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Teeing Off in Happy Gilmore’s Footsteps: Vancouver’s Iconic Golf Courses

Alright, golf enthusiasts and cinephiles – grab your clubs and your sense of humor, because we’re taking a tour of the very greens and fairways where Happy Gilmore swung his way into our hearts. Celebrating its quarter-century milestone, ‘Happy Gilmore’ isn’t just a classic movie – it’s a nostalgia-packed road map to some of Vancouver’s finest, and yes, public, golf courses. So, channel your inner Happy (minus the brawls) and let’s tee off!

Stanley Park Pitch and Putt:

The Michelob Invitational’s Urban Oasis

Remember when Happy Gilmore teed up for the Michelob Invitational? No, he wasn’t at an exclusive country club; he was at the Stanley Park Pitch and Putt. It’s the kind of place that’s as friendly to novices as it is to seasoned pros, showcasing the sport’s inclusive spirit. Forget the snobby commentary from the film – this place thrives on its ‘large and economically diverse crowd’. It’s the epitome of golf for the people!

• A Quick Round in the Park: Nestled in Vancouver’s iconic park, this is where you can swing your clubs among the city’s lush landscape.
• Affordable Golfing for Everyone: With no gatekeeping at the gates of this pitch and putt, you can indulge in the joys of golf without breaking the bank.

Riverway Golf Course:

Burnaby’s Gateway to the Waterbury Open

Next on our tour is the backdrop for the Waterbury Open scenes – Riverway Golf Course in Burnaby. This isn’t your snooty, high-barrier-to-entry kind of place. Owned by the city, it’s as welcoming as a warm hug and as challenging as your last round of trivia night.

• Municipal Golf at Its Finest: Discover why municipal courses are the unsung heroes of the golfing world, offering quality golf without the pretense.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Before you head to the big leagues, this 18-hole course is the ideal venue to hone those drives, chips, and putts.

Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club:

The Showdown Scene Stealer

The dramatic clash between Happy and Shooter McGavin unfolded at none other than Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club. Designed by the legendary Lee Trevino (who, by the way, cameoed in the film with a less-than-enthused demeanour), this is where you can walk in the footsteps of cinematic golf history.

• A Brush with Golf Royalty: With two courses crafted by a golfing legend, playing here is like having a one-on-one lesson with history.
• Cinematic Nostalgia on the Fairways: Swing your clubs where Happy did, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel the ghost of his mighty drive (sans the fistfight).

Furry Creek Golf and Country Club:

The Crown Jewel of Happy’s Journey

Ah, Furry Creek – the crown jewel, the crème de la crème, the scene of the epic Happy vs. Bob Barker fisticuffs. Perched along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, it offers vistas that’ll make you want to take up landscape painting if you weren’t already obsessed with golf.

• Views to Distract Any Golfer: It’s hard to keep your eye on the ball when every hole looks like a postcard from the gods of golf.
• Happy’s Legacy Lives On: Furry Creek isn’t just a golf course; it’s a pilgrimage site for ‘Happy Gilmore’ fans, a place to make your own movie magic or perhaps, to recreate the iconic fight scene (just kidding, keep the peace).

Conclusion: It’s All in the Hips (and the Location) As we wrap up this tour of Happy Gilmore’s hallowed grounds in Vancouver, it’s clear that these courses offer more than just a round of golf – they offer a slice of movie history and a hearty dose of inspiration. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the challenge, or just to say, “I played there!”, these public courses are ready to welcome you, no running start required. Remember, folks, in golf as in life, sometimes it really is all in the hips. Happy golfing!

Other Golf Trips You Should Take:

Planning an East Kootenays Golf Trip

Must Golf Courses Of the Okanagan