Golf Vancouver Island

Canada’s Only 36-Hole Nicklaus Course Opens at
Bear Mountain Resort

 Victoria, BC (May 29, 2009): Victoria’s Bear Mountain Resort is now the first - and only - resort in Canada able to offer golfers a world-class 36-hole Nicklaus Design course, and combines it with British Columbia’s unmatched west coast mountain and water vistas.

Blending these unique courses with the unsurpassed natural beauty of Vancouver Island ensures that Bear Mountain will become one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the Americas.

Bear Mountain Golf and Country Club’s new $20 million 18-hole Valley Course provides a continuation of the existing 19-hole higher-elevation Mountain Course which opened in 2003 and was the first Steve and Jack Nicklaus Design course on Vancouver Island.

The new 18-hole, par-71 championship Valley Course debuts June 1 and will measure approximately 6807 yards.  It plays at a lower elevation than the existing Mountain Course, alternating between 300 and 400 feet above sea level. 
The Valley Course will appeal to a broad spectrum of golfer enthusiasts as the challenge of the play provides options that are more forgiving than the Mountain Course.  The comfortable pleasure of the Valley Course is further enhanced by the stunning views of Mount Baker in nearby Washington State, the cities of Victoria, and Port Angeles, Washington, and the surrounding Juan de Fuca Strait.

Both courses have been designed with the environment in mind. Bear Mountain is a member of the Audubon Sanctuary Program through Audubon International.  Bear Mountain’s environmentally-friendly maintenance program for greens and course surroundings includes a special “spoon-feeding” technique for fertilizer.  Liquid organic and regular fertilizers are applied directly to each plant, reducing both the amount of fertilizer used and resulting leachate. Additionally, Bear Mountain does not use insecticides, and eliminates weeds by pulling them out by hand.

“These 36-holes combined with its incredible land and seascapes is irresistible, and I expect Bear Mountain to become one of the most sought-after golf destinations on the continent,” said Len Barrie, president and CEO of Bear Mountain Resort.  “A world-class golfing experience for all to enjoy has always been at the centre of my vision for Bear Mountain from the outset, and has been a decade in the making.”  

Barrie also credits Jack Nicklaus for the intelligent and playful way that the two courses nest into the west coast landscape.

“I’ve golfed at stunning locations around the world, and I can honestly say that with the opening of this second course, Bear Mountain rivals the best golfing experiences for golfers of all abilities anywhere. We are proud to call Vancouver Island home and we look forward to Bear Mountain becoming the one of the most renowned golf destinations anywhere.”

ABOUT BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORT
Bear Mountain Resort, the premiere master-planned resort community on Vancouver Island, defines resort living. Boasting Canada's first and only 36-hole Nicklaus Design golf offering, the lush mountainside community features a montage of residential and vacation real estate opportunities as well as The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa. Medical and traditional aesthetics at the Santé Spa, a dining mecca with eclectic and world-class restaurants, a state-of-the-art Mountainside Athletic Club and The Village round out the complete lifestyle experience, all within minutes of the beautiful seaside harbor of Victoria, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.bearmountain.ca or call 1.888.533.BEAR.

Media Contact:
Kathi Springer
Office: 250-953-6696
Cell: 250-888-8767
kathi@pacegroup.com