Playing golf in Vancouver Canada (NO POLITICS!)

[Shushwap]

8 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

Golf in the USA.

 

With the upcoming risk of tariffs and the expected ongoing trade issues for the next 4 years, I am so glad that I did my Pebble Beach trip last year when the dollar was somewhat reasonable.

 

Will the FX impact your trips next year?

 

I am thinking of doing Ireland or Portugal vs visiting the US for the next few years.  I have already cancelled a trip to see the new course at Gamble Sands.  Instead I am going to Banff and Jasper.  Was extremely lucky to snag some really good campsites and times last Friday.  Sites for 35 foot plus rigs are limited in the National Parks.

 

What about those that play in Bellingham regularly?  Given how expensive golf is in GVRD maybe it will not have a real impact.

The dollar is going to impact holidays in the US... I know a few people that are planning holidays outside the USA for later this year 

A  friend had been thinking about buying in the US to winter golf.. he says he's looking at Mexico or possibly NZ for next winter 

[Golfnuck]

2 hours ago, myspinonit said:

 Our hobby lately seems to be booking and cancelling trips and the current $ and unrest  has exacerbated that. We already had cancelled Palm Springs for December largely from:

a) been there done that  a few times recently and

b) (mostly) just plain expense, and  golf-wise my wife really doesn’t enjoy it  much.   So we thought we would look at  Canada- only travel and have booked  a week on Van Island in June. 

 

But still wanting some Fall or winter getaway, not great options above the 49th,  we had a  cruise to Hawaii cruise booked. But this morning before the hammer came down we cancelled it. Giving the name of “47” as the cancel reason I  suggested they might want to make that a category as I expect they will get a lot of CDN cancels.  

 

But even after hammer came down today we decided we really miss Maui (last visit was late 2019 just before Covid) and booked two weeks in October. Though probably even more bucks than PS, we don’t feel badly supporting the Maui folks  after their rough ride. My wife even gets excited to play a few of the "locals “ courses there again, especially Pukalani and it will be fun for us to do Maui Nui again and the real locals course, Waiehu. It is also a significant birthday for me a year from now so this might be my early celebration for that and the last trip to US for a while.   I missed another significant birthday trip  five years ago as it was right in Covid lockdown so this will be a double treat after six years away.   

 

That could change I guess if the dollar really tanks in the next 7 months before we hit the free cancel deadline.  

 

If you are concerned about where the CAD$ vs US$ is going you could hedge the exchange rate and change what you think you will need to US$ now.  I am a little bit lucky in that respect in that I am able to access US$ on a regular basis and have been sitting on them for a while.  Of course the downside is the return on US$ in a CAD bank is terrible.  Even with that I have little desire for going to the US right now.  

 

Have you considered going to Portugal vs Hawaii.  A bit longer trip but living costs there are more reasonable and the golf is pretty good.  But sitting on a beach under a palm tree in Maui is pretty good.  The CAD to US and CAD to Euro is pretty close.

Edited February 1 by Golfnuck

[myspinonit]

6 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

 

If you are concerned about where the CAD$ vs US$ is going you could hedge the exchange rate and change what you think you will need to US$ now.  I am a little bit lucky in that respect in that I am able to access US$ on a regular basis and have been sitting on them for a while.  Of course the downside is the return on US$ in a CAD bank is terrible.  Even with that I have little desire for going to the US right now.  

 

Have you considered going to Portugal vs Hawaii.  A bit longer trip but living costs there are more reasonable and the golf is pretty good.  But sitting on a beach under a palm tree in Maui is pretty good.  The CAD to US and CAD to Euro is pretty close.

Thanks. We actually don’t lie on the beach, some years there I haven’t, strangely to most people probably, even gone in the ocean. So that eliminates any attraction for say an all inclusive  deal package to Mexico resorts etc.    I have suggested Portugal or Spain to my wife a few times ( even today before we booked Maui) but the “what would we do there? ”, language issue and airfare cost replies  back were good  responses.

 

The Westjet Companion Fare we get annually has taken a lot of the sting out of getting to Maui in years past and I just got a Rogers  credit card that gives us 3% back on foreign purchases that we can use to paying for Rogers services. While that doesn’t help with the Forex, it at least offsets the extra 2.5%  that the credit card company's computer adds on to compensate for the nanosecond to do the exchange calculation.

 

We were in Maui almost ten years in a row up to 2019 when prices started to really climb and we said then “I guess we have done Maui now”.  Of course when we could not go with Covid and later there was the Lahaina issue we started to miss it. But post Covid  prices there went even more nuts, not just the Forex, and then the fire discouraged travel for a bit anyway. Now they want tourist dollars for support.

