
Photo Review: Shuswap National Golf Club
Reading Time: 5 minutes Local architect Dave Barr attempts to blend old Scottish design with modern, rugged BC golf. See the results here:
Information:
- Salmon Arm, British Columbia
- Public – Daily Fee
- Dave Barr (2007)
The town of Salmon Arm also features the newly rebranded Shuswap National Golf Club, just a little bit south of Salmon Arm Golf Club. What used to be Canoe Creek, the new ownership came in and rebranded, revamping the course. I’ll admit straight up: this golf course is weird, and isn’t really my cup of tea, but they are truly marketing geniuses. The name has no impact on the golf course, but the conditioning, the scorecard (very clean), the logo is an improvement, and the overall vibe of this place is cool. I like nearby Salmon Arm Golf Club more, but I think I’d choose Shuswap National to play at every day.
But now that I’ve given props to the new owners for the brilliant rebrand, I can’t believe they chose the name Shuswap National. If you didn’t know, usually, if a club has “national” in their name, it’s a national membership. Think about it: Augusta National, Butler National, Bluejack National. Most of their members don’t live in Augusta, Oak Brook or Montgomery. It’s weird to me that a public golf course, in Salmon Arm, British Columbia (pop. 17,000) decided to put National in their name. But anyways, that’s besides the point, and not an issue if the golf is good. Let’s get into the photo tour!

After walking 185 yards back to the 2nd tee (no, really, 185 yards. The picture below shows me behind the 150 stake from hole 1)…

…you’re greeted with a weird 550 yard par 5 that kinda bends around fake mounding. I assume this is to tie in with the whole Scottish low country theme on about 2/3’s of the hole.

















So as you can see in the photos, it goes from flat and a faux links style course, to crazy mountain golf, then back down to the faux links style. And I don’t even mind the links inspired holes. It’s the mountain stretch from 10-14 that ruins the course for me. Everything else you can overlook in my opinion, because most of the local golf courses always have something wrong with it that must be overlooked, but the crazy mountain holes are really poorly done.
Overall, not the best golf course. Weird, gimmicky and strange at times, but the course was in great shape which is shocking for this area in early June. It’s got a cool vibe, and I would return to play the front nine only as a quick little jaunt around.
Do you know Dave Barr?
No, I don’t. I’ve seen him hang around the Kelowna Golf & Country Club before though, but never have had a conversation with him. Seems like a great guy.