Rankings: 

17th    

The Takeaway:  A gem in the greater Edmonton area, Coal Creek flies under but represents one of the best public courses in the area at a great value. With black sand bunkers, varied terrain, and enjoyable hole designs, a visit to Coal Creek is worth the detour.  Grade B

Quick Facts

Designer:  Puddicombe Golf 2012

Cost:  $72 - $89 (cart included) Click for current rates

Phone Number:  780-663-2473

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit Coal Creek Golf Resort's official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - 18112, Township Rd 492, Ryley, Alberta  T0B 4A0 – CANADA

Photos:  See additional photos of Coal Creek Golf Resort

What to Expect:  Coal Creek is located southeast of Edmonton and is built on a former mining site. Tapping into its history, Coal Creek shipped in its sand from another golf course built on a former mining site; Old Works in Anaconda, MT. The striking black slag sand comes from the copper smelting process and creates a very playable surface with an impressive contrast against the green grass and yellow fescue. Further homage is offered on the site with old mining equipment and structures found in various locations throughout the routing. The terrain enjoys a nice amount of movement paired with quality shaping that delivers plenty of intrigue throughout the routing. While water comes into play on a few of the holes, it's the bunkering and green sites that provide the engagement and strategy found in the course while also delivering a wide variety of hole lengths and shapes. From a conditioning standpoint, the turf is kept in near ideal shape with pure rolling greens and fairways that provide the right balance of lushness and roll. You'll have the option to walk or ride at Coal Creek, but one thing you’ll want to make sure you do though is to spray the insect repellant, that you most certainly will need, while over concrete so that it doesn’t kill the grass. While the clubhouse and facilities are modest at Coal Creek, it surprised me how good the golf course was for not being as highly heralded as other courses in Alberta; including being better than the Wolf Creek courses just over an hour to the south.

By the Numbers