 

 The cruise we just cancelled today was to Hawaii with a day stop in Maui,   finally stopping now  after the Lahaina fire. We were seriously considering playing a  round there that day ( probably Pukalani, fond memories). So the memories  were already flowing that way.  The actions by 47 today and finding what looks like a good and not outrageous condo were the pushes to get us there perhaps one last time and that excites us. My big birthday in just over a year has both a 7 and a 5 in it and I wonder how long more I would want to lug golf clubs on an air vacation, especially as my wife isn’t  that keen on golf now. This trip  is perhaps our last hurrah there. 

Edited February 1 by myspinonit

[myspinonit]

1 hour ago, Shushwap said:

The dollar is going to impact holidays in the US... I know a few people that are planning holidays outside the USA for later this year 

A  friend had been thinking about buying in the US to winter golf.. he says he's looking at Mexico or possibly NZ for next winter 

A trip to NZ  and renting was on my radar but the right  hand drive is a deal-breaker for us. Lots of horror stories  of tourists in accidents on those roads. Great place and great people.

 

Edited February 1 by myspinonit

[Treats]

11 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

Golf in the USA.

What about those that play in Bellingham regularly?  Given how expensive golf is in GVRD maybe it will not have a real impact.

Loomis increased their after 1pm walking promo in 2025 by 14%. $80 vs $70 Cdn last year. Includes a sleeve of Z Stars.

 

The big question mark is Bald Eagle (Point Roberts). It's to open this year.

It will be a gigantic feat to get this course into good playing conditions.

It's been closed for 5+ years.

25 years ago, it was a good course to visit/play.

From 2010-2019 it's been in pathetic shape with financial troubles.

[Treats]

3 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

Have you considered going to Portugal

Great weather.

Good value for golf, accomodations and dining out.

But, it's a bit of a trek from the west coast...a great choice for the east coast.

[Treats]

5 hours ago, unskinnybop99 said:

I really wish Homestead would open. They are involve in a massive lawsuit. I hope things work out for those poor homeowners. That course was my go to whenever in the states....great value when it was in good shape. 

Yes, I enjoyed Homestead years ago.

BUT, it's been in terrible shape for many years. Therefore, cheap green fees during those years.

 

Nice to stop for ice cream either to or from travelling to Costco/and or Bellingham shopping after golf.

I also liked the greasy spoon hamburger joint in Lynden.

 

Ya, the lawsuit is a mess.

 

IMO...North Bellingham was kinda average...I found it a bit boring.

The Bellingham area is kinda a golf mecca. 8 pretty good courses.

[myspinonit]

Just heard on CBC that clothing and sports equipment will be included in the Canadian-implemented tariffs.  So if there is an in stock item that you have been waffling on buying and want to spend the coin…..

 

Luckily I overbought Srixon balls mostly on deal prices so my stash is good for at least this season. And  I wasn’t going to replace my clubs and already regripped them all.

Edited February 2 by myspinonit

[IcemanYVR]

4 minutes ago, myspinonit said:

Just heard on CBC that clothing and sports equipment will be included in the Canadian-implemented tariffs.  So if there is an in stock item that you have been waffling on buying and want to spend the coin…..

 

I hear Mizuno makes good clubs 😉

[myspinonit]

17 minutes ago, IcemanYVR said:

 

I hear Mizuno makes good clubs 😉

Lol.  So does Miura and my PP-9003’s are still in good shape and ready to start their 14th (!!!) season with new midsize grips.  

 

Not golf anytime soon though looking out the window. I see mac and cheese (i.e. food on hand) in our future for dinner tonight…Should have bought more Argentina Malbec yesterday  though to sip with the M and C with all this kerfuffle going on. 

Edited February 2 by myspinonit

[Shushwap]

On 1/31/2025 at 5:58 PM, myspinonit said:

A trip to NZ  and renting was on my radar but the right  hand drive is a deal-breaker for us. Lots of horror stories  of tourists in accidents on those roads. Great place and great people.

 

I have done the right hand drive thing a few times.. a person needs  to pay attention.. I have been on the wrong side of the road more then once 😆 

Funny you say that about accidents as my buddy was there a few years ago and he was in a accident.. other drivers fault 

His theory behind it is the weather and the longer daylight hours 

[Shushwap]

2 hours ago, myspinonit said:

Just heard on CBC that clothing and sports equipment will be included in the Canadian-implemented tariffs.  So if there is an in stock item that you have been waffling on buying and want to spend the coin…..

 

Luckily I overbought Srixon balls mostly on deal prices so my stash is good for at least this season. And  I wasn’t going to replace my clubs and already regripped them all.

I was on the fence about buying a new driver this year.. I guess we'll see what impact the tarrifs have on golf in general... 

