Birdies & Boats at Kamloops Lake

By Andrew Penner

Thanks to my strict three-mulligans-maxium-per-hole rule, I was able to card an exquisite par on the jaw-dropping 7th at Greentee Country Club Tobiano. After celebrating my grand achievement (a couple of fist pumps are usually adequate for a par), I strolled over to the edge of the green and savoured the scene. Way below, on the sun-silvered surface of Kamloops Lake, a threesome of SUPers silently skimmed west, to the reddening sky. A smattering of other small crafts – canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, and the like – bobbed here and there. Everyone, it seemed, was taking full advantage of a gorgeous evening at Tobiano!

Ask any golfer (including mulligan maniacs): it’s easy to enjoy the awesome aura that envelopes GreenTee Country Club Tobiano. This McBroom-designed masterpiece, which swerves over sage-covered bluffs high above Kamloops Lake, is easily one of the most daring and dramatic courses in the country. It’s a showstopper course that should always be on your itinerary when you visit the golf-rich city of Kamloops. 

Unquestionably, that ever-present lake (the course features stunning lake-and-mountain views from every hole) is a big reason why people fall in love with the golf experience at GreenTee Country Club Tobiano. And, as your uninterrupted views will tell you, it’s not just golfers who enjoy it.

Situated in a quiet cove, nearly hidden from the course, is the Bruker Marina; a hot-spot for boaters and water lovers who cherish an evening paddle, a party on a pontoon boat, or a joy-filled jet-ski on the waves. 

Just like the golf course, the Bruker Marina is an energetic hub of this fun-loving community, which is located twenty minutes east of Kamloops on Highway 1. Not surprisingly, given the broad spectrum of boating and beaching activities, the Bruker Marina has tons of options to rent or own your favourite watercraft.  

In fact, whether you gravitate towards the wave-ripping, adrenaline-rush of powerboats or simply love the peaceful experience of self-powering a pedal boat with your significant other, Bruker has you covered. 

While the extensive rental fleet at Bruker – there are also two-person Sea-Doos, ski boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and fishing boats – promises something for everyone, a lot of people (especially after a hot day on the links!) love to just hunker down on the beach, jump in the crystal-cool water, and relax in the shade. It truly is a wonderful, tucked-away spot. 

And, thankfully, nobody will need to go hungry or thirsty when down at the marina. The Dockside Grill, fast-becoming a local legend, serves up delicious pizza, pasta, fries, onion rings, and, a comfort food classic: mouth-watering hot dogs!  

A perfect way to close out your day with your group could be a sunset cruise with a pontoon boat. These luxurious boats – they can accommodate up to 10 people – are the ultimate way to kick back, relax, and have some laughs with your gang. Just grab a bevie and enjoy the warm colours painting the western sky. You can also tally up the scores, divvy up the prizes, and poke fun at the jackass who kept taking mulligans.