Shubhabrata Dutta
Created by Jason Keller, the Apple TV+ sports comedy drama series ‘Stick’ tells the story of washed-up golfer, Pryce Cahill, trying his hand at redemption after years of self-doubt. Cahill’s rising career in golf saw an unexpected and premature end 20 years ago. Since then, he has been working at a sporting goods store while navigating his crumbling marriage. Amidst these crises, he spots a troubled 17-year-old boy named Santi, who is brilliant at golf. Realizing the kid’s potential, Cahill makes it his mission to help him become the next US Amateur Champion, an endeavor that serves as Cahill’s own road to absolution. Since the show revolves around golf, the game becomes a part of the show’s world, and the game’s world becomes a part of the show’s visual canvas.
Stick Filming Locations
‘Stick’ is filmed entirely in British Columbia, specifically in North Vancouver, Richmond, Langley, Pitt Meadows, Surrey, New Westminster, Maple Ridge, and Vancouver. Under the working titles ‘Rambler’ and ‘The Birdie Machine,’ principal photography of Season 1 began towards the end of May 2024 under the working title ‘Rambler & the Birdie Machine’ and continued for several months before wrapping up in mid-September of the same year. To ensure proper world-building of ‘Stick’ and capture the essence of golf, the production team utilized real locations as well as soundstages.
Richmond, British Columbia
Richmond, a city in south-central Metro Vancouver, became one of the many bases the crew accessed to film scenes involving golf. While the actors took golf lessons, the production team also reached out to professional golfers to ensure that whatever is shown in the series is authentic. Special mention needs to be made of golf coach and former pro golfer Nathan Leonhardt, who was hired as the golf consultant. He was tasked with recruiting local golfers to work as doubles or background actors. Many outdoor scenes, not involving the sport, were filmed in Richmond as well. The suburban neighborhoods enabled the crew to provide the show with a semi-rustic contrast with bright colors.
Langley, British Columbia
The crew reached out to multiple golf courses in Langley, AKA Langley City, located in eastern Metro Vancouver, to film several scenes. The Newlands Golf Course at 21025 48 Avenue, the Langley Golf Centre at 21550 44 Avenue, and the Fort Langley Golf Course at 9782 McKinnon Crescent were all used as the backdrops. Jackson Jacob, a pro golfer and a former player at the University of the Fraser Valley, plays a non-speaking part in an episode filmed at Newlands Golf Course.
While speaking about his experience, Jacob told British Columbia Golf how “it was similar to people I spend time around who are trying to become elite athletes. It’s really no different. It was quite interesting to see the parallels between different industries and different passions and different crafts.” Besides the golf courses, Langley boasts many public parks, like Brydon Park, Uplands Dog Off-Leash Park, and Douglas Park. The city is home to the world-renowned Langley Ukulele Ensemble, considered one of the best ukulele ensembles on the planet. Langley also served as the backdrop for Hallmark’s ‘The Chicken Sisters‘ and GAF’s ‘For the Love of Chocolate.’
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
The production team filmed the Season 1 finale at the Pitt Meadows Golf Club in the city of Pitt Meadows, in Metro Vancouver’s Lower Fraser Valley. Located at 13615 Harris Road, the club became the setting for a PGA tournament. The crew built grandstands and hired about 1000 extras to recreate a real golf tournament. The well-known club offers space for weddings, banquets, and other social events. It has its own restaurant with a patio overlooking the lush greenery and golf course. The city gets its name from the Pitt River and Pitt Lake and is known for its natural landscapes and trails, making it a go-to destination for adventurers from all across British Columbia and beyond.
Surrey, British Columbia
In Surrey, a city south of the Fraser River in Metro Vancouver, the crew used the Guildford Golf & Country Club at 7929 152 Street for some scenes. The 6,502-yard course was established in 1966 and is one of the most beloved courses among golfers in British Columbia. From the tree-lined fairways to the widespread greenery to a creek, the Guildford Golf & Country Club is a paradise for golf lovers. Surrey is the hometown of Justin Bjornson, a member of the Simon Fraser University golf team.
Leonhardt picked him to double for Peter Dager, the actor who plays Santi. Talking about his experience meeting his favorite actor Owen Wilson, who plays Pryce Cahill, Bjornson told British Columbia Golf how Wilson “introduced himself to me and the first day on the set we rode around in a golf cart probably for half an hour playing closest to the pin competitions on one of the holes on Guildford Golf Course…For someone at his level of fame, he has been amazing to a random college kid.”
New Westminster, British Columbia
Many outdoor scenes and establishing shots were also lensed in New Westminster, a city in Metro Vancouver’s Lower Mainland region. Located on the banks of the Fraser River, it offers a gorgeous skyline view as well as many landmarks, including the Expo Line, Queen’s Park, SkyBridge, New Westminster Quay, Anvil Centre, Westminster Pier Park, and River Market. Columbia Street, the main street in downtown New Westminster, is reputed for its bridal stores, something that has earned it the nickname Bridal Capital of British Columbia. ‘A Mile in His Shoes’ and ‘Russell Madness’ were also filmed in the city.
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Maple Ridge, located in northeastern Metro Vancouver, was used to tape additional scenes of ‘Stick.’ The city has numerous golf courses, like the Maple Ridge Golf Course, Heather Hills Golf Course, and Pine Valley Golf Course, which may have been opted for as the settings for golf matches. The countryside vibe that the location carries further highlights the show’s visual style. Festivals you can enjoy in Maple Ridge include the Santa Claus Parade & Christmas, AdStock Music Festival, Aboriginal Day celebrations, and the Caribbean Festival. Other movies that have used Maple Ridge as the backdrop include ‘If I Had Wings,’ ‘Game, Set, Love,’ ‘Road to Victory,’ and ‘Falling for Christmas.’
North Vancouver, British Columbia
While the above-mentioned locations served mainly as the background for outdoor scenes, North Shore Studios, located at 555 Brooksbank Avenue in North Vancouver, was used to capture indoor scenes. It is one of the leading production studios in the country and houses eight sound stages, 120,000 square feet of production office space, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, customizable indoor and outdoor sets, and a highly skilled team.
Vancouver, British Columbia
The city of Vancouver, often referred to as Hollywood North, along with Toronto, due to its popularity as one of the most sought-after locations for film and TV production, may have been used to film additional scenes, wide shots, and establishing shots. The urban backdrops and streets easily double for any American neighborhood, and thanks to the tax incentives and availability of numerous studios, Vancouver is a profitable location for filming big-budget projects like ‘Stick.’ Some of the most famous areas you can visit in Vancouver are Canada Place, Stanley Park, Science World, Gastown, and Lions Gate Bridge.
Read More: Stick Episode 1, 2 and 3 Recap
