Glen Erickson, Senior Golf Writer

“For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels & not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!”
- Frank Sinatra, My Way

 

It seems a falling out of sorts occurred a few years ago when Len Barrie, a member of a private golf club in Victoria, removed some trees from his property near the course. Further examination found the trees were actually located on golf course property. A number of members were upset with Barrie and he was subsequently asked to leave the club.

Whether or not the gloves really came off, the massive Westin Bear Mountain, Victoria, Golf Resort & Spa proves that Barrie, a former NHL player, knows more than enough about taking matters into his own hands. The primary investor and CEO at the new development on Vancouver Island, Barrie may even associate his recent golf industry experiences with the theme of Sinatra’s 1968 tune.

 

The Westin Bear Mountain, Victoria, Golf Resort & Spa opened for business in August of 2003. Located 30 minutes west of Victoria, the golf course currently serves as a magnificent centerpiece at the resort. Also involved with Barrie is a group of current and former NHL players, headed by Mike Vernon, and including Ray Whitney, Rob Niedermayer, Ryan Smyth, Greg Adams and Rob Blake.

 

The Spectacular Golf Course…
A $22,000,000 project located on 1,200 acres of land, the Westin Bear Mountain, Victoria, Golf Resort & Spa is a joint design by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and his son, Steve. On the surface, the layout provides everything and more for players seeking a resort golf experience. However, another one of the truly amazing stories surrounding the course concerns what is below the surface.

 

“The goal was to get the golf course set up to be playable during all seasons,” explains Todd Mahovlich, director of golf operations. “The entire course has a crushed rock base, with 12 to 18 inches of sand on top of that, then a small soil layer. The cost of getting the sand, actually finding a supplier to provide that much sand, was a challenge in itself.”

Generally, a crushed rock base covered with six to eight inches of sand is sufficient for most fairways, with perhaps a little more depth for the greens. Cost, as always, is a major consideration. At Bear Mountain, it would seem virtually no expense has been spared in an effort to deliver the most efficient drainage system possible. The plan, and the budgetary commitment, has had an extremely positive impact on playing conditions.

 

“Because of the amount of crushed rock and sand, what happens out here when we get some rain, it’s only a matter of minutes before the water filters straight through,” Mahovlich said. “Over the course of a few days when we’ll get maybe two to four inches of rain, golfers don’t really see it. Like anyone else, we get pockets here and there, but overall the water just filters straight through.” “In this region, when there’s a lot of moisture, golf balls will often plug into the surface. It’s not very often you see golf balls bouncing down the fairway during the winter months, but at Bear Mountain you do. The surface plays closer to summer conditions.”Creating the base below the playing surface has not been without other challenges, given the terrain used in routing the golf course.

“One of the biggest challenges out here was dealing with the elevation changes,” Mahovlich says. “From the clubhouse area up to the top of the golf course is about 500 feet.”

 

“We kind of travel up the hill along the side of the mountain and then back down for the final stretch. And being literally on the side of the mountain, or actually between three smaller mountains, we had an awful lot of blasting in some areas. We had to take out a 70-foot high section of rock to create the 17th hole alone.”

Another Nicklaus designed course is in the works, with nine holes slated to open for play in 2007 and nine more in 2008.

 

However, next on the agenda at Bear Mountain is the 160,000 square foot clubhouse, scheduled to open in May. It will contain a 91 guest rooms and suites, the Panache fine dining restaurant, the Master’s lounge and 6,000 square foot conference facility. A total of 50,000 square feet will be devoted to golf operations.

 

The Nicklaus Design…
From a design perspective, Nicklaus generally creates wide landing areas, enabling the masses to swing away with their drivers. Given the current day industry fascination with golf course lengths of 7,000 yards or more, Bear Mountain appeases those with the ability to tackle a 7,212-yard test from the Golden tees. From the Grizzly tees, the 6,744-yard version is a mammoth test in itself.Most players will enjoy the playing experience from the Black tees at 6,345 yards. Alas, there is something for everyone as each hole offers five separate teeing areas.

Mahovlich is candid about the resort atmosphere at Bear Mountain, suggesting golfers should expect a playing time of four-and-a-half to five hours.

 

“More than anything, we want to try and create an experience where the golf is why you’re here,” Mahovlich says. “Remember our service levels, the views, we try to do the extras. Our player assistants are truly ‘assistants’, whether it’s a cigar or some golf balls you need, or handing you towels on rainy days.”

“We want people to come back because of the great time they’ve had, because of the fun.”

And you will have much more fun if you can avoid another common Nicklaus design feature; deep bunkers. Be prepared to face greens with significant sloping, although they are mostly void of frustrating, carnival-like undulations. Much to the relief of recreational players, there is nothing sinister in the positioning of the occasional forced carry.

The Lady Golfer…
Some may argue that behind every man stands a golf widow. However, at Bear Mountain, the lady golfer has been given generous consideration. From the Spirit tees, the golf course measures 5,742 yards. From the Cinnamon tees, ladies can play at 5,014 yards.

“It’s not particularly long from the forward (Cinnamon) tees,” explains Stacy Germaniuk, a real estate sales associate at Bear Mountain. “At a lot of courses, when you play from the forward tees, you don’t really see all of what the golf course offers.”

“Out here, the set up makes you feel like these are real tee boxes,” adds Germaniuk, a 16-handicapper. “The forward tees are not just an afterthought. If you’re a long hitter at all, you can run into some trouble with the landing areas. Even for the ladies, I think it’s about course management at Bear Mountain”.

 

The Signature Holes…
The par-3 4th requires you to carry your tee shot on to the green, although a golf ball landing short can be still be played. Note the view of the Malahat mountain range and the stellar arbutus trees.At the par-4 8th you’ll hope you hit your best drive of the day. If you can fly the ball far enough, what Mahovlich describes as an ‘action slot’ will propel your ball down to a flat portion of the fairway where you may find yourself only 150 yards out for your approach. The new clubhouse also comes into view here.At the par-3 11th, the island green requires an accurate tee shot. But don’t despair if you find the water, especially if you’re playing on a day when Mahovlich and crew have made their famous “gumball” machine available. You’ll be able to replenish your supply of ammunition.

 

After the par-5 14th, the amazing views of Victoria Harbor and the surrounding area will snap you to attention. And Bear Mountain’s 19th hole awaits here, a nifty par-3 inserted on to the property to enhance your opportunity to take in the phenomenal panoramic views.The short par-4 17th is typically Nicklaus, a risk/reward opportunity. And once you arrive at the green, look back uphill to the tee and imagine a 70-foot high, fairway length piece of mountain. This hole was virtually designed through the use of explosives.

 

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Glen Erickson may be reached at glen.erickson@bcgolfguide.com