 

[myspinonit]

13 minutes ago, Shushwap said:

I have done the right hand drive thing a few times.. a person needs  to pay attention.. I have been on the wrong side of the road more then once 😆 

Funny you say that about accidents as my buddy was there a few years ago and he was in a accident.. other drivers fault 

His theory behind it is the weather and the longer daylight hours 

A  lot of locals (like locals here sometimes) can speed like nuts on familiar yet narrow and winding roads.  There is  a run from Auckland (I I think it was Auckland) to another town that locals race to beat the best times. 

On one of our tours  the bus driver pointed out a vehicle up in a tree off the road at a curve! 

 

The exchange rate to CDN $ in NZ or Aussie can be tempting though…. Anyone going to NZ  for golf probably needs to clean shoes and clubs very carefully first as there is a  very thorough agriculture  contamination check on one’s person and luggage. One imagines any trace blip would result in all the golf bag being emptied and checked at a minimum. Of course that cleaning is also good  for US air travel as well as any fertilizer can be sensed and sets off a caution (since fertilzer can be used as an explosive). 

 

Edited February 2 by myspinonit

[Golfnuck]

1 hour ago, myspinonit said:

Of course that cleaning is also good  for US air travel as well as any fertilizer can be sensed and sets off a caution (since fertilzer can be used as an explosive). 

 

 

 

That is an excellent reminder, especially for those of us that put our golf shoes in our travel bags.  I was told this by the gal at YVR where you drop off the oversized bags.  She said most will have clean clubs but the shoes are an issue sometimes.

Edited February 2 by Golfnuck

[Phireside]

4 hours ago, IcemanYVR said:

 

I hear Mizuno makes good clubs 😉

I've got a fitting booked for the new S3's and am wondering if there will be an impact. Even though they are Japanese, they get assembled and shipped from the US as far as I know.

[myspinonit]

18 minutes ago, Phireside said:

I've got a fitting booked for the new S3's and am wondering if there will be an impact. Even though they are Japanese, they get assembled and shipped from the US as far as I know.

Since it’s Mizuno Golf USA I think it’s unfortunately a good bet.

 

I also think sadly it is going to feel like it is Groundhog Day for a while. 

 

 

Edited February 2 by myspinonit

[IcemanYVR]

25 minutes ago, Phireside said:

I've got a fitting booked for the new S3's and am wondering if there will be an impact. Even though they are Japanese, they get assembled and shipped from the US as far as I know.

I’m not sure. But does this mean I need to give up my Titleists? 

[myspinonit]

1 hour ago, IcemanYVR said:

I’m not sure. But does this mean I need to give up my Titleists? 

$100 a doz for PV1’s?….ouch.  

 

[myspinonit]

2 hours ago, IcemanYVR said:

I’m not sure. But does this mean I need to give up my Titleists? 

Golf equipment isn’t included in the first phase from what I can see. (Unless you are a real “bomber” and use a grenade.🙂).  

But clothing  and shoes are. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/02/list-of-products-from-the-united-states-subject-to-25-per-cent-tariffs-effective-february-4-2025.html

[mukster]

We were in Portugal for two weeks last year. Played golf three times. Great place and wonderful people. Got a good tip playing with a German couple that own a house there. They register with  the the Portugese version of the Canadian golf association and you get discount on most courses. Worth spending the initial cash to register. 
 

Fortunately I grew up driving on the other side of the road, so NZ is definitely on the agenda. We were packed to go some years ago, but the world shut down the day we were supposed to fly out due to a nasty virus. 
 

 

[Golfnuck]

Have my name in the draw for Bandon for Sept to Dec 2026.  Was planning a Sept trip for a bunch of guys.  We usually go to Phoenix or Palm Springs but Bandon was a trip our golf group leader was trying to get us to go on.  Unexpectly he passed last year.  So we hoped to go to Bandon and raise a drink or 5 in his memory.  Had a call with the remaining guys and clearly no one has any desire to go to the US.  A few ideas but no clear path forward as to where we are going.  We just know it will not be to the US.  I suppose memories are always short but I don't know if this is going to take some years to ignore.

[bekgolf]

5 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

Have my name in the draw for Bandon for Sept to Dec 2026.  Was planning a Sept trip for a bunch of guys.  We usually go to Phoenix or Palm Springs but Bandon was a trip our golf group leader was trying to get us to go on.  Unexpectly he passed last year.  So we hoped to go to Bandon and raise a drink or 5 in his memory.  Had a call with the remaining guys and clearly no one has any desire to go to the US.  A few ideas but no clear path forward as to where we are going.  We just know it will not be to the US.  I suppose memories are always short but I don't know if this is going to take some years to ignore.

 

Maybe you can play in BC?  Lots of nice courses there.

[Golfnuck]

6 hours ago, bekgolf said:

 

Maybe you can play in BC?  Lots of nice courses there.

 

The group has done a lot of BC courses.  We have done Victoria, upper Island, interior - Kamloops, Kelowna and Osoyoos, and Cranbrook area.

 

All great trips but start to get iffy in late September or October.

