The Saanich Peninsula, just north of the city proper, may be the best place to plan a golfing holiday.
A short guide to golfing on the Saanich Peninsula – A guest post by Nevin Thompson
There are at least 4 golf courses on the peninsula within a ten-minute drive of each other, with more golf courses close by, as well as a driving range and Victoria’s best mini-golfing.
Here are 5 golf courses close by:
Ardmore Golf Course
Ardmore is an 18-hole, semi-private golf course located just off Saanich Inlet, close to Victoria Airport, and about 5 minutes by car from Sidney’s town centre. It has a great “Nine and Dine” deal – $32 for 9 holes of golf and a meal. It has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, and an interesting and challenging course.
Glen Meadows Golf & Country Club
Located just a block or so from Ardmore (and, once more, a short drive from either downtown Sidney or Brentwood Bay), Glen Meadows is an 18-hole semi-private course, on McTavish Road, which bi-sects the Saanich Peninsula. Glen Meadows has hosted the BC Open, while the Canadian Tour has also qualified at Glen Meadows several times.
Cordova Bay Golf Course
Cordova Bay Golf Course is a real beauty, and features 27 holes across 2 different courses. It’s located about 15 minutes by car from Sidney, towards Victoria, and is close to beautiful Cordova Bay, and gentle, rolling countryside of the Saanich Peninsula known for horse training. Both courses feature spectacular views of Mount Baker. Says Golf Canada, ”It’s not often that you find a golf course with character. It’s even less common to laugh out loud just after you triple bogeyed a 209-yard Par 3.”
Royal Oak Club
Royal Oak Golf Club is a beautiful, challenging, PAR 32 9 Hole Golf Course with a great location, 10 minutes from downtown Victoria, 15 minutes from Sidney and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, and just around the corner from Vancouver Island Technology Park and the running trails of Beaver and Elk Lake parks.
Prospect Lake Golf Course
Prospect Lake Golf Course is a beautiful and unique 9 hole course located on the scenic shores of Prospect Lake, quite close to Vancouver Island Technology Park. It’s aimed at all levels of golfers, and diverse wildlife that frequent the landscapes which include eagles, deer, and heron.
Other golfing activities on the Saanich Peninsula:
Island View Family Golf Centre
Island View Family Golf Centre is located right in the heart of the Saanich Peninsula, just off Pat Bay Highway (the highway you took from the ferry or airport!) on Island View Road, with stunning views of farming country in the valley below, and the San Juan Islands to the east. Island View has long been known as one of the region’s best driving ranges, and now also offers a golfing academy for kids and an all-new beautifully landscaped mini-golf course.
Mattick’s Farm Mini Golf
Located next to Cordova Bay Golf Course, Mattick’s Farm Mini Golf is a great place to take the kids for a few hours. The 18-hole course is pretty fun, and is also in the shade of towering Douglas Firs, which is great on sunny days in the summer. Afterwards, wander over to Mattick’s farm for an ice cream or a snack.
With at least 18 courses in and around the region, this is just scratching the surface of golfing in Greater Victoria. Do you have a favourite course? Let us know.
Nevin Thompson frequently writes for Diversified Health Clinic, who can help improve your golf swing!
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