Whistler, B.C. - April 29 marks the earliest opening date on record for the Whistler Golf Club, with daily spring rates of $99 Cdn per person.

Exceptional weather allowed for the earliest opening for Whistler Golf Club's driving range and Learning and Performance Centre on April 2 and outstanding golf course conditions have prompted an early start to the season.

Whistler Locals' Day will be held May 5, offering green fees of $39 Cdn per person with proceeds from the event donated to charity. The Whistler Golf Club will be accepting applications for charity recipients until April 29. For more information contact Alan Kristmanson, General Manager, Whistler Golf Club at (604) 932-3280.

Whistler Golf Club's B.C. Residents Program offers B.C. golf enthusiasts the opportunity to play a round of golf for as low as $59 Cdn per person during the spring season (April 29 - May 26). B.C. residents can book tee times one week in advance to receive reduced rates throughout the season as well as additional rate reductions for foursomes comprised of B.C. residents. Green fee schedules are available online at www.whistlergolf.com.

With a wide selection of seasons passes available, members can take advantage of the club's convenient location and excellent course conditions any time throughout the season. The Standby Pass at $1295 Cdn entitles holders to unlimited golf at the Whistler Golf Club all season, advance booking after 5 p.m. the day before weekday play, walk-on
privileges on weekends and holidays and preferred rates at all Intrawest Golf courses. The pass also allows golfers to purchase a range pass for $300 Cdn (a savings of $295 Cdn) which provides unlimited range balls during the weekday.

Available again this year, the Palmer Pass at $1895 Cdn offers all the features of the Standby Pass plus the flexibility of 30-day advance booking privileges on weekdays.

Whistler Golf Club's Players Club provides golfers the advantage preferred rates when booking tee times on-line for the upcoming week. Membership fee is $59 Cdn per person.

Whistler Golf Club's Learning and Performance Centre is open to golfers anxious to fine-tune their swing with the advice of CPGA teaching professionals. Starting May 3, the 5 Session Spring Clinic at $189 Cdn includes five one-hour clinics for beginners, intermediates or ladies-only as well as five sunset green fees valid anytime. Visitors are also reminded that the new 2005 demo equipment has arrived and the centre promises to match any sale price in B.C. for current clubs.

Early season room rates and customized vacation packages, event listings and Whistler information are available online at www.tourismwhistler.com or by calling 1-800-WHISTLER (1-800-944-7853).

Located just steps from Whistler Village, the Arnold Palmer-designed Whistler Golf Club features spectacular mountain views and a relaxed atmosphere with rolling fairways amidst lakes, creeks and old growth trees. The Whistler golf season runs through early October.

Whistler Golf Club is a member of Golf Whistler, a collection of four signature golf courses which work in partnership with Tourism Whistler to promote Canada's premier golf destination. Other members of Golf Whistler include Nicklaus North Golf Course, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club and Big Sky Golf and Country Club. On April 16, Big Sky Golf and Country Club kicked off the golf season. Whistler Golf Club opens on April 29 and by May 6 each of Whistler's four championship golf courses are expected to be open for play and ready for an exciting year with a host of events, packages and programs. Information, tee times and complete Whistler golf vacation packages are available at www.golfwhistler.com.

Tourism Whistler is the member-based marketing and sales organization representing Whistler, and operating the TELUS Conference Centre at Whistler, the Whistler Golf Club and www.tourismwhistler.com, the Official Site of Whistler. As the convention and visitors bureau for the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Tourism Whistler represents more than 7,000 members who own, manage and operate properties or businesses on
resort lands including hotels, restaurants, activity operators and retail shops.

Whistler publication-ready photographs can be downloaded at http://mediaroom.tourismwhistler.com/

Media contact:
Breton Murphy - Manager, Community & Media Relations
Telephone: 604-935-3356
E-mail: bmurphy@tourismwhistler.com
Websites: www.tourismwhistler.com or www.golfwhistler.com