Golf Courses Victoria, Vancouver Island

Royal Colwood Golf Course and the Olympic View Golf Course are both only 5 minutes from Birds of a Feather Victoria Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast

Nine-Hole Public Golf Courses

1. Juan de Fuca
   
   
2. Metchosin
   
   
3. John Philips Memorial
   
   
4. Prospect Lake
   
   
5. Royal Oak
   

Eighteen-Hole Public Golf courses

1. Cedar Hill
   
   
2. Cordova Bay
   
   

Eighteen-Hole Public/Private Golf Courses

1. Glen Meadows
   
   
2. Duncan Meadows
   
   
3. Arbutus Ridge
   
   
4. Cowichan
   
   
5. Olympic View
   
   
6. Gorge Vale
   
   
7. Royal Colwood
   
   
8. Uplands
   
   
9. Victoria
   

Other Golf LINKS

• Left-Handed Golfers (Because God loves lefties best)
  
• Rules of Golf / Amateur status / Handicapping
  
• GolfWeb - news from professional tours, buying equipment, surveys and in-depth articles
  
• The Lady Golfer - special page devoted to women players
  
• International greatest courses and special news from the European Golf Tour

Juan de Fuca - 9 Hole Public

1767 Island Highway
Victoria, B.C.
Pro shop (250) 474-8621

Travel Time: golf club is about a 5 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

This nine-hole courses does not have a rating
Red tees - 1043 yds.
White tees - 1173 yds
par 27

If you were going to learn to play golf, Juan de Fuca would fit the bill. This course is operated by the Colwood Recreation Department. In an abbreviated manner, this fine little course has everything a larger course might have. There's water galore, a bit of sand and some darn trees that might get in the way. The course is well drained and can be played year round. The golf course is part of a large sports and recreation complex in the area with an ice and curling rink, swimming pool, public library, soccer and softball fields, lawn bowling greens and finally a world class track cycling velodrome

Green fees: summer rates - $9.00 for your first round
$6.00 for each additional round on the same day
winter rates - $6.00 for your first round
$5.00 for each additional round
club rentals: $4.50
pull cart: $2.50

There is no pre booking -- first come; first served

Metchosin - 9 Hole Public

4100 Metchosin Rd.
Victoria, B.C.
Pro shop: (250) 478-3266
Office: (250) 478-1957

Travel Time: golf club is about a 7 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

B.C. Golf Association Yardage Ratings/Slopes
Men's tees: 5640 yds. 67/106
Women's tees: 5536 yds. 71.8/120

A nine hole golf course, that after you play it, will leave a lasting fond memory. Carved out of lush woodland in the early 1960's, this course will force you to play well if you hope to score well. If you're a senior player then this course offers something special for you. It's this sense of social camaraderie that makes the place so popular with so many of the local players. Evidence of this is the Monday morning fun tournaments that are played each week (weather permitting). Each Monday at eight o'clock in the morning, there's a fun tournament with a shotgun start. The format of the tournament changes from time to time, but what is noteworthy is that all senior players -- men or women are most welcomed. After the tournament, there's plenty of fun and prizes. Is there a better way to start a Monday?

Speaking of seniors, the club has as its head professional one of the finest players of his time in Bill (Chopper) Wakeham. Bill has won several major champions in his many years in the game and before settling down for a quieter life, he played on the PGA tour. Great company, a fine environment and a testy little golf course will leave you wanting to come back for more.

Green fees: 9 holes - $14.00 weekdays / $15.00 weekends
18 holes - $21.00 weekdays / $23.00 weekends
Power carts: $10.00
Club rentals: $8.00

Book a tee time 24 hours in advance by calling 478-3266.

