Victoria Golf and Country Resort is a 500 acre estate on the edge of the vast Victoria reservoir and overlooked by the Knuckles mountain range. The Country Resort has a host of activities on offer, such as swimming, tennis, horse riding and nature trails. However, it is the Donald Steel designed golf course that is Victoria’s star attraction. It is not just a well-kept, rewarding golf course, the setting and design offered by stunning scenery makes it a world-beater.

Truly part of the landscape, the course is beautifully moulded over every undulation, peak and slope. With holes that will test all your golfing skills, from long hitting on the three 500 yard par 5s to the short, testing par 3s and their icy fast greens, Victoria cannot be just be regarded as just a pretty course, it’ll make the best golfers work hard for a good card.

All 18 holes at Victoria would be regarded as stand out holes on other courses, it is however the par 4, 6th, that has become Victoria’s signature hole. The tee box is perched on a peak 100 ft above the small-looking fairway. From this great height views are something to behold, even if your tee shot is not quite what you were hoping for. The continual changing in elevation is a feature to this course, whether searching for fairways 100ft below or trying to find greens, with their treacherous putting surfaces, that tower above you. Although the course was only completed in 1997, it is well established and with large Mara trees lining the fairways this course does not show its young age. Quite the opposite in fact as this course was voted ‘Best in Asia 2005’ by Asian Golf Monthly.

Victoria has an incredibly tranquil environment and is a fantastic place to come and relax. There is a putting green and practice range (again, with amazing views…but watch out for the cows), Pro Shop and PGA Golf academy. Other facilities include; bar and terrace dining, floodlit tennis court, Saddle club and horse safaris, a large outdoor infinity swimming pool, Ayurvedic Spa and wellness centre offering a range of relaxing treatments. The surrounding reservoir and central hills are ideal for bird watching. Over 100 species of birds can be spotted while going on nature trails within the 500-acre estate accompanied by a local expert. Mountain bike trails also provide for much adventure. There are numerous accommodation options that cater for all tastes and budgets.

• Victoria is approximately 20km east of Kandy and the drive from Colombo takes just over 3 ½ hours. A train to Kandy and a taxi will take the same time and is maybe more relaxing. Alternatively arrive in style and land on the reservoir in an Air Taxi from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.

• The weather is suitable throughout the year, with plenty of sunshine yet cooler evenings. Rain is more common between June and October and the best weather is between late October and March.

• Par 73, 6933 yards and designed by World renowned course architect, Donald Steel. Voted ‘Best Golf Course 2005’ by Asian Golf Monthly Magazine and ranked in top 100 ‘Most Beautiful Courses in The World’ by Golf Digest Magazine.

• Proper golfing attire is expected on the course. It is soft spike only so trainers are allowed. The clubhouse is very relaxed.

• A number of competitions are held at Victoria. Including the Ladies Open at end of September that encourages applications from around the world. Red Dot can inform you of any other competitions or restrictions on the course.

• Victoria Golf and Country Club has a number of activities other than golf. There is a swimming pool, flood lit tennis court, horse riding and more. If you can drag yourself off the course or away from the pool there are also nearby attractions. Perhaps take a day trip to Kandy and visit The Temple of the Tooth or stroll through the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens. Contact Red Dot for details on trekking in the Knuckles Range.