Victoria BC Canada Course recommendations?

[Double K]

Brought my snorkel,but left my dry suit in Alberta. Not looking good for golf this trip.

[sikoram]

We got 1/3 of the months rain in one day on Thursday the 4th of January. My course Olympic View had the back nine closed on Friday. I played on Saturday the 5th of January and the course was OK. Lots of water or washouts in the bunkers. Highland Pacific is the driest course on the Island and the newest.

[jpdx]

I realize this is a really old thread but we may be looking to goto Victoria. It seems the recommended courses in this thread are all private. What good courses are public, close-ish to downtown?

[tips09]

On 5/15/2022 at 7:06 PM, jpdx said:

I realize this is a really old thread but we may be looking to goto Victoria. It seems the recommended courses in this thread are all private. What good courses are public, close-ish to downtown?

Not sure of your idea of close but some good public options are Cordova bay, Highland Pacific, Olympic View and both courses at bear mountain. Tee times are an absolute joke to get anywhere in town besides bear mountain. I am a big fan of both highland and the valley course at bear mountain. For me personally the mountain course at bear mountain is a ripoff $$$ wise. 

[jpdx]

2 hours ago, tips09 said:

Not sure of your idea of close but some good public options are Cordova bay, Highland Pacific, Olympic View and both courses at bear mountain. Tee times are an absolute joke to get anywhere in town besides bear mountain. I am a big fan of both highland and the valley course at bear mountain. For me personally the mountain course at bear mountain is a ripoff $$$ wise. 

Thanks. Im thinking not more than 20min driving from downtown. 
 

thanks for the rec’s. I really appreciate it. 

[69isfine]

On 5/17/2022 at 3:51 PM, jpdx said:

Thanks. Im thinking not more than 20min driving from downtown. 
 

thanks for the rec’s. I really appreciate it. 

Cordova and HP are 20 minutes from downtown. Have your golf pro book your times. This is a courtesy between clubs. Also, Gorgevale has some public times. 

[YMark]

On 5/17/2022 at 1:39 PM, tips09 said:

Not sure of your idea of close but some good public options are Cordova bay, Highland Pacific, Olympic View and both courses at bear mountain. Tee times are an absolute joke to get anywhere in town besides bear mountain. I am a big fan of both highland and the valley course at bear mountain. For me personally the mountain course at bear mountain is a ripoff $$$ wise. 

Do any of these courses rent clubs? My wife and I will be in Victoria from July3-7 staying at the Delta Ocean Point hotel. I might try and get in a round on Tues or Wed. Also, would any of these courses have an issue with my wife riding with me? She doesn't play but love riding around and playing caddie.

[becoh]

Any members at Gorge Vale? I'm relatively new to Victoria, and live within walking range of the course so it would be ideal for me. I've been told there is a "semi-membership" that doesn't have an enormous initiation fee. Any truth to that?

 

Have been playing mostly at Highland Pacific, and Olympic but those green fees add up.

[unskinnybop99]

Bumping this thread.........thinking about moving to the island. Would really like to join a course. I play a 3 handicap so would like some challenge. I'm told Victoria, Uplands and Cordova have long waiting lists. What does everyone think about Gorge Vale? Royal Colwood? Or buy an annual pass at Highland Pacific? Olympic View? 

[Instron4204]

3 hours ago, unskinnybop99 said:

Bumping this thread.........thinking about moving to the island. Would really like to join a course. I play a 3 handicap so would like some challenge. I'm told Victoria, Uplands and Cordova have long waiting lists. What does everyone think about Gorge Vale? Royal Colwood? Or buy an annual pass at Highland Pacific? Olympic View? 

Gorge Vale is very hilly and found it to be a tough walk (I do prefer to walk rather than ride).  I have not played Royal Colwood so cannot comment.

I would take Highland Pacific over Olympic View as OV had some quirky hole layouts.  Highland Pacific is a solid track and one of the better ones in Victoria.

Just my 2¢.  Enjoy the Island, it is a fantastic place to live and golf.

[Chanceman]

11 hours ago, unskinnybop99 said:

Bumping this thread.........thinking about moving to the island. Would really like to join a course. I play a 3 handicap so would like some challenge. I'm told Victoria, Uplands and Cordova have long waiting lists. What does everyone think about Gorge Vale? Royal Colwood? Or buy an annual pass at Highland Pacific? Olympic View? 

We played Victoria and Royal Colwood en route to Bandon last year and loved both courses. RC is basically parkland and very kind of Canadian with the big trees and all that. Very warm welcome if you can get an invite. Vic is obviously top drawer as an oceanside course. 

[tips09]

On 7/17/2023 at 3:35 PM, Instron4204 said:

Gorge Vale is very hilly and found it to be a tough walk (I do prefer to walk rather than ride).  I have not played Royal Colwood so cannot comment.

I would take Highland Pacific over Olympic View as OV had some quirky hole layouts.  Highland Pacific is a solid track and one of the better ones in Victoria.

Just my 2¢.  Enjoy the Island, it is a fantastic place to live and golf.

Agreed on this. Also worth a thought if you are a walker Gorge Vale, Olympic View and Highland Pacific are not the greatest courses to walk. Cordova would be a better option for someone who consistently walks. 

[unskinnybop99]

Is Royal Colwood walkable?

[Chanceman]

On 7/22/2023 at 3:21 AM, unskinnybop99 said:

Is Royal Colwood walkable?

Absolutely. And pretty nice as well.

[sheppick.dan]

I’m in Victoria now. Any chance anyone has a hookup for Victoria?

 

I might call over tomorrow and ask if my club in oregon has any type of reciprocity with them. 

[knock it close]

On 8/5/2023 at 10:17 PM, sheppick.dan said:

I’m in Victoria now. Any chance anyone has a hookup for Victoria?

 

I might call over tomorrow and ask if my club in oregon has any type of reciprocity with them. 

Worth a shot, I know pre covid they allowed a decent amount of unaccompanied, where are you a member at in Oregon? They have a full reciprocal with Portland Golf Club I know that.  

[sheppick.dan]

2 hours ago, knock it close said:

Worth a shot, I know pre covid they allowed a decent amount of unaccompanied, where are you a member at in Oregon? They have a full reciprocal with Portland Golf Club I know that.  

Michelbook in McMinnville. I ended up not calling. We went on a whale watching tour instead. Was able to play bear mountain though!

[Golfnuck]

On 8/8/2023 at 12:13 PM, sheppick.dan said:

Michelbook in McMinnville. I ended up not calling. We went on a whale watching tour instead. Was able to play bear mountain though!

 

What I have noticed with my club's GM and Head Pro is a lot of times they can get you onto private clubs that your club does not have a formal reciprocal with.  

 

You should contact your GM to see if they could arrange for a round.  The circle of private club GM's is pretty small and they often know each other.