[Golfnuck]

GreenTree purchased Tobiano Golf Club.  Not sure if they have purchased the development lands too.  Anyone have more info on this?

[Treats]

11 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

GreenTree purchased Tobiano Golf Club.  Not sure if they have purchased the development lands too.  Anyone have more info on this?

From my understanding it was an all or nothing deal. Vetting/due diligence occuring, that's why it took longer to negotiate a deal.

Course, development lands and marina.

[Golfnuck]

11 hours ago, Treats said:

From my understanding it was an all or nothing deal. Vetting/due diligence occuring, that's why it took longer to negotiate a deal.

Course, development lands and marina.

 

That makes sense.

 

In 2011 I was helping a developer friend who was looking to buy Tower Ranch which was in receivership.  Essentially two parcels - one with the golf course and 133 acres (about 500 doors) beside the course.  They were only interested in the development land but realized that they had to control the golf course in order to get the best values from the development.  It was pretty interesting - a quick example Tower Ranch had 92 members at that time.  The club house was stratified in two parcels, one owned by Tower Ranch (proshop, restaurants etc) and the other owned by the members ("homeowners" lounge, shower/change rooms).  Ultimately we were not successful in the bid.

 

I expect that Tobiano is in a similar situation.  The real prize is the development.  Running a golf course successfully is difficult.

 

Just look at Wesbild and Westwood Plateau.  Sold the golf course as soon as development was finished and look at it now.  Hopefully GreenTree can bring it back to its former self.

Edited February 16 by Golfnuck

[Treats]

39 minutes ago, Golfnuck said:

Running a golf course successfully is difficult.

 

Just look at Wesbild and Westwood Plateau.  Sold the golf course as soon as development was finished and look at it now.  Hopefully GreenTree can bring it back to its former self.

Yes, never mind trying to make a profit with the course closed for 5.5 months. I wonder if JKWG is taking out financing or paid cash or a combo.

 

Ya, WP was kinda a "gold standard" course in the GVRD 25 years ago. Played few corporate scramble events too.

Because of the poor conditions for quite some time, I haven't played it for many years.

[Shushwap]

On 2/3/2025 at 7:22 AM, Golfnuck said:

 

The group has done a lot of BC courses.  We have done Victoria, upper Island, interior - Kamloops, Kelowna and Osoyoos, and Cranbrook area.

 

All great trips but start to get iffy in late September or October.

Have you come up with any idea for a winter golf trip... I have a few friends in the same boat... Trying to figure out where to go this winter for a golf getaway... Mexico is so over priced golf wise..

[myspinonit]

19 hours ago, Shushwap said:

Have you come up with any idea for a winter golf trip... I have a few friends in the same boat... Trying to figure out where to go this winter for a golf getaway... Mexico is so over priced golf wise..

Or a  curling bonspiel in Moose Jaw perhaps? 😀

 

My winter golf has been restricted to Maui or Palm Springs. The only “reasonable” rates I have come across have been:

-the two Tahquitz courses in Palm Springs( buying the $40 monthly Vantage pass. But the pass only gives 3 day booking so if coming after December tee times get booked up by visitors paying the full shot booking up to 30 days ahead. That could change I guess depending on Canadians staying away and the economy. 

- three of the Maui courses:  Maui Nui (often  a multi round discount card available), Pukalani and Waiehu. The latter two  (especially Waiehu) are local friendly courses and we liked them. Haven’t been back since Covid though.

 

But once one adds on nearly 50 percent exchange and credit card fees now really not a bargain.

 

We had booked Maui for next October but cancelled with everything going on now.  Instead we did grit our teeth and just booked a “round trip” cruise from Van to Hawaii to San Diego in October and will try to fly home the same day we dock in San D (though we love San D).

Edited March 7 by myspinonit

[myspinonit]

Just had cataract surgery in my right eye this week-moved up quickly from a cancellation.  The other one may be done soon so hopefully not much golf interruption.  Looking forward to seeing the ball further away.  Went  for a lens option that should give very good distance,  mid and close vision so it will be interesting to see if my ball striking also improves, especially as my right eye has been the weaker one. Too early to tell as it only has been a few days since surgery and the eye is still settling in.  

 

I had considered finally getting fitted to update my still-loved 2012 Miura irons but these particular lenses are a lot more coin that I expected.  So I’ll hope that improved vision may up my game.  The Mrs. is not supportive if I were to buy a new club(s) right now.

 

Oh, I posted a little while ago this off-season about adding midsize grips for arthritis ( CP2 Wrap). That was done and I hit a few buckets while I could before the surgery. My shotmaking was inconsistent (as usual, lol) exacerbated by a winter layoff. But I was presently surprised that I felt very comfortable with the larger grips (hardly thought about them really) and was not bothered by the static weight or swingweight changes. 

Edited March 7 by myspinonit