travel Isle of

Superb has elevated Canada’s Prince Edward Island Plentyto the top tier of travel destinations BY KEVIN ROUSSEAU

hen Met Area golfers plan vacations, they often south to Florida, west to Arizona or even east, across the pond to Ireland or Scotland. Maybe they should start looking north, to Prince Edward Island. In a relatively short time, P.E.I., a tiny 140-mile long province Canada’s Atlantic coast, has gone from near-total obscurity to one of the premier golf hotspots in North America. Brudenell River Golf Course is routed through dense forest and near its namesake water feature, highlighting the natural beauty of golf on Prince Edward Island. W CLIVE BARBER 78 THE MET GOLFER • APRIL/MAY 2008 WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG THE MET GOLFER • APRIL/MAY 2008 79 to be,” says LPGA veteran and P.E.I. native Lorie Kane. “For me, it’s a place to get ground- ed from the hustle and bustle of the tour. We have a simple way of seeing things. And as a people, we love to share the island. You are not going to feel rushed playing golf there. We are going to make sure you have a good time.” With the opening of the Confederation Bridge in 1997 (see sidebar, page 83), it’s now possible to take a road trip and drive onto P.E.I. from neighboring New Brunswick. The bridge was an engineering marvel and was a source of great debate among islanders in the years lead- ing up to its construction. Before it was built, the only way onto the island from New Brunswick was via the ferry. Once you cross the Northumberland Strait (about a twelve-minute drive), you’ll be impressed with top-notch playing conditions, scenery, and the small crowds that define the golf experience on the island. But like a trip to Scotland or Ireland, perhaps what you will remember most about P.E.I. is the warmth of the people. There are a number of accommodation options throughout the island. You can choose In a recent Toronto Globe And Mail rank- from one of two upscale Rodd Resorts hotels ing of the top 100 public golf courses in Cana- at either Crowbush Cove or Brudenell, two da, P.E.I. had an impressive 10 courses listed. of the island’s leading golf facilities. In addition At least 26 courses of differing styles dot the to being the most luxurious accommodations island; varying from the modest-yet-visually on the island, these resorts also offer the con- stunning Glen Afton to the play-if-you-dare venience of being able to roll out of bed and championship tees on the Links at Crowbush proceed directly to the first tee. For those who Cove. And because of its uncluttered pace of like to truly get away from it all, Dalvay By The life (i.e. a lack of traffic and a relaxed vibe), it’s Sea offers timeless charm, quality dining, and no problem to fit in two rounds of golf at dif- an unbeatable location inside a national park. The famous red-sand ferent courses within a day and still have time Or you can stay in the province’s capital, beaches of P.E.I. are seen for a sumptuous lobster dinner. Charlottetown, if you enjoy seeing the sights here at Covehead. “It’s home. There’s really no better place off the golf courses as well. Charlottetown is a BARRET & McKAY; MAP JOHNSTON TREVOR McKAY; BARRET & BY

80 THE MET GOLFER • APRIL/MAY 2008 WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG Official Home of the and 27,000 yards + from routine. + from 27,000 yards and we course play thefromon city, best fromSecluded TOUR.” minutes “The also butisconvenient Innisbrook to airports, Bay Tampa w course, TOUR PGA our on Copperhead, of champions footsteps the in Follow more. much and pools six courts, racquetball home to four top-ranked golf courses, spacious guest Discover suites/rooms, tradition. standing a long is three golf where clubhouses a place is there with coast, restaurants, Florida’s off west just a fitness showcase center natural with 11 a 900-acre In H undulating fairways. undulating fairways. multi-tiered greens with Crowbush Cove features The majestic Links at PODS® PODS® Championship * Two night package includes 18 holes of golf daily, accommodations, breakfast daily, practice balls, club storage, a gift pack a gift storage, club balls, practice daily, breakfast accommodations, daily, golf of 18 holes includes package * Two night | For reservations or call book 1-800-492-6897 online at www.InnisbrookGolfResort.com | Rate is per person, per night based on double occupancy. Taxes and resort fee not included. Certain restrictions apply. restrictions Certain included. not fee resort and Taxes occupancy. double on based night per person, per is Rate Inns On Great George the coastal town of Victoria-by-the-Sea. Gables the book house that inspired Gables House in Cavendish (the farm- Green golf course or tourist attraction, including the any than an hour’s drive from city is no more historic sites. Given how small the island is, and is filled with small shops, restaurants area walkable and welcoming city. The downtown The premier spot to stay in the capital is The premier The Perfect Foursome Perfect The ), the beaches in P.E.I. National Park or GOLF, GOLF, GOLF GOLF AND AAADRRSR | www.SalamanderHospitality.com RESORT A SALAMANDER Packages starting at $199* Ad may be revised . Formerly a number . Formerly Anne of Green multi-colored ribbons of lupines that seem to multi-colored can be a hypnotizing experience. Maybe it’s the the capital on foot. to explore Merchantman Pub rants such as the downtown shops and lively restau- blocks from identical. Its central location, just a few are no two rooms where into a boutique property years itself over the last thirteen transformed George of adjacent townhouses, the Great Then again, driving around on the island Then again, driving around and golf clinics. clinics. golf and Olde Dublin Pub Innisbrook Resort and , , allows you the freedom ar Tru courts and three three and courts Tru tennis ar the area’s best adventures hich Paul Azinger calls calls Azinger Paul hich and the