John Philips Memorial - 9 Hole Public

2197 Otter Point Road
Sooke B.C.
Pro shop: (250) 642-6344

Travel Time: golf club is about a 25 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

B.C. Golf Association Yardage Ratings/Slopes
Men's tees: 2142 yds -- 60.9/104
Women's tees: 2142 -- 63.2/109

The short drive to this nine-hole course is well worth it. The area where the golf courses is built is also a great spot to do some open ocean viewing. About a half hour beyond the golf course, many fine outdoor recreational pursuits await. East Sooke Park, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and China and French Beach Provincial Parks are close at hand.

The course has a somewhat unusual name. Back in the early 90's a long time greens keeper started his day especially early cutting fairways so he could get away later in the day to watch his son play a round as a professional on the Canadian Pro Tour. While riding his tractor, one John Phillips had the vehicle flip over on to him, killing him. The members saw it as a noble gesture to name the course after the man who gave his life while doing his job.

Water, a bit of sand and a shot-making challenge is what you'll find at John Phillips Memorial. The first hole, which is also the number one handicap hole on the course has a water to the right off the tee and runs across the fairway about 100 yds out. Good Luck!

What better place to add up the score and share some post game fun than in a place appropriately named Mulligan's Bar and Grill.

Green fees: $17.00 for 9 holes / $25.00 for 18 holes
power carts: $15.00 / $25.00
club rentals: $6.45

Booking policy: call pro shop for advance reservations: (250) 642-6344

Prospect Lake - 9 Hole Public

4633 Prospect Lake Rd.
R.R. 7 Victoria
Pro shop: (250) 479-2688

Travel Time: golf club is about a 10 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes
Men's tees - 1985 yds -- 60.8/111
Women's tees - 1985 yds. -- 62.8/111

Along with your golf clubs, there's no need to pack your gold prospecting pan when playing Prospect Lake. What you're likely to find is a real gem! This challenging nine-hole layout will test your shot making. The fairways are tight, the greens small and the surrounding scenery lush and inviting.

The signature hole of Prospect Lake is worth your time in playing the course. The par three 6th is only 130 yards, but there's the small matter of a lake that could get in the way. First in making your walk to the tee, don't be surprised if someone in your group questions, " Where the heck are we going?" Make the climb to the elevated tee and you'll see the challenge ahead. Prospect Lake ( with a good stock of small mouth bass) awaits not your fishing lure, rather a miss-hit shot will lure your ball into it's watery grave. Hit the green on you first shot on this hole and remember to fully explain to your golfing partners how you did it. (I'm sure they'd each like to know)

Green fees: $18.00 -- 9 holes
$ 30.00 -- 18 holes
Power carts: $12.00 -- 9 holes
Club rentals: $10.00

Booking policy for tee times: Call the pro shop for advance bookings (250) 479-2688

Royal Oak - 9 Hole Public

540 Marsett Place
Victoria, B.C.
Pro shop: (250) 658-1433
Office: (250) 658-4330

Travel Time: golf club is about a 15 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Director of Golf Operations: Doug Fern

B.C. Golf Association Yardage Blue tees: 2031 yds.
White tees: 1933 yds.
Men's / Women's par: 32

This executive-length nine-hole course will test your shot making. From the opening hole with it's golf-ball-thirsty pond on the left sheltering the green to the par four 7th that has you making your approach shot through an area not much larger than the neck of beer bottle, you will have to play your best. The course was redesigned in 1990 around a development of housing units. Because there is little rough, you could find yourself off someone's back patio with an errant shot. Given the possibility of landing in someone's backyard, a great story has arisen from Royal Oak. It seems one day, a husband and wife were playing the course when the wife happened to hit a shot that landed in a home owner's property. The woman golfer says to the owner, " I'm sorry for hitting my shot where I did. Would you mind if I got my ball?" ... " Your ball," the grumpy owner questions, "if the thing is on my property, then it's my ball." ... " Excuse me sir, just toss me the ball and I'll be on my way.".... "Forget it lady," says our old curmudgeon. With this the women golfer goes back to her bag and gets another ball and takes this ball and casually tosses the second ball near her first and leaves. The woman's husband sees this happening and questions his wife, " Why the heck did you throw that second ball in that man's yard?" Not missing a beat, his wife replies, " All I know is that every prick needs two balls." Word has it that the grumpy neighbor has since moved on and all for the best if the story is true.

