Kananaskis Golf Course Prepares for G7 Summit and Potential Trump Visit
Kananaskis prepares to host world leaders once again, blending high-stakes diplomacy with the timeless allure of golf amid the stunning Rockies.
In the crisp mountain air of Kananaskis, Darren Robinson found himself once again at the center of international attention as preparations ramp up for the highly anticipated G7 leaders’ summit scheduled for June 15-17. Two decades ago, Robinson, the general manager of the Kananaskis Country Golf Club, witnessed firsthand the surprising intersections between global diplomacy and the game of golf. Memories of 2002—the last time world leaders graced the fairways—remain vivid in his mind.
Robinson recalls the surreal moment he interrupted a conversation between U.S. President George Bush and Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar to inform them that the pro shop was open. The cordial interruption quickly turned into a light-hearted exchange, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair joining the group. “What was probably only ten seconds felt like ten minutes,” Robinson remembered, still in awe of the occasion. The four leaders delved into casual conversation about golf, running, and the majestic Rockies, a stark contrast to the tense discussions that often define such summits.
With the 2025 summit looming, the Kananaskis Country Golf Club is once more being readied for the possibility of hosting some of the world’s most influential figures. The club sits within the security perimeter that will be closed to the public, standing as one of just two venues capable of accommodating the high-level delegates. The nearby Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge will serve as the main summit site, ensuring both convenience and privacy for attendees.
Speculation is swirling that current U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his passion for golf, might take advantage of the pristine course during downtime. Reports suggest Prime Minister Mark Carney recently gifted President Trump a hat and other Kananaskis club gear during an official visit, fueling rumors of a potential presidential tee-off at the summit. However, neither the White House nor the Prime Minister’s Office have commented on whether the leaders will make time for a round.
For Robinson, these extraordinary moments often arise spontaneously. He fondly remembers when former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, while touring the club in 2002, playfully insisted he did, in fact, have time for a few swings. After a couple of solid shots, Chrétien jokingly called a mulligan, referencing former President Bill Clinton in a quip that had everyone chuckling before returning to the seriousness of summit business.
The encounters went beyond golf. With the shadow of the September 11 attacks still looming in 2002, Robinson was asked to map out a five-kilometre running loop for President Bush. When Bush showed up ready for the jog, accompanied by a club staffer, he lightheartedly accused Robinson of pairing him with an "Olympic runner," a moment that would later be commemorated with a signed letter and photo from the president himself.
This year, Robinson stands ready but recognizes that such historic and impromptu experiences are unpredictable. “You hope that there’s any opportunity to have some similar and memorable experiences,” he reflected, gazing across the 16th hole. “If they happen, great. That would be wonderful. And if they don’t, they don’t.”
As the summit draws near, the world awaits the latest chapter in Kananaskis’s unique blend of diplomacy and recreation, where even the world’s weightiest decisions can pause for a moment under the vast Alberta sky.
