T
he lowest temperature ever
recorded in Canada is -63 ̊C at Snag
in The Yukon, February 3, 1947. The
Canadian town of Eureka in the Qikiqtaaluk
Region of northern Nunavut boasts an
average temperature of -19 ̊C. The top third
of Canada is within the Arctic Circle, home to
polar bear and artic fox, and the sea creature
with the horn of a unicorn, the narwhal.
Canada is a big snow country.
Ice country.
And thus you might surmise that Canada is not
overly conducive to golf, at least not for several
snowed-under months of the year. And if you talk of
The Yukon or the Drumheller Badlands where they
shot Leo DiCaprio in the extremely cold-looking
film The Revenant, then you would be correct.
But in the south-west corner of the mighty
nation-state of Canada lies British Columbia,
which by dint of its oceanic climate and highland
geography enjoys several micro-climates. BC can
be described as “Mediterranean” for six monthsMay-October, while outside that think winter in
southern Tasmania, or Canberra by night. Cold?
Sure. But golf? You bet.
BC is where Canadians go to golf when their own
course is under snow. Many retire here. Its most
populous city Vancouver is cool like Portland or
San Francisco. It’s where micro-brew gastro-pubs
sell bison burgers, and you can walk downtown and
watch Canucks playing ice hockey (or “hockey”
as they call it) and enjoy the live action from a
sports bar as a beautiful woman brings you a beer.
Vancouver has it going on.
A 12-minute flight from Vancouver (I timed it)
is Vancouver Island where you can find several fine
and fun golf courses, notablyCordova Bay Golf
Club, a regular stop for tour groups given
it’s halfway from the airport to the funky little
capital, Victoria.
Cordova Bay boasts poa and bent greens, and
Colonial bent fairways. There are goats and deer
and a rooster called “Gordie”. Sea eagles squawk
above. Wild geese fly in formation. There areBC IS WHERE
CANADIANS GO TO
GOLF WHEN THEIR
OWN COURSE IS
UNDER SNOW. MANY
RETIRE HERE. ITS
MOST POPULOUS
CITY VANCOUVER
IS COOL LIKE
PORTLAND OR SAN
FRANCISCO.
VICTORIA GOLF CLUBcordova bay golf club116 APRIL 2018 | golf australia