Before or after your game, the newly designed restaurant will give you a great view of the course and surround area. The course is especially popular for fun tournaments for offices, business or social groups.

Green fees: 9 holes - $18.00
18 holes - $30.00
Power cart: $12.00
Club rentals: $10.00

Call the pro shop at 658-1433 for a tee time

Cedar Hill - 18 Hole Public

1400 Derby Rd.
Victoria, B.C.
Pro shop (250) 595-3103
Clubhouse admin. (250) 595-2823

Travel Time: golf club is about a 15 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional: Lyle Crawford

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes
Blue tees - 4949 yds. -- 63.2/109
Yellow tees - 4920 yds. -- 67.4/110

Like your favourite pair of slippers, Cedar Hill Golf Club feels 'right' the first time you play it. Don't let the short yardage fool you. Play a bit too complacently and this course will come back to bite you. The course is one of the best -kept public courses you will find anywhere. The greens are especially true and fair. The golf course also serves as a community meeting place. A large walking 'chip trail' circles the course with walkers taking full advantage of the surrounding beauty.

Originally a dairy farm purchased by the municipality of Saanich in 1920 it was turned into the first fully public nine hole golf course on Vancouver Island. It later was expanded to the full 18 holes in the 1950's. Cedar Hill is one of the busiest golf courses in Canada with close to 100,000 rounds played every year. Only the odd west coast snowstorm deters the ardent Cedar Hill player.
A grand new clubhouse has been constructed in 1997 that offers a wide range of services. The 90-seat restaurant offers a delicious array of food and beverage overlooking the course and distant Olympic Mountains. The clubhouse can offer fully catered services to up to 140 people (smaller, fully private rooms are also available).

The fully stocked pro shop offers product lines: Titliest, Ping, Foot Joy, Wilson, Aureus, LaMode and A.P. Player.

Green fees: 18 holes - $28.00(Cdn)
Twilight rates offered at $24 depending on time of sunset

Power carts - $25.00 / 18 holes
Club rentals - $10.00 / 18 holes

Booking policy: call the pro shop at (250) 595-3103 to arrange a tee time.

Cordova - 18 Hole Public

5333 Cordova Bay Rd.
Victoria, B.C.
Pro shop: (250) 658-4444
Administration: (250) 658-4075

Travel Time: golf club is about a 15 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional: Jim Goddard

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes
Black tees: 6668 yds. -- 72.0/122
Blue tees: 6358 yds. -- 70.6/119
White tees: 5881 yds. -- 68.3 men / 74.5 women 115/136
Grey tees: 5237 yds. -- 65.5 men / 72.0 women 109/130

From the moment you drive up to the Cordova Bay Golf Club, you'll soon realize you're at a very special place. This public-play club is one of the very best in Canada. From the huge practice-putting green to the full-distance practice range to the full service pro shop and restaurant, this place makes for golfing memories.

Opened in 1991, this courses has come to be regarded as finest example of how a public course should be laid out. You won't lose too many balls, but you could find yourself making a shot over towering fir trees or through and opening in the willows.

The front nine holes will give you great views of Mount Baker in Washington State and the band of water in between -- Haro Strait.

On the back nine, if your golfing sanity is still intact after numbers 10 and 11, it's downhill from there. Ten is a longish par four with a band of water guarding the front of the two-tiered green. Go to number eleven and face a water menace down the entire right side and hope for the best in the figure 'eight' green that has plenty of water right. It's only 130 yds to the middle of the green on the 11th, but it will take a steely nerve shot to stay clear of the drink. My favourite hole is the par three 12th. A couple of blotches of water run the length of this 150 yard shorty, but the right side of the green has the most wonderful large commanding maple enveloping the green. Get your camera out for number 14, because Mt. Baker forms the perfect backdrop to the 14th green.

