In 2013, I literally moved across Canada for mountain golf. My mindset was to enjoy a few years post college, while working and playing some of the best golf courses that Canada has to offer— all while living out in the Canadian Rockies. I started off working at Kananaskis Country Golf Course and then moved onto Greywolf Golf Course, located in the Columbian Valley. Both are top mountain courses here in Canada, but the goal was always to work or play at the Fairmont Banff Springs.

After 2 years in the Rockies, I finally had the opportunity to play the world famous Fairmont Banff Springs. My friends and I drove in from Panorama BC, about a 2 hour drive to Banff. We left early in the morning, and it was still dark upon departure. The sunrise emerged as we were getting into Banff National Park and lit up Castle Mountain. It was amazing timing, and we instantly knew it was going to be one of those days we’d never forget.

In 2013, I literally moved across Canada for mountain golf.

We arrived at the bag drop and to our surprise, the guest service staff were dressed like you would when the course first opened back in 1928; knickers, long socks and the hat. It was a nice touch for a course that has so much history.

The front 9 went okay, but the views made up for it. We made the turn and made our way to the signature hole, the par 3 Devils Cauldron. We were told the group ahead of us finished for the day and we were now following 17 time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar.


It was a back 9 start, par 3 with the wind howling into our face and the Bow River raging down the right side. It was quite the intimidating tee shot, and did not go as planned. A ball was donated to Parks Canada.

We were later met by a herd of elk crossing the fairway, I would learn throughout the round that this was quite normal. You see more wildlife than you do people on the course.

The Caldron is a par 3 elevated tee, with a pond below and a rock face wall of Mount Rundle in the backdrop. It’s one of Canada’s sanctuary golf holes. As Kuchar finished up, I teed up my ball, and to my surprise, Matt was hanging out on the left side watching us hit. Seeing him waiting and watching, definitely added to my nerves. Although the tee shot is breathtaking, it is also intimidating and I now had one of the game’s greats watching me.

I went ahead, hit my ball… and I absolutely flushed it! I hit a baby fade, with the ball disappearing into the clouds, before re-emerging into the backdrop of Mount Rundle. I stuck it to two feet. Kuchar gave me a thumbs up and walked off.

I was completely ecstatic. I just threw an absolute dart, and Matt Kuchar was watching. I later tapped in for birdie which opened the floodgates to a late back 9 charge. I ended up shooting 80 with a +2 back 9.

I’ve played more rounds than I could ever count, but this was one I would surely never forget.


Spencer Arsenault
Sales Manager