Peace Portal Golf Course - One of Vancouver’s Best

- After successfully hosting the Winter Olympics in February, Vancouver, British Columbia has shown the world that it can host any winter sport. However, what you may not know is that golfers can take advantage of the mild climate and dozens of available courses in Vancouver which are open year round. One of those golfing options is Peace Portal Golf Course, which straddles the Canada-U.S. border, and has been a popular international destination for more than 80 years.

Not only is Peace Portal Golf Course ranked as one of the top 100 public courses by Canada’s Golf Ranking Magazine, it also features a colorful history. Envisioned by Sam Hill, a Seattle lawyer, the golf course and nearby international Peace Arch at the border crossing both were constructed in the 1920s. The clubhouse and golf course construction began in 1927 and charter members formed a club at the fledgling course in 1928, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2008.

Since Prohibition existed in the United States at this time, Hill envisioned a resort where Americans could drive north over the newly cemented highway, arrive via the Great Northern Railway, or by water into Drayton Harbor at Blaine. Visitors would arrive at the resort just across the border where serving liquor was legal and enjoy fine dining, a beautiful beach and an 18-hole golf course.

Located in South Surrey, just south of Vancouver, Peace Portal Golf Course receives only 43 inches of rain annually compared to Vancouver’s 63 inches of rain. And rain or shine, Peace Portal’s general manager Rob Falk says they are ready to welcome the world. Peace Portal is a good golfing choice, as it recently received Golf Digest’s 4 star rating.

The 18-hole, par 72 course measures 6,388 yards and carries a 70.6 rating and 131 slope. According to Falk, practice facilities include a putting green, chipping green and grass practice range. The clubhouse offers a coffee shop, lounge and outdoor patio. The fully functional golf shop offers amenities to both the public and current membership. In addition, the golf shop offers power cart rentals, pull cart rentals, minor repairs, Canadian PGA lessons, golf apparel and a full line of Callaway golf equipment.

According to associate golf professional Paul Boucher, Peace Portal Golf Course was designed by Francis L. James. “This is a good test of golf, since the course is quite hilly and presents a new challenge every round,” says Boucher. “There are ample bunkers throughout, along with large old growth trees, and a creek running through the middle of the course. Small greens are also prevalent on most holes.

The short par 4, 17th is the signature hole, says Boucher. “The hole is only 350 yards, but there’s a lake on the left, a creek on the right, and an elevated green that proves quite challenging,” Boucher explains.

Located 40 minutes south of Vancouver, Peace Portal Golf Course is one of the oldest and most challenging course in the province. For more information or to schedule a tee time, call 800-354-7544 or visit www.peaceportalgolf.com.