In a valley filled with fairways, one golf course stands out from the rest and a milestone anniversary makes it all the more inviting.

After coming into existence in 1988, the Windermere Valley Golf Course is celebrating its 25th year of operation this season, and the pros from the course are making some tempting offers.

Windermere Valley Golf Course is offering green fees on afternoons from Monday to Thursday of only $25 for 18 holes throughout the season. And the golf shop will be offering different weekly promotions as well.

“We also plan to celebrate the 25th anniversary with our members with a wine and cheese social and recognition of some of our longest standing members,” said head professional Dale Moore. “Silver anniversary coins will be given out, and will be available for purchase as well.”

He says since its opening season, the biggest difference at Windermere Valley Golf Course since the late 1980s to the present  are the planted 25-feet high fir trees that line the fairways.

“That has really started to shape the holes and added to the difficulty,” said Dale.

The signature hole at  Windermere Valley Golf Course is the fourth. It stretches 443 yards and challenges gentlemen as a par four, and as a par five for ladies.

“The upper tee box sits some 30 feet above the lower tee box, but is similar in elevation to the green,” Dale told The Valley Echo. “The tee shot must be threaded through a narrow gap leading to the fairway. Out of bounds left presents a problem for some. Even off the elevated tee, the second shot will usually require a long iron or hybrid. Make a par here and you’re on your way to a great round at Windermere Valley Golf Course.”

While practicing your swing at the course, you will be mesmerized by the view that surrounds the all-grass driving range. A pass for the range allows golfers unlimited use of the practice facilities. If you’re looking for more comprehensive training than what’s available at the range, the “Shot Shaper’s” golf academy offers a wide variety of instruction for every level.

“All instruction at the academy is results guaranteed,” said Dale, who is a three-time winner of the Kootenay “Teacher of the Year” award.

The Windermere Valley Golf Course has adopted the “Kids Golf Free” program. Normally a one-week program throughout Canada, this local course runs the program for the entire season.

“We see golf as a family sport, and making golf more affordable for families is our goal and our way of promoting the game to juniors,” Dale said. “Over a thousand juniors took advantage of this program last year.”

A restaurant at the course has been operational since opening season, and in 2007 was branded as Kari’s Kitchen after Kari Saunders, who has worked at Windermere Valley Golf Course for 17 years. A renovation of the restaurant was completed this year.

Dale says the greens at Windermere Valley are some of the best in the valley, and they offer subtle breaks that tend to fool a number of golfers.

“A good tip to know is that most greens slope towards the clubhouse at Windermere Valley Golf Course,” he said. “This will help with judging your speed on these medium sized greens.”