dHzmedia

During a full day of touring at The Rise near Vernon on June 8, there was an air of anticipation among the media and invited guests. The Rise is a development that will boast amenities from its own winery to a championship golf course to scenic lots and strata homes. But the real excitement surrounded the attendance by PGA Tour star Fred Couples, who along with architect Gene Bates is responsible for the design of The Golf Club at The Rise. An adoring crowd of stakeholders and media welcomed Couples, who delivered on what might best be described as a larger-than-life persona.

Couples/Bates Design (an affiliation between Couples and award-winning golf course architect Gene Bates) along with Blackpaw Construction (under the direction of Ian Renton) have designed the course. Renton’s course construction credits include the award-winning Greywolf at Panorama Mountain Resort, The Dunes in Kamloops, and other award winning courses worldwide.

“Gene and I have been doing this for 16 years,” Couples confirmed. “It’s not really hard to build a golf course, but it’s very hard to make a course that turns out to be spectacular.”

Seemingly as comfortable as an old pair of slippers, Couples efficiently fielded questions from the crowd for an hour at the end of a long day of travel and his first inspection of the golf course. He handled the festivities with ease and there was absolutely no hint of imposition in his demeanor.

The 1992 Masters’ champion is definitely pleased with the location and the progress on site.

“There are a lot of vistas out here,” he beamed. “You could have the worst hole ever and then you could look at the view of Okanagan Lake for 20 minutes and you could care less. The course is absolutely stunning. The lake views on the course are breathtaking and have to be seen to be believed. This course will set the standard for championship golf in the Okanagan.”

The Golf Club at The Rise is slated to open for play in 2008, although Couples hinted he might be back in September to play the back nine. There will be limited play on the back nine this year with play restricted to Founders Club members, property owners at The Rise and invited guests.

“The Rise is happening and it is exciting watching it all come together.” says Leona Snider, president and CEO of The Rise. “With his experience, skill, and popularity, Fred Couples represents the best in golf and golf course design. We believe The Rise offers the best of what makes the Okanagan great and we expect demand to be high again this year.”

The Rise is comprised of four neighbourhoods: Clearview, Sagecroft, Sagecroft Villas and the exclusive Watermark. Clearview, the first neighbourhood is completely sold out with only nine fully finished model homes built on some of the best view home sites remaining for purchase starting at $709,000.

For further information, visit www.therise.ca

For additional information regarding the project, click on the logo:

Reprinted from Inside Golf Magazine
To view Inside Golf Magazine online click here

Back to The Rise Media Centre