Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield

Rankings: 

 

The Takeaway:  The Links course is the better of the two Rod Whitman offerings at Wolf Creek with a back nine that will keep you coming back, especially after GolfNorth resurrects the facilities.  Grade B-

Quick Facts

Designer:  Rod Whitman 2010 (South nine 1990; North nine 2010)

Cost:  $90 ($20 for a cart) Click for current rates

Phone Number:  866-783-6050

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit Wolf Creek Resort (Links)'s official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - RR3 Site 10, Ponoka, Alberta  T4J 1R3 – CANADA

Photos:  See additional photos of Wolf Creek Resort (Links)

What to Expect:  The newer of the two Whitman designs at Wolf Creek, the Links course is actually the result of taking the nine holes formerly known as the South course (opened in 1990) and combining it with the newest nine, formerly the North course, which opened in 2010. The course is found southeast and across the road from the Old course with a tunnel provided to connect the two via golf cart. The front nine is routed near the highway with some solid holes but the back nine is certainly the stronger side of the two. The course opens up more on the back nine and reflects Rod Whitman’s modern style including larger greens and more expansive bunkering. While the front nine features a little bit of movement in the routing, the back nine enjoys more undulation in the property which helps lend itself to more engaging hole designs and Whitman took advantage. The facility went into receivership in 2023 transferring ownership over to GolfNorth with promises of getting the course back into good shape after suffering some setbacks the past few years. In the end, the Links is the better of the two offerings at Wolf Creek, but until the facilities are updated and course conditions improved, the 36 holes at Wolf Creek will struggle to live up to its billing as some of the finest courses in Alberta.

By the Numbers

Tees	Par	Yardage	Rating	Slope
Black	71	7155	74.2	133
Silver	71	6572	71.4	128
Blue	71	5935	68.3	119
White (Ladies)	71	5179	68.9	121

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  11th Hole – 553 Yard Par 5 – The par five 11th is named "Hells Full Acre" due to the expansive bunker that runs for a good portion of the right side of the hole and needs to be avoided for any chance of getting home in two. The fairway plays slightly downhill while fading right to a green that is situated in front of a grove of trees. The theme of sand on the right continues as a large bunker engulfs the right side of the green.

Best Par 3:  2nd Hole – 168 Yards – The Links' first one-shotter has a nice green complex with a pair of bunkers fronting the undulated putting surface. Pins on the left side should be attacked aggressively while pins on the right will have a bunker to carry and more slope in the green to contend with.

Best Par 4:  13th Hole – 384 Yards – This hole felt like something I would see on an inland links course as much as any does at Wolf Creek. This moderate length two-shotter features a generous fairway that turns left late in the design to a green perched in the hillside with bunkers in front and behind. Missing left can leave a good chance to still save par and the way the fairway comes in from that side is aesthetically pleasing. This hole just feels natural and I like it.

Best Par 5:  9th Hole – 625 Yards – The longest hole at the resort, the 625 yard 9th hole is a behemoth to take on. The hole runs due north which can often mean it is playing into the wind and the fairway meanders back and forth on its journey to the green. Most mortals have no chance of reaching this green in two so it is all about setting up a quality third shot. The green is protected by a series of bunkers that start in the fairway and work their way back greenside with the front left side being the most dangerous area to contend with. Missing to the right will still give you a good chance to save par, so if you are going to err, that is the spot to do it.

Birdie Time:  10th Hole – 382 Yard Par 4 – The back nine enters a portion of the property that feels different than any of the other nines at Wolf Creek Resort. A generous fairway awaits and yardage can be taken off the hole by cheating the inside of the bend and pumping a drive up to flip-wedge distance. The bunkers right of the fairway are a bigger factor for those that aren't taking a bold line and the bunkers around the green shouldn't instill fear if you have a scoring club in your hand on the second shot, so be aggressive and card a three here.

Bogey Beware:  12th Hole – 462 Yard Par 4 – Left or right, but not center, is the advice on the 12th hole where a series of bunkers consume the middle of the fairway. This lengthy two-shotter plays uphill and then bends to the right as it traverses to the raised green with a trio of bunkers surrounding it. The bunkers are quite deep, so missing this green in regulation and finding the sand is a quick way to put a bogey on the card. When the wind is moving, this green is all the more difficult to reach and stands as a difficult par to obtain.