Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club (Mountain course)

Bear Mountain Resort (Mountain course): Located just north of Victoria, British Columbia's capital city, the impressive Bear Mountain resort offers a wide array of activities and amenities. At this luxury resort Jack Nicklaus has etched his own indelible paw print onto the landscape, creating two captivating and dramatic golf courses in the process.

The original and challenging Mountain course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and son Steve. In 2009 it was joined by the dramatic Valley course (laid out by Nicklaus Design). Both courses are challenging, dramatic, immensely scenic, but quite different.

Perched above its equally impressive companion, the Mountain course is a natural wonderland of rocky outcrops, rivers, valleys, forests and mountain vistas. Renowned as a layout that has humbled professionals and amateurs alike, the Mountain course's superbly crafted holes present a formidable test.

For evidence of the charms and challenges that lie ahead, look no further than the opening downhill par-5. From the tee you gaze across forested hills to distant mainland mountain ranges in the United States. The testing carry across a small pond onto a large undulating green, signals that water will play an important role in the "defences" of other holes. And this is the first of many undulating holes that incorporate pronounced elevation changes. Only on the opening and closing holes do you play alongside resort properties.

The scenic short par-3 14th hole, with its stunning panoramic view, was originally conceived as a 19th hole - a "bonus" hole that Nicklaus devised while inspecting the site. He noticed a spur of land jutting out above what was then the par-5 14th green (now 13th), figured it was the perfect spot for a betting hole and shoe-horned in a fabulous short par-3. This spectacular hole is now incorporated into the 18-hole layout.