Canada’s gentle giant of island golf is looking to make it a legendary summer of memorable moments for visitors to Prince Edward Island in 2006. From humble beginnings, when its first golf course opened more than a century ago, Canada’s smallest province has always had a big heart for golfers from near and far. While it’s small in size, no place in the province is more than 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the sea, PEI’s 20-plus golf courses are recognized, like the Island itself, among the best in the world. It’s a true golfer’s paradise and an island destination that rivals the very best.
"I tell people that when they come to Prince Edward Island they need to adjust to "Island Time", that is, it’s time to relax, it’s time to enjoy and it’s time to create lasting memories," says Greg Dukart, GM of Golf Links PEI. "When golfers visit, we’re often told that it almost feels as though they’re coming to another country. PEI has that special feeling of being a gentle island paradise with a down home feeling most people yearn for." When it comes to great golf, Dukart, who manages the Island’s four provincially run golf courses, including world-renowned The Links at Crowbush Cove, knows PEI is right up there in the world rankings. "We know for sure that we can compete with the foremost golf courses and resorts in North America. Look at the top six or eight courses on the Island and we can go head-to-head with anyone and the best part of all is that we can do it at a fraction of the price of the other golf destinations."
In 2004, Travel & Leisure Magazine ranked PEI as the No. 1 Island in North America. SCORE Golf Magazine recognized the province as the No. 1 Golf Destination in Canada in 2001 and 2003 and No. 1 in Atlantic Canada in 2005. The Globe & Mail newspaper then ranked 10 of PEI’s courses among the top-100 in Canada in 2005. Take the time to look around and all you see is countryside, green pastures, farmers’ fields, open spaces, sandy beaches, protective sand dunes, captivating red rock cliffs and inspiring views of wonderful golf courses. In fact, each year about one million tourists visit the Island to experience its unique culture and history. Gary Ready, Executive Director of Golf PEI, a co-operative marketing arm for many of the island courses, says that a little more than 100 years after Charlottetown Golf Club opened in 1902 Prince Edward Island has firmly established itself as the East Coast province to play, when it comes to memorable golf vacations with family, friends or on business. "I think one of the things that makes Island golf so special is that the courses appear to lie gently on the land," Ready states. "They’re as natural and playable as they come and blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of the Island and we’re extremely affordable when you look at the value." Prime time green fees in the summer months for 18 holes range from $25 to $90 plus tax with the average green fee less than $55.
The wave of top-notch new courses that have been added to fabulous classical designs like Belvedere GC in Charlottetown, Green Gables GC in Cavendish, Summerside G&CC, Stanhope G&CC, Brudenell River GC and Mill River GC has provided a diverse variety of layouts to choose from. It’s widely acknowledged that PEI’s golf boom took flight in 1993 when the province called upon Canadian golf course architect Tom McBroom, who was just starting to establish himself as a rising star in the business, to create a world-class golf links layout overlooking the wild wind-swept dunes along the Island’s North Shore. If there has ever been one golf course that has meant so much to one province, it would be - Crowbush Cove – a 6,903-yard, par-72 spellbinding design that’s always in immaculate condition. "In my mind Crowbush set the standard for golf in Eastern Canada and everything that has come in its wake is measured against it," McBroom says. SCORE golf magazine agrees, ranking it No. 8 in Canada in its last survey of the top-100 courses in Canada. Since opening on July 1, 2001, Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort is Atlantic Canada’s most luxurious resort with a deserving five-star rating with awesome views of the golf course and access to the nearby beach. Another great place to stay is the idyllic Rustico Resort G&CC, which offers incredible value, a variety of accommodation types and a challenging 18-hole course with water views from nearly every hole.
The newcomers to the scene have included the likes of Dundarave GC and Fox Meadow G&CC, along with a trio of rising stars in the Cavendish Beach area - Glasgow Hills Resort & Golf Club, The Eagles Glenn Golf Resort and Andersons Creek Golf Club. One of the many success stories has been the growth of Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club in Stratford, just 10 minutes from Charlottetown, the provincial capital. The 6,838-yard, par-72 layout opened in 2000 with 17,521 rounds played and since that time the user-friendly parkland design has enjoyed an annual increase peaking at 26,990 rounds in 2005. "Our philosophy is to provide the best service and quality and that starts from the moment guests arrive when we pick them up in the parking lot," says General Manager Harry Simmonds. "The golf course is also user friendly depending on where you want to play. It can be as tough as you want or as enjoyable as you want," he says of the 6,836-yard, par-72 design.
