Golf

Victoria is one of the premier golf destinations in Canada, and with the mildest climate in the country, golf can be played 12 months of the year. Victoria and Vancouver Island are home to many of Canada’s most beautiful and challenging courses, several boasting spectacular lake, mountain and ocean views. Golfers can take advantage of the many golf packages available to visitors and the truly dedicated golfer can spend an entire vacation exploring the variety of courses up and down the Island.

Golfers can choose from 15 primary courses in the Victoria area from full-scale championship links to smaller and less difficult courses. Within a 30-minute drive from downtown Victoria there are eight championship courses – two of which were rated in 2001 by Score Golf Magazine as among the Top 20 courses in Canada. Six of Score Golf Magazine’s 2001 list of Top 100 courses are on Vancouver Island.

Only on Vancouver Island and the coast of BC can one golf and ski on the same day, and Victoria is the gateway to Mt. Washington – Vancouver Island’s premier snow resort. After a morning round of golf, Mt. Washington is an easy 4-hour drive north of Victoria. Some facilities in the central-north region of Vancouver Island also offer a convenient base to local golf courses and Mt. Washington.

Arbutus Ridge Golf and Country Club
Surrounded by seaside landscapes and stunning views, Arbutus Ridge is considered one of the finest courses on Vancouver Island. This challenging par 72, 18-hole championship golf course with 6,400 yards of perfectly kept fairways is playable virtually year round due to the temperate climate of southern Vancouver Island. Located in Cobble Hill, 35 minutes north of Victoria, Arbutus Ridge features a full clubhouse with restaurant and lounge, driving range, tennis courts and other amenities. Rentals include power and pull carts, club rentals, paved cart paths, driving range, putting green and practice bunker. Full banquet and meeting facilities are also available. For more information visit http://www.arbutusridgegolf.com/courses/arbutus_ridge.

Bear Mountain Resort
Bear Mountain Resort is the newest addition to the championship golf courses in Victoria. The resort is home to Vancouver Island’s only Jack and Steve Nicklaus co-designed 18-hole golf course opened in August 2003 with a second Nicklaus course set to open in 2007. The courses are designed to fit the landscape, preserving the original features and reducing the environmental impact, so that golf and the natural environment co-exist. The 18th hole at Bear Mountain is the longest in BC at 603 yards. The primary investor and CEO, Len Barrie, is a former NHL player and is joined in partnership by a group of current and former NHL stars such as Mike Vernon, Ray Whitney, Rob Niedermayer, Ryan Smyth, Greg Adams and Rob Blake. Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced a franchise agreement for the accommodation portion of Bear Mountain Resort to be known as The Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Resort & Spa. When complete, the resort will include the Fairways Building with 65 suites, a 160,000 sq. ft. clubhouse featuring an additional 91 guest rooms and suites, an accredited Santé Spa, restaurant, bar, lounge and 4,600 sq. ft. conference facility. For more information please visit www.bearmountaingolf.com.

Cedar Hill Municipal Golf Course
Cedar Hill is Vancouver Island's first municipal golf course. Built initially as a privately owned, 9-hole course in the 1920's, Cedar Hill was expanded to an 18-hole course in the 1950’s and purchased by the Corporation of Saanich in 1967. Saanich began full-time operations in 1971. Since then, Cedar Hill has undergone many improvements and boasts one of the busiest schedules on the Canadian golfing scene. Cedar Hill's Golf Club is run by dedicated volunteers and the course prides itself on the many commercial tournaments and special events it plays host to. Full tournament packages are offered. For more information visit www.tee-off.ca/courses/bc026.htm.

