181 - Victoria Golf Resort

Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka

Rating: 8.1

Last stop for me in Sri Lanka golfing wise and another awesome experience to finish. Very close if not the best views I’ve had on a golf course. Honestly some of the vistas from tee boxes and approaches to greens were quite breath taking.

The course is situated about an hour from Kandy just off a reservoir and surrounded by rolling hills. I was here in off season when it is supposedly rainy season and was lucky to have a beautifully sunny day without a drop of rain. I’d recommend playing early in the morning because they heat does get to you by the end of the round but as caddies are compulsory there is some respite.

It is a pretty tight and challenging course, drifting too far left or right leads you to be stuck in thick bush to which you’re advised not to wade through with the chance of a snake lurking, luckily I saw none.

Two of the standout holes are the par 3 4th, a raised hole which is nothing more than a gap wedge but with the most ridiculous views around of the reservoir and palm tree lined hills in the distance and the second of similar ilk is the par 5 15th, dog-legging to the right with a raised green and a beautiful approach and stunning views dropping off the back of the green.

The round was quite expensive for this area at around €110 and I would have expected the greens and general maintenance to be better for that price but the views totally make it worth it. Make sure you pack a few extra balls because it isn’t easy!