Vancouver/Seattle Trip

Bingo1976 · June 21, 2018

Hi All,

My wife is going to a business conference in Seattle i mid-October, and we are thinking of making it into a holiday as we don't often make it over to the US.

There don't seem to be many flights to Seattle form Hong Kong, so most likely we will go via Vancouver. We'd like to take in some nature together, and then I will go and golf whilst she is attending the conference. As I have zero knowledge of the NW, I'd be hugely appreciative if you can share your wisdom with me:

Where is better for hiking and sightseeing - I assume Vancouver?

It looks drivable from Vancouver to Seattle - google says 3 hours. Any issues with two foreigners (British and Burmese) driving over the border in a Canadian hire car (we will of course have visas)? Are there long lines at the checkpoint (if there is one - no wall yet I assume...)

I am thinking of the following for golf whilst I am in Seattle - I am looking for something you can only really get in the area, not links courses (and I can't justify Bandon on my own, it's too far!).

Gold Mountain looks very good as it's got 36 holes so I can spend the day up there

Salish

Home Course

Others I have looked at - Washington National, TPC (they have spa packages which may help us unwind after a long week)

Chambers is closed (which kind of sucks).

What will course conditions be like that time of year - I assume still playable, but bring some warm clothing and waterproofs?

duffer987 · June 21, 2018

Mid-October last year was lovely! Oct 2016 there was rain 28/31 days.

As a British passport holder, you don't need to get your ESTA sorted ahead of time, you can do it crossing the border from Canada to the US. It's costs a few bucks and you have to go inside, but it's easy enough.

Off the top of my head I don't know if Burma is in the VWP.

I wasn't that impressed with Washington National. Home Course is nice. Chambers is awesome. I'll leave it to Seattle-ites to give you good PNW experience courses. In/around Vancouver, Sandpiper in Harrison Mills is proper PNW with trees, mountains, and water. If you will be in Vancouver on a Monday, Seymour GC would be an excellent choice. Pagoda Ridge another decent choice.

Queues at Peach Arch or the Truck Crossing (Hwy 15) will depend on the day and the time. Time from Vancouver to Seattle will also be time/day/traffic/crashes dependent. Don't have any fixed plans in Seattle on the day you drive down.

For context, I'm from Vancouver and do the fly into Seattle and drive up to Canada thing 5/6 times a year.

From other threads:

Sandpiper http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/873082-share-your-personal-course-pictures/page__st__1350__p__16153398#entry16153398

Home Course from Oct 28th last year http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/873082-share-your-personal-course-pictures/page__st__1350__p__16389322#entry16389322

Bingo1976 · June 21, 2018

Thanks Duffer. Chambers was a must play, but it shuts for 5 months from the end of September.

Sounds like the border crossing won't be too bad - are there any particular times of day to avoid - I think we'd be driving down on a Monday or Tuesday, and going back on Friday

duffer987 · June 21, 2018

Thanks Duffer. Chambers was a must play, but it shuts for 5 months from the end of September.

Sounds like the border crossing won't be too bad - are there any particular times of day to avoid - I think we'd be driving down on a Monday or Tuesday, and going back on Friday

Going back on Friday could be slow, with folks heading across the border for the weekend. Crossing on a Mon/Tues won't be a problem.

You can check on the crossing times here: https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Congestion/border/default.htm

If the traffic is really rubbish either way, you can always pull off the highway and grab dinner or lunch or something and let it pass.

When you are near the border, going down, tune the car radio to AM 1000 and you'll get traffic updates every 10 mins. And the colour of local news.

wkuo3 · June 21, 2018

You will be rolling a dice for the weather of October in the Pacific Northwest. Past couple of years were pretty wet.

Get informed with the weather forecasting and prepare accordingly. Some mornings could be frosty, frost delay happens that time of the year.

Besides the border crossing, the two largest concerns would be the Traffic and the Weather. If you're staying in Seattle, I would caution to travel to the South Sound for a day trip. Consider minimum to double the travel time as posted from normal traffic condition.

