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Tobiano - Spirit and Intelligence for the Golfer at Heart
A BCgolfguide.com exclusive by Ross Marrington - April 30th, 2008
"There is really nothing like it in Canada. There is nothing like it anywhere." - Thomas McBroom, Architect, Tobiano
Kamloops British columbia is well known for outstanding golf courses and the latest addition is a gem located 20 minutes west just before
the sleepy town of Savona. With just over 100 days in operation since July 6th, 2007, the staff and owners of Tobiano can not wait to greet
the first batch of 2008 golfers and home purchasers.
Tobiano is writing an epic novel in golf and real estate development along Kamloops Lake. In fact the idea for this ambitious golf resort
along the Six-Mile Ranch has been under discussion and planning since 1997. Shortly after Mike Grenier, of Pagebrook Inc. the developer for Tobiano purchased the property he wasted no
time developing a master plan for the 18,000 acres. This is truly close to Mike's heart, as he has resided on the very property for the past twelve years.
The Tobiano Master Plan will consist of a village center, 100 slip marina, equestrian center, 500 multi-family units as well
as 600 lake view residential lots. Pricing in the mid $200k to mid $500k for building lots. In 2009 the beach area is to be completed along with 2.5 kilometers
of public waterfront boardwalks, beach access with the care and attention to being environmentally and ecologically friendly. The ranch component will remain on another 17,000 acres for hay fields and roaming cattle.
The original concept of this 7328 yard championship course where by the layout was to be established well back from the lake for obviously reasons. The assumption that if you have 1000 deeded acres of land along Lake Kamloops that the profitable choice
would be to have the home sites closer to the lake to maximize sales. Over the planning phases the course layout slowly crept closer and closer towards the bluffs overlooking the lake as Mike Grenier comments below...
Very early on in the planning of the course I wanted to move the golf course much closer to the lake, and what I had to do was be sure that
all parties involved with the project were all on the same page. Most developers would want to simply line the cliffs with homes to
maximize their profits. My thoughts were if the golf course is built to be a "Top Shelf" product that its own success would spawn demand
for the real estate opportunities offered.
The only major challenge with the course layout was with the positioning of Hole 16 which runs parallel to Holloway Drive (Michael's old home in Etobicoke Ontario was on Holloway Road).
If you can vision the 16th fairway and road on opposite sides, the home owners would have a view across the fairway to the lake, but with the
elevations the home sites would actually have views looking into the side of the fairway and beyond to the other side of the lake. The alignment
of the road and requirements from the Ministry of Highways posed additional challenges.
It was decided to then move the road towards the lake. This still ensured an amazing view from the 16th tee box looking down the lake to Kamloops and downwards
to the 16th green. This ultimate change removed the skewed side views of home owners and gave them a backyard view of the 16th fairway as well as
a long Kamloops bound lake view. In the end the change and end result was a success.
In hind site it was a well made and bold decision, as future home buyers will have incredible views of the golf course and the
lake maximizing the land value and giving the golfers the visual eye candy of emerald green, fescue yellow and lake blue. McBroom comments that
the biggest challenge was managing the course design within the dramatic terrain of hoodoos. The switch backs and meandering cart paths attest
to this unique golf property. Read Tom's Hole by Hole of Tobiano.
Mr. Grenier is slowly seeing his "baby" maturing from the now 12-year gestation to what is present today and the final vision of tomorrow, congratulations!
To raise this new child, Mr. Grenier has instilled faith in Director of Golf, Miles Mortensen. Miles has a dozen plus years of experience with his previous tenures which
include the head professional titles at both the Chateau Whistler Golf Club and Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course.
Tobiano Facts and Figures
Tobiano (pronounced tow-be-yah-no) is the name of the
famous painted horses of the American South West.
White Silica sand for the bunkers are from Boston Bar.
Extensive practice facilities.
Six tee boxes for all players to enjoy.
Almost 10 kilometers of paved cart paths.
Less than 8 inches of rain per year.
Sunniest in all of Canada with 2050 hours annually.
Tobiano Photo Gallery
Looking for a Golf Package with Tobiano? Call us 1-877-223-7226
Thomas McBroom and British Columbia Golf
Thomas Mcbroom designed Morgan Creek Golf Course in South Surrey
and the re-design for Fraserview Golf Course in Burnaby.
The highly anticipated and latest McBroom golf addition The Club at Tower Ranch
has been on the books for nearly 16 years. Originally property owner Stan Tower
had a vision for the golf course before Kelowna became a hot bed for golf.
The Golf Club at Red Mountain in Rossland in collaboration Annika Sorenstam to break ground in
spring 2009.
Another McBroom Kelowna Project - Glenmore area at McKinley Landing, land to be cleared this summer and fall with grading late fall
through winter. Seeding late 2009 for opening in 2010.
Kicking Horse Mountain in Golden with a similar time line as Red Mountain. A 2009 start with opening
in 2011. The Ballast family are behind this project who were also responsible for the construction of the Confederation Bridge in PEI.
We will be checking in with Tom again later this summer to get updates on these projects.
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