For golfers who enjoy numbers, try some of these digits on for size: the 8th green is well over 12,000 square feet, there are about 32 white tail deer that call the club home, there are more than 1,100 fish in the pond that guards the 17th green, there are 217 species of trees and shrubs on the grounds of the course and finally...more than 20,000 daffodils bulbs bloom each spring.

The course is fully enjoyable to the high handicapper to the seasoned pro. A day at Cordova Bay will be one you'll talk about in years to come.

The fully stocked pro shop carries: club fitting of clubs by Henry Griffiths, Callaway, Taylor Made. Clothing by Tail, Tehama, Guess, Modango, Ashworth, Columbia and Sun Ice

Green fees: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays -- $46.00 (CDN)
Monday through Thursday -- $43.00
Twilight rate -- $37.00
Power cats: $27.00
Club rentals: $25.00 ( all rentals are Callaway Big Bertha)

Please note: Cordova Bay Golf Club has a strictly adhered to policy of only soft spikes being permitted on the course. Be prepared to have your old medal spikes replaced or bring along a second pair of shoes. Believe me it's worth it.

Booking policy: call pro shop for advance booking (250) 658-4444
Tee times can be booked five days in advance
Groups of 8 or more can book three months in advance

Home Page of Cordova Bay Golf Club

Glen Meadows - 18 Hole Public / Private

1050 McTavish Road
Sidney B.C.
Pro shop (250) 656-3921
Clubhouse admin. (250) 656-3136

Travel Time: golf club is about a 20 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head Professional: Dan Porteous

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings /Slopes
Blue tees - 6859 yds: 73.3 / 130
White tees - 6507 yds. 71.5 / 125
Women's red tees - 6130 yds. 75.8 / 133

User friendly might be the best way to describe the Glen Meadows layout. This charming , easy to walk, relatively flat course has something for everyone. The course has been in operation for 35 years. You'll be met by wide expansive fairways, towering oak trees and two small lakes tempting your shot making. Prior to or after your round, sharpen up your game on the full length 300 yard practice area. If you need more of a challenge than golf, Glen Meadows also offers a full tennis facility and curling during the winter months.

Glen Meadows in years past has been the western destination for the Canadian Professional Golf Tour Qualifying School. Restaurant and conference facilities provide full services for 150 people.

The fully stocked pro shop offers: Taylor Made, Powerbilt, Titliest, Ashworth, Antigua and Foot Joy.

Green fees: 18 holes - $36 (CDN)
Twilight rates offered at $30 depending on time of sunset
Power carts - $27.00
Club rentals - $18.00

Booking policy: call the pro shop at (250) 656-3921

Duncan Meadows - 18 Hole Public / Private

6507 North Road,
Duncan B.C.
Pro shop: (250) 746-8993
email: mhui@islandnet.com

Golf club is off Island Highway on the way to Lake Cowichan (watch for signs)
Travel Time: golf club is about a 45 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional: Dave Campbell

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes
Blue tees: 6616 yds. -- 72.6/128
White tees: 6052 yds. -- 69.5/ 121
Green tees: 5356 yds. -- 66.6/114 for men -- 71.2/125 for women

A links-style front nine coupled with a parkland-setting back nine makes for a great day of golf. Large undulating greens could leave you scratching you head if you're not careful. And there's water. Well placed off the tee, cutting across a fairway in a strategic spot, or nestled up against the side of a green: you will have to carve your shot to avoid reaching for you ball retriever in one of the 16 small lakes on the course. Set in rolling hills, the course has the ever-present Mount Prevost hovering over the scene like a large quiet Buddha.

A large full-length practice facility will allow you to sharpen that game. Two feature events to watch for are the Duncan Meadows Coors Light Spring Amateur Tournament in early May and the Frank Hui Pro-Am in the end week of July.

