Creating Content: The Hardest Holes in Alberta

Baby Ryan used to work and frequently play at the Sherwood Park nine hole Golf Course (now Coyote Crossing) growing up. The 5th hole was a Par 3, uphill, 190 yards-ish, always into the wind (at least it seemed that way), with a 3 tiered green and bunkers everywhere. If I walked out of there with a bogey I was happy. I also didn’t do myself any favours when I would cut the pin in tough locations. I’m a sucker for punishment? But I deemed it the “hardest hole in Canada” and it soon became a running joke any time we would tee off on the hole. It even branched out to a few more holes in the Edmonton area and we had a little list going.

For me, it was usually holes that dog legged to the right (Victoria Golf Course #5 (I have a thing for 5th holes obviously)) or had a lot of trouble left, usually resulting in utter catastrophe. But having the excuse of playing one of the “hardest holes in Canada” did make it sting a little less when I took that little pencil to the scorecard.

Now I have grown up a little (emotionally, my girlfriend would disagree) and wouldn’t have to hit driver into that daunting Par 3 at Sherwood Park Golf Course but I should probably revisit the course that birthed the phrase “hardest hole in Canada”.

rown up Ryan has since crowned the hardest hole in Canada to be out in Ryley, Alberta. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the shimmering black sands, blustering winds, and (North American) style links golf out at Coal Creek. Spectacular course and if you haven’t been out there it has to be on your bucket list.

But we need to talk about the 9th hole. It’ll be some sort of therapy for me I guess...So what’s the strategy here? Apart from trying to make double and run to the back nine as fast as possible? Where’s the landing area off the tee? Blind approach shot? Hazard all the way up the left? Uphill and into the wind? Bush right? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!

The hardest hole in Alberta - Coal Creek’s 9th.

I have come to terms with bogey and using one golf ball being a monumental achievement. And after those 15 minutes of torture I can go back to enjoying one of Alberta’s best.

So I want to know - what holes have you played that would make a new list of “Alberta’s Hardest Holes”? The idea here is to visit them, maybe capture it on film for the rest of our Golf Life Alberta community to enjoy as your pal Ryan flails around the course trying to put that little white ball in the hole. I think that would be fun wouldn’t it?

For the viewers anyway. I’m a man of the people. Let me know on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below! Let’s get a list of the “Hardest Holes in Alberta” going!