Travel Features
Driving Vancouver Island's Golf Trail
Vancouver Island earns accolades every year for being one of the world's top rated places to visit and live. Prestigious magazine Conde Naste has recently voted Victoria the best city in the Americas and Vancouver Island the top island in North America. With the best year round climate in Canada, the tourism appeal of Victoria, the crashing surf of Long Beach and the postcard scenery from Oak Bay to Campbell River, it's easy to see why. Connected by the super smooth Island Highway, you can easily travel almost the entire length of the island comfortably in a day.
But along the way your going to want to stop to play a string of golf courses that is becoming arguably second to none. This golf trail extends from Victoria in the south to Campbell River in the north with a side trip out to the Island's west coast which should not be missed.
Anchoring the trail in the south are the top quality courses to be found in the province's capital, Victoria. Many of the private courses are willing to open their course to non-member play. Call ahead to find out each facility's particular policy.
One private club that is definitely worth checking out is the recently rebuilt Gorge Vale GC. The Club brought in Les Furber over twenty years ago, to redo one hole. They recalled him to active duty a few years ago to redesign the entire course. The result is an instantly mature, forested jewel set in rolling hill. With this rebuild now complete, Gorge Vale is ready to host the Canadian Tour's Victoria Times-Colonist Open later this summer. Although in an urban setting only minutes from the downtown core, this is a course where you feel away from it all. The signature 187 yards, par three 5th has a post card view and requires a lofted shot over the ducks frequenting the pond that stretches from tee to green.
Another area course where you are definitely away from it all is the course that has been getting all the buzz across the country. Bear Mountain is located on top of Mt. Finlayson and includes unparalleled views of the city below. This Jack Nicklaus and son co-design has brought true high-end resort golf to Vancouver Island.
Wrapping around the mountain top, Nicklaus has created what locals and visitors alike are calling one of the better courses they have ever played. There are any number of signature holes here from an island green par three to a "19th" hole that plays across a chasm to a putting surface perched over the city skyline. There is a large real estate component to Bear Mountain that has been one of the most successful ever in B.C. Buyers are so interested that sales have already surpassed the $100 million mark, a figure that had not been expected to be reached for more than another year. An unbelievable 160,000 square foot 6 story clubhouse is currently being built.
Although these are the only layouts to undergo construction recently, there are many other great courses in the area. One of the outstanding nine hole courses on Vancouver Island would be the always enjoyable Prospect Lake layout, overlooking the idyllic lake of the same name. Only a 20 minute drive form the city core, this rolling course has challenge for every level of golfer. Occasional players will have an enjoyable round while more proficient players will find nuances and subtleties that will demand their complete attention.
By far the most popular of the public access courses is the Cordova Bay, easily findable as you head into Victoria from the ferries. Well manicured, this expansive layout also has views that would be the envy of any full length championship course.
If you are heading to or from the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay (in Sydney 35 minutes from downtown Victoria) and need a golf fix, Glen Meadows is a nice place to play. Located only five minutes off the Pat Bay Highway, this par 72, and 6859 yard course will require you to use every club in your bag. The Gary Oaks that frame many holes are something you will only see on Vancouver Island.
There are a large number of hotel options in the Capital City. It is probably best to choose one that offers golf packages that can help in getting the right tee times at some of the more popular courses.
Victoria is a tourist paradise. A walk along Dallas Road to see the kite-boarders is a must and a drive a little further along to Oak Bay is worth the time just to look at the ocean holes of the Victoria Golf Club, even if you don't get to play them. There is any number of very good restaurants in town. Two personal Favorites would have to be Cafe Brio and il Terrazo.
Only 45 minutes north of Victoria is one of the hottest golf areas in the country, literally. The Cowichan Valleys marketing slogan is "The Warm Land" because the Valley enjoys the highest mean temperatures in the country. Recently selected as one of the top ten rural places to live in Canada by Harrowsmith Magazine, the region, anchored by the city of Duncan, is now home to almost a dozen wineries, testament to the temperate climate. But it's not only the temperature that is cooking; the golf scene is starting to simmer as well. Duncan Meadows, selected as one of Canada's "Hidden Gems" by SCORE Magazine a few years ago, is undergoing major upgrading in preparation for hosting the RCGA's Club Champion’s Championship later this summer. This is a true player course with great rhythm. Playing here with the hang gliders and eagles circling Mt. Prevost above will be an unforgettable round. Also, in the high rent district of Maple Bay, fairways are being cleared for "The Cliffs Over Maple Bay" project, a Greg Norman designed course complete with a 700 home real estate component and 100 plus room luxury hotel. Completion is slated for 2006. The grand daddy of the area courses, Cowichan G&CC has also undergone a strong drainage upgrade over the past few years. This par 70, 6189 yard layout is a course that many visitors to the island come back to year after year. The views of Cowichan Bay and the beautiful Mt. Tzouhalem cannot be topped.
