
The Bear Course
Okanagan Golf Club


About this course
The Bear at Okanagan Golf Club is a Jack Nicklaus design that opened in 1999 in the hills above Kelowna in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. The course occupies elevated terrain on the western slopes overlooking Okanagan Lake, with the layout moving through natural ponderosa pine forest and native grasslands characteristic of the region's semi-arid interior climate. Nicklaus routed the course to take advantage of the property's natural elevation changes and integrated the design into the existing topography rather than imposing dramatic earthwork. The routing features significant elevation shifts between holes, with several tee shots played from elevated positions that offer views across the valley. The course incorporates the natural rock outcroppings and native vegetation into the playing corridors, and fairways often move through corridors of pine with strategic bunkering positioned to challenge approach angles. Water comes into play on select holes, and the green complexes show Nicklaus's preference for multiple tiers and undulation that reward precise iron play. Okanagan Golf Club operates as a semi-private facility and includes a second course, The Quail, designed by Les Furber. The Bear has hosted regional amateur competitions and serves as the more demanding of the two layouts. The club sits within Kelowna's wine country, and the surrounding area has developed into a golf destination that draws visitors to the valley's combination of courses, vineyards, and lake recreation during the warm, dry summer season.
Quick facts
- Location
- Kelowna, British Columbia, CA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1999
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,885 yards
- Difficulty
- 71.7/133
Getting there
The journey to Okanagan Golf Club begins at Kelowna International Airport (YLW), a compact regional hub served by direct flights from Vancouver (YVR) and Seattle (SEA), situated just fifteen minutes north of the club's gates. From the airport, the drive descends gently through the rolling benchlands of the Okanagan Valley, trading the dry pine forests of the interior plateau for glimpses of Okanagan Lake's crystalline waters as you approach the property. Private aviation clients benefit from the proximity of several regional airstrips, though Kelowna International's modern facilities accommodate most executive traffic with understated efficiency. The final miles unfold along quiet valley roads lined with vineyards and sage-covered slopes, arriving at Okanagan Golf Club's entrance with the lake shimmering to the west and the course's dramatic terrain rising to meet the high-desert light.

FAQ
Common questions about The Bear at Okanagan Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Bear was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Yes. The Bear at Okanagan Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Bear is 72.
The Bear plays 6,885 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Bear is 133.
The Bear is a 18-hole course.