CLIVE BARBER

JOHN SYLVESTER W.GGL.R H E GOLFER • APRIL/MAY 2008 MET THE WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG the world of red pigtails and raspberry the world of red attractions, you’ll feel miles away from Gables tourist ular Anne of Green the pop- just a few minutes away from Cavendish. Even though it is situated town is and small greens.” fairways with narrow bished but is still established in 1906, and it’s been refur- Atlantic Canada,” Kane noted. “It was a member of one the best clubs in “To is to be be a member at Belvedere member-for-a-daya true experience. Graham Cooke, it gives dian architect Cana- by renowned Recently renovated Club Belvedere Golf and Country is Kane’s home course, the semi-private Meadow for a reason.” lookout. The course is named Fox you: “Be on the will warn The of its beautiful clubhouse. is best known for the member-club feel getaway day. Opened in 2001, it perhaps or ing it a good choice for your arrival Charlottetown, mak- minute drive from It’s only a five- in the village of Stratford. Club Fox Meadow Golf & Country the countryside. while driving around than just a good place to get lost more twenty years, the island has become courses built on P.E.I. over the past to all the new golf edge. And thanks that stop right at the ocean’s farms June, or the dramatic vistas of family in for miles alongside the roads run W the Gap Bridging to take the bridge backto take to the mainland. get too excited, as it costs $41.50 onto the island. But don’t nothing to drive impression of the bridge will be enhanced when you discover that it costs months of the year.up the ice that can last for to five Your first spans over are specially designed to break ice-covered and its piers waters, over the Northumberland Strait. It is the longest bridge in world that your attention sure that you keep focused as you cross in order to make 310The bridge features 65 piers, lights and was designed with slight curves come and go as they please. can now and islanders visitors beholden to a ferry schedule, and rolling farmland. No longer the land of red sand beaches Edward Island forever changed New Brunswick and Prince Confederation Bridge between Just a half hour north of Charlotte- Just a half hour north Another worthwhile in-town choice Another worthwhile those pesky foxes. are And then there try round, For a pleasant warm-up Eagles Glenn Golf Resort mile, two-lane May 1997, the 17- hen it opened in a tradition al layout, in . about a half-hour east and offers mas- about a half-hour east and offers dzan and Fry-designed dzan and Fry-designed the fifth hole. pot bunker on and out of the greenside to get in for the ladder that is required tees, and you should be on the lookout the back a Slope Rating of 148 from has asked for a local estimate. Crowbush when Garrett Ryan golf shop supervisor smiled of golf here,” during a round “The average foursome loses 18 balls Weir Singh. and Vijay Legends of Golf match between Mike scene when it hosted a international year, announced itself on the Crowbush Last and challenging greens. fairways with the vivid colors of meticulous as the adjoining marshes that contrast as well views of the Gulf St. Lawrence multiple nic masterpiece, and offers P.E.I. golf trip. It is both a and sce- one course that has to be played on a design is the this Thomas McBroom of Canadian golf courses. Simply put, enth in a recent Cove National Park, the uneven lies. play a lot of shots from to Be prepared its funneling fairways. and roller-coaster hills that characterize mounds the numerous challenge from its Cooke as well, Eagles Glenn presents the commotion back home. from a long way layout, you’ll know you are As you navigate the secluded cordials. Crowbush’s sister course, the Hur- Crowbush’s Just how challenging is Crowbush? Located at the opposite end of P.E.I. Opened in 2002 and designed by opened in 1993 and placed sev- Globe and Mail Links at Crowbush Dundarave ranking , is 83 The MetGolfer Reader Service Left: Ben Hogan Apparel Denver, Colo.