The TPC at Snoqualmie has the package deal with the Lodge, but higher elevation means frost delay. If you belong to private golf clubs over there, have your Pro contact Sahalee to arrange for reciprocal round. If public rounds the only option, for the NW towering pine trees and rolling terrain, there are a lot to choose from depending on your budget. The golf course at New Castle ( own by a Chinese conglomerate now, might have package deal ), The golf clubs at Redmond Ridge ( also belong to the same group ). Whatever you choose, it's wise to golf withing 30 miles radius of where you will be staying.

I was not aware of Chambers Bay closing in the Winter, don;t believe they closed for last Winter, or did they ?

Bingo1976 · June 21, 2018

Thanks wkuo - by South Sound you mean the loop round the bottom of Seattle to get to Salish and Gold Mountain? Google says its about 1.30 to drive, which I am ok with - I've only played once this year and I'd crawl over broken glass to play golf right now. Budget is not an issue - I'd play Chambers 3 or 4 times if it was open! Sadly it's closing for 5 months - I cant find the official link on their website today, but this is some more info here

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/golf/chambers-bay-likely-to-temporarily-close-in-october-to-plant-new-greens/

I am ok with wet weather - when you say rain - is it torrential stuff or just normal stuff that is annoying but can be dealt with if you dress appropriately and carry spare towels and gloves etc? October is non-negotiable due to the conference sadly.I am British so somewhat familiar with golfing in sh1tty weather.

Not a member in Hong Kong - no where near rich enough!

CMCSGolf · June 22, 2018

There is very rarely torrential rain in Seattle. It is the type where it is on and off all day, so it's more of a nuisance. While Frost delays are possible, I don't think it will be likely in October.

Also, one thing to consider if you are in Vancouver, there is pretty decent golf in the Bellingham area. If you are staying in Seattle and Vancouver, this might not be convenient as it's not close to either downtown, but you'll drive right by several good tracks like North Bellingham. Honestly, golf in the PNW isn't that great (outside of Bandon). There are many solid courses, but few are truly interesting or remarkable. That being said, it's a lot more affordable and accessible than in Hong Kong!

Bingo1976 · June 22, 2018

That being said, it's a lot more affordable and accessible than in Hong Kong!

My return flight to the US will cost less than a weekend round in HK to put your statement into perspective!

I guess I could leave the wife at the conference for 3 days and drive down to Bandon, but I can;t afford to get married again!

Cheech n Jon · June 22, 2018

Salish, Home Course are great choices if you want to play south. Gold Mountain is a great choice as well. East of Seattle, I’d go with Suncadia prospector(1hr away), Gamble Sands, Bear Mt, Desert Canyon in the Chelan area or Apple Tree in Yakima (4hrs).

mallrat · June 22, 2018

When did Chambers start closing in the winter?

Bingo1976 · June 22, 2018

When did Chambers start closing in the winter?

I can't find the official note on the chambers bay website, but I don't think this is fake news. It's a one off fix to restore the greens that have had so much bad press.

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/golf/chambers-bay-likely-to-temporarily-close-in-october-to-plant-new-greens/

Also if you go to their website it only lists tee times and prices until September

IcemanYVR · June 22, 2018

Agreed that weather can be hit or miss in the PNW in October. Torrential rain, not so much but constant rain, never letting up for 3-4 days at a time, now that's our specialty. Can also be gorgeous and sunny and not hot, perfect weather for golf.

As for public golf in the Vancouver area, there isn't much in terms of high end golf (outside of private). But I would recommend a round at Morgan Creek in South Surrey (about 10-15 min from the border). Whistler golf is very good, but by mid-October not sure if they're still open.

Just on the other side of the border is Semiahmoo Country Club, a good Arnold Palmer design.

Stevo85 · June 26, 2018

It will be hit or miss that time of year in terms of weather but plan for rain (bring some rain gear) and you'll be fine.