The large log-built clubhouse is well placed overlooking the course for some 19th hole analysis. Banquet and conference facilities are available for 150 people.

The fully stocked pro shop offers: Callaway, Titliest, Taylor Made, Spalding and Zevo ( club fitting). Also: Aureus, Storm Tech and Antigua.

Green fees: 18 holes - $33.00 (CDN)
summer time twilight rates- $25.00
Power carts: $26.00
Club rentals: $15.00

Booking up to one week in advance -- pro shop (250) 746-8993

Arbutus Ridge - 18 Hole Public / Private

3515 Telegraph Road
Cobble Hill B.C.
Pro shop (250) 743-5000

Travel Time: golf club is about a 30 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional : Craig Rencher

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes
Blue tees: 6407 yds. -- 72.0/130
White tees: 6036 yds. -- 70.1/129
Red tees: 5675 yds -- 68.1/124 (men's) 72.5/126 (women's)
Yellow tees: 5222 yds. -- 70.1/122

Prior to playing Arbutus Ridge, leave yourself a few extra minutes on arrival. The vista that awaits you from the clubhouse is to be truly admired. Beyond the golf course laid out below you, you'll see Salt Spring Island ( one of the group of Gulf Islands), the Cowichan Valley and inlets and coves of the Pacific Ocean. Well named for its namesake the arbutus tree, you too will have to hearty to score well on this tricky layout.

The fairways of Arbutus Ridge are lined by fine retirement homes. Remember when you're shooting near the houses, please don't make any unexpected visits. There's just enough sand to keep you honest, just enough water to challenge your shot-making and long enough that you have to use both cheeks to hit the ball. While walking the gentling rolling course, don't be surprised if one of the local white tail deer decides to pay a visit. As a rule they won't laugh or giggle if you make a bad shot.

Green fees: 18 holes - $35.00 -- weekdays
$37.00 -- weekends and holidays
Power carts: $26.00
Club Rentals: $14.00

Booking policy: public players can book three days in advance of play by calling (250) 743-5000

Home Page of Arbutus Ridge Golf Club

Cowichan - 18 Hole Public / Private

Island Highway
Duncan B.C.
Pro shop (250) 746-5333
Clubhouse (250) 746-7211

Golf courses is just south of the town of Duncan on the Island Highway
Travel Time: golf club is about a 40 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional: Norm Jackson

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes
Blue tees: 6169 yds. -- 69.2/123
White tees: 5899 yds. -- 67.7/120
Red tees: 5570 yds. -- 71/115 (women's)

The first thing that will strike a visiting golfer is the size of the trees that line the lush fairways. Don't feel embarrassed if you stare for a good long time at the grandeur of the giant firs, spruce and cedars. The greens are large and true, the fairways are wide-cut to allow for a generous landing area. Speaking of taking in the panorama of the large trees, don't be surprised if you see a bald eagle overhead. Take it as a good omen that the eagle chose to fly over you at such an opportune time. The club has a full length practice area, large practice putting green. The clubhouse can accommodate 200 people for either conference or banquet needs. 1997 saw the Cowichan Golf Club celebrate it's 50th anniversary.

Fully stocked pro shop offers: Taylor Made, Ping, Callaway, PinHi, Aureus, Firethorn and North 44

Green fees: 18 holes - before 2:30 - $35.00 (CDN)
After 2:30 - $28.00
Power carts: $26.00
Club rentals: $15.00

Tee-time book policy: two days in advance of play (250) 746-5333

Home Page of Cowichan Golf Club

Olympic View - 18 Hole Public / Private

643 Latoria Rd.
Victoria, B.C.
Pro shop: (250) 474-3671
Clubhouse and banquets: (250) 474-3673

Travel Time: golf club is about a 5 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional: Jeff Smith
Director of Sales & Marketing : Steve Howe

B.C. Golf Association Yardage Ratings/Slopes
Blue tees: 6530 yds. -- 72/127
White tees: 6126 yds. -- 70.2/129
Red tees: 5502 yds. -- 67.3 men's / 72 ladies 128/132
Yellow tees: 5273 yds. -- 70.7/125

When you pass through the stone gates of the entrance area, you will make a short drive up a hill, to then be met by a bit of heaven. Rated as one of the top thirty five golf courses in Canada by Score Magazine, Olympic View has something for every golfer. The first bit of solid advise for the first-time player to the course is to think about putting away that driver. Precise shot-making is called for on many of the par fours. The course has been carved out of the wooden area bordering on the Sooke Hills. The four separate tee boxes allows for enjoyment by any level of golfer.

The number one handicap hole on the course is a doosy -- hole number 8. Make par on this brute and treat yourself to an extra tall cool drink after your round. It's fairly long with water tempting your drive is you're long off the tee. If you don't belt one well out, you're faced with an up hill, bunker-guarded, elevated green more than two hundred yards away. If you manage to get on in regulation, the two-tiered green will need patience and dexterity. Remember to kiss your ball if you get par on this great hole.

If you have a camera with you, get it ready for a shot on the signature hole #17. The waterfall that frames the back of the green makes for a great shot of someone putting on the green. Remember still pictures never tell whether you made the putt or not. Video never lies!

The Olympic View Clubhouse offers full restaurant and conference facilities for 350 people (one of the largest in the area).

The fully stocked pro shop offers: Mizuno, Callaway, Taylor Made, Cobra, Links, Wilson, Ping, Odyssey and Cleveland. Clothing lines: Ashworth, Cutter and Buck, Aureus, Carmel sweaters, Sun Ice, Zero Restriction, Wilson, Heavenly Bodies and Foot Joy.

Green fees: $45.00 (CDN) weekdays
$ 50.00 weekends and holidays
Cart rental: $25.00
Club rental: $20.00

Booking policy: Call pro shop at 474-3671 for advance booking

Home Page of Olympic View Golf Club

Gorge Vale - 18 Hole Public / Private

1005 Craigflower Rd.
Victoria, B.C.
Pro shop: (250) 386-3401
Clubhouse: (250)383-6451

Travel Time: golf club is about a 12 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional: Jim Cook

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes
Men's white tees: 6382 yds. -- 70.8/131
Women's white tees: 6382 yds -- 77.3/143
Men's red tees: 5940 yds. -- 69.1/128
Women's red tees: 5940 yds. 74.6/136

Gorge Vale is a golfer's golf course. Play this course well and you can hold your head high. Play it and you'll understand why this course is one of the three courses used in rotation as the site of the Payless Open Golf Championship -- first stop on the Canadian Pro Tour. It's got length, plenty of sand, an enticing bit of water and the rolling nature of the holes makes for several shots where side hill and up or downhill lies are common. The course dates back to 1930 as was designed by the well-known A.V. Macan.

Speaking of a course that has everything, few golf courses can say they have a working cemetery in its midst. A naval cemetery awaits along the right side of the toughest hole on the back nine. The par four 12th is 399 yds long with cemetery right and a tee-to-green climb that could have you yodeling by the time you strike your first putt. Score par on the 12th and you've earned your bragging rights.

The course has something of a rarity in courses today. There's a full length practice area that allows you to hit shots off grass.

If you plan to play Gorge Vale, tighten up the laces a little extra on your shoes, take out the ball you trust will fly the furthest and truest and bless your putter with that special prayer. Gorge Vale Golf Club is a treasure.