Right: Wolf Creek Golf Club Mesquite, Nev.

To receive free information from The Met Golfer advertisers, please send an e-mail to Jared Bilski at [email protected] and indicate the companies you are interested in, referring to them by name and the corresponding numbers listed below. Please refer to the issue (e.g., Feb/March) you are responding to and include your full name, club or company affiliation, business phone, e-mail address, and complete mailing address. THE MET GOLFER ADVERTISERS 1. Aldila, Inc. 22.GolfTec 44.Pinehurst 64.The Forest The quaint fishing village www.aldila.com www.golftec.com www.pinehurst.com Country Club sively wide fairways, difficult greens, and beau- six par fours, and six par fives.” www.theforestcc.com of Malpeque is one of many tiful views of the Brudenell and Cardigan Rarely will you ever feel like you are being 2. Archerfield House 23.Half Moon 45. picturesque stops around www.archerfieldgolfclub.com www.halfmoongolf.com www.pinggolf.com 65.The Landings Company Rivers. But above all else, the Dundarave lay- given the brush off when asking for directions www.thelandings.com the island. 3. 24.Haversham & Baker 46.Ping Collection out is characterized by its 121 bunkers, which or a suggestion for lunch from a local. To the www.ashworthinc.com Golfing Expeditions www.pingcollection.com 66.The Links At Union Vale are expertly positioned and filled with the red- contrary, you’d be excused for thinking that www.haversham.com www.thelinksatunionvale.com 4. Barona Valley Ranch 47. Playa Conchal/ dish sand that is seen across many of P.E.I.’s the Provincial government pays its citizens Resort & Casino 25.Hidden Creek Golf Club Reserva Conchal 67. The Palmyra Resort & Spa beaches. Like Crowbush, it also was the site for handsomely to convince the visitor that he or www.barona.com www.hiddencreekclub.com www.reservaconchal.com www.cbjamaica.com/palmyra a Legends of Golf event between Tom Watson she should consider moving to P.E.I. 5. Ben Hogan Apparel/ 26.HIP 48.Premier Golf 68.The Shawnee Inn & Sport Haley www.hipusa.com www.premiergolf.com Golf Resort and in 2006. Then when the topic turns to golf, as it www.shawneeinn.com www.benhoganapparel.com 27. Hotel Almenara 49.Prince Resorts Next door to Dundarave lies the equally often does, you realize that after a few days 69.The Woodstock Resort Ben Hogan Equipment www.elitegolftours.com www.princeresortshawaii.com 6. www.woodstockinn.com impressive Brudenell River Golf Course and spent dashing around the island, you are still www.benhogan.com 28.IJGA 50.Reunion Resort. “I was introduced to the game when amazed at the challenge, scenery and hospital- www.reunionresort.com 70.Titleist Golf Sport Haley www.ijga.com www.titleist.com my dad was the first club pro at Brudenell. ity of Prince Edward Island’s unforgettable and www.sporthaley.com 29.Innisbrook Golf Resort 51.Reynolds Plantation Learning the game of golf there, it has a spe- diverse group of courses. ■ www.reynoldsplantation.com 71.TournEase 7. Ben Sutton Golf School & Golf Club www.tournease.com cial place in my heart,” recalled Kane. “It’s fun Kevin Rousseau writes about golf from his home www.golfschool.com www.innisbrookgolfresort.com 52.Rio Secco Golf Club/Cascata 72.Troon Golf because it has six of everything: six par threes, in Whitefield, Maine. 8. Callaway Golf 30.Jamaica Tourist Board www.troongolf.com www.callawaygolf.com www.visitjamaica.com www.harrahsgolf.com 73.Trump National 9. Canon 31.Kensington C.C. 53.Robert Trent Jones Before You Go: Facts About Prince Edward Island Golf Trail www.trumpnational.com www.canon.com www.kensingtoncc.com www.rtjgolf.com 74. Turning Stone Getting there: Air Canada flies to Eagles Glenn Resort, Cavendish Where to Stay: 10.Carnoustie 32.Kingsmill Resort & Spa Resort & Casino 54.Rolex Charlottetown from both LaGuardia and 902-963-3600; eaglesglenn.com Rodd Brudenell River Resort, Cardigan www.carnoustiesportswear.com www.kingsmill.com www.turning-stone.com Newark. Most flights make one stop in 902-652-2332; rodd-hotels.ca/ www.rolex.com The Links at Crowbush Cove, Lakeside Carroll Valley Resort Lake of Isles 75.United Sports 11. 