Bear Mountain (Valley)

Bear Mountain Golf Resort has opened another 18-hole championship course on its fabulous tourist complex in Victoria, British Columbia. The Valley Course is the friendlier, resort-type layout that is a great complement to the tough Mountain Course. The resort now has the only 36-hole Nicklaus facility in Canada.

The Valley course measures 6,800 yards from the Golden tees with four other tee options available. The great scenery begins right from the clubhouse and continues with every single hole. The Valley course is beautifully cut through the rough terrain with large exposed rock visible on most holes. Many elevated tees, wider fairways and larger greens make the Valley course more playable for the average golfer. However, there are still plenty of hazards to deal with as each hole gives the golfer much to think about.

Although the fairways are quite generous, there will be plenty of uneven lies to deal with. That, however, is not the biggest defence this course has to offer. The sizable greens are tiered and have large swales as if a whale was coming up to breach. Course knowledge helps to play to the right spots on these greens where you’ll be presented with opportunities to make putts but there are many areas that should be avoided at all costs. Be prepared for numerous shot options around the greens with many collection areas and elevation changes – your short game will need to be on song to negotiate all the undulations, hills and bunkers that protect the putting surfaces.

The Valley course opened for play in 2009, with dry and firm playing conditions. A noticeable lack of housing around the Valley course is in stark contrast to its Mountain neighbour and therefore the Valley affords a very pleasant walk with each unique hole.

Although in contrast to the Mountain course, the Valley is just as enjoyable and as well as relishing the stunning natural beauty of the course you can perhaps card a decent score too.