Dishing up the best of the best when it comes to a golfer’s dream vacation, the Vancouver Island Golf Trail is one of the most relaxing and memorable golf experiences you can find. Boasting championship-level golf and breathtaking Vancouver Island scenery, there is no better place to tee it up, breathe in the fresh west-coast air and make the most of every minute of island time.
Looking for the perfect recipe for on-course and off-course experiences? We’re listing off some of the top experiences along the Vancouver Island Golf Trail!
Top On-Course Experiences
Each course offers its own unique experience. From panoramic views to challenging signature holes and next-level driving ranges, the Vancouver Island Golf Trail has it all!
Signature Hole – Bear Mountain – Mountain Course
Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort Community is home to Canada’s only 36 holes of Nickalus design golf. It also boasts what is, arguably, one of Canada’s most scenic signature holes. Hole 14 on the Mountain Course offers panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountain range, Vancouver Island’s capital city, Victoria, and Mt Baker towering in the distance over the green. Formerly known as Hole 19, it is not hard to see why this is one of the Vancouver Island Golf Trail’s showstoppers!
Top Finishing Holes
Top 18th Finishing Hole – Arbutus Ridge
Nothing completes a great round of golf better than a fabulous finishing hole, and what is a great finishing hole without a few tricky shots to navigate. Arbutus Ridges’ final hole requires discipline and maybe even a bit of luck. Your tee shot must be long and left of center if you want a chance of hitting the green. Followed by your approach shot which should be long and right of the hole if you plan on acheiving par. It’s a tough go up the hill, but a rewarding finish to your round.
The best part is sitting on the patio at the Satellite Bar & Grill soaking up the sunshine overlooking the 18th hole and the views towards the Gulf Islands as you watch other players navigate the finale.
Top Nine Hole Finish
A true brute, Quadra Island Golf Club’s ninth hole is one for the books. Don’t get distracted by the picturesque surroundings – the relatively narrow green is protected by a bunker and wetlands to the right and trees to the left – add a bit of wind and a swirling pond to truly put your golf skills to the test.
Choicest Driving Range
Deemed Victoria’s friendliest place to play, Highland Pacific Golf Club’s 44-stall double-decker driving range is the best place to practice whether you are a seasoned golfer or brand new to the game. Throughout the winter, 22-stalls are covered and heated for a comfortable place to keep your golf skills sharp.
Superlative Social Lounge
The Velocity Lounge , a state-of-the-art “Top Golf Style” driving range at Campbell River Golf Club , features 30,000 square feet of grass tee deck, an expansive practice area and eight private bays with full table service. Play hundreds of global destination courses, dial in on all your clubs, or relax, grab a beer, and hit some balls!
Top Spots for Food & Drink
It’s imperative to fuel up before your round and to replenish with a post-round meal to help restore that energy. Luckily, the Vancouver Island Golf Trail knows not just good golf, but fantastic fare as well!
Premium Hot Dog at the Turn
A staple meal for any golfer, Highland Pacific Golf Club is dishing up one of the Vancouver Island Golf Trail’s top hot dogs! The “after nine meat whistles” are made to order, with garlic butter and the best-grade tube steak. Dress it up with all the fixings and take your back nine game to the next level!
Tip: Pair your dog with a frosty and refreshing Vancouver Island Trail Ale or Mott’s Clamato Caesar for the full effect.
First-Class Speciality Drinks
A triple threat, the Velocity Lounge at Campbell River Golf Club doubles as a driving range, lounge, and restaurant. Grab a cocktail on the patio or head inside for dinner and drinks – better yet, play virtual golf while you’re at it! While their drink menu is off the hook, if you’re heading to the lounge with your foursome you need to check out their Towers – a selection of popular cocktails served in a share-sized drink tower. Our top pick? The Club Caesar Tower that includes house-infused peppercorn Tito’s Vodka, Worcestershire, Frank’s hot sauce, pickle juice, and Mott’s Clamato topped served with rimmed and garnished glasses. A Vancouver Island Golf Trail signature experience, you’ll want to add this stop to your bucket list!
Incredible Après-Golf Patio
Enjoy happy hour and a much-deserved meal on the wrap-around patio at Table Nineteen at Olympic View Golf Club after your round. Dishing up a delicious classic and contemporary menu of West Coast cuisine sure to excite, Table Nineteen’s daily specials and relaxing atmosphere are a favourite on the Vancouver Island Golf Trail.
Unparalleled Off-Course Experiences Along the Golf Trail
Victoria for Whales, Ales, & Flower Trails
Who doesn’t love a sunset over the ocean? Prince of Whales’ “Sunset Cruise” is the ultimate way to take it all in on a beautiful evening. Cap off your day aboard a luxury catamaran as the sun sets over the Salish Sea; but don’t let the calm waters and great conversation distract you from the opportunity to spot resident and transient orcas, dolphins, grey whales and more.
Credit: Destination BC / @localwanderer A Vancouver Island must-see, The Butchart Gardens have been growing for over 100 years. Located just outside Victoria in Brentwood Bay, the 55-acre property serves as a National Historic Site of Canada and features stunning flora and fauna spread over five main gardens. (Local Tip: The Butchart Gardens also offers high tea in The Dining Room overlooking the rose garden. Booking ahead is a must and dietary specific options are available).
Cowichan for Wine Country & Fly Fishing
Enjoy the finer things in life in the Cowichan Valley , home to the second-largest wine region in British Columbia, following the Okanagan. Visit one of the numerous coastal wineries after a round of golf or head out on a wine tour for the perfect afternoon pairing!
Credit: Destination BC / Tourism Vancouver Island / Jordan Dyck Tee it up, and reel it in! Internationally known for its fantastic flyfishing , the Cowichan River is a great spot to settle in and cast a line. Test your luck with various types of trout and steelhead. Not sure where to start? A variety of outfitters in the area can help you find the perfect place to try your luck.
Parksville Qualicum Beach for Relaxation and Exploration
You deserve to pamper yourself, especially after the hard work you’ve put in on the golf course. Transition to relaxation and rejuvenation mode at Tigh-Na-Mara’s Grotto Spa with a half or full-day escape package featuring multiple spa treatments, relaxation time in the Grotto Mineral Pool and endless tapas.
Get back to nature and take a stroll through one of the surrounding old-growth and second-old-growth forests near Parksville and Qualicum Beach . Only five-minutes downtown from Parksville and Qualicum Beach, the Heritage Forest boasts 50 acres of old-growth, varying endangered and rare plants and bird species.
Courtney & Campbell River for Salmon & Slalom
Credit: Destination Campbell River / Tyler Cave A trip to Campbell River is only complete once you have a fishing rod in hand. Deemed the salmon fishing capital of the world, Campbell River doubles as a fins and skins haven where you can cast a line in the morning, and swing your clubs in the afternoon. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even go swimming with the salmon on a snorkel tour during the autumn Salmon Run.
Credit: Jenn Dykstra Grab your skis or snowboard! Truly, the best of the best, here you’ll find one of few places in the world where you can golf, fish, and ski on the same day. Located just 25 km west of the Comox Valley, Mount Washington Alpine Resort boasts views of the Pacific Ocean and Strathcona Provincial Park, which set the backdrop for a unique coastal ski and golf experience at the best ski destination on Vancouver Island.
The best of the best is not hard to come by on the Vancouver Island Golf Trail. With spectacular golf plus incredible on and off-course experiences, where will you start? Check out a range of popular golf packages to help you plan your golf vacation and create your own signature experience!
October 17, 2022, by: Golf Vancouver Island