33. 55.Rose Hall Resort & Montreal. Charlottetown is 850 miles 800-235-8909; golflinkspei.com ourhotels/pei/brudenell/index.asp www.carrollvalley.com www.lakeofisles.com Technologies (about 15 hours) by car from Manhattan. Country Club www.ustgolfshaft.com The balconies of most rooms 12.CHAMP/MacNeill 34.Lamkin www.wyndham.com overlook the golf courses, and there 76.United Van Lines Pricing: At press time, the U.S. and Other Courses to Consider: Engineering www.lamkingrips.com 56.RSM McGladrey are also 16 cottages on site. www.unitedvanlines.com Canadian dollars were at equal value, Andersons Creek Golf Club, www.champspikes.com 35.Las Vegas Paiute www.rsmmcgladrey.com negating the nearly 20-year-long Hunter River; 902-886-2222; Rodd Crowbush Golf and Beach Resort; 13.City of Yonkers www.lvpaiutegolf.com 77. Vineyard Golf 57. Sawgrass Country Club www.renaultwinery.com advantage for traveling Americans. Still, andersonscreek.com Lakeside; 902-961-5600 www.yonkersgolfinc.com/ 36.Leviton www.sawgrasscountryclub.com you’ll find prices in P.E.I. to be quite 78.Visit Scotland P.E.I. native and Dallas Stars forward rodd-hotels.ca/ourhotels/pei/crowbush/ 14.Cutter & Buck, Inc. www.leviton.com 58.Seaview reasonable, with green fees as low as www.visitscotland.com Brad Richards claims this gem has the index.asp www.cutterbuck.com 37. MacGregor Golf Company www.seaviewgolf.com $20 at some courses to a peak of $100 at best greens on the island. 15.Fiddlesticks Country Club www.macgregorgolf.com 79.Walters Golf Prepare to be mesmerized by views of 59.Sherbrooke Golf & (Bali Hai) Crowbush Cove. www.fiddlestickscc.com Glasgow Hills, Hunter River the golf course and the North Shore. 38.Mariner Sands Country Club www.waltersgolf.com 1-561-964-6011 866-621-2200; glasgowhills.com The Inns On Great George, 16.Ford Plantation www.marinersands.com 80.Westin Grand Bahama Where to Play: www.fordplantation.com Charlottetown; 800-361-1118 39.MetLife 60.St. Andrews Bay www.westin.com/grandbahama Belvedere Golf and Country Club, Consider doubling up this one Development Limited with Andersons Creek as they are innsongreatgeorge.com 17. GlenLakes www.metlife.com 81.Winn Grips Charlottetown; 902-368-7104; www.glenlakes.com www.fairmontgolf.com belvederegolf.com almost within a stone’s throw of The 54 rooms in 13 restored heritage 40.Mystic Dunes Golf Club www.winngrips.com 18.Golf Mesquite www.mysticdunesgolf.com 61.TaylorMade each other. buildings make this the preferred Golf Company 82.Wolf Creek Brudenell River Golf Course, Cardigan www.golfmesquitenevada.com www.golfwolfcreek.com Glen Afton Golf Club, option in the Provincial capital. 41.Omni Orlando Resort at www.taylormadegolf.com 800-235-8909; golflinkspei.com 19.Golf The High Sierras ChampionsGate Nine Mile Creek; 902-675-3000; Dalvay By The Sea, Dalvay 62.TerraVista 83.Yes! Golf www.golfthehighsierra.com www.omnichampionsgategolf.com www.yesgolf.com Dundarave Golf Course, Cardigan glenaftongolf.com 888-366-2955; dalvaybythesea.com of Citrus Hills 800-235-8909; golflinkspei.com 20.Golf-Art.com 42.Panther Woods CC www.terra-vista-florida.com 84.Zero Restriction A scenic, if not especially challenging, Originally built as a summer home in www.golf-art.com www.pantherwoodscountryclub.com The Cliffs www.zerorestriction.com Fox Meadow Golf Club, Stratford layout that is perfectly suited to 1895, it has an unbeatable location 63. 21.GolfPac 43.Pebble Beach Resorts Communities 85.914 Spinedocs 902-569-4653; foxmeadow.pe.ca walking. less than 100 yards from the beach. www.golfpactravel.com www.pebblebeach.com www.cliffscommunities.com 914spinedocs.com CLIVE BARBER

84 THE MET GOLFER • APRIL/MAY 2008 WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG WWW.MGAGOLF.ORG THE MET GOLFER • APRIL/MAY 2008 85