By Steve Hubrecht
The golf season has already begun in the Columbia Valley and Eagle Ranch Golf Resort is teeing up its new caddie program.
Eagle Ranch’s caddie program is the first such program in the Columbia Valley, and one of just a few at public golf courses across Canada. It offers a new experience for golfers of all abilities.
“It’s a lost art,” new Eagle Ranch head golf pro and golf manager Steve Deschenes told the Pioneer, adding the caddies the resort has recruited so far are “very keen to share their passion for and knowledge of Eagle Ranch.”
A round with a caddy is “one of the most unique and, you could say, one of the purest ways to play a round of golf,” said Deschenes, adding it gives golfers a chance to walk the course, to really feel the turf and to get strategic advice and tips about the course.
That can come in handy on a course such as Eagle Ranch, which was ranked as one of SCOREGolf’sTop 100 Golf Courses in 2024.
Getting on that prestigious list came in part because of Eagle Ranch’s pristine conditions and outstanding views, but also for many other reasons, including the challenging nature of the course.
“That’s a prime example of where a caddie can really impact your game,” said Deschenes. “As the great Ben Hogan once said, ‘the most important shot in golf is your next one.’ Caddies have knowledge of the course and its nuances that an amateur golfer may not otherwise observe.”
Deschenes noted there are some obvious benefits to caddie in terms of improving your score, “but beyond that, they bring a sense of camaraderie—celebrating your successes and sharing in your frustrations.”
Booking a caddie will also get you on the course earlier in the day (one of the most in-demand times to head out), as the resort is reserving the first two hours of every day for dedicated caddie tee times.
Eagle Ranch had initially wanted to launch its caddie program five years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into those plans. The pandemic not only put pause on Eagle Ranch’s caddie program, but also significantly altered the golf industry across Canada, as it eventually prompted a huge (and lasting) uptick in participation in outdoor sports, including golf.
The caddie program is also part of the resort’s signature golf retreat package, which includes accommodations at the Headwaters Lodge adjacent to the Eagle Ranch clubhouse.
“It’s the best way to group all of our best offerings, including the caddie program, into one great getaway,” said Eagle Ranch general manager Roxanne Prevost.
