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Bear Mountain Enters Partnership with Pacific Links

Posted on April 14, 2014

Monday, April 14, 2014, Victoria, BC Ecoasis announced today that Bear Mountain has entered into an affiliate club partnership with Pacific Links International, an exclusive membership network that will enable Bear Mountain golf members to enjoy playing privileges at over 100 signature golf courses designed by leading architects such as Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones in North America, Asia, Australia and Hawaii.

This collaboration with Pacific Links International makes Bear Mountain an exclusive Vancouver Island affiliate member of this prestigious golf network, and signifies the first resort partnership in Canada for Pacific Links International. Bear Mountain golf members will enjoy membership privileges at courses such Southern Highlands and Dragon Ridge (Nevada), Pete Dye Golf Club (West Virginia), Royal Hawaiian and Kapolei Golf Club (Hawaii), Dove Canyon (California) to name a few (see attached map). The main feature of a Pacific Links International membership is reciprocal access for Bear Mountain members with affiliate status which opens up previously inaccessible private clubs such as Southern Highlands, Dove Canyon, and Kapolei, home of the Pacific Links Hawaii Championship in Sept 2014.

“Bear Mountain is one of the finest golf resorts in the region and its two courses represent the only 36-hole Nicklaus Design golf experience in Canada,” said Bruce Simmonds, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Links International. “Our partnership will strengthen both brands, allowing Pacific Links to offer even more top-notch courses to our members while supporting Bear Mountain’s elevated position in the premier golf destination market.”

“The exclusive Vancouver Island relationship with Pacific Links International will stimulate golf tourism by exposing Bear Mountain and Vancouver Island to golf enthusiasts from around the world. At the same time, the relationship provides our members with privileged access to some truly exceptional destination golf courses. In some cases, Bear Mountain members with affiliate status will only have to cover caddie fees or cart fees,” explained Dan Matthews, President and CEO of Ecoasis Developments LLP who took over ownership of Bear Mountain last year. “Golf at Bear Mountain is a prized cornerstone amenity at Bear Mountain. Our goal is relatively simple: we want to make Bear Mountain the finest residential resort community in Canada.”

Golf membership at Bear Mountain has increased in the past 6 months, and golfers are benefiting from investment commitments that include new golf carts with GPS and new grounds maintenance equipment to elevate the golf experience on both courses. Two new comfort stations are on the way – the first site is being prepped on the Valley Course between the 4th green and the 5th tee. These comfort stations will include washroom facilities and food and beverage services complete with seating areas; they will also cater to the hikers and cyclists that will be using the new trail system that is currently moving through the planning process. The returning 9’s golf experience on The Valley Course kicks off following the 2014 summer season.

“As a long time golf member at Bear Mountain, I am very pleased with the commitment that Ecoasis is making to the membership and to the community,” said Michael Todd, who has been part of the Bear Mountain golf membership advisory committee providing input into the revitalization of golf at Bear Mountain. “There is a long term view here at last, and as golf members we are at the table contributing to the decision making process. The courses are in the best shape that they have ever 2 been, and the opportunity to be an affiliate member with Pacific Links International is extremely exciting.”

Ecoasis and the Bear Mountain golf team have engaged the Bear Mountain golf member’s advisory committee in discussions regarding future adjustments to the Mountain Course that will preserve 36 holes, enhance playability and strengthen the real estate portfolio bringing to market highly desirable, high-value residential opportunities. The first step in these adjustments is currently taking place, with the repurposing of the 10th hole on the Mountain Course and bringing into rotation the signature 19th hole for all to play. Following the recent sell-out of the Hedgestone Lane lots, Ecoasis is moving ahead this summer with the build-out of Bear Mountain’s newest neighbourhood, Turnberry, made possible by the reconfiguration of hole 10 featuring golf course view lots nestled in between the 9th and 17th holes on the Mountain Course.

About Ecoasis: Ecoasis specializes in land acquisition and development of residential and resort real estate; signature properties that we enhance for the benefit of stakeholders and the surrounding communities. Our current geographical focus includes Hawaii, Whistler, and Victoria, BC. By partnering our talented team with the most experienced architects, engineering firms, construction companies, and consultants, we create high quality, sustainable communities that provide lasting value. www.ecoasis.com

For more information please contact:
Jordan Ray, Director of Golf Operations, Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa
t250.391.7176 c250.818-5359