It comes without surprise that Vancouver as well as Richmond, BC are well-known for their numerous greens. With a maritime climate and average temperatures of 23°C/73°F in the summer and 7°C/45°F in the winter, golf can be enjoyed every time of the year, much like in Scotland, where the game originates.
In fact, the game of golf is more than 500 years old, with the first written record in 1457. This record is actually an Act of Scotland's Parliament which bans golf and also football because the Scottish subjects of king James II. were playing to much ball games instead of practising archery and other military training.
Quilchena Golf Course
Being a golfer myself, I've tried many golf courses in Vancouver and Richmond, BC, but Quilchena Golf and Country Club remains my favourite. The club is located in the northwest part of Richmond, BC right next to the West Dyke Trail. It's a private, membership based club established in 1956 in its current location with an even longer history dating back to 1925. In this photo essay, I'm happy to present a few exclusive shots of the fine 18 hole golf course in the pretty cheery wood scenery taken at the end of May 2014.
Driveway to the Clubhouse
The Club offers not only a first-rate golf course, but also features a very convenient clubhouse, restaurant and excellent services just minutes away from the Vancouver International Airport and 20 minutes from the centre of Vancouver. It's also close to the Richmond Oval, a top-tier indoor wellness and fitness centre build for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Upcoming Events at the Quilchena Golf Course
The name "Quilchena"is of local First Nation origin, as you might have guessed already. It means "running water", "sweet water" or "many waters" and was used to describe the low lying land in the Lower Mainland region.
Quilchena Gazebo by the Pond
The Club also takes pride in events organized in the large clubhouse which can accommodate small or large parties up to 240 guests. The focus is on the food and drinks - not every golf club will offer the quality and attentiveness of Quilchena's expert chef Alden Kiland and staff.
Well-maintained Gardens of the Quilchena Country Club
Water Features at the Golf Course
The Green
You may not know that golf is one of the two sports which were truly played on the moon (the second being the javelin throw). Commander Alan Shepard did a sand-trap shot with a six-iron on the surface of our only natural satellite in 1971, during the Apollo 14 mission. Alan fired two balls, although he was only satisfied with the flight of the latter, travelling for an estimated 200 to 300 yards. In his words:
Houston, while you're looking that up, you might recognize what I have in my hand as the handle for the contingency sample return; it just so happens to have a genuine six iron on the bottom of it. In my left hand, I have a little white pellet that's familiar to millions of Americans. I'll drop it down. Unfortunately, the suit is so stiff, I can't do this with two hands, but I'm going to try a little sand-trap shot here.
Avid Golfers at One of the Putting Greens
The Green at the Quilchena Golf Course
The View From the Quilchena Country Clubhouse
The Front of the Clubhouse
Quilchena Golf and Country Clubhouse From the Inside
Glasses Ready for the Members
The Quilchena Clubhouse Hall
Lighting at the Quilchena Clubhouse
The Quilchena Ironman Champion Trophy
Meet The Photographer: Kevin Eng
Kevin Eng
Kevin's passion for photography has encouraged others to see the splendor and beauty of nature right at their doorstep, as he captures the sights of the day, and colors and mystery of world while it sleeps. Many of the subjects of his work are based locally in his hometown in Vancouver, B.C., where he first discovered his fascination with night photography. Kevin is currently working as a music teacher, music director for his church, and landscape photographer.
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Quilchena is one of the best conditioned courses in the province!
Another great photo essay, Jay (however, the one about Vancouver’s libraries is still my favourite)! I especially like the photos of the garden, good to know that a golf club could be interesting for photographers as well.
Nice! Have heard nice things about the Quilchena Golf and Country Club but haven’t had the pleasure of playing there!
Jay, thanks for this post – we should talk golf sometime!
A real estate friend of mine does lots of real estate business on the golf course. He has gotten buyers and sellers this way.
Not on a golf course but in a dog park, If you gain people’s trust you can do business in a lot of places!
And at the gym.
I’ve done business on the course many times. Oddly, business golf has not been a deductible business expense since 1971. BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce, along with National Golf Course Owners Assn are working to change that. Taking someone to a Canucks game IS an allowable expense, while golf is not. Go figure. I’m a member at Rivershore in Kamloops, Robert Trent Jones Sr. layout
I had forgotten how much fun( productive) it was to take out clients and friends golfing. I have not golfed in a year and will be heading to the driving range shortly.
Thanks for your comments!
I’d like to be updated about the efforts to make golf a deductible business expense, Ken. Do you know somebody who pushes this matter directly?
Riveshore in Kamloops is a beautiful place!
Cheers,
Jay
I have served as a co-chair of the mainstreet organization’s annual golf outing for some years now held in mid-june in the Chicago southwestern suburbs. Our affiliates come through as devoted hole sponsors, giving them the opportunity to network with our realtor members. Fun fun fun day!