Recently decided on doing a little 3 day getaway to Alberta next week, visiting from Chicago. Will be my first journey to anywhere Western Canada. Presently, my itinerary looks like this:
Sunday the 15th - fly into Edmonton, stay at the West Edmonton Mall and spend much of Monday there too.
Monday night, catch a bus down to Calgary, booked myself at a hotel near McMahon Stadium.
Tuesday - go see a musical “Come From Away,” a play that I saw 5 years ago and having been urging to see again (was the catalyst for choosing this trip to be honest).
Wednesday, fly back to Chicago around noon.
Looking for ideas on what to do Tuesday during the day (musical starts at 7:30). Was checking Viator for day trip ideas and they mostly seem to be doing a bus trip into the mountains to see Banff, Lake Louise, and other sights in that area. Little hesitant to book a trip like that due to vagueness of schedule and lack of certainty that I would be back in time for the show. I don’t intend to bring my golf clubs, but if someone wants to sherpa me around an area course with access to a rental or backup set, I’d be game for that. Also open to any other ideas that involve staying in the city.
I’m an idiot - I’m flying out Tuesday late afternoon, no way I can play golf. I’ll put the word out here, but Calgary is super light on Duck Club west folks.
I could absolutely manage a late lunch / mid-afternoon beer though!
There’s a couple neat art galleries, some nice neighbourhoods to explore downtown / downtown adjacent (Kensington / Inglewood) but if you have the whole day I’d suggest getting a car rental and zipping to Banff honestly. A one day rental would be a bargain and getting to the mountains is so easy from where you’re staying - Canmore would be an hour-ish and Banff 90 mins.
Doing a one day rental hadn’t occured to me, but I may look into doing that. Wouldn’t mind going to see Banff/Lake Louise, but would be more comfortable controlling the itinerary.
Not sure if you’re a Turo user or the big box stores, but a cursory Turo search could put you in a RAV4 for the day for $55CAD. Which is practically free!
Shoot to Lake Louise, see the lake / have a quick brunch in the Chateau. Take the 1A back to Banff - better chance of seeing wildlife (bears are frisky right now, and there’s a ton of elk around).
Once in Banff, stop at Cave & Basin to learn the history of the hot springs, then head to the Springs hotel for a beer and the views.
Roll down in to town, behold the hilariously expensive artwork for sale. Stop at Three Bears for a pint and a crab doughnut (trust me).
Drop in to Fergie’s in Canmore for an apple fritter for the drive back to Calgary.
Go to Hayden Block in Kensington for bbq before the play starts. The Jube is in no-man’s-land for food, but Kensington is a great spot just south. If bbq doesn’t sound like what you want, winebar is great, as is Pulcinella for pizza. Or the Kensington Pub for our best Guinness and some British pub classics to eat…
Flight gets in around 2 pm, so I figure time I clear customs and transport to the mall, I’d get there around 4 pm. Could use a reason to get out Sunday night since the mall appears to shut down early Sunday
We’re rolling it back to Greywolf for fall golf 2025 - Sept 18-21. Dates aren’t hard ones at this point, more placeholders but the gist remains. We’ve got 4 including myself coming down from Edmonton; @southafricancanuck@cav007 and @KPost.
In other news, we should work to get this battle of Alberta going.
Try and put the whole pack of us together for a change. Ray and yourself may be batman and bruce wayne for all I know. I’ve golfed with both but never together… suspicious.
Outside of my e-town boys, and you two down south, quite a few more names have popped in, in the past year. It would be great to put some faces to names.
We’ve had some shifts for our fall golf plans. Greywolf said no to 36 holes that late in their season so we’re pivoting, and dropping drive time in favour of more golf, and hopefully more chances to play 36.
As a result we’re re-imagining the plans. Still settled on sept 18th to 21st. Current hopes are for a k-country double, then some calgary area options. Is LIV North still gettable for the poors (public)?
My own dreams/plans are drive and golf Thursday, 36 Friday, 36 saturday?, golf then drive home sunday.
Innisfail is definitely being considered and would be a good Thursday option. Friday kananaskis, saturday? Sunday?
What are the calgary must plays?
We also had a lineup shift as we lost one to “new found perspective” but it sounds like we have a new 4th entering the ring.
Calgary courses worth playing - I love Inglewood. One of the city’s oldest courses, brilliant parkland course along the river. Playable off the tee - approaches are tough to challenging greens.
Delacour - Tarandowah-lite. Great value, tons of fun, best public greens in the area.
Canmore G&CC - super underrated course in the heart of Canmore. Worth the effort to get a tee time.
And there is my selection. Lots of mediocre / expensive options around the city too. LIV should still be doing public play this year I think?
Japan! That’s a good reason to miss us. Thanks for the suggestions too. I’ve never played any of those spots so will keep them on the radar. I love fun playable courses, and great greens are always worthwhile too.
