Tee it Up Disc Golf
EXPLORE VICTORIA ’ S
CHINATOWN If you ’ re looking to sample some of Victoria ’ s international history , look no further than Victoria ’ s Chinatown . The second oldest Chinatown in North America after San Francisco , it was once referred to as Victoria ’ s “ Forbidden City ”. It is now a major tourist stopover for visitors to Victoria .
I T I N E R A R Y | S H O R T H O P S
Tee it Up Disc Golf
Courses popping up on a regular basis aiding to the sport ’ s growth .
The Gate of Harmonious Interest is the portal to Victoria ’ s Chinatown .
ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING sports in North America , disc golf courses are popping up throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia . There are close to a dozen in and around Victoria and the southern tip of the Inside Passage . There ’ s even one disc course on San Juan Island . Expect more to come as demand for the sport grows .
A game played much like golf , only disc golfers throw heavy discs in an attempt to get it in a raised basket . Strokes are counted for each toss or throw . While Mark Twain considered golf a good walk spoiled , it would be interesting to hear his viewpoint on disc golf . A game a Frisbee and a good walk ? Here are a sampling of disc golf courses throughout B . C . and the San Juan Islands .
VICTORIA Golf Island Located on Pender Island , B . C . this course is set in a semi-wilderness area around Magic Lake . The course is well-marked and beautifully maintained and it has plenty of tricky shots over a variety of terrain . There is camping and picnic facilities available . Metchosin A new course located near the Metchosin Golf & Country Club near Victoria , it has some long challenging holes that include several water hazards . Reservations are strongly encouraged through the MDGC ( 250 ) 478-3266 . Thomson Park One of the more scenic disc golf courses near Victoria , Thomson Park is located on Saturna Island . It is moderately woody and predominantly flat with a challenging course layout . Restrooms are available .
Hart Memorial DGC ( Mouat Park ) Located on Salt Spring Island , this is a moderately flat and wooded course . The holes are shorter than most courses , but technically challenging . To keep it interesting the course designers mixed up the hole shapes with a good balance of left to right and straight holes . Dinner Bay Located on Mayne Island in British Columbia the course has peak a views of the water at Dinner Bay . The course itself is a good mix of elevation and open holes making it a good course for beginner and intermediate players . There ’ s also a Japanese garden , and a park adjacent .
NANAIMO Bowen Park Located near Nanaimo , the course is designed amongst old growth trees and grassy fairways . Quite busy in the summer , it is largely regarded as Vancouver Island ’ s best disc golf course . Made up par 3 holes , the variety makes up for lack of distance . There are two long holes .
SAN JUAN ISLANDS Roche Harbor Located near Friday Harbor , this is a challenging course but a favorite with disc golfers . It has a variety of hole lengths and a nice variety of shot selection . There are 18 holes . The tee pads are top notch , and there are benches for each hole .
DISC GOLF FACTS Disc golf is one of the best lifetime fitness sports . It is easy to learn , a healthy activity and accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels . If you can throw a Frisbee ® and you like to have fun , you can play disc golf .
Today there are between 7,000,000 and 10,000,000 people who have played the game . Since 1976 , there have been over 24,000 members of the Professional Disc Golf Association . Pro players compete in more than 390 sanctioned tournaments and a Worlds Championship annually . The positive experience with Disc Golf and the growing demand for courses have led to the expansion of the sport all over the country , from small towns to urban areas .
EXPLORE VICTORIA ’ S
CHINATOWN If you ’ re looking to sample some of Victoria ’ s international history , look no further than Victoria ’ s Chinatown . The second oldest Chinatown in North America after San Francisco , it was once referred to as Victoria ’ s “ Forbidden City ”. It is now a major tourist stopover for visitors to Victoria .
FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1858 , VIC-
TORIA ’ S Chinatown was a collection of wooden shacks built by Chinese immigrants that used the city as a jump off spot to work in the gold mines in the Fraser Valley . Those who followed found work in factories , and logging camps and were largely responsible for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway . Chinatown has since grown into a community that is rich in history , architecture , restaurants and culture .
To get a good feel sign up for a walking tour , which are given daily . Tour guides introduce visitors to Canada ’ s oldest Chinatown where they will discover a Chinese temple , tour historic sites that include some of Victoria ’ s most celebrated architecture , visit colorful shops and sample authentic Chinese cuisine . The highlight of the tours include Han Tan Alley and the Gate of Harmonious Interest , which is the gateway into Chinatown . Constructed in 1981 , the stone male and female lions and the bells on the corners are said to keep away evil spirits . Most tours last about 90 minutes and they meet at outside Starbucks on Government Street at the corner of Fisgard . Purchase tickets in advance , or directly from the tour guide . Adults are $ 15 and students and seniors are $ 13 .
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