VERNON, British Columbia, Canada -- The Golf Club at The Rise, a Fred Couples Signature Golf Course, opened to the public and tee times can be booked immediately. PGA Tour fan favourite Fred Couples was on site to officially open Okanagan's newest golf course and first Signature Golf Course with the "Freddy and Friends Course Dedication". A self described hockey fan, Couples played the opening round at the Okanagan's only Signature Golf Course with Calgary Flames captain, Jarome Iginla; Boston Bruin Chuck Kobasew; and former NHL'ers Brent Gilchrist and Jeff Finley.
Fred Couples conducted a golf clinic for media and invited guests and then hit the first ceremonial drive before playing the exhibition round. Wearing a wireless microphone, Couples provided commentary on each hole through a mobile loudspeaker for the crowd of 150 people, who followed the players around the course.
"The lake views up here are so incredible. I have such a passion for golf that we really wanted to take our time and build a course that is as stunning as its location," says Fred Couples, "It's exciting now that it's open because I know golfers from all over will want to get up here and experience it for themselves."
Tee times can be booked immediately and the phone number to book is 250 545 7425 or people can email golfinfo@therise.ca. While membership in the golf club is only available with the purchase of real estate at The Rise, the golf course is open for the public to enjoy. Green fees during peak hours are $115 including golf cart, and twilight tee times are $65.
Described by international luxury lifestyle magazine, the Robb Report, as being one of Canada's top new golf courses, The Golf Club at The Rise merges breathtaking scenery with challenges and opportunities for every level of golfer. Integrated into the rugged natural topography of the Vernon highlands, the course incorporates five sets of tees to accommodate all golfers.
Walking the course with Fred Couples, was golf course architect Gene Bates. The championship course was designed by Couples/Bates Design, an affiliation between Fred Couples and award-winning golf course architect Gene Bates. Construction for the 18-hole signature course was by BMR Golf, whose credits also include the award-winning Greywolf at Panorama Mountain Resort and The Dunes in Kamloops.
"The course has turned out even better than we could have dreamed. It is a beautiful addition to the community we are building here at The Rise and a wonderful expansion of the recreation opportunities in Vernon," says Leona Snider, the president and CEO of The Rise.
Speaking at the course dedication, Calgary Flames captain, Jarome Iginla said of the course, "The views are amazing and it looks like it's in mint condition. It's a course that I'll look forward to coming back to."
'Freddy's Friends' are no strangers to the Okanagan as Jarome Iginla is a former player of the Kelowna Rockets, who are currently coached by Jeff Finley. Chuck Kobasew is a native of Osoyoos, while Brent Gilchrist is now a Vernon resident.
For home buyers, The Rise has a wide variety of home site options available. Clearview-the first neighbourhood to be released-is now sold out, but four model homes are available for purchase. Home sites are still available in the neighbourhood of Sagecroft, which boasts beautiful lake views and backs on to a nature preserve.
The quiet, secluded neighbourhood of Watermark with its infinity edge to Okanagan Lake has a few home sites still available. This year The Rise will be releasing three new neighbourhoods of home sites around the expanded vineyard. Details on these neighbourhoods will be announced in July.
Virtual flyovers of The Golf Club at The Rise, a Fred Couples Signature Golf Course, were produced using satellite imagery, aerial photography and on-site footage and can be viewed at: http://therise.ca/virtual-tour.php
Okanagan Hills Development Corporation
Okanagan Hills Development Corporation (OHDC) is building The Rise, Okanagan's signature golf and winery resort. Perched on a south facing hillside overlooking Okanagan Lake, The Rise is 735-acres and located 3.5 km west of the city centre in Vernon, British Columbia. The Rise offers spectacular views down the throat of Okanagan Lake and features a winery, vineyards, lakeside beach club, several enclave neighbourhoods consisting of home sites and villas, hotel and village centre and Western Canada's first Fred Couples Signature Golf Course.
dHz Media
Scott Henderson
+1.403.921.2001
scott.henderson@dhzmedia.ca
