Retiree Stories

Bill Whitfield
Newcomer, Victoria, British Columbia

Bill Whitfield and his wife are "primarily golf nuts." During his career with the Military Bill was stationed all over the world - giving the Whitfeilds a chance to golf all over it too. They were so impressed by the golfing in Campbell River, by its quality and affordability, that they decided to retire here. Bill has lived here for six years now and is loving it. He also likes to fresh water fish and explains how Campbell River is the best place for people like him because of all the lakes and rivers to which you have easy access. At the same time affordable, world class golf, all enriched by the warm, friendly people living here.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield were on a golfing vacation in Austria when they first heard of Campbell River. The course manager - a fellow Canadian - told them about the excellent course that he used to manage - Campbell River's Storey Creek. Years later the Whitfields were living in Victoria in what they thought would be their retirement home. Bill bought a trailer and a fishing boat to enjoy "all the things you miss in Europe." They found themselves making frequent trips up island to enjoy the wilderness camping, the fresh water fishing, and the better, more affordable golfing. They decided that since they were coming up here so much anyway, maybe they should just sell their Victoria house and come to stay permanently. So they bought a house near the Golf course and now Bill is able to, (and does) golf nearly everyday at a "class A" golf course (costing him a quarter of what it would in Victoria.) Storey Creek is ideal because it is world class, beautiful, and dead flat, you can play the whole course and still have energy left over. In fact, he says it's the "best deal in the world."

The people of this "Golfer's Paradise" make it all the better. "I haven't had a negative experience yet," Mr. Whitfield said after six years among Campbell Riverites. He finds the people "welcoming and friendly." When the Whitfields came here they didn't know a soul, but Bill went up to the course and started golfing on his own. He remembers how he was welcomed by everyone. One thing he likes in particular is the range of ages and backgrounds of the people on the course. He describes how there are 12 year olds, eighty year olds, doctors, lawyers, and loggers but on the course they are all "just a bunch of golfers."

This mix of ages is important, Bill remembers driving through Qualicum and seeing most of the population using walkers. "Nobody wants to retire and feel like they've gone to an old age home."

When Bill isn't golfing he explores the lakes of the area in his boat. He discovered that there's "no end of little fresh water places" just outside of town. Fresh water fishing and wilderness camping were both things that he missed in Victoria and that he has in abundance here.

Bill Whitfield is very happy to be promoting Campbell River because he thinks it is an ideal place to retire. "No one who likes to golf [and fish] should consider where to retire until they've seen this place."