Great golf games

Enjoy good courses without breaking the bank

BY DALE DUNLOP

Atlantic Canada is blessed with some of the best golf courses in the country including three in the top ten according to the prestigious Score Golf Top 100 Courses in Canada rankings. Each of the four Atlantic provinces has at least one course in the top 100 and these courses are a major tourism draw.

Due to their prestige and demand, these courses charge substantial green fees, which puts them out of reach for many golfers. They can also be intimidating to play for the average golfer. But there are plenty of alternatives for golfers who just want to enjoy a game without breaking the bank. Here are two in each province, emphasizing courses where there are many things for visitors to do in addition to golfing.

Nova Scotia

Digby Pines. Stanley Thompson is considered the doyen of Canadian golf architecture and his Highlands Links course in Cape Breton is number eight in Canada according to ScoreGolf magazine’s annual ranking of the top 100 courses in the country. However, his work at Digby Pines is an overlooked gem. High above the Annapolis Basin it is a rolling layout known for its ingenious par three holes. The course is part of the venerable Digby Pines Resort complex, which is undergoing a complete refurbishment including course improvements. digbypines.ca

Bluenose Golf Club, Lunenburg. A round of golf does not necessarily need to involve playing 18 holes. There are many fine nine-hole Atlantic Canadian courses, of which the Bluenose club is one of the most interesting. You enter between two upright cannons and find a layout on the side of a hill that directly faces the UNESCO World Heritage Site of historic Lunenburg. You can often see the iconic Bluenose II schooner cruising the harbour as you tee off. It’s not a long or intimidating course — perfect for golfers of all ages and abilities. bluenosegolfclub.com

Digby Pines Golf Course.

Photo: Tourism Nova Scotia/Acorn Art & Photography

Bluenose Golf Course, Lunenburg, N.S.

Photo: Brogan Bailey

Prince Edward Island

Green Gables Golf Course, Cavendish. This is another Stanley Thompson project that features a combination of the natural beauty of the Cavendish dunes area and the historical connection with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. The

Green Gables house, a re-creation of the eponymous home, is visible from many spots on the course, which also plays through fiction-brought-to-life sites like the Haunted Woods and Lake of Shining Waters. There are many fine golf courses on P.E.I. but none have the pedigree of Green Gables. greengablesgolf.com

Brudenell River Golf Course, Georgetown Royalty. There are two golf courses at Rodd Brudenell River Resort. Dundarave is the more highly rated but its older sister Brudenell River is more fun for most people. This 18-hole layout along the shores of the Brudenell River is among the province’s most scenic golf courses. It features an unusual combination of six par threes, six par fives and six par fours. Few will forget the tenth hole’s challenging shot over the water, with trouble on all sides. Landing on the green merits high fives all around. roddvacations.com/golf/brudenell-rivergolf-course/

Green Gables Golf Course, Cavendish P.E.I.

Photo: Patrick Koenig

New Brunswick

Fundy National Park Golf Course., Alma. Stanley Thompson again comes to the fore with this course in Fundy National Park. Although it is only a nine-hole layout, each hole has two sets of tees that play differently, making an 18-hole round viable. With a laid-back atmosphere, it’s a perfect place for a family golf outing, along with the many other things to do in the park. Huge changes in elevation make this course unforgettable, starting with the drive on the first tee to a fairway over 20 yards below. At 240 yards, the fifteenth hole is Atlantic Canada’s hardest par three; most play it as a par four. parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nb/fundy/activ/golf

Herring Cove Golf Course, Campobello Island, N.B.

Photo: Tourism New Brunswick/Kimothy Stewart

Herring Cove Golf Course, Campobello Island. Most know Campobello Island for its association with President Franklin Roosevelt, whose massive summer cottage still draws tourists from around the world. But there are also a lot of outdoor activities on the island, especially at Herring Cove Provincial Park, which includes an enjoyable nine-hole golf course. It features views of the Bay of Fundy and Herring Cove Beach from several holes, plus from the clubhouse. It also boasts one of the best clubhouse restaurants in Atlantic Canada. herringcovegolf.ca

Herring Cove Golf Course, N.B.

Photo: Tourism New Brunswick/Kimothy Stewart

Newfoundland & Labrador

Pippy Park, St. John’s. This is one of Canada’s largest municipal parks, with kilometres of hiking trails and a large campground, plus the Confederation Building and Memorial University. It also has two golf courses that will appeal to a range of golfers. Renowned Canadian golf architect Graham Cooke designed the Admiral’s Green, a championship-quality course to test any golfer. The nine-hole Captain’s Hill is more for families and beginning golfers, and worth playing just for the fabulous views of St. John’s and the Avalon coastline. These may be the only golf courses in North America from where you can watch icebergs go by as you tee it up. pippypark.com/what-to-do/golfing