Designer: Jack Nicklaus’ Golden Bear Designs, 6,852 yards, par 72, rating 72, slope 127

Every now and then a new course comes along that raises the bar for golf in Canada. Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club in Victoria is just such a course. The only course in the world to be co-designed by Jack and Steve Nicklaus, Bear Mountain combines the mastery of a Nicklaus course with the unforgettable scenery that has made Vancouver Island the #1 Island Destination in North America and #3 in The World for two years in a row.

Bear Mountain will take golfers through unspoiled British Columbia forests, over mountainous terrain, and beside breathtaking vistas of Victoria, the snow-capped Olympic Mountains in Washington, and the deep-blue waters of the tranquil Pacific Ocean.

A perfect example of the Bear Mountain experience is the dogleg-right, par five 14th hole. At 523 yards from the black tees, and only 488 from the white, the 14th may sound reachable for the big hitters. The final 200 yards are all uphill, though, making attacking the pin on your second shot a risky factor at best. Pull it off and you will be in some very elite company. Attempt it and fail and you will certainly not be alone.

More conservative players will lay up short of the ravine that guards the front of the elevated green and attack the pin with a wedge or short iron. Anything short will fall into the deep bunkers that guard the green. Anything even a little long will roll off the back and quickly out of bounds. While all of that may sound challenging it pales in comparison to the task you will have when you reach the green: keeping your eye on the ball.

The 14th green offers a 180 degree view of the city of Victoria and her surrounding waters. Ignoring the birds flying overhead and the awe inspiring scenery long enough to line up your putt may be asking the impossible.

Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club is destined to become a Canadian great and a superb addition to the incredible courses on Vancouver Island. Be sure to include it in any Vancouver Island golf vacation with BC Golf Vacations.

Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club
2020 Country Club Way
Victoria, BC
V9B 6R3

Tel: (250) 744-2327 (BEAR)