Cordova Bay Golf Club
Opened in 1991, Cordova Bay Golf Course was built and is maintained to exacting standards which have made it one of the finest public golf courses in Canada. Site of the 1994 Payless Open, Cordova Bay is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course with multiple tees to accommodate all levels of play. Its gently rolling, sand-base fairways each have bent grass greens, and provide excellent drainage for wet weather play. On a clear day the view of Mount Baker is fantastic, and the ocean view shows the many islands scattered throughout the waters. Cordova Bay is a challenging yet enjoyable course with many beautiful lakes and natural streams to create hazards throughout. Many visitors refer to Cordova Bay as a resort-style course with public course pricing. The facilities are excellent and include a beautiful, full length driving range, large pro shop and a lounge. For more information visit www.cordovabaygolf.com.

The Ridge Golf Course at Cordova Bay
Recently opened in June 1999, this course is a 9-hole, par 3 layout with many similar features to Cordova Bay Golf Club, the 18-hole championship course across the street. Both are designed by well known golf course architect Bill Robinson. The Ridge is an aesthetic pleasure with breathtaking views of Mt. Baker and Haro Strait. The Ridge provides a challenge for both the seasoned golfer as well as the beginner. For more information visit www.cordovabaygolf.com.

Cowichan Golf and Country Club
Like a number of Vancouver Island courses, Cowichan Golf and Country Club began its life as a 9-hole course. Originally constructed in 1947 by Arthur Vernon Macan, the course was enlarged to its current 18-hole dimensions in 1985. The course features a number of rolling, undulating fairways and numerous doglegs that help set Cowichan apart from many other Island courses. The clubhouse features a fully stocked pro shop and licensed dining room. Cowichan Golf and Country Club is located just south of Duncan, about 1 hour north of Victoria.

Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community
Designed by Graham Cooke & Associates in 1992, the award winning, Platinum rated golf course at Crown Isle is superbly manicured and maintained, and playable for golfers at all levels. This par 72, 18-hole course is the centrepiece of the master planned community and also offers a superb driving range with chipping and putting greens and practice bunkers. With 11 lakes, views of the Beaufort mountain range and verdant fairways, the championship golf course has won many awards, and is a remarkable example of spectacular BC golf. Winner of "Best Clubhouse in Western Canada" by Golf Course Ranking Magazine for 2000/2001, the Resort Centre is the crowning glory of Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community. Designed with architectural flourish, the three level, 48,000 square foot building is a perfect example of West Coast splendor. For more information visit www.crownisle.com.

Eaglecrest Golf Club
Eaglecrest Golf Course is located between the Island Highway and the Straights of Georgia in the historic Eaglecrest section of Qualicum Beach. Starting at the rustic log clubhouse, the golf course meanders through the Eaglecrest and Oceanside waterfront subdivisions. Golfers looking for a high quality, semi-private golf course, which is enjoyable, challenging and affordable, will enjoy their experience at Eaglecrest Golf Club. For more information visit www.eaglecrest.bc.ca.

Fairwinds Golf and Country Club
Fairwinds Golf and Country Club is one of Vancouver Island’s premier golf destinations. With ocean and mountain views, this magnificent 6,200 yard, par 71, 18-hole course will challenge experienced and novice players alike. Towering Douglas fir, Arbutus and Gary Oak trees line the fairways. Water hazards are in play on 11 holes while over 70 sandtraps guard immaculate greens. Full practice facilities including a driving range and individual or group instruction is available from CPGA professionals. Located at Nanoose Bay, just 30 minutes north of the Departure Bay ferry terminal in Nanaimo, Fairwinds Golf and Country Club was named the 1999 BC PGA Facility of the Year. For more information visit www.fairwinds.ca.

Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club
Established in Sidney in the early 1960’s by the Criddle family, Glen Meadows remains the longest course by yardage on the lower Island. The 18-hole course is 6,859 yards. It's clay foundation gives it unusually soft fairways that make every yard gained invaluable. Definitely a course for the long driver, Glen Meadows is a championship level course having played host to the BC Open twice, the Victoria Open and the Canadian Players Qualifying School. Visitors are always welcome. There are also tennis courts and a curling rink available for use.

