The Great Golf Courses of Canada

Glynn A. Leyshon is a professor of physical education at the University
of Western Ontario, a former weekly columnist for the London Free Press,
and author of 18 Sporting Stories.

A Guide to the Golf Courses of Alberta lists more than 200 golf courses
available in Alberta, and indicates all pertinent information such as
addresses, phone numbers, green fees, reservation requirements, and
details for courses such as par holes, distances (in yards), and fairway
conditions. Any golfer contemplating a trip to or around Alberta would
find this book a big assist. It even has golf jokes and philosophy
tucked into available spaces.

The Great Golf Courses of Canada features 38 of the most expensive and
exclusive clubs in the country, something many would describe as a
display of conspicuous consumption. Millions upon millions of dollars
have gone into each of these monuments, which are truly grand and well
captured by the outstanding photography of Mike French. There seems to
be nothing but placid, deep blue water and sky sandwiching restful
vistas of green manicured lawns and trees. No wonder a membership in the
Niakwa Club of Winnipeg, for example, costs $50,000. For the minority
who can afford these surroundings, the text of the book offers a course
map of each club and a description of the clubhouse, as well as a kind
of pedigree consisting of the name of the architect and endorsements
from big-name pros.

All in all, a beautiful, coffee-table-type book, but a paean to excess
and privilege.