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BooTLEG GAP
Golf
PAR 3 193 yARDS
Kimberley, BC
250.427.7077
www.bootleggapgolf.com
Once the home of the famous Sullivan Mine, Kimberley, British Columbia, has
become a hub of world-class golfing, skiing, hiking, biking, and fly fishing, with a
distinct Bavarian flair from the European miner influence of the past. Amidst this
charming atmosphere is Bootleg Gap Golf's signature par-3 12th hole.
One of 27 holes at the public Furber-designed course, the 12th offers a dramatic
193-yard dive along a hoodoo rock formation and is the first of three holes rimming
the beautiful St. Mary's River, a stretch that is sure to restore the spirit, even as it tests
the skill.
An elevated tee box, usually affected by crosswinds, leads to a well-protected green
50 feet below. If you judged wind direction and speed correctly, you'll be rewarded
with a sense of accomplishment as the ball softly lands on the green between an
array of bunkers large and small, away from a rough treed slope that sits just off the
back edge. Club selection is more critical than ever here, making for a great risk/
reward experience.
The other 17 holes of the championship course, which is suitable for all levels,
combine spacious fairways with a few tighter riverside holes where accuracy is at
a premium. The Rec-9 track, ideal for beginners or casual players, is a beautifully
maintained hybrid course with a collection of par 3s, 4s, and a great 5. Bootleg Gap
Golf also has one of the best practice facilities in the region. In the background,
beautiful vistas of Bootleg and Pudding Burn Mountains make both these facilities
particularly scenic.
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Photograph by Don Weixl
