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British Columbia 2008 Report British Columbia Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler 2008 This was our second visit to British Columbia, we liked it the first time and fell in love with it this time, a truly great destination for golf and bear spotting but more about that later. We arrived in Vancouver from UK in less than nine hours and into absolutely wonderful weather. It's said the weather here is like a British summer, they obviously haven't seen a British summer over the last few years. We had beautifully hot sunny days throughout the duration of the tour with only one exception.
Our first round of golf was at the Ridge Course, Northview Golf & Country Club. A pleasant parkland course designed by the Arnold Palmer, ideal for our first game. The second round was played at Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club, one of my favourite courses. Eighteen signature holes make up this stunning layout with dramatic changes in elevation and breathtaking views. Everybody agreed that it was a challenging course but very enjoyable.
We stayed at The Magnolia Hotel & Spa which is conveniently located near Victoria's Inner Harbour. Just a stroll to the magnificent waterfront to discover boutiques, restaurants, attractions and galleries. It reminds me of the waterfront in Cape Town. There is a lot to do and see in Victoria Carriage Rides, Water Planes, Water Taxies around the harbour, street entertainers and the Royal British Columbia Museum. This was fortunate as our day here coincided with the only rainy day of the tour. So a trip to the museum and a good lunch was the order of the day.
Our second round of golf was at the big scale Bear Mountain course designed by Jack Nicklaus, not for the feint hearted. The greens were fast, immaculate, slopping and the fairways were wide with some long carries, a wonderful course to play. Not everybody's favourite as there were some blind shots but I had an advantage as this was my second time playing here.
Our final three rounds were played at Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, the Nicklaus North Golf Course, and the Big Sky Golf and Country Club. Château Whistler is located on the lower slopes of Blackcomb Mountain surrounded by very scenic views. Everybody loved and enjoyed playing here. Both the other two courses Nicklaus North and Big Sky are down in the valley and look like immaculate parklands.
We plan to return to Canada in two years time and
a tour through the Rockies is now in the planning stages. I don't know if I can wait that long to taste those ribs again. Gary Pike Sep08
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Our
first day in Vancouver started with a trip up to the top of Grouse
Mountain which has stunning views over the city. We travelled to
the top by cable car and watched the famous lumber jack show. The
trip down the mountain was by cable car too except for Mick and
Tina O' Sullivan who started their holiday Paragliding down attached
to some hippy looking chap, who apparently "knows what he's
doing". They were exhilarated by the experience but Marion
and I were silently relieved that we still maintained the same head
count on the first day.
A
visit to this area is not complete without attempting Vancouver's
foremost tourist attraction, the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Your
pulse quickens as you step onto the swaying planks. This bridge
is not for the faint hearted and that included Marion and myself
so we promptly retreated into a coffee shop after trying a couple
of steps out onto the bridge.
The
second leg of the tour took us through the Gulf Islands to Victoria
by ferry, A fun way to travel while giving a great opportunity to
take in the beautiful scenery. The stunning scenery is what makes
this such a fantastic tour. En route to Victoria we stopped at the
World Famous Butchart Gardens. I am no gardener but even I can appreciate
the wonderful vistas this garden provides, started by Jennie Butchart
in an abandoned limestone quarry which has been transformed into
a dramatic Sunken Garden.
We
had two rounds of golf while staying in Victoria. The first was
played at Olympic View Golf Club, a narrow tree lined course. Lots
of water hazards, slopping greens and a waterfall at the back of
the seventeenth hole. We had a team Waltz competition here which
was won by Barry Martin, Mick O' Sullivan, Barbara Martin and Marion
Farrell. Congratulations to them. 
Whistler
is very much a resort town and we stayed in the very comfortable
Westin Resort & Spa situated in the lower village and very near
all of the amenities. All of the major food chains are here. If
you like ribs I recommend Earl's Bistro which I believe is the best
in the world. This is a statement so I will endeavour to continue
my research, but until I find out different take it from me they
are the greatest. 
Sighting
of bears was the biggest topic in our conversation and we were not
to be disappointed. This time of the year they are busy trying to
pile on the pounds. I was not having any difficulty with that, especially
if I keep eating those ribs. Getting back to the bear spotting as
I have mentioned, we were not disappointed. Barrie and Barbara Martin
saw one on the path between the sixteenth and seventeenth tee at
Chateau Whistler while Jean Cross spotted one from the cable car
heading up Whistler Mountain. We all saw one grazing on the side
of the eleventh fairway at Nicklaus North. The pièce de résistance
had to be wandering home through the village after dinner only to
find a bear doing exactly the same thing, wandering home. Only we
were heading to our luxury hotel while he was heading for the woods.
It was amazing being up close with nature. 
Our
British Columbian Tour Golf Competition was very close and keenly
contested. The fourth place went to Tina O Sullivan and the third
went to Rosie Page. The top two spots were very close being decided
in the final round at Big Sky. The runner up was Paula Leenheer
who narrowly lost to Mick O Sullivan, the winner. Well done to all
of the prize winners but I think the real winners are the wonderful
golf courses and scenery of British Columbia.
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Don't
delay book today.
If you
would like to book a break or contact us directly about any of
these holidays then call on |
For
your peace of mind: 
inclusive
holidays Distant Landings sell are ATOL protected under ATOL licence
number 2898. This means that in the unlikely event of Distant
Landings insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded
abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to Distant
Landings for any advance booking.Gary Pike Golf, Forrester
Park , Beckingham Road, Great Totham, Maldon, England, CM9 8EA, U.K.
Tel: +44(0)1376 563104 Mobile24 hr +44(0)7801 428174 email@garypikegolf.com