The Sweet Spot: Golfing at Copper Point Resort

Copper Point Golf Resort | BCBusiness

A Kootenay resort brings game to the corporate market

The formula for a great golf resort isn’t rocket science. First, you need a good course (two is even better). Then you need a fabulous hotel with luxurious rooms, superior dining and exceptional service throughout. Outdoor pools, indoor pools, fitness centre and a spa wouldn’t hurt, either. If you want to attract the corporate crowd, spacious, state-of-the-art meeting space with stunning mountain and golf course views would be a huge bonus. Considering that all this—and more—is represented at Invermere’s Copper Point Resort, it appears as if the ownership group has a pretty clear understanding of “the formula.”

Located in the breathtaking Kootenay Rockies region approximately three hours west of Calgary, the Copper Point Resort is into its second full year of operation, and is being developed by the award-winning Rohit Group of Companies and managed by Atlific Hotels. The two on-site golf courses—The Copper Point Golf Club and The Ridge at Copper Point—are owned and operated separately, but the relationship between the two is close. The original Copper Point Golf Club was opened in 2003 and the shorter Ridge at Copper Point (it plays to a par of 62) opened in 2008.

The buzz first started when the original course at Copper Point was built. A minimalist Gary Browning and Wade Horrocks design, the 6,800-yard, par-70 course incorporates architectural elements of the Old World courses of yesteryear. Little earth was moved to create the course. Bunkers were roughly etched into existing landforms and the natural humps and bumps of the rolling terrain were largely left intact.

While the course does feature some open holes on the valley floor, the majority of the holes tumble and roll through beautiful, pine-covered terrain. The run of holes from the 10th through the 13th are the teeth of the course and can spell trouble—in the form of severe drop-offs, deep bunkers and ball-hungry ravines—providing a major challenge.

“The Ridge at Copper Point is a great complement to our first course,” says general manager Brian Schaal. “It’s more forgiving and it’s ideal for families, higher-handicappers and people who want to play a professionally designed course in less time.” Playing to a par of 62 with full-length par-three and par-four holes, the Ridge course takes, on average, just three hours to play.

And, for corporate meetings, the Copper Point Resort offers six options. Groups as large as 325 people can be accommodated in the Quartz Grand Hall. The Amber Room, which features huge windows and a vaulted ceiling, is located just above the lobby and can also accommodate large groups. The awesome golf course views, however, can make it a bit difficult for patrons to remain focused on business.

Smaller rooms such as the tasteful Jade Boardroom, a tucked-away self-contained unit that can accommodate up to 12 people, are perfect for smaller meetings. The Jade room also features a 63-inch plasma TV screen with video conferencing capabilities, SMART Board for projections and presentations, a high-definition LCD projector with HDMI connectivity, an amplifier and sound system, permanent boardroom table with Internet ports and built-in power, full kitchen, patio with barbecue and a pool table.

“We’re definitely focusing our attention on the corporate market,” says general manager Amanda Robinson. “Our goal is to double our occupancy rate in 2013. So far bookings have been incredibly strong. Once people get here and see this hotel—especially the quality of the meeting and wedding spaces—it sells itself. There is nothing like it in the Columbia Valley that comes close.”

When you consider the natural beauty of the Kootenay Rockies region—and eight additional golf courses to choose from within 30 minutes of the resort—a golf getaway to the Copper Point Resort is appealing for many different reasons. All of which contribute to the resort’s winning formula as a destination corporate golf resort.

The Copper Point Golf Academy is one of the top teaching facilities in the Kootenay Rockies. Private lessons, corporate clinics, junior golf camps, golf schools and family golf programs are all offered at this modern teaching facility. Need a new driver that straightens out that nasty slice? Thanks to its state-of-the-art club-fitting technology, the academy can help with that as well.