Life is simple. Eat. Sleep. Play GolfBy Jane CassieHis muscular arms are tanned a golden bronze and his face bares the well-worn leather-look from excessive sun. As he turns to walk away, the bold saying on his t-shirt clarifies why. ‘Life is simple. Eat. Sleep. Play golf.’ I chuckle at this statement, not because it’s unrealistic or a fantasy but because we are, ironically, en route to BC’s Okanagan to do just that! It’s a destination that truly exemplifies this laid back philosophy, for within semi-arid valleys, vineyards and orchards, sunshine glistens abundantly over more than fifty unique golf courses.
Fair-feathered friends are definitely a beautifying bonus when playing Predator Ridge, but they’re not the only kind of birdies that I’m hoping to see on this trip. I’m in search of the ones out there on those greens, the ones that create overwhelming euphoria, yes, those elusive strokes under par! But who am I fooling? I’ve golfed a handful of times, and although I’m looking forward at playing on this veritable oasis that hosted Sergio Garcia, Fred Couples, Mike Weir, and Phil Mickelson, during the Skins game last August, I am certainly nowhere near their league. In fact, as our tee time draws closer, I feel somewhat intimidated by the expansive yardage that lies ahead. The one consoling factor is that Predator Ridge offers me friendly forward tees that will definitely be ‘right up my alley’! “Just relax, and follow through with your swing,” he tactfully suggests, in an effort to salvage my rapidly waning confidence while I warm up. Although not flaunting the ‘life is simple…’ apparel, Len Harvey’s easygoing aura indicates his long-term relationship with ‘the links’ and for the past forty-seven years his knowledge has enlightened many a player, including novices like myself. Predator Ridge feels honoured to include him in their Golf Academy team, and when uniting with the Golf Director, Dean Atkinson, and two other qualified pros, the accumulated years of expertise surpasses the century mark. Now that’s a lot of knowledge! “Golf is a very simple game played by complicated people,” Dean later shares. “Our goal is to look at the assets that each player possesses and get them to focus their awareness on that.” With a ratio of four students to one instructor, this goal is not only attainable, it is also invaluable for each player. And as I find out later on the links, so are my few moments spent with Len Harvey.
Although our cottage’s well-equipped kitchen has met our mealtime needs, we decide to head to the clubhouse after our last round of golf, where exquisite menu choices satisfy our famished appetites. We both agree that it’s been a fabulous two days and while gazing out at the shimmering fairways we chuckle and agree on our new-found philosophy. ‘Life is simple. Eat. Sleep. Play golf.’ Predator Ridge Golf Resort Images Compliments of Predator Ridge Golf Resort |
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In search of a challenging course offering on-site accommodation, we are directed to the outskirts of Vernon, where our back road jaunt leads past weather worn barns and grazing livestock. We feel doubtful, that the surrounding grasslands could possibly transform into emerald greens until we crest a plateau and are privy to a jaw-dropping vista. Sprawled over 1200 heavenly acres, meticulously groomed fairways flank billowing wheat grass meadows, hug rugged bedrock ridges, and weave their way around pristine lakeshores. Although home to over seventy avian species, favouritism has been extended to the Red Tail, Osprey, and Peregrine whose names signature the three courses and rightly so, for this the home of Predator Ridge Golf Resort. 
In respect for Mother Nature, Predator’s three courses fit her contours like a glove, and well-placed bunkers, undulating plateaus, and lower level ravines provide exceptional challenges over diverse terrain. Over the next two days we play combinations of two nines for our full course complement, and I feel grateful for the GPS programmed cart that transports us 7100 yards for each set of eighteen. We enjoy the diversity of the courses from open-faced fairways boasting a true links feel, to teeing in trees that snake through narrow valleys, and on Osprey’s hole number five, Len’s valuable tip definitely pays off. Yes, from my first hand experience, birdies are alive and well here – and I’m not just talking hawks!.JPG)
While playing Peregrine’s seventh, eighth, and ninth fairways, we are surrounded by the fifty-one luxurious craftsman style cottages that beautifully terrace up the hillside and interconnect by meandering pathways. Embraced by stands of fir and pine, they meld harmoniously with nature and like predators, each one offers an outstanding view from its perfectly perched location. At this point in the game I am feeling a little need of some pampering and look forward to returning to our cottage where its sumptuous interior may prompt some TV time while cuddling next to the fire. Or maybe we could pay a visit to the adjacent outdoor cabana where a soak in the pool and hot tub would soothe my tired triceps.