Tr3s: Pelicans, Drives, and Canadian Icon
Uno: Brown Pelicans
As we know there is a strong association between golf and birds. Birdie, Eagle, Albatross, Condor, are all part of golf’s lexicon. According to Scotishgolfhistory.org the term "Birdie", meaning a score of one stroke under Par, comes from the early 20th century American slang term "bird", meaning anything excellent. “That was a bird of a shot” would have been the proper way to say kudos a century ago.
One bird that should have been recognized but didn’t is the Brown Pelican. They are a majestic keen-eyed predator that can spot fish swimming under the ocean’s surface even while flying 20 metres above, then plunging into the water at incredible speeds and steep angles of attack (between 60 and 90 degrees) to reduce water refraction. When they collide with the prey, the impact force stuns the fish which is then scooped up in their gular pouch. As you can see from the video below, their dive-bombing is simply spectacular.
From now on, if you dunk a shot regardless of number or location, we should called a “Pelican”. Thoughts?
2. Dos: The Joy of Driving
Sometimes driving to the golf course is as exciting as the round itself. The most famous golf drive is probably 17-Mile Drive, a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline. Another incredible drive is the last hour between La Paz and Loreto, in Baja California Sur, which is an intense mountain pass with sharp turns and stunning scenery. Once you arrive you will be rewarded with great golf at Loreto Bay, not to mention the exquisite culinary options available after the round.
Two must do drives in Canada are the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton and the Icefields Parkway, connecting Jasper to Lake Louise. The former, will take you to the best golf in Canada at Cabot Links, while the later will lead you to two of the best mountain courses in the world. Banff Springs Golf Course and the Jasper Park Lodge. These two gems are the perfect segue to our next topic.
3. Tr3s: Stanley Thompson
Stanley Thompson is very likely Canada’s most accomplished golf architect. He was born in Toronto, in September 18, 1893. Before designing courses he attended the University of Guelph and then served with the Canadian military, the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I, as a gunner with the 4th Brigade. The Stanley Thompson Society provides a list of 178 courses which Thompson laid out, constructed, or remodelled. There is a special place in my heart for Thompson because he designed El Club San Andres near Bogota, which was the first course I ever saw.
Banff Springs Golf Course in Banff, the Jasper Park Lodge, Edmonton Country Club, the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, as well as the Highlands Links in Nova Scotia, are also part of his repertoire. His philosophy of preserving the natural lay and flow of the land meant that his golf holes were created to look as if they had always been there and were always meant to be there. Most importantly, he understood that golf is about having fun. As he pointed out, "the most successful course is one that will test the skill of the most advanced golfer without discouraging the duffer while adding to the enjoyment of both”.
19th Hole
This week we stay home. Yes, we are in Canada, the land of Broke Henderson, Alena Sharp, Adam Hadwin, and Winnipeg's own Nick Taylor.
It is finally spring and Seventh Heaven Canadian Dry Gin combines "the highest quality ingredients with the art of local craft distillation to create Canada’s first impeccable Dry Gin. The result is an aromatic gin, accented with exotic citrus notes for a taste that is truly heavenly. It is a very complex aromatic gin with notes of exotic citrus (forbidden fruit), nordic juniper and Labrador tea. To these three main flavours are added four other botanicals from all over the world: iris root, apricot kernel, coriander seed and elder flower to create a truly unique taste." Please drink responsibly.
Tr3s is a bi-weekly blog by Double Circle Golf. A social enterprise dedicated to helping elderly women with great skills but few employment opportunities. Through handcrafted, unique, and original golf headcovers, Double Circle Golf provides our artisans meaning, self-respect and the ability to financially support themselves.
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