ON the trip up from Victoria, The Malahat Cafe is a great choice for view and food while the nearby Aerie is where to go for the very high-end meal and accommodations. In the Cowichan Valley itself, Steeples Restaurant in Shawnigan Lake is a great choice. Cowichan Bay is home to the very well regarded Masthead restaurant. The wineries are definitely worth a visit; Zanattas Vineyards, just south of Duncan, has a very nice restaurant as well.
A half hour detour west on Hwy 19A (just north of Duncan) to Cowichan Lake may have you deciding to stay a lot longer. The temperatures here can get very warm in the summer and the 17 mile, 27 km long lake is a water lover's paradise. The lake's other claim to fame is that Honeymoon Bay, on the Lakes south shore, is home to Dawn Coe-Jones, who player her golf growing up on one of the island's other nine hole pearls, March Meadows. This 3250 yard, par 39 layout will test even the best with it's small, quick greens and subtle undulations. Ceo-Jones, who has returned here every year to host a junior tournament, has recently purchased a home and now plans to spend summers in this beautiful region. For accommodations, the best option in the area is the Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn, on the highway just north of Duncan.
Another alterative that you may not have thought of would be to travel to Salt Spring Island to get a sense of the laid back feel of the Gulf Islands. You can either go from the Tsawwassen Ferry terminal directly to Salt Spring, or you can go from Vancouver Island via the ferry from Crofton (just north of Duncan) or from Swartz Bay (Victoria). This island is home to many artists who open their galleries daily in the summer. The market on Saturday is also a great place to see many of the artisans all in one place. There is one of me personal 9-hole favorites on this isle, the Salt Spring G&CC, who are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. Although not overly long at 3042 yards, this par 36 is both enjoyable and relaxing. The members here are along the most friendly to be found anywhere. Although it might break the bank, a stay or meal at the Hastings House will be once in a lifetime gourmet experience.
A little further north in the growing community of Ladysmith, a unique choice is the Kiwi Cove Lodge with it's vineyard of Kiwi Fruit. Relaxing on the deck at the nearby Page Pointe Inn is another nice place for a meal. Ten minutes further on just past the Nanaimo airport is the family owned Cottonwood G&CC. This course has a deserved reputation for some of the toughest greens around and the tight fairways will challenge even the straightest of drivers.
The city of Nanaimo, another 15 minutes to the north, is home to one of the prettiest settings for a semi-private club on the island. The Nanaimo G&CC is set right in the city on a ridge with views out over Georgia Strait. If you choose to travel to Vancouver Island from the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver, you can be teeing it up here mere minutes after docking! The course underwent a major renovation in the early 90s and it is now a challenging par 72, 6667 yard layout. The BC PGA had their championship here a few years ago and found it quite a test! The city is undergoing a rapid growth that is attracting a number of top quality restaurants due to a revitalized city core. Maffeos is a good choice for Italian while ACME’s is great for sushi and for high-end west coast eclectic. Glow, in the old fire hall is a great choice. The new hot spot would assuredly be the funky Modern Cafe.
Heading north from Nanaimo, you will reach the playground communities of Qualicum Beach and Parksville. Parksville enjoys one of the best sandy beaches in the province and both communities have become favorites for both retirees and vacationers. And where you find these demographics, you'll generally find golf courses and this are is no exception. There are no less than five courses in the district.
The one creating most of the buzz recently is the revamped Glengarry Golf Links. Long an executive length 18 hole course, they have recently rebuilt many of the holes and added what has to be one of the country’s top academies under the well respected leadership of the 1998 CPGA & BCPGA Teacher of the Year, Brent Morrison. Glengarry is now a 6500 yard test that puts a premium on accuracy and precision. With the backdrop of Mount Arrowsmith, staying focused with the level of concentration required to score well could be a problem.
