Cordova Bay Newsletters
Introducing The Ridge
Just west from Cordova Bay Golf Course (right across Cordova Bay road, in fact) lies one of the golfing gems of Vancouver Island. Spectacular ocean views, an island green and the best patio north of Bay Street await those who venture up to The Ridge.
Our little par 3 course has long been a destination for those looking for a fun and challenging golf experience. Stunning ocean views of Haro straight and Mount Baker compliment greens kept by the same award winning crew that maintains the Bay Course. For those who are serious about their short game, an 18 hole grass putting course and two full putting and chipping greens (complete with deep sand bunkers) make for the ultimate practice area.
The Ridge is more than golf, though. The south facing, licensed patio at the Ridge Clubhouse is one of the special places in Victoria. There are fish (that you can feed) jumping in the pond, flower beds meticulously cared for by Alesha and her crew, and views of the entire Ridge golf course. I can think of few better places to spend a sunny Victoria afternoon.
It might seem that I’m being overly advertorial when I speak about The Ridge, so let me describe my favourite memory from last summer...
It was a beautiful day and not wanting to waste the sunshine I spent a couple of early afternoon hours at the practice facility trying to remember how to break 90. As I was walking back to the Pro Shop I bumped into my father who was going to work on his putting (I should clarify here that my father decided 72 was an excellent age to pick up golf for the first time) so he and I played the 18 hole putting course (where he almost beat me). We then retired to the patio for a frosty beverage and a sandwich. Deciding that it was far too nice an afternoon to go home, we headed out for nine holes where he promptly hit the 6th green in one for his first career birdie. We rediscovered the patio to celebrate and talked until the sun crept down behind Sayward Hill.
I’ve always felt there’s something special about The Ridge and I hope you’ll experience that, too.
Stephen
Spring has Sprung
April is with us and spring is in! The blossoms are out, the sun has some heat, and the golf course is starting to get busy. There are so many beginning of season events to talk about, it's hard to get them all into one newsletter.
The best part of April, though, is talking to all the people who are excited about the coming year. People frequently stop in to the pro shop just to chat about spring, the amazing flowers, and their golf games. They talk about their goals and how they will achieve them. Interclub qualifying brings an air of serious competition (well, as serious as it gets here at Cordova Bay) to the pro shop. And then of course, there's the Master's chatter - complete with Tiger playing like his old self.
It's too early to call but it looks as though we might get one of those amazing, long springs that are the envy of the other 9 Canadian provinces - get ready to call the friends and relatives...
See you soon,
Stephen
Spring is Just Around the Corner
March has arrived and spring is just around the corner. Here at the golf course we’re linked intimately with the signs and smells of spring – buds forming on the trees, the birds returning from their winter habitats, the first flowers, the golfers cursing as they try and hack their way out of the thickening grass. 
Work here at The Bay takes on a new meaning come March. Knowing that the daily tasks of keeping the golf course in pristine condition will soon take up most of their time, Dean’s crew is busy finishing up their winter drainage projects. Alesha and Mel have spent the last month pruning trees and getting the flowerbeds into spectacular condition and their carefully planted daffodils are already blooming.
Here in the Pro Shop we feel the changes March brings, as well. Winter League draws to a close and we say goodbye to many a die-hard winter golfer as they go back to their summer home. Happily, though, this is also the time that many less hardy (or less fanatical) shake the winter dust from their clubs and greet the new season with joy and anticipation. Our snowbirds begin to return at this time, too, bringing the warmth and sunshine of their winter destinations with them.
All in all, March tends to be a magical time at Cordova Bay Golf Course, filled with the promise of better weather, the renewal of camaraderie with those not seen for months, and the excitement of a new season just around the corner.
I hope to see you all soon,
Stephen