Canada's best seaside golf, whale-watching...and a haunted hotel?

Distance in Canada is gauged by kilometers, not miles, and time, as opposed to range, is used as description in order to make travel appear more palatable. Although most of the world is accustomed to a metric way of life, as an American, I was a bit flustered!

Jeff, our host and golf partner for the first leg of the trip, thought nothing of the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Fredericton, New Brunswick, to Moncton as he was born and raised in the Maritimes but I must admit that I was relieved to finally arrive in the French community of Dieppe in order to play Fox Creek Golf Club.

I could see why we were brought to Fox Creek: this challenging championship-caliber golf course has been host to Prime Ministers, hockey legends and PGA golfers and now we were to experience its splendorous beauty and pristine conditions.


Fox Creek and Kingswood Golf Club were designed by Graham Cooke. Both are very well maintained with commendable practice facilities as well as a number of tee boxes for all level of golfer so family members can play together (we played from the white tees, about 6,045 yards). I struggled with my golf game more on Fox Creek, perhaps because of the rippled terrain and in spite of the helping hand I was receiving from the GPS on my cart.

Always take into account that being unfamiliar with any golf course will lead to the occasional missed opportunity. In this case, be aware that Fox Creek is a tree-lined, target-oriented golf course which is unforgiving with wayward shots.


My happiest memories of Fox Creek are the wonderful views from the Clubhouse, the Smoked Salmon appetizer which I had before my round and the immaculate condition of the golf course. My score? Do you want it in metrics? Well, I might come back to challenge this course again one day ...enough said.


The first lobster during my journey was procured at the recently opened Catch 22 Lobster Bar in Moncton. The restaurant, located in the middle of a small, charming town, had great service, live lobsters clammoring to get out of their tank and plenty of windows for people-watching. A walk afterwards through this very clean town provided a welcome diversion of roller derby girls surveying the crowd for possible joiners and a live performance by French accordionists.

The next morning another long drive awaited, this time from Fredericton to St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, in order to play golf at the history-filled Algonquin Signature Course.

We arrived at the Algonquin with time to practice and to take in the beautiful views of the Passamaquoddy Bay and Atlantic Ocean: keep your cameras at the ready from the tenth hole forward as vistas were breathtaking. The 12th hole, in particular, a short downhill, is considered the signature hole. Here are a few things to note while playing the Algonquin Signature Course:

• Every putt rolls towards the Bay of Fundy
• Many of the greens are optical illusions: you think they break away but they always break towards the bay
• Trouble fescue lines the fairways which is unforgiving
• This is also considered to be a good walking course

The history of the Signature Course is plentiful: the oldest clubhouse in Atlantic Canda still sits on the grounds. Originally a nine-hole pitch-and-putt, the course was expanded in 1896 to eighteen holes with the original footprint still in place in certain areas.

From Donald Ross' inspiration to a reconstruction by Thomas McBroom, The Algonquin, a top-100 golf course in Canada, is a must-play while in New Brunswick. Although challenging to play, the Signature Course offers up a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

I was visually pleased as we entered the stately Fairmont Algonquin hotel, sitting just down the road from the premises of the Signature Course. It's old world charm is grand and elegant. If you travel during the summer months, be sure to reserve a room in the new wing as the old portion of the hotel does not have air conditioning; the fourth floor is very hot, even with the windows wide open and a fan provided for comfort...we stayed in the old wing.

Internet access is only provided for free if you sign up at the front desk for the President's Club, which also offers additional amenities such as free local telephone calls.

Kilts are in fashion here at the Algonquin, from the bellhops to the bagpipers who play on the front lawn. Firepits are lit in the evening and are warm and welcoming but be aware that the call for "last log" is at 9:30 pm and that a town and/or hotel ordinance forces vacationers inside at 11 pm. If you are found outside sitting by the fire with a glass of Chardonnay later than 11pm, hotel security will call the police to escort you back inside the hotel...oh, and the only guest elevator in the entire hotel was broken.