The pro shop has one of the most extensive lines of clubs, clothing and shoes:
golf clubs:
Titliest ( Gorge Vale has been selected at the number one Titliest club fitter in Canada), Ping, Taylor Made, Callaway, Spalding, Mizuno, Cobra, Powerbilt, Daiwa and Jazz

Clothing lines: Antigua, Ashworth, Nike, Donald Jewel, Guess, Haggar, Sun Ice, Liz Claiborne, Heavenly Bodies, Cracked Wheat and Joanni

Golf shoes: Foot Joy, Rockport, Dexter, Reebok, Etonic and Mizuno

Green fees: $60.00 (CDN)
Cart rental: $28.00
Club rentals: $14.00

Booking policy: two days in advance by calling the pro shop (250) 386-3401

Royal Colwood - 18 Hole Public / Private

629 - Goldstream Avenue
Victoria B.C.
Pro shop - (250) 478-9591
General office - (250) 478-831

Travel Time: golf club is about a 5 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional: Terry Yacyshen

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes
Blue tees: 6542 yds -- 71.0/130
White tees: 6234 yds. -- 69.6/127 (men's) 76.7/140 (women's)
Red tees: 5912 yds. -- 68.1/124 (men's) 74.5/13 (women's)

An incorrect piece of information regarding another Victoria-area golf club led to the founding of one of the great golf courses in Canada. Believing the Victoria Golf Club was about to be turned into housing plots, James Dunsmuir ( great golf nut that he was) decided to carve up some of his property to form a new golf course in 1912. Mac Macan who designed Royal Colwood took as his example St. Andrews in Scotland.

Royal Colwood earned it's "royal' distinction from the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) who played the courses several times when he visited the Dunsmuirs at Hatley Castle. July 29th, 1931, the Prince gave his assent to allow the club to use the "Royal" designation in its name. Royal Colwood is the only 'royally' designated club west of Ottawa.

Several champions have taken place on the course. National amateur championships for men and women, one of the courses used for the Canadian Professional Tour and countless regional championships have taken place here. This truly is one of the top five golf courses in Canada. If you're visiting Victoria and have time to play only one course, play Royal Colwood. It is a majestic, awe inspiring, delight to play.

Fully stocked pro shop offers: Taylor Made, Callaway, Ping Mizuno, Tommy Hillfiger, Polo, Chaps, Ralph Lauren, Guess

Green fees: $85.00 (CDN)
Power cart: $30.00
Club rentals: $15.00

Tee time booking policy: 48 hours in advance, contact the pro shop (250) 478-9591

Home Page of Royal Colwood Golf Club

Uplands - 18 Hole Public / Private

3300 Cadboro Bay Road
Pro shop: (250) 592-1818
Clubhouse: (250) 592-7313

Travel Time: golf club is about a 15 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

Head professional - Don Billsborough

B.C. Golf Association Yardage -- Ratings/Slopes Blue tees - 6315 yds. -- 69.9/120
White tees - 6036 yds. -- 68.6/118
Red tees - 5726 yds. -- 67.2/115

Golfing beauty personified might be one way to describe one of Greater Victoria's finest golf clubs. One of three area courses designated for play on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour, the Uplands offers a challenge that is unmatched in Canada.

1997 saw the club celebrate it's 75th anniversary. The original track of land was owned by the Hudson's Bay Company and was leased to two area farmers for grazing and harvesting hay.

Opening day for the 400 or so members was a lead item of the day in the local newspaper : the Victoria Daily Colonist...." The landscape is very picturesque, beautiful views of Mount Baker, San Juan Island, Saanich Mountain and the Olympics (Mountains) are seen at different points." What was noted more than 75 years ago, today still charms the Upland's golfer.

One of the greatest golfers Uplands has seen over its years is one Charles Arthur Thompson. The Montreal-born banker retired to Victoria in 1932 and for the next 45 years became a golfing legend on the Oak Bay course. Mr. Thompson has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the oldest golfer to shoot his age. The elderly golfer had lamented he never broke 80 on a championship courses prior to retiring. He first got his name in the record books at age 97 years when he posted a 96 on his scored card on the par 70 Uplands layout. At age 99 he carded a cool 92 and remarkably at age 103 shot his age of 103. The grand old gent died at 105, just 107 days short of his 106th birthday in 1975. In memorial to Charles Thompson, a grove of redwood trees bear his memorial. The tree growing tall, stately and strong.

