Kokanee Springs Resort Club Est. 1968

Crawford Bay was first settled in the early 1900’s as a farming community, well known for its fertile soil and fine harvest of fruit such as cherries, apples and pears. The Kootenay Lake was one of the main routes for travel, from the North into the States by Paddlewheel. The transport of these crops made a viable economy for the area along the east shore as well as mining and forestry. However, by the middle of this century with the advent of the highways systems and the boom of farming throughout the Okanagan the local farming community had fallen upon hard times.

Kokanee Springs Golf Course got its start when Calgary oil man Ken Jennings started buying land in 1964 for $110.00/acre. By 1967 the company had announced that there would be an 18-hole championship course built. Jennings’ vision embraced the belief that a world class golf course with luxurious accommodations would attract people, a vision being carried on today.

World renowned golf course architect Norman Woods had been commissioned to design the layout. It was said that when Woods first saw the natural beauty of the area, he became inspired and created a course even more magnificent then his employers had imagined. Of the more than 300 golf courses to his credit, Woods still recalls Kokanee Springs as his greatest challenge.

By the fall of 1968 construction was winding down and the first golfer played the entire 18-holes and in 1969 the Clubhouse was built. The 2,700 ft. grass airstrip was built in 1970. Just as things were going well in June of that year disaster struck! All 18 greens on the million dollar course died! The following year the same thing occurred and the course was jokingly referred to as “the Kootenay’s million dollar hayfield”. In 1971 the course closed to allow the greens to grow properly and successfully reopened in 1972.

In 1980 a new era began when Kokanee Springs was purchased by the Canadian company, Redfield Development of Alberta.  It was during this time that a gardening department was established and an emphasis was placed on enhancement of the natural beauty of the course. In 1988 the golf course again changed hands and in 1990 Kokanee began work on the infrastructure of the on-site accommodations as well as paving many of the cart paths. The expansion of the Kokanee Lodge was completed in May 1992 which created many new jobs in the local community, many who were second generation employees.

Today, the advent of Kokanee Springs Resort Club incorporates what has always made this place special and beloved and will only serve to enhance the visions of those who have always realized the opportunity and the beauty of Kokanee Springs.