That being said, there were numerous positives to staying at the Fairmont Algonquin: ghost stories about a headless lady in an old photo at the front desk and an old bellman still walking the hallways were told around the firepit. I also heard that Maine resident, Stephen King, based his book turned movie, "The Shining" on the Algonquin...heeerrrre's Johnny!

Each room in the hotel is said to be slightly different. Although the bathrooms are very small and efficient at best with no areas to stash your privates, the feel of each room is cozy, classy and elegant. The beds are extra plush and we had a beautiful distant view of the Bay of Fundy.

Down the road in the usually sleepy town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea (walking distance from the hotel) could be heard the roar of motorcycles as Atlantic Canada's answer to Americade came to town, a once-a-year event.

Atlanticade was a welcome sight for my husband, Barry, and I as the town stayed open a little later to accomodate the crowd.

While checking out the motorcycles and hanging out in the quaint seaside town, we ate at Harbour Front Restaurant as we watched the Bay of Fundy ebb from the shoreline. My seafood casserole was enjoyable and, from the look of my husband's ultimate fish platter, it too looked yummy. The town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea was very relaxing  ......

The final day of our Atlantic Canada vacation was spent at Quoddy Link Marine sailing the coastal waters in search of whales and other ocean life. We saw a few Minke whales, porpoises and Harbour seals frolicking in the Bay of Fundy.

Our group also caught sight of a bald eagle and saw salmon jumping within the confines of their breeding pens all with the assistance of our tour guides and marine biologists, Jolinne and Danielle, who served hot cocoa and appetizers while offering tales of mammals in their native habitat. This is truly a "must-go" adventure for families and anyone interested in seeing marine life up close!

The United States borders Canada less than a half-hour from St. Andrews by-the-Sea at Calais, Maine. No matter where in this world you live, crossing back into your own territory feels like a relief...like you're almost home.

Instead of the final leg of our journey being a long drive stopping sporadically at local rest stops, Barry and I took the off-ramp at Ogunquit, Maine and spent the afternoon eating crab sandwiches and gazing at the Atlantic Ocean. This side trip took the sting out of our drive home.

Visit GolfCoastalCanada.com for more information on the wonderful golf courses you can play in New Brunswick and in Atlantic Canada!

Special thanks for the hospitality to:

Golf New Brunswick
Fox Creek Golf Club
The Fairmont Algonquin
The Algonquin Signature Golf Course
Harbor Front Restaurant
Quoddy Line Marine


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Golf: A Good Drive Gets You to Canada

A ten-hour road trip from New York to New Brunswick, Canada to play golf and experience differences in culture had the makings of a fun adventure but is this foreign country really foreign?

Driving through Maine past border crossing into Atlantic Canada was exciting as I have never experienced leaving the U.S.A. by automobile. The scenery is beautiful yet monotonous on both sides of the border and there aren't many exits along the way. Even my GPS periodically lost its signal until it closed in on the City of Fredericton.

Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook Hotel

I felt relieved to finally arrive at our destination, the Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook, a business hotel with comfortable amenities located near legislative buildings, museums and lots of outdoor dining; free concerts are also provided during the season. The Changing of the Guard, a twice-daily Canadian event, occurs right down the street and I was disappointed that my schedule did not permit me time to experience it.

The Crowne Plaza also abuts the Saint John River and offers access to about sixteen miles of biking (mountain bikes available for rental) and hiking trails. Walking across the Old Train bridge, for example, is a great photo opportunity and gave us the chance to meet and greet other friendly strollers.

Be aware that Fredericton is not a late-night city. Although you can still get a coffee at Tim Hortons (the equivalent of Dunkin Donuts) or a Moosehead Light at the local Snooty Fox Pub, the streets are pretty much deserted.


Our first day of golf in Canada began with a hearty breakfast on the patio of the Terrace Room of the Crowne Plaza and then we drove about ten minutes to one of Fredericton, New Brunswick's signature golf courses.

Kingswood Golf Course, designed by Graham Cooke has a slew of accolades to its credit including a Top-20 in 2004 by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Golf Digest's best new course in 2003, top-100 pick in 2005 and was selected to host the 2010 University and College Championship.