The fully stocked pro shop offers: Callaway, Ping, Titliest, Ashworth, Descente and Izod

Green fee: $90.00 (CDN)
Power carts: $25.00
Club rentals: $20.00

Booking policy: advance booking available on calling the pro shop -- 592-1818

Home Page of Uplands Golf Club

Victoria - 18 Hole Public / Private

1110 Beach Drive
Victoria, B.C.
Pro shop (250) 598-4322
Clubhouse (250) 598-4321

Travel Time: golf club is about a 20 minute drive from Birds of a Feather B&B

B.C. Golf Association Yardage Ratings/Slopes
Men's blue tees: 6015 yds. -- 68.8/125
White tees: 5857 yds. -- 68.1/124
Women's white tees: 5857 yds. --75.2/133
Red tees: 5670 yds. -- 74.2/131

Head professional: Mike Parker

Play the Victoria Golf Club and you've carved your presence in a piece of golfing history. The Victoria Club is the oldest golf club on its original 18 hole layout west of the Mississippi River. The club is well over 100 years old and its age makes the course a 'grand dame' of the game. Your first two holes -- a par five starter, followed by a par three second -- act as appetizers for what's to come. Starting with number three, the Strait of Juan de Fuca (separating B.C. from Washington State) becomes your watery companion. Number seven at the Victoria Golf Club is truly a great hole. Pacific Ocean: left. Rock, broom, gorse, Gary Oaks, heather and misery: right. On seven, you'll spot a orange direction sign in the distance, seemingly well off to the right of the desired landing area. Advise: shoot for the target! Anything left on this hole is real trouble and not the kind of trouble you can get out of, rather, reload-type of trouble. Your second shot on this par four takes steely nerves. Again water left, and the green partly hidden by surrounding trees. Once on the green, a four-putt is possible. Large potato chips have fewer swales and swings than this green. Depending on pin-placement, three putts could feel like a blessing. Playing numbers 8 and 9 have you practically out in the ocean. Marine traffic, sail boats and even seals, whales and marine birds will pop by to see how you're doing.

This course is like no other. Its age, layout, nuances, challenge are elements that every golfer would cherish, given a chance to play this golf course.


The pro shop offers a wide variety of quality equipment and clothing: Descente, Polo, Ashworth, Gear, Roche, Cross Creek, Haley and Carlisle.

Green fees: $125.00 (CDN.)

Booking policy: Visitors to the club must be members of a private golf club. Have you home club contact the Victoria Club at 598-4322 to arrange a tee time.

Home Page of Victoria Golf Club

A golfer is in a competitive match with a friend, who is ahead by a couple of strokes.
The golfer says to himself, "I'd give anything to sink this next putt."

A stranger walks up to him and whispers, "Would you give up a fourth of  your sex life?"

The golfer thinks the man is crazy and that his answer will be meaningless, but also that perhaps this is a good omen, so he says, "Okay," and sinks the putt.

Two holes later he mumbles to himself, "Boy, if I could only get an eagle on this hole."

The same stranger moves to his side and says, "Would it be worth another fourth of your sex life?"

The golfer shrugs and says, "Sure." He makes an eagle.

On the final hole, the golfer needs yet another eagle to win. Though he says nothing, the stranger moves to his side and says, "Would you be willing to give up the rest of your sex life to win this match?"

The golfer says, "Certainly!"

He makes the eagle. As the golfer walks to the club house, the stranger walks alongside and says, "You know, I've really not been fair with you because you don't know who I am. I'm the devil, and from now on you will have no sex life."

"Nice to meet you," says the golfer. "I'm Father O'Malley."

Golf Courses Victoria, Vancouver Island