Trevor Ng
Area Whiskey Golf, also known as WG, is a military operations area in the Strait of Georgia, on the west coast of Canada. It is a maritime test facility located on the east side of Vancouver Island at Nanoose Bay, BC, and is used for torpedo testing by the Canadian Forces and foreign governments. Whiskey and golf are also intertwined as sources of indulgence and frustration for many people. The two have a long history, with the origins of both being shrouded in mystery. One legend suggests that 14th-century Scottish fishermen would drink whiskey and hit stones with their oars after a day on the water, which eventually evolved into the game of golf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Area Whiskey Golf/WG |
| Location | Strait of Georgia, Vancouver Island, Canada |
| Function | Maritime test facility |
| Operator | Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges |
| Purpose | Testing torpedo firings |
| Participants | Canadian Forces, U.S. Navy |
| Frequency | 300-400 tests annually |
| History | Opened in 1965; over 31,000 tests conducted |
| Status | Active |
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What You'll Learn
- Whiskey Golf is a military operations area in the Strait of Georgia
- Whiskey Golf is a 'defence establishment' as defined by the National Defence Act
- Whiskey and golf are both very old inventions, over half a millennium old
- Whiskey and golf are sources of frustration and joy for millions
- Whiskey and golf: a tradition on the golf course
Whiskey Golf is a military operations area in the Strait of Georgia
Whiskey Golf (WG) is a military operations area in the Strait of Georgia, just north of Nanaimo. It is a joint United States-Canadian facility located on the eastern side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The area is marked on Canadian Hydrographic Charts 3512 and 3459, and constitutes a 'defence establishment' as defined in the National Defence Act. It is a military test range for torpedoes, sonar equipment, sonobuoys, and other maritime warfare equipment. The range is maintained and operated by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport (NUWCDIVKPT) and covers approximately 56 square nautical miles. It is the most important of the four test ranges operated by NUWCDIVKPT.
Whiskey Golf occupies the Ballenas Basin, the deepest part of the Strait of Georgia with an average depth of 400 to 410 metres. The basin was formed during a period of glacial advance in the early Wisconsinan epoch, when southwesterly flowing valley glaciers carved out the deep basin. The area has a relatively flat bottom with bedrock outcrops and a mud composing the seafloor surface. The average depth and unique seabed of the basin make it ideal for testing and retrieving torpedoes. High-tech military hardware, including underwater instrumentation with 26 short-baseline hydrophone arrays, is used to track underwater objects in 3D.
The Whiskey Golf military test range has been in operation since 1965 or 1967, with over 31,000 torpedo tests conducted since its opening. The range is used primarily by the U.S. Navy, with an average of two submarines and six surface ships visiting the range each year. The Canadian Forces also actively use this area for testing torpedo firings. The range is isolated from the open ocean, providing a controlled environment for testing and retrieval.
When Whiskey Golf is active, no vessels—pleasure craft or commercial—are allowed to enter the area. Boaters are instructed to stay out of the active torpedo testing range to avoid putting their vessel and personnel at risk. A safe transit corridor of 1/2 nautical mile north of Winchelsea Island and 1/2 nautical mile east of Ballenas Island is available for passage. Information about the active hours of Whiskey Golf can be obtained through various channels, including Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) and VHF.
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Whiskey Golf is a 'defence establishment' as defined by the National Defence Act
Whiskey Golf, also known as WG, is a section of the Strait of Georgia covered by the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges. It is a maritime test facility located on the east side of Vancouver Island at Nanoose Bay, BC. The Canadian government allows foreign governments, primarily the US, to test torpedo firings in this area. WG has been active since 1965, with an estimated 31,000+ torpedo tests conducted.
WG constitutes a 'defence establishment' as defined in the National Defence Act, with Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations applying to it. According to the Act, a defence establishment is "any area or structure under the control of the Minister, and the materiel and other things situated in or on any such area or structure". WG falls under this definition due to its use as a controlled test range for military operations.
The area is marked on Canadian Hydrographic Charts 3512 and 3459, and information about its active hours can be obtained through various official channels, including the Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) and the Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS) in Victoria.
As a defence establishment, WG is subject to specific regulations and protocols outlined in the National Defence Act. These regulations govern access to the area, ensuring that only authorized personnel are granted entry. The area is actively monitored, and boaters are warned to stay out of the torpedo testing range to avoid putting themselves and their vessels at risk.
The National Defence Act provides a legal framework for the operations and management of defence establishments like WG, ensuring the safety and security of personnel, equipment, and the surrounding areas.
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Whiskey and golf are both very old inventions, over half a millennium old
Whiskey and golf are indeed both very old inventions, with the earliest forms of each stretching back over half a millennium.
Whiskey, or whisky, is a type of liquor made from fermented grain mash. The word 'whiskey' is derived from the Classical Gaelic word 'uisce' or 'uisge', meaning 'water'. The practice of distillation is thought to have spread to Ireland and Scotland no later than the 15th century, with the earliest mention of whiskey in Ireland coming from the Annals of Clonmacnoise, which attributes the death of a chieftain in 1405 to "taking a surfeit of aqua vitae". In Scotland, the first evidence of whisky production comes from an entry in the Exchequer Rolls for 1495, where malt was sent "To Friar John Cor, by order of the king, to make aquavitae", enough to make about 500 bottles. However, it is said in Ireland that St Patrick first taught the Irish to make whiskey 1,500 years ago, although there is no finite proof of this.
