Dear International Living Reader,

The Okanagan Valley offers golf courses to suit all skill levels, including two top courses in Kelowna itself. The Harvest course was rated fourth in Canada and voted the British Columbia facility of the year in 200l and 2002. Its position on the Okanagan Lake encompasses an orchard/vineyard operation. It is an 18-hole course, 7,109 yards, and par 72. Regular green fees are $68, corporate fees are $40. Full membership is $1,490 per year (regular player); annual corporate membership is $2,010. However, that level rebates 4l% off regular green fees, and guests and family can play. There is no initiation fee. The course is open for play mid-March through Oct. 3l.

Gallagher’s Canyon, also with a sweeping panorama over the city and Okanagan Lake, offers a par 72, also on l8 holes, 6,792 yards, 70.l, with a slope of l23. Regular play costs $70 in high season, $57 in low season. There’s a one-time initiation fee for membership (corporate, $l3,000; annual, $l,060).

Gallagher’s Canyon also offers a 9-hole, mid-length Pinnacle course. Jack Nicklaus opened the season in 2000. A special event last year was the BMO Financial Group R.C.G.A. and American Junior Golf, which featured the top 40 Canadian and top 40 American junior players. Tiger Woods is a graduate of this event.
For more information, visit http://www.bcgolfguide.com/ .

With the Canadian dollar equal to about 77 US cents, we make an awful lot of sense right now. Kelowna has an international airport, the 11th busiest in North America. For more information on the region, go to http://www.kelownainfo.com/ .

Connie Reynolds
for International Living