CALGARY, Alberta, Canada -- The Canadian Rockies golf-and-resort-lifestyle consortium (CRG) - a collection of six world-class properties boasting 135 holes of scenic mountain golf - is celebrating the close of its debut season with ongoing achievements and acclaim.
In addition to member courses and resorts garnering many awards from celebrated publications, the CRG is establishing a global social networking presence and successfully launched an opt-in e-newsletter which is received by thousands.
CRG destination partners - The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Kananaskis County Golf Course, Silvertip Golf Resort, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club and Canmore Golf & Curling Club - won honors from Golf Digest, SCORE Golf and Wine Spectator "best-of" lists, indicative of the high quality of the destination.
The Fairmont Banff Springs - with its iconic Stanley Thompson, 18-hole layout and castle-like hotel with regal ambiance - earned a top five ranking in Golf Digest's "Top 75 Resorts in North America" list and was included in the publication's "Best 25 International Golf Hotels."
Joining The Fairmont Banff Springs on Digest's "Best 100 Courses Outside the USA" list, is its sister property, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - also boasting a classic Stanley Thompson design - and Kananaskis Country Golf Course. All three were named to Digest's "Best 20 Canadian Courses."
Those courses - along with Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club - were named the first, second, fourth and fifth "Best Public Courses To Play" by SCORE Golf in 2009. Both of Kananaskis's Robert Trent Jones Sr. designs -- the Mt. Kidd and Mt. Lorette courses -- were noted. The Alberta PGA selected Kananaskis's golf professional Bob Paley as its Professional of the Year and the course as the section's Merchandiser of the Year. .
Meanwhile, Silvertip Golf Resort - the home course of PGA Tour Professional Stephen Ames -received a Wine Spectator "List of Excellence" honor for its Rustica Steakhouse offerings. Golf Digest also acknowledged the breathtaking and challenging course - with 600 feet of elevation changes - for its environmental stewardship with the GCSAA / Golf Digest Environmental Leader Award, just one of four given worldwide.
"The awards earned this year are very gratifying and humbling," says Gordon Schultz, spokesman for the consortium. "Our properties work hard to offer unique, high-end golf-and-resort-lifestyle experiences. We're proud of our collective efforts and assets and we hope these honors inspire visitors to learn why our slogan is 'Canadian Rockies Golf: Historic. Dramatic. Untamed.' "
Creating the CRG Web site (www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca) led to the monthly e-newsletter, alerting followers to packages, events and options offered through the consortium. Subscribers were entered to win a 6-day, 5-night trip to the CRG with accommodations, rental cars, and 135 holes of golf.
Furthermore, the CRG has embraced social networking and created a Twitter site (www.twitter.com/CanRockies) which keeps followers apprised of CRG news and value-laden opportunities.
The Canadian Rockies is an ideal destination for outdoor lovers and those looking for unspoiled nature and tranquility amidst abundant natural beauty. Attractions and amenities include award- winning spas, helicopter tours, hiking, fishing, rafting, gourmet restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding and many children's programs.
To view the stunning topography, vacation options and learn more about the area visit www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca. Website visitors can view stay-and-play packages or request custom quotes for trips and packages or they may call 877.323.3633 for more information.
About Canadian Rockies Golf (CRG)
1. Canmore Golf and Curling Club (www.canmoregolf.net, 888.678.4785)
• Valley-based property requires players use all clubs in their bag, narrow fairways challenge all levels of golfers
• Tree-lined course, friendly community atmosphere provides intimacy and camaraderie
• Located at base of Bow Valley, glacier-fed streams lace through course
2. The Fairmont Banff Springs (www.fairmont.com/banffsprings, 800.441.1414)
• Historical course and castle-like hotel with regal ambiance, award-winning Willow Stream Spa and exquisite resort amenities
• 27 holes of golf - 18 Stanley Thompson-designed holes including the 200-yard, par-3 Devil's Cauldron, 147 bunkers, and the 9-hole Tunnel Course
• Panoramic beauty, picturesque-mountain setting nestled between Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle
• Situated in Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
3. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (www.fairmont.com/jasper.com, 800.441.1414)
• Featuring the "wild side of the Rockies" - elk, caribou, coyote, bear and wolves inhabit the national park
• Widely regaled as one of the world's best resort courses
• Designed by Stanley Thompson, the 18 holes carve contours at the feet of mountains
• Located in the heart of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
4. Kananaskis Country Golf Course (www.kananaskisgolf.com, 877.591.2525)
• Robert Trent Jones Sr. exquisitely designed courses, situated in serene Kananaskis Country
• 36 holes played beneath breathtaking Mt. Lorette and Mt. Kidd, after which the courses are respectively named
• Features immaculate lush fairways, famed island-like 4th green on Mt. Kidd course, 140+ silica sand bunkers and the cascading Kananaskis River
5. Silvertip Golf Resort (www.silvertipresort.com, 877.877.5444)
• Home course of PGA Tour Member and 2006 Players Champion Stephen Ames
• Golf Digest rated 4 ½ stars and lauded for environmental sensitivity and maintenance practices
• 600 feet of elevation change, including dramatic par-4 18th with extreme altitude drop from tee to fairway, fairway to green
6. Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club (www.stewartcreekgolf.com/golf, 877.993.GOLF)
• Golf Digest rated 4 ½ stars
• Surrounded by the spellbinding Three Sisters Mountains, practically close enough to touch during play
• Audubon-certified course preserves habitat for plentiful wildlife
NEWS RELEASE CONTACTS:
Jen Voss, jvoss@billycaspergolf.com, 571.830.2531
DanShepherd, dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com, 703.891.3320,
www.buffalocommunications.com
www.twitter.com/buffcomm