Golf, like whiskey, is believed to have originated in Scotland in the 15th century, with the first written record of the game coming from James II's banning of it in 1457 as a distraction from learning archery. James IV lifted the ban in 1502 when he became a golfer himself, with golf clubs first recorded in 1503-1504. The standard 18-hole golf course was created at St Andrews in 1764, and the world's oldest golf tournament, The Open Championship, was first played in 1860. While the modern game is generally considered to be a Scottish invention, the ancient origins of golf are unclear and much debated.
The Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges facility located on the east side of Vancouver Island at Nanoose Bay, BC, is known as Area Whiskey Golf (WG). It is a military operations area where approximately 300 to 400 torpedo tests are conducted each year, with an estimated 31,000+ tests carried out since the range opened in 1965.
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Whiskey and golf are sources of frustration and joy for millions
Whiskey and golf are indeed sources of frustration and joy for millions. The links between the two are many and storied, and both are very old inventions, with a history spanning well over half a millennium.
Whiskey and golf are inextricably linked in popular culture, with many golfers enjoying a dram on the course, and the two sharing mysterious origins. One legend suggests that golf was born from the indulgence of whiskey. It is said that in the 14th century, Scottish fishermen would anchor offshore after a day's work, drink whiskey, and hit stones with their oars to see who could get theirs the furthest onto the shore. This game would eventually evolve into the golf we know today. Another popular link between the two is the number of holes on a golf course: it is said that it takes 18 shots to finish a bottle of Scotch, and so golf courses feature 18 holes.
Whiskey has also been linked to the creation of other sports. During the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, the illicit production and delivery of moonshine whiskey in the Appalachia region gave rise to the popular motorsport of stock car racing. Bootlegging led to unsanctioned car races, and eventually, the founding of NASCAR.
For some, the joy of whiskey and golf is found in their combination, with whiskey-themed golfing experiences available for enthusiasts. These experiences include being whisked away in helicopters to wild locations, where guests can indulge in world-class hospitality, including whiskey, before playing on secluded island golf courses.
However, the combination of whiskey and golf can also lead to frustration. For those who enjoy a round of golf but struggle to keep their drinking in check, whiskey on the course can be a source of frustration. Similarly, for those who wish to enjoy a quiet day out on the water, military operations in the Strait of Georgia, known as Area Whiskey Golf, can be a source of frustration due to the frequent testing of torpedoes and the need to stay clear of the active testing range.
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Whiskey and golf: a tradition on the golf course
Golf and whiskey have a long and storied history together. Both are inventions that are well over half a millennium old, with their origins shrouded in mystery. One legend claims that the sport evolved from a game played by 14th-century Scottish fishermen who, upon returning home from a day at sea, would routinely drink copious amounts of "usice" (the ancient term for whiskey) and hit stones with their oars to see who could launch them furthest onto shore.
The Old Course at St. Andrews, located on the eastern coast of Scotland, is the oldest golf course in the world, with a legacy spanning over 600 years. The camaraderie of the golf clubhouse and the warmth of whisky became inseparable parts of golf culture. Post-match celebrations with a dram of whisky became a cherished tradition, bonding players over shared victories and defeats. The term "nineteenth hole" became an expression to refer to any bar, pub, or clubhouse near the course where golfers would meet to socialise over a glass of whisky.
Whisky and golf are also linked through the number of holes on a course. It is said that it takes 18 shots to finish a bottle of Scotch whisky, and therefore, when the Scots invented golf, they made 18 holes the standard. This intertwined legacy has inspired whiskey brands such as The Clover Whiskey, which offers a selection of whiskeys tailored to the palate of the discerning enthusiast, including The Clover Straight Bourbon Whiskey, The Clover Straight Rye Whiskey, and The Clover Straight Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey.
Whiskey is not the only alcohol associated with golf. The "John Daly", a drink made with vodka and spiked by the golfer of the same name, was first popularised at the Whiskey Creek Country Club in Fort Myers in 2005. The "Sawgrass Splash", a cocktail made with vodka, orange juice, lemonade, and a squeeze of lime, is the go-to drink for golfers at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Whether it's whiskey, vodka, or another beverage, the social aspect of sharing a drink with fellow golfers remains an integral part of the sport's culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Whiskey Golf (WG) is a section of the Strait of Georgia used by the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges for torpedo testing.
Whiskey Golf is located on the east side of Vancouver Island at Nanoose Bay, BC.
Whiskey Golf is a maritime test facility where approximately 300 to 400 torpedo tests are conducted annually. Foreign governments, primarily the U.S., are allowed to test torpedo firings in this area.
Yes, Whiskey Golf is currently active. Boaters in the area are advised to stay clear of the active torpedo testing range to avoid putting themselves and their vessels at risk.