Lots of options depending on how many rounds you want to get in and per day. If you want the best Pac NW experience, lots of trees, tracks through the forest, I'd recommend taking a ferry out to the peninsula and doing Gold Mountain Olympic and Trophy Lake in a day. There is a pretty significant drop in quality between Olympic and Cascade at GM and Trophy Lake is better than Cascade (IMO). Salish is another great Pac NW track but it's a bit far from Seattle area. Love the Home Course but if you're not looking for a links-esque course, steer clear. Other options are the courses at Suncadia, WA National, or if you're really adventurous and can spare more time, I'd recommend a trip out to Central WA to play Desert Canyon, Bear Mountain Ranch and Gamble Sands. Good luck planning!

lhahn · June 27, 2018

How long and where in Vancouver are you planning to play? Traffic will affect your planning for sure as some courses are a bit of a drive. Pagoda is FAR, so is Morgan if you're staying close to downtown.

Some courses drain better than others as well. Pagoda and Morgan drain well. In Bellingham, North Bellingham drains VERY well and is a good test from the tips but it doesn't really have a PNW feel. If it's a wooded feel you're after than Semiahmoo and Loomis are the best options around Bellingham.

leejohnkieh · July 5, 2018

Chambers is closing because they are finishing the conversion to poa on the final 14 or 15 greens.

Once they do this, Chambers will be worth it to play again (for me at least).

wkuo3 · July 12, 2018

Thanks wkuo - by South Sound you mean the loop round the bottom of Seattle to get to Salish and Gold Mountain? Google says its about 1.30 to drive, which I am ok with - I've only played once this year and I'd crawl over broken glass to play golf right now. Budget is not an issue - I'd play Chambers 3 or 4 times if it was open! Sadly it's closing for 5 months - I cant find the official link on their website today, but this is some more info here

https://www.seattlet...ant-new-greens/

I am ok with wet weather - when you say rain - is it torrential stuff or just normal stuff that is annoying but can be dealt with if you dress appropriately and carry spare towels and gloves etc? October is non-negotiable due to the conference sadly.I am British so somewhat familiar with golfing in sh1tty weather.

Not a member in Hong Kong - no where near rich enough!

We have one of the most congested traffic pattern in the Nation, on top of it, we are doing roadway repair and update for transit system. plus sporting events, convention events..... a big mass if you need to travel through any metro area. Weekend traffic will be even worse because weekdays we have traffic jam hours but during weekend, that traffic never stop since everyone wish to get out and have "fun".

South Sound basically is from Seattle southward to Olympia. If you're interested gaming Salish lodge or Gold Mountain, you might want to consider lodging on site or near by. It'll be at off season rate in October. Winter storm usually coming up from the South Pacific Ocean vis the Islands of Hawaii, hence the term Pineapple Express, which will bring lots of rain and windy condition.

This is different than the grey sky and dripping all day deal like in the Isles. At times it will be wet and we have clay type of soil from the volcanic ash fallen long time ago, which means when the soil reached the saturation point , it's sticky and muddy and you will have your drive's divot in front of the ball ( back spin..... haha ).

Check annual weather report when you get close to the traveling date. Salish could be very wet or it could be okay, good point is they are a casino resort on the Indian reserve; gaming and food will be good ( not Las Vegas good but Lake Tahoe).

If you stay over the Salish and played there and Gold Mountain, you could travel on your rental car via the Ferry to Seattle. Cost a little more than driving but you could rid of the headache of getting stuck in the traffic for hours.

No it'll not be 1.3 hours to travel from Salish . Gold Mountain to Seattle. Count on that time from Tacoma narrow's bridge to Seattle .

We don't travel to the South to play anymore, not in the last several years after the construction started, even traveling in the HOV lane could not achieve warpspeed . It'll be years before we'll attempt to golf South after the major roadway construction is done.

As far as bringing extra gloves and towels for the moisture wicking.... it'll help some if the sky is not opened up and you will take a golf cart with top and windshield. Caution, if it's wet, most golf courses will have the "cart path only " rule enforced, which means you;ll have to park on the cart path and walk to your golf ball with several golf clubs and towel and an umbrella, make the shot, walk back to the cart parked on the cart path.... repeat.....repeat.... you'll ended up like walking the whole length of the golf course on wet hilly ground.

It's not my ideal golf vacation, but if you're here and you're desperate... have fun. I will hang around my area should we have a few dry days instead of traveling far.

Oh, as far as annual precipitation count, check Portland and Vancouver B.C. Seattle is not the Rainiest City as advertised. I guess others had found that out and flooded in from other places.