Like anything worth doing, golf can be frustrating. There. We’ve said it. Golf is such a mental game that it’s quite easy to get so stuck in your head, berating yourself for that last swing into the trees, that you can’t see your woods (or tees, or golf balls) for said trees. Stop. Breathe. Lift your head up. Take a good look around you. The golf course views alone will make everything worth it, even if you don’t birdie that Par 5 you’ve had your eye on forever.
The golf course – any golf course – is a beautiful place, by mere dint of the fact that here be wide open spaces, beautiful greenery, and more often than not spectacular surroundings. Of course, on Vancouver Island, that beauty is amplified to somewhat ridiculous levels. You can’t swing a club without catching a glimpse of some killer ocean view, mountain vista, or cityscape spread out beneath you. Read on for our five best, lesser-known views on the Vancouver Island Golf Trail – vantage points that can be found on, and off, the golf course that are truly memorable and that make your experience playing a round of golf here something remarkable.
1. Mountain Vistas
The Golf Course: Crown Isle Golf Resort, Courtenay
The Vantage Point: Hole 9
The View: Comox Glacier
As you approach the green on Hole #9, be sure to slow things down and take in the spectacular views of the massive Comox Glacier peaking through the trees.
2. Ocean Views
The Golf Course: Fairwinds Golf Club, Nanoose Bay
The Vantage Point: Hole 16
The View: The Straight of Georgia
As you head down the fairway towards the green on hole #16, drink in the views looking across the Straight of Georgia to the Coast mountain range beyond.
3. Cityscapes
The Golf Course: Highland Pacific, Victoria
The Vantage Point: Hole 2
The View: The City of Victoria
Talk about teeing up spectacular views! The city of Victoria can be seen from the tee box on hole #2, so pre- or post-tee shot be sure to take it in.
4. Beach Views
The Golf Trail Resort: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, Parksville
The Vantage Point: Oceanview Rooms
The View: Rathtrevor Beach
Overlooking the famous Rathtrevor Beach, the warmest ocean swimming waters in Canada, each oceanview room offers views of over 3 kms of sandy beach.
5. Golf Course Views
The Golf Resort: Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria
The Vantage Point: The Penthouse Suite, next to the 18th green
The View: Bear Mountain – Valley Course
The Penthouse Suite offers breathtaking views over the resort’s Valley Course and lush green Highlands, all the way to Washington State’s Mount Baker, seen through a literal wall of windows!
Of course you’d be well advised to keep your head down and your eye on the ball while in play (there’s nothing worse than a swing and a miss), but between swings do be sure to stop and gaze awhile. It can only do your mental state – and consequently your golf game – good.
April 28, 2017, by: Golf Vancouver Island