Big River at Fort McMurray Golf Club

Big River is the 18-hole championship course at Fort McMurray Golf Club, designed by Canadian architect Bill Newis and situated in the boreal forest of northeastern Alberta. The course takes its name from the Athabasca River, which flows through this resource-rich region approximately 435 kilometers north of Edmonton. The layout reflects Newis's approach to working with natural terrain, incorporating the area's characteristic stands of spruce and pine, elevation changes, and the sandy soil common to this part of the province.

The routing moves through dense forest corridors that define playing lines and create a sense of isolation despite the course's location within the city limits of Fort McMurray. The design features strategic bunkering and water hazards that come into play on several holes, requiring accuracy off the tee and thoughtful course management. The boreal setting provides a distinctive backdrop compared to courses in southern Alberta, with the northern latitude affecting both growing conditions and the extended daylight hours during the summer golf season.

Fort McMurray Golf Club serves a community shaped by the oil sands industry, and the membership reflects the transient nature of the regional workforce alongside long-term residents. The course provides a recreational outlet in a remote setting where golf facilities are limited, and it has hosted regional amateur competitions over the years. The climate presents a shorter playing season than courses farther south, typically running from late spring through early fall.