Eagle Point Golf Course

The scenic morning drive from Athabasca to Wabasca was under cool and overcast cloud cover but the forecast was calling for blue skies and above average temperatures. Wabasca, which many probably aren't aware of, is located in the Boreal Plains of Northern Alberta, the largest intact forest on earth.

As you pull into the parking lot of the Eagle Point GC, what first catches your eye is a truly imposing clubhouse that would be the envy of any private course. Included in the clubhouse is a well stocked pro shop, restaurant and bar area as well as banquet and meeting rooms.

Designed by one of my favorite golf architects, Sid Puddicombe, Eagle Point GC is an 18 hole, Par 72 championship course which initially opened with nine holes in 2013 and was followed by the back nine coming to fruition in 2022. With four tee boxes on each hole, playing distances vary from 5,456 yards to 7,101 yards making this course attractive to any and all skill levels. Facilities to improve your game can be found just outside the front door, where golfers can take advantage of a driving range capable of handling 325 yard drives, a groomed practice bunker as well as an enormous 8,000 square foot practice green. This is a golf course that is easily walkable but if you're not up to it, they have a sizable fleet of Yamaha golf carts available.

Eagle Point introduces itself to golfers with a 401-yard, dogleg left Par 4. Hitting your drive to right centre gets you past the dogleg which gives you a good view of a large green set against the background of the lake. Wide, rolling ribbons of fairway make their way seamlessly through tall, mature stands of aspen, pine, poplar and spruce. The 26 white silica sand bunkers on the course are used sparingly in the fairways but used to great effect to accentuate numerous greens that average 6500 square feet in size. The bent grass greens are also complimented by surrounding grassy mounds and swales that add to their character. The collection of Par 3's (holes 3, 6, 14 & 17) are all great fun. As you head to the back nine, the drivable 15th hole, 307 yard par-4 is an ideal risk/reward test for players willing to go for it. Hole 18, a slight dog leg right Par 5, 555 yard finishing hole whose green is set in front of the picturesque clubhouse. Long hitters can go for the green in two but that decision may be tempered by a fairway that falls off steeply up the left side as you work your way to the large, two tiered green. A good finish to a great course that rewards good shots and may punish bad shots all the while reminding you how lucky you are to be playing this wonderful game.

It's obvious that the groundskeeping staff were doing a good job during peak season and paying attention to the details as the conditioning of the course is evident even into this first week of September. Tee boxes and cart paths were in good order, bunkers were raked and had plenty of sand, the rough measuring 3-4 inches and there was evidence of the fairways having been punched in recent weeks. The greens were manicured to a high level and all 18 greens rolled consistently with good speed. Routing of the golf course feels seamless as the cart paths lead you directly to the next test. From the practice facilities, the impressive clubhouse, the staff, and the course itself, everything about this place is exceptional.

This enjoyable round of golf started the minute I walked through the doors of the clubhouse. The hospitality and the quality of service I experienced with the pro shop and other staff was second to none. The restaurant wasn't open when I arrived so one of the housekeeping staff made the time to make me enough coffee to fill my jumbo sized travel mug. I think that alone would qualify as "above and beyond. Even though the restaurant happened to be closed on the day I visited, I still have to give Eagle Point GC five stars. I have to say the hamlet of Wabasca-Desmarais have got a magnificent golf course in their backyard.

Oh, did I mention that my round of golf was $53.00, ($28 golf & $25 cart) to play a course of this caliber. That is without a doubt the best bang for your buck in the province, maybe even in western Canada.