Victoria, the seaside capital city of British Columbia, is Canada’s year round golf destination. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off of Canada’s Pacific coast, Victoria is an attractive city and a hugely popular tourist destination. If you love your golf with a seaside harbor flavour, then a golf vacation to Victoria should be at the top of your list.

You can choose to fly into Victoria Inter­ national or drive via the BC Ferry Service or the Victoria Clipper ferry service if you’re coming from the USA. Hotel accommodations to complement your golf itinerary are as numerous as the golf options. The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa is a great choice for the golfer looking to test him/herself at Canada’s only 36 holes facility designed by Jack Nicklaus. The two 18 hole layouts, a Mountain and a Valley landscape, are to receive some added recognition and support this year in the way of new equipment and an increased budget to improve the two courses. New for 2014, will be the Valley course being offered as two returning 9’s, effectively opening up the course to a larger audience. Also in what is sure to be a huge hit, an inclusion of the 19th hole, previously used only for special occasions. The 19th, which overlooks the Victoria city skyline, will now find itself in the full daily rotation as hole #10, is removed to make way for continued development of the resort.

Golf by day and enjoy the resorts amenities at night. Choosing to stay in Victoria’s inner harbour as your base of operations is an outstanding choice. The Fairmont Empress, opened in 1908, has hosted royalty and plenty of famous persons throughout its storied history. Count yourself as one, and enjoy their impeccable service while you relive your birdie and bogey tales in the Bengal Lounge. A Golf Canada’s West favorite is the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, which is also located on the inner harbour and a short 8minute walk to the downtown core of pubs, restaurants, and shops. It is a beautiful hotel with a modern waterfront setting. Even though you spent the morning or afternoon golfing, you will certainly enjoy the ability to stroll along the waterway exploring the sea wall or the artisans lining the inner harbour.

Enjoying the views of the harbour shouldn’t mean you sacrifice your golf experience. Along with the 36 holes at Bear Mountain, the Olympic View Golf Club is an 18­hole championship golf course located just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. Nature and tranquility are on display at Olympic View. Being situated inside a pristine forest with two waterfalls and 12 lakes, no one will blame your for not staying down on your shots. Another Golf BC course enjoying a four star Golf Digest rating, is the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club. It is located about a 40­minute drive from Victoria in the seaside community of Cobble Hill, and it lays among nine of Vancouver Island’s finest wineries. Five sets of tee boxes allow for play from the Quick Tees at 3,093 yards to their blue tees at 6,193. Lots of choice and welcoming for any level of golfer, which is just what our game needs!

A 20­minute drive north from Victoria on Highway 17 takes you to the community of Cordova Bay and the Cordova Bay golf course. Cordova Bay holds the distinction of being the first certified Audubon Sanctuary on Vancouver Island. With four sets of tees and a versatile layout, this is a welcoming course for beginners, while still providing challenges for more advanced players. They also have a par 3 9­hole course in which to sharpen your short game skills. And, who among us couldn’t use a little more practice?

Golf Canada’s West is the official golf package provider for Canadian Rockies Golf and the Columbia Valley Golf Trail. We specialize in British Columbia and Alberta golf vacation packages.

Give them a call at 1­877­323­3633, or visit them online at www.golfcanadaswest.com to book your next golf vacation.