Gorge Vale Golf Club
Gorge Vale offers the golfer a challenging par 72, 18-hole course with hilly terrain and tall standing trees. The course plays long with sand bunkers in play on every hole requiring accurate shot making for a good score. A naval cemetery set in the golf course provides an aesthetic backdrop and obstacle on the difficult 12th hole with no less than 8 bunkers. Gorge Vale’s 15th hole was voted one of the “Top 500 Holes in the World” by Golf Magazine, January 2000. The 15th hole is 541 yards, playing downhill with views of Mount Baker. For more information visit www.gorgevalegolf.com.

Henderson Park Golf Course
Just across the way from the University of Victoria, Henderson Park has been offering Victoria golfers a fun-filled and affordable golfing experience since 1981. Under the auspices of Recreation Oak Bay, Henderson Park Golf Course is a par 3, 9-hole course that provides a scenic sanctuary in the midst of the sprawling suburbs of Oak Bay Municipality. The course is open seasonally and features a sheltered woodland setting rich with forested growth and a distinctive layout all its own. Henderson Park is a true pitch n' putt featuring a series of smallish mounded greens that will really put your shortgame to the test.

Morningstar International Golf Course
Located in the Parksville area, Morningstar International Golf Course is the site of the CPGA Tour event, the Morningstar Classic, as well as the home of the Canadian Tour Qualifying School (1992-1997). Morningstar possess an exciting 7,018 yard layout with the pedigree of a champion. Designed by internationally acclaimed golf course architect, Les Furber, this course is designed to test the best players in the game, while at the same time remaining accessible and enjoyable to golfers of all skill levels. For more information visit www.morningstar.bc.ca.

Olympic View Golf Course
A beautiful championship course ranked among the top 35 courses in Canada, Olympic View is set amidst a lush evergreen forest, 12 lakes, two spectacular waterfalls, rock outcroppings, gardens and of course views of the Olympic Mountains. Each hole has a personality of its own, making for an exciting game that favours no specific shot other than accuracy due to the tightness of some of the fairways. The signature hole, is the 417 yard 17th. Playing downhill from the tee, the hole descends towards a natural waterfall that provides a dramatic backdrop. In 1994, this challenging course prompted the vacationing Tiger Woods to play a round. For more information visit http://www.golfbc.com/courses/olympic_view.

Prospect Lake Golf Course
Built in 1964, this little 2,143 yard, 9-hole golf course can be challenging. Its slope is 102 which is quite high for such a small course. Set on Prospect Lake, 20 minutes from downtown Victoria, Prospect Lake Golf Course offers a wide variety of challenging holes and changing vistas that belie its layout. The view from the signature 6th hole is spectacular. Prospect Lake plays host to innumerable special events and the course and facilities can be rented out for any number of golf related tournaments and banquets.

Royal Colwood Golf and Country Club
Royal Colwood Golf and Country Club was established in 1913. It is considered to be one of the finer golf courses in all of Canada. Designed by Arthur Vernon Macan, Royal Colwood is a traditional style parklands championship course set amongst 450 year-old Douglas Firs and majestic Garry Oaks. The course is kept to exacting standards and is an extremely challenging par 70 with its own reservoir as an attractive obstacle. The tall stands of trees lining the fairways mixed with water hazards make this golf course difficult for those who vary off the tee. The Club was awarded its Royal designation by King George V in 1931. For more information visit www.royalcolwood.org.

Victoria Golf and Country Club
Founded in 1893, the Victoria Golf and Country Club is the oldest golf course in Canada on its original site. Described as the “Pebble Beach of the North,” it is situated on 100 acres along the water’s edge of the most southerly tip of Vancouver Island and arguably boasts the best view Victoria has to offer of the Pacific ocean and the Olympic Mountains. The course is a par 70 and the layout is that of a British links yet the fairways are immaculate. The tricky greens and gusty winds off the water are a challenge to any golfer regardless of skill level. For more information visit www.victoriagolf.com.