The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort sits in the temperate climate of Victoria Island in British Columbia, Canada, where golf is playable year round. It is the only location in Canada with two Nicklaus courses, the challenging Bear Mountain golf course and the friendly Valley golf course. Jack teamed up with his son Steve, to design the courses. Both are open to the public, yet multiple real estate communities surround the golf courses with optional memberships. Only 30 minutes from the scenic city of Victoria, hiking, biking and exploring the southern part of Victoria Islands attractions lure golfers to this part of Canada.
Bear Mountain Golf – The Course
Bear Mountain Golf Course is the most scenic track of the two Nicklaus courses and also be the most challenging. Opening in 2003, in 2016 it ranked #43 on Canadian Golf Magazines “Top 50 – Best You Can Play”. It ranked #41 in 2017 on ScoreGolfs Top 59 Canadian courses you can play.
Most tee shots require forced carry but are modest if played from the correct teeing grounds. True to its name, the Bear Mountain Golf Course is hilly with uphill and downhill lies commonplace. Some cart paths are so steep they have warning signs. Four tee shots and four approach shots are blind.
Nicklaus puts greens in bowls but also creates plateaus with false fronts. The Bear Mountain Golf course back nine begins with a marvelous island green Par3. As the course rises on the back nine, the views are dramatic. The view from the thirteenth teeing ground back over the tenth island green is a signature. Tall pine trees provide picturesque backdrops to many holes.
Downtown Victoria and the sea beyond provide a striking backdrop on the Bear Mountain golf course fourteenth teeing ground. If you only have time for one round, play the Mountain Course at Bear Mountain Golf Resort. It’s dramatic and challenging.
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