Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
The Takeaway: One of the most underrated courses in North America, Sagebrush is a spectacularly designed golf course with engaging terrain, beautiful lake views, and an impressive ground game option. Make every effort to get here! Grade A+
Quick Facts
Designer: Rod Whitman 2009
Cost: $120 - $250 Click for current rates
Phone Number: 236-575-2244
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Sagebrush Golf Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 6355 Stagecoach Trail, Quilchena, British Columbia V0E 2R0 – CANADA
Photos: See additional photos of Sagebrush Golf Club
Similar Course:
What to Expect: If Sagebrush had the marketing budget that Bandon Dunes operates under, it would be the "go to" destination of Western Canada. The course design is absolutely spectacular and is perhaps the most unknown gem of the Great White North. The terrain features plenty of movement, though the opening hole is the only one that would fit in the "extreme" category for people with an uphill par five that takes you up to one of the high points on the property. From there, players are taken on an adventure that they won’t soon forget and would yearn to play over and over again. The views of the lake throughout the round are a treat with the golf course occupying the high ground above the mountain water that delivers a sense of seclusion and peace. If you are a fan of the ground game that has become popular again with firm and fast conditions being adopted by several courses around the globe, you are going to have a hoot at Sagebrush using the terrain’s contours to navigate the incredibly memorable holes designs. I truly can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed Sagebrush and how it easily stands as one of golf’s most underrated treasures. Cabot Cliffs may be the king of Canada's public golf scene, but Sagebrush makes a strong case to claim the seat of the queen.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 7399 | 76.0 | 145 |
| Blue | 72 | 6556 | 71.8 | 143 |
| Blue/White | 72 | 5929 | 69.1 | 130 |
| White | 72 | 5539 | 67.1 | 121 |
| Red (Ladies) | 72 | 4872 | 68.2 | 116 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 4th Hole – 210 Yard Par 3 – A panoramic view of Nicola Lake and a one-club drop from tee to green awaits at the postcard worthy 4th hole at Sagebrush. From the tee it looks like it is all carry to the green, but that is deceiving because the native sagebrush obscures the visual of the 50 yards of fairway that runs up to the putting surface. Bunkers flank both sides of the green so if your sand game is no good, the only reasonable miss is short. It is a beautiful hole and just the beginning of several great ones at Sagebrush.
Best Par 3: 12th Hole – 126 Yards – I love a good uphill par three that doesn't try to overwhelm you with yardage, but instead is crafty and attractive. Sagebrush delivers on all accounts on the 12th hole that plays over a natural area to a green framed on the left by a forest covered hillside that wraps around behind the hole and creates a serene setting. The 40 yard deep green affords a variety of pin placements, with the back left being the most difficult to attack. It is a beautiful hole at a special corner of the property, and is a perfectly executed short hole.
Best Par 4: 11th Hole – 488 Yards – The 11th is a brawny and expansive two-shotter that initially provides plenty of room off the tee since it shares a fairway with the 14th hole, but then it tightens down when it branches off to the left to its own fairway. The speed slot is found up the left side where 225 yards from the green the fairway descends 40 feet and can help tee shots roll out an additional 100 yards, whereas tee shots that are hit weakly to the right will be left with a long shot into a tiered green that is protected on the left by bunkers. Finding the speed slot doesn't mean the challenge ends though as you'll likely be left with an even lie with an uphill approach. With the green sitting above the valley, you'll want to take plenty of club to reach the putting surface in the air and give yourself a good look with the flatstick. It is a grand hole where you'll be thrilled to par.
Best Par 5: 16th Hole – 644 Yards – The 16th at Sagebrush is a sprawling and unconventional par five that blends scale, deception, and creativity into one unforgettable stretch. From the tee, the hole presents a partially blind, uneasy visual. Taking aim over the rock on the hillside that carries 250 yards will be rewarded with the ideal placement in the angling fairway and is a classic Sagebrush moment that asks you to trust the line, even when you can't see the reward. Compared to the 7th, the landing area feels less obvious and more demanding, forcing a committed swing rather than a comfortable one. The second shot requires a forced carry to a second fairway where a massive bunker sits on the left side 100 yards from the center of the green. One of Canada's largest putting surfaces awaits when approaching the flag, and the undulations in the putting surface will require some crafty work with the flatstick to conquer. It is an exciting hole to try and reach in two by using the kicker plate on the right side of the hole before watching your ball tumble towards the green.
Birdie Time: 13th Hole – 320 Yard Par 4 – Right after the gorgeous 12th, the 13th offers a prime scoring chance with a drivable par four that begs you to take a rip at the green. The elevated tee sits 100 feet above the green and helps the ball carry extra distance to make the green more reachable, and the pond on the left side shouldn't be in play for most golfers. The fairway angles left-to-right and will kick balls onto the green when coming up the left side, which is the desired line considering bunkers protect the putting surface when attacking from the right. The green is more docile than others on the course, so once you reach the putting surface you can be aggressive with rolling your birdie, or eagle, putt. It is a super fun hole with a captivating mountain and lake backdrop that will likely be your most memorable tee shot of the day.
Bogey Beware: 7th Hole – 646 Yard Par 5 – The 7th hole is the first of two par fives that stretch over 600 yards and is an absolute beast to conquer. The tee shot comes from an angle to the fairway, so picking the right line may require some help from GPS or a range finder if you are struggling to trust your gut. Once safely in the fairway, you'll be faced with a long second shot that will leave most players with a blind shot into the green since the putting surface sits 45 feet below the fairway and it tucked out of view until getting within about 100 yards of the green. The 20,000 square foot green is highly undulated and three-putts are commonplace since hitting an approach shot close to the pin often is challenging considering the terrain, elevation change, and firmness of the turf to contend with. It is a brilliant three-shot hole where bogey, or worse, ends up on a lot of scorecards.
