Arbutus Ridge Golf Club Offers Great Golf
by Scott A. Sumner
www.golfingnews.ca
On a recent trip to Vancouver Island it was fun to play Arbutus Ridge Golf club with General Manager Jason Lowe and Richard Ingle, Sales and Event Coordinator. Arbutus Ridge is a beautiful 40 minute drive from downtown Victoria. This area has got to be some of the most
beautiful scenery wise in Canada. You have many great views of the ocean and it really is a great drive.
Unique at Arbutus is their certification with the Audubon Society. “ There a few things you have to do to be certified . You first have to get a certificate in environmental planning. That is basically doing an inventory of the ecosystem on the golf course. We have done that and
sent it off. To be fully certified you must cross off some pillars. The next is do a wildlife inventory and we have done that. Lastly is chemical reduction. One you complete this you are in an elite league as there are only 7 courses in BC that have completed this to the fullest extent,” said Jason Lowe. “ The media and public have reacted well. We have measured our carbon footprint and have a committee that get together monthly to see what we can do to improve environmentaly. The front line staff have helped with this the most. It does match the feeling and philosophies of the people who work here.”
“Arbutus Ridge has finishing holes that are something that people really remember including myself. I think they are the three toughest finishing holes on Vancouver Island. The Peninsula green on no 17 leaves a lasted memory. I like most of the par 4s as well.I think it
is very thoughtful in nature rather than pulling up to all the par 4’s with only a driver. It is going to make you think. There are three or four holes where you see the nearby islands including the famous Saltz Spring Island famous for their arts community and food and wine,” said
Lowe. “ It is a good value here also. We are not super close to the city so it often means a lower green fee. Our rate is $60 peak and cart $17. We just got an award form Westjets magazine UP as one of th best 10 in Canada for value.”
Arbutus Ridge is part of the Golf BC Group that includes 9 courses- Gallagers Canyon, Okanogan Golf Club- Quail and Bear, Furry Creek, Mayfair Lakes, Nicklaus North, Olympic View and in Hawaii as well.
“ I like the variety of the course. You have forward tees, back tees and two middle. I played 5 different clubs off the first 5 holes tee boxes. You have some scorable holes, picturesque nice drives, fantastic greens to putt on and the great18th hole,” said Richard Ingle Sales and
Evens coordinator. “ It is easy to get here from downtown Victoria. Just turn on Hutchison and drive 35 to 40 minutes. It is one of the most beautiful drives on Vancouver Island. It is just spectacular. You can golf 365 days of the year here as the one little pocket of Canada
where you can play all year. We are a similar climate to Vancouver but with half the rain fall.”
The members of Arbutus Ridge are also very happy with their course. “ We have gone through a lot of changes on the golf course but the management and the team they have here the last few years are outstanding. All I can say is from the golf course, the restaurant ,
management crew and the pro shop it is absolutely top notch. Member like me that come here a lot and spend a lot of money enjoy the relationship we have with these people. It the best team we have had in the 10 years Ihave been here.” said Arif Lalani, member of Arbutus
Ridge.
http://www.golfbc.com/courses/arbutus_ridge
