you think of extraordinary golf courses in the country.

But courses in Saskatchewan are on the map and moving up the leader board and with 5.7 million golfers in the country, the province is becoming a golfing destination.

“The writers and the golf writers around Canada have taken notice,” said McLaren Taylor, the general manager and golf professional at Dakota Dunes Golf Links south of Saskatoon.

Dakota Dunes is one course making a charge; hosting some of the best golfers on the PGA TOUR Canada year after year.

“They know we have a short season, they know we have harsh winters, so they’re surprised at the conditions of the golf course,” said Taylor.

The links style course isn’t the only hidden gem in the province.

“If you go for a drive, you can stop almost anywhere and find a good track,” said Mike Doherty from Moonlake Golf and Country Club.

“Saskatchewan is golf crazy, every small town has some sort of facility whether it’s a driving range, could be a sand green golf course, a lot of the great 9 hole golf courses around the province,” said Brian Lee, Golf Saskatchewan executive director.

Saskatchewan has the most golf courses in the country per capita, 288 for over 1.1 million people.

“You have things from sand greens to artificial turf to grass greens to truly what you’d call championship venues and lay outs,” said Kevin O’Donovon, prairie chapter regional director of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.

“I think the diversity is there, I certainly think people have opportunities to look at and decide in an area that say we want to play this today or play that tomorrow.”

Saskatchewan’s golf season lasts about five-and-a-half months but year after year courses continue to be green.

Dakota Dunes and Waskesui Golf Course were named among the top 10 courses in the country to golf for around $50.