Although golf first appeared on Prince Edward Island, along the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in eastern Canada, way back in 1909 at a place called Belvedere, the recent craze with the game began to take hold of the island around 1993 when the Thomas McBroom-designed Links at Crowbush Cove, located on the north shore of the island in 1993, opened its fairways and greens. The notoriety generated by this primarily seaside links-type course, with no less than eight holes playing near the sea or dunes, has continued to attract attention far and wide.
Fox Meadow Golf Course and Golf Academy based in the town of Stratford and overlooks the Charlottetown Harbor is situated far enough from Charlottetown to be a tad secluded, yet close enough to see the quaint hotels of the city. The course flows in concentric loops. It’s an open, parkland style with plenty of elevation change.
A foursome of the elite golf layouts on Canada’s Prince Edward Island are owned and operated by the provincial government. This grouping includes The Links at Crowbush Cove, positioned on the north shore; Mill River Golf Course, sheltered in the western reaches of the island; and the duo of Dundarave Golf Course and Brudenell River Golf Course, situated next door to each other on the eastern edges.
Mill River is a mature course with holes flowing through tree-lined corridors, with several views of the neighboring namesake Mill River. The 1971 Robbie Robinson design will engage you on a number of holes with its challenges, including a split fairway on hole seven. Though relatively short, this 303-yard par-four is fraught with danger.
Dundarave, which opened for play in 1999, offers expansive fairways lined at certain junctures by lush pines in full view of the tranquil Brudenell River. In 2006, this venue was considered strong enough to host two of the greatest golfers ever–Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson–in a “Legends of Golf” match.
Brudenell River Golf Course was sculpted by Robbie Robinson three decades ago. It’s and old-time favorite and much more traditional than Dundrave. As a unique offering of six par-threes, fours and fives Brudenell River is accentuated by numerous gardens, lakes and ponds, and also offers a contrasting bunker style to its sister course.
Glasgow Hills Resort and Golf Club is located atop the rolling hills of New Glasgow. The dramatic property overlooks the enchanting Cavendish Region, which features three other must plays as well: Green Gables Golf Club, Eagles Glenn and Andersons Creek Golf Club.
Green Gables is the one course on the island that is truly steeped in history. Designed in 1939 by world-renowned Canadian architect Stanley Thompson, it was rejuvenated by one of today’s leading designers, Thomas McBroom, in 2007.
Eagles Glenn is another championship golf course routed in the heart of the Cavendish region. Legendary Canadian architect Graham Cooke created a unique Scottish golfing heritage challenge over 300 acres of countryside.
Andersons Creek Golf Club rounds out the primary Cavendish foursome, and this course’s main feature is the namesake creek that runs through it. Like Eagles Glenn, it was crafted by Cooke and provides a slightly more rolling test of golf than usually found close to the coast.
Visit www.GolfPEI.ca, Reservations@golfpei.ca, or call 1-866-GOLF-PEI (465-3734).
