Golf has been played over the same seaside property at the historic Victoria Golf Club in Canada since the club’s establishment in 1893. – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 1– Sands of Time
Three bunkers were recently restored right of the green at the par-5 opening hole, replacing what had been made into a single, larger hazard during the 1970s.
HOLE 2– Cross Purposes
This cross-bunker complicates matters for golfers at the 2nd but also beautifully decorates the foreground at this downhill par-3 where stunning long views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca toward Washington’s Cascade Mountains are presented from the tee. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 3– Front to Back
A closer look at VGC’s 3rd green, which rises some six feet front to back. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 3– Bunker Down
These ‘sand scrapes’ feature in the middle of a massive fairway area shared by the parallel 3rd and 4th holes. Guarded by five more bunkers, the distinctive three-tier 3rd green climbs the hill in the distance. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 4– Peak Performance
A side view of the 4th green, with Trial Island and Washington’s Olympic Mountains – from which this hole derives its name – in the distance. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 5– Tiny Target
Approaching the tiny, perched green at the short par-4 5th, one of just two holes at VGC that play immediately adjacent to the coast. Dubbed ‘Vimy Ridge’, the par-4 6th hole is seen at left, where it plays up and over a grassy rise off the tee between stands of cypress and pine. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
Located in the beautiful Oak Bay section of British Columbia’s capital city, VGC occupies a mere 85 acres, measuring just 6,174 yards (5,645 metres); however a wonderful collection of extremely varied holes featuring some old-fashioned quirk, and constant wind, make up for any perceived lack of interest and challenge.
Moreover, a number of Victoria’s greens represent some of the best in Canadian golf architecture. Vernon Macan, a VGC member who dominated golf architecture in the Pacific Northwest region between 1913 and his death in 1964, formalised the course into its current configuration during the mid-1920s, then continued to tinker with the layout throughout his life.
Since 2009 I have been working to restore a classic look, feel and playability at VGC consistent with the club’s unique history and its course’s distinct heritage.
HOLE 6– Double Trouble
Recently restored as separate hazards, these bunkers right of the green at the par-4 6th hole had also been amalgamated to create a single, larger bunker sometime during the 1970s. Select trees were also recently removed back-right of this green to restore surreal views of Washington’s Mount Baker, some 120 kilometres to the northeast as the crow flies. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 8– Better Definition
VGC features five par-3s, including two sets of back-to-back short holes at the 8th and 9th, 13th and 14th holes. Pictured is the 120-yard 8th, ‘Land’s End’, where three bunkers fronting this rumpled, tilted green were recently restored, replacing yet another group of bunkers that had been connected to form a single hazard. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 9– Tuft it Out
A deep grass face bunker guards the right side of the green at the par-3 9th hole. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 11– A Bonnie Journey
The long par-4 11th hole, dubbed ‘Blink Bonnie’, features a lovely, low-profile green. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
HOLE 17– Restored to Order
Leaving the green at the par-5 17th hole, looking back over recently restored bunkers. – Photo Essay: Victoria GC, British Columbia, Canada – Victoria’s SECRET – Issue 14 – Jeff Mingay
Jeff Mingay is a golf architect based in Canada; Jeff has been consulting on restorative-based work at the Victoria Golf Club since 2009. For more information, visit www.jeffmingay.com
