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Bridge Brings PEI Golf to the World....page 2 |
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Then
there's the golf deals.
You get your choice of seven courses to play, included with your
accommodations. Some are full day passes, others just one round,
Big Jim will give you the skinny. We decided to try a local favourite
- Green Gables G&C; and one we'd heard a lot about - The
Links at Crowbush Cove. Other standouts include Brundenell
and Mill River. Whatever your choice, a weekend or a week
won't be enough time to fully appreciate the Wild Goose Golf
experience. But we do what we can!
- Two nights accommodations and two days golf from
$140.00 per person/quad occupancy
(Deluxe packages available including breakfast and full dinners)
Start your day in style
with breakfast "down the road at the Kitchen Witch".
The aroma of fresh baked muffins and bread will start the saliva
running even before you hit the door. This is a true country breakfast:
eggs, sausage, ham, home fries, homemade toast and tons of
tasty java for a cool 5 bucks ! You'll need the energy
to tackle the challenging and often frustrating Island Courses.
Pre play tip: get to the course well ahead of tee time
and hit the practice area. Spend as much time as you can warming
up the trusty putter, you may need a new one by the end of the
weekend, unless you brought a snorkel. Lets just say 250 off the
tee does you no good when you four putt (these greens is tricky)
!
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Green Gables Golf and Country Club
What
would a trip to PEI be without a stop at something with the words
"Green Gables" in it! The G.G.G.&C.C. is a story book treat,
the holes are even named after parts of the famed fable. Don't expect
child's play here though, the fairways are close, there's plenty
of water and the greens are tough. The greens really are the secret
to this course's diversity. They are large and extremely sloped.
The pin placement can totally change the way the hole plays, as
your approach shot has to take in to consideration the putt (or
three) that will follow.
The
signature hole is the par three 16th . 181 yards over the
large pond to a wide and undulating green. The challenge here
is not with the water, but with the waterfowl! During the summer
months this pond is home to a large flock of Canada geese
and their young. The day we played, our first round in the morning
found the geese foraging for food in the tee box (hard to find
a good spot to tee her up amongst the totally unflustered fowl).
Our return in the afternoon found the flock browsing the green!
Like a bad Monty Python sketch, we found ourselves cautiously
weeding our way through the throng and shooing loud honkers out
of our putting line (among other impediments ?!?) Serious golfers
might find these fellow course dwellers a bit of a nuisance, the
sheer novelty however, is worth the inconvenience. Friendly wagers
on this hole may have some interesting parameters. (closest
to the big gander on the left for a buck !)
Other
holes of note include the 292 yard 12th. A short, sharp
dog leg left that can be driven if you're long off the tee (and
somewhat high, as you have to clear the trees about 150 out).
The challenge here is to avoid the water while trying to
cut the corner. There's lots of the wet stuff over there and if
you don't have enough wood, it's sploosh! A little to the right
and shorter is an unseen bunker, which seemed to be the favourite
landing spot of my companions. I didn't need much time to consider
options here, my HUGE 175 yd. 2 iron was right up the middle!
The
entire facility is Government run and top notch. Conditions
are excellent, the staff is friendly and the rates are more than
reasonable for this fairy tale of a course.
Telephone: (902) 963-2488 or (902) 892-1062 (winter)
Green Fees: $36 Weekdays and $38 Weekends
(before June 15 & after Sept. 15 - $30 weekdays and $34 weekend)
Yardage: 6469/6133/5589; Par: 72; Rating:
70
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The Links at
Crowbush Cove
What
can I say, the Best New Course by "Golf Digest"
in 1994; 4 and a half out of 5 in "Places to Play" for
1996, etc., etc. The hype preceding our drive to the serene
north east coast location of Crowbush had our hearts pounding
with anticipation and fear. This was a "links" course!
Our minds conjured up windswept Scottish fairways and pot bunkers
as deep as a house! We were pleasantly surprised. Not to say that
this is not one of the most challenging courses I've ever
played, but there are elements here that aren't found in a true
"links" course, like the ones I've had the pleasure of playing
in Scotland. There are lots of plush trees along many of
the holes, and water comes in to play several times. Sure
there are tons of bunkers, but few require serious spelunking.
The
primary elements of a links course are certainly evident here
though. The fairways are close and very uneven. Even the
best tee shot will erupt in a cursing torade when you approach
your ball, only to find that you're lying on the side of a
small hill! That's the key here, getting a flat lie or knowing
how to play with the ball up or below your feet. Your putting
prowess will also be put to the test here. The greens are
small and FAST. Get used to hearing the three worst words in golf
"you're still away !". The greenside bunkers are steep and
plentiful.
Though
you may be frustrated by parts of your play on this dynamic
design, the beauty, scenery and facilities make up for it.
The view from a few tees and greens (especially on the back nine)
is nothing short of coastal majesty; and the 19th hole
is world class. The Provincial Government owns the course itself,
but it's operated by Island Hospitality Conglomerate, Rodd Inns
and Resorts. They bring their vast experience in food and beverage
in to play here with excellent cuisine and cozy surroundings.
There's even a convenient cart that cruises the course doling
out icy beverages to the thirsty and overwrought! If you hear
fore here, it's probably followed by "Cold Canadians"!
Even the practice facilities here are first rate. Just a hint,
the ball machine is right at the back of the clubhouse, a fact
they don't tell you until you've made the three hundred yard hike
to the driving range! Spend a lot of time on the putting and chipping
greens and even more in the practice bunker, it makes perfect!
From start to finish, the Links At Crowbush Cove are nothing
if not perfection.
Telephone: 1-800-377-8337
Green
Fees: $60.00 - (before June 15 & after Oct. 1st - $48.00)
Power Carts: $29.00 - Clubs: $23.00 - Pull Carts:
$5.00
Yardage: 6901/6532/6044/5130; Par: 72; Rating:
75/73/71/67
- Travelin' Tony Tee
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