Speaking of Arrowsmith, a course that still is a true executive length layout is the beautifully manicured Arrowsmith G&CC. This par 61, 3724 yard course is the perfect combination of test for the regular player and enjoyment for the more occasional golfer. Boasting the driest layout on the island, the court is continuously cart pathed. Their large greens will keep you guessing and as dominating as snow-capped Mt. Arrowsmith may be in the background...no, not all putts break away from the mountain.
One of the most distinguished restaurants in the area is Heron's in the Bayside Oceanfront in Parksville, where you'll discover the views across the strait are as good as the meals.
This is the time where you are going to take the longest side trip off of the golf trail to head west out to Vancouver Islands wild side at Long Beach. A half hour trip gets you to the "Port". Port Albemi, where you will have to take a break and tee it up at the Albemi Golf Club. Celebrating their 75th anniversary, the members at this club are justifiable proud of this par 70, 6151 yard layout. There has been a fair amount of renovations done here over the past few years and it shows. They are offering an unbelievable deal on initiation fees for this anniversary; you can join for just $75! Port Albemi is one of the lesser known secrets on Vancouver Island. It enjoys some of the warmest summers to be found and the fishing is great. If anyone is looking for a great place to retire, this is one community to really consider. After your round on your way to town, stop for a burger at one of the few drive-ins left in the province. J&L's has the best chocolate shakes and mushroom burgers, period. The Barcley Hotel is a great choice for finer dining.
If you are driving a sports car, the route from Port Albemi to the coast will be a pleasure. Otherwise take your time...this is a windy (but well paved) road that demands your attention. The twists and turns, however, are worth the effort as an hour and a half later you will reach the turn off to go left to Ucluelet or right to Tofino. Each has great places to stay, but the major hotels and beaches are at the Tofino end, as is one of my favorite nine-hole golf courses, the Long Beach Golf Club, a par 36, 3300 yard track that plays through coastal rainforest. Built on sand, this course can be playable only a few hours after a storm has passed through. There are also daily flights from Vancouver into the airport that adjoins the golf course, so you can tee it up right away. Long Beach is one of those places that you have to visit at least once in your life, the beaches and surf are unequalled anywhere in the country, and there are a great number of accommodation options ranging from self contained cottages right on the beach (Crystal Cove) to the high-level hotel (BW Tin-Wis Resort) or the ultra high-end (Wickaninnish Inn). Eating options are also numerous here. The Pointe restaurant at the Wikaninnish is very good and has some of the most spectacular views imaginable. Personal favorites would be Pamplona's, Sobo's and Inn at Tough City Sushi Bar.
Another hour north from Qualicum Parkville on the more recently constructed section of the island highway are the growing communities of Courtenay and Comox in the Comox Valley. With flights from Alberta and points west via Westjet, this has become a quick trip to one of the better unsung playgrounds in Canada. With a recently completed upgrade to the airport they are more than able to handle the large numbers of snowbirds now heading west instead of south. With Mount Washington only 30 minutes away and accommodations right on the Crown Isle Golf Course, this is one of the few places in the world where you can golf in the morning and ski in the afternoon! Crown Isle boasts one of the best year round resort layouts on the island and with arguably the country's opulent clubhouse. It is no wonder that more and more golfers are selecting this golf getaway. There are a number of other courses around. One you should not miss is Glacier Greens. Named for the Comox glacier that backdrop all westerly pointing holes, the putting surfaces here live up to their name, they are quick! This course is right beside the Comox military airport and if you’re lucky, you will get to see a jet fighter landing while you play. An excellent option for the entire family would be Mulligans Golf Centre, right on the highway north cut of town. A picturesque, executive length 9-holer, this par 30, 1700 yard layout is a good tune-up for anybody's short game. They also boast for the biggest driving range in the north island. The best restaurant option around here is the Crown Isle Clubhouse.
The most recently finished section of the island highway stretches from Courtenay to Campbell River, about a half hour away. Campbell River has historically been a fisherman's paradise but more recently has become known for what is many island golfers’ favorite course, Storey Creek. A Les Furber design, this layout has been truly carved out of the dense fir forest. Each hole is separate. It's unusual to not see deer grazing at least once during your round. The other course in town is the expanded Sequoia Springs, par 70 and 5500 yards. Its southern style clubhouse is a great place to sit and enjoy a meal or beverage after a round. The other well known restaurant is the Beehive, which has been around just about as long as Campbell River itself. For those hardy souls who want to travel 2 hours more north, you can go to Port Hardy and play Seven Hills G&CC. This par 35 layout is considered among the toughest on the island.
Source: Jeff Sutherland, Inside Golf Magazine.