Just a 30-minute drive from the massive and very convenient 13-kilometre long Confederation Bridge, the Cavendish Beach area is a focal spot for golfers along with its shops, tourist attractions and PEI National Park. It is home to the legendary Green Gables House and the Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site. Montreal-based golf course architect Graham Cooke, the winner of "Best New Golf Course in Canada" from Golf Digest magazine in 2001, 2003 and 2005, is responsible for the two most recent additions. Cooke transformed over 300 acres of beautiful countryside into a walkable 18-hole, 6,785-yard- par-72 championship layout, complete with a state-of-the-art practice facility at The Eagles Glenn Golf Resort. Andersons Creek is a picturesque 6,495-yard routing that gets better every step of the way. It’s a nice mix of rolling hills and captivating woodlands that delights the senses and challenges golfers to think their way around. Within PEI National Park, golfers will find a Canadian treasure designed by legendary Canadian Golf Course architect Stanley Thompson back in 1939. Green Gables Golf Course will undergo significant renovations in 2007 and will only be open for limited play. Overlooking the quaint village of New Glasgow and the scenic River Clyde valley, Glasgow Hills Resort & Country Club is not to be missed. Les Furber, who has designed seven courses in Canada’s Top-100, has sculpted a challenging, yet fair 6,915-yards, par-72 layout that’s less than a 10-minute drive from Cavendish. A word of advice, don’t try to walk this one, the hills will catch up with you. Situated on a scenic ridge, the clubhouse offers stunning views of the golf course below, PEI countryside and the home of the world famous New Glasgow Lobster Suppers - the perfect way to round out the day.
In Charlottetown there are four solid 18-hole courses to play, Belvedere GC, Clyde River GC, Fox Meadow G&CC and Glen Afton GC. While visiting the provincial capital, drop by Province House, where the Fathers of Confederation first discussed the union that would found this nation. Beer lovers should try quenching their thirst at The Gahan House Brewery, the island’s only microbrewery. Take in a show at the Charlottetown Festival, Anne is nearly always there and make time for a Cows ice cream. Wine connoisseurs may want to make time to visit the island’s only vineyards at Rossignol Estate Winery, in Little Sands.
Nine-hole golf is also alive throughout the island with a strong list of courses including Forest Hills GC, St. Felix G&CC, Red Sands GC, Countryview GC, Rollo Bay Greens, Eagles View GC and the Canadian Golf Academy with affordable green fees that range from $13 to $21 plus tax.
In June the first edition of Canada’s newest professional golf event – Making the Connection Legends of Golf - will take place at the stunning Michael Hurzdan designed Dundarave GC at The Rodd Brudenell River Resort. The two men who enjoyed one of golf’s great all-time rivalries – Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson – will go head-to-head on June 19-20 as they tee it up in PEI. Few golf fans will forget the image of the two World Hall of Famers walking arm-in-arm down the 18th fairway of the Old Course at St. Andrews last summer in Nicklaus’ final major championship appearance. "We're very excited about welcoming Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson to Prince Edward Island this summer for the first of many events of this caliber," said Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) is the designated charity for Making the Connection Legends of Golf www.legendsofgolfpei.com. PGA Tour colour commentator David Feherty and PEI’s own, Lorie Kane, two legends in their own right, will provide insights from the golf course for those watching the event at home. "I'm looking forward to playing with Tom, who has been a great friend and competitor over our many years together," said Jack Nicklaus. "I am also looking forward to coming to Prince Edward Island, one of Canada's most beautiful destinations."
Golf PEI operates a year-round reservations centre situated in Charlottetown with a toll free service 1-866-GOLF-PEI (465-3734) for North American golfers. "It’s an important component in retaining PEI’s position as the Number One Golf Destination in Canada," Ready says. The service includes reservations for golf tee times for the Golf PEI member Island courses, as well as accommodations, golf packages to meet all budgets, car rentals and airline tickets. For more information on a golf holiday contact Golf PEI at 1-866-GOLF-PEI (465-3734), or the provincial tourism center at 1-888-PEI-PLAY, www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide.