VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Vancouver Island, located in British Columbia, Canada, is the top spot to book a golf package or golf vacation with more than 50 amazing golf courses found within the confines of this forested, rugged island on the Pacific coast that has been voted the No. 1 island destination in North America by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
The western sections of the island are dominated by wind and water-battered fjords that tear into a rocky interior composed mostly of lush valleys and rainforests. The eastern portions of the island, due to inland mountains blocking the wet pacific air, are much drier and warmer. Not surprisingly, it’s on this half of the island where most of the people, including the golfers, like to hang out.
A two-hour ferry ride from Vancouver gets you to the island. From there, the capital city of British Columbia, and one of Canada’s most charming ports, Victoria, is only 25 minutes from where you’ll hit dry land in Schwartz Bay. But, if you have a sense of adventure, and have your golf clubs tagging along, you’ll want to explore more than just Victoria, BC.
With a total population of 750,000 in an area the size of Maryland, which has a population of 6 million, it would be tough to call Vancouver Island overcrowded. Thankfully, the island’s 50 golf courses aren’t either, making for great golf vacations to the BC haven.
Great Golf Courses Open All Year on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada
The diversity of golf on the island is also notable on Vancouver Island in BC.
There are new resorts, as well as quaint nine-hole courses tucked in valleys, and 100-year old private clubs that hug the water-smoothed rocks of Victoria, BC’s ancient shores. Thankfully, with the warmest year-round climate in Canada, all of them can be played in every month of the calendar too.
“The climate makes this a paradise for golfers,” said Oliver Glass, a golfer in BC. “I always book my golf vacation to Vancouver Island. I’ve done it five years in a row.”
Here the Victoria Golf Club, established in 1893 and the oldest golf club in Canada still on its original site, is the epitome of a classic course. Its location on a stunning portion of land that juts into the Juan de Fuca Straight, and on the most southerly point of Vancouver Island, is, perhaps, Canada’s closest match to Pebble Beach’s famed seaside perch.
Another test in Victoria can be found at the Royal Colwood Golf Club, also one of Canada’s older clubs. Designed in 1913 by the masterful touch of A.V. Macan, one of golfdom’s unsung heroes, Royal Colwood is revered by the locals and praised by out-of-towners who appreciate a strategically planned wooded stroll through some pristine parkland. Royal Colwood is a terrific play during the winter months, and drainage is outstanding.
“The main issue at this course is that the green is a bit on the pricey side,” said Glass. “It is one of my favorites but sometimes I skip it in order to save some cash and play a couple other courses.”
Another Victoria-area course on Vancouver Island, BC that holds up well during the winter months is Cordova Bay. Newer, more accessible, and less expensive than its “older” counterparts, Cordova Bay is still a rock-solid design that features a tough stretch of holes threaded through huge cedar trees. Designed by golf course architect Bill Robinson, Cordova Bay also boasts an engaging par-3 course called the Ridge Course.
Farther north on Vancouver Island (Victoria is on the southern-most point of Vancouver Island) you’ll find some other worthwhile stops for your golf package.
One of the island’s most important resort communities is Crown Isle in BC’s Comox Valley. Located two and a half hours from Victoria and 60 minutes from Nanaimo, Crown Isle features a golf course designed by Graham Cooke and Associates. The course is ranked among Canada’s top 50, and is accompanied by a massive clubhouse, golf villas, and great practice facilities.
Another top golf course on Vancouver Island, BC is the Storey Creek Golf Club in Campbell River.
More Golf Courses to Play on Vancouver Island, BC
Arbutus Ridge – Shorter, rolling course set atop a plateau. Great views and a laid-back atmosphere make this Bill Robinson course a good option when in the Victoria area.
Olympic View – A hilly test with waterfalls and lush fairways. Another Bill Robinson course in Victoria with great scenery and strategic requirements.
Fairwinds – Located up island near Nanaimo, Fairwinds is a sporty resort course designed by Les Furber. Course meanders through huge Douglas firs.
Morningstar – Long, championship test that has played host to Canadian Tour qualifying. Centrally located on the island.
Nanaimo – Beautiful mid-island municipal course that has hosted provincial and national championships. Designed in the 1930s by the legendary A.V. Macan.
No matter which of these amazing golf courses are included in your golf package to play the links on Vancouver Island, BC, you are sure to enjoy a golf vacation to this spectacular island that is one of the wonders of western Canada.
Golf Canada’s West is the official golf course, tee time and golf packaging company of Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies. Call them at 877-323-3633. For additional information be sure to check out GolfTheRockies.net. For more BC and Alberta vacation and tourism information, please visit Banff National Park.com and Banff Travel.com.
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