Kingswood offers golfers a 9-hole executive course and an 18-hole Signature Course (which we played). It is scenic, well-manicured and offers golfers a challenging round. The interior of the clubhouse was created with wood from trees taken from the course giving it a log cabin feel and a Sam Snead's restaurant is currently under construction complete with memorabilia.

Our foursome included Jeffrey Hutt from Golf New Brunswick, Barry, myself and the eleven-year-old New Brunswick Junior golf champion, Graham Gourley, who also happens to be the son of Kingswood Golf Course Teaching Pro Bari Gourley.

Being beaten at golf by an eleven-year-old who weighs about eighty pounds soaking wet can be humbling but it also taught me a few things about how I can improve my own game, for example:

1. You can shoot an 84 without driving the golf ball more than 150 yards.

2. Keep shots in the short grass and, if necessary, get the golf ball back into the short grass whenever possible.

3. Lay-up to your "go-to" short game shot. Graham laid up all fairway shots to about 100 yards. Pick your favorite distance, the one you are confident with, and strike with confidence.

4. Try to two-putt every green: get the ball within the "circle of trust" then get it in the hole.



Stacy Solomon, NB Junior Champion Graham Gourley with Jeffrey Hutt of GolfNB.com



Dinner at the cozy yet hip Brewbakers restaurant located along King Street after the round provided me with my first taste of fresh Canadian seafood, a satisfying fettucine dish with shrimp and scallops.

A good night's sleep (yes, the Sleep Advantage Program at Crowne Plaza really IS comfortable) and we're off to to play golf at Fox Creek Golf Course in Dieppe, another challenging layout by Graham Cooke, along the Fundy Bay Drive in Atlantic Canada. Then, we're off to St. Andrews by-the-Sea to play golf at the Algonquin Signature Course and to catch a glimpse of a ghost at a haunted hotel!

To visit New Brunswick and experience the natural wonders for yourself just hit a good, long drive! Watch for part two of my Golf Canada Adventure in the Maritimes on Golf for Beginners. You can also view a few additional pictures on our Facebook page.

Thanks for the hospitality:

Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook Hotel, Fredericton, Canada

Kevin Johnston, Manager Kingswood Golf Course

Jeffrey Hutt, Golf New Brunswick
Bari Gourley, Teaching Professional, Kingwood Golf Course

And to all of the people of Canada that we encountered during our stay who were very friendly and welcoming!


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Play Before the Pros Canada Golf Vacation at The Fairmont Banff Springs

The 2011 TELUS World Skins will once again be contested on the
historic Stanley Thompson Course at The Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada, July 25th to 26th.

Golf enthusiasts worldwide can enjoy a head start on the PGA Tour professionals with the resort's "Play Before the Pros" vacation package.

Known as the "Castle in the Rockies," The Fairmont Banff Springs is located in the heart of Banff National Park and is styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle, offering commanding views of the surrounding Rocky mountains and the stunning Bow River.

Just steps from the charming village of Banff, the Fairmont Banff Springs resort is a National Historical Site and offers a tremendous blend of luxury and recreation.

In addition to its two golf courses (Stanley Thompson 18-Hole and Tunnel nine), The Fairmont Banff Springs offers exceptional dining and shopping options in addition to a Willow Stream Spa and a host of additional recreational activities.


The Play before the Pros Canada golf vacation package includes:

The package is available from May 13 to July 24. Rates start at $798 CAD per night based on double occupancy:

    * Accommodations in a Fairmont Room (I'll bet most rooms have beautiful views)
    * Two rounds of golf on the Stanley Thompson Golf Course
    * Two tickets to the TELUS World Skins, July 25-26
    * TELUS World Skins souvenir Nike Golf shirt
    * Contest entry to win a complete Nike golf outfit (ladies would love this!)


One of the most memorable Telus World Skins Game was hosted at The Fairmont Banff Springs in 2006. Five decades of golf personalities were represented: Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, John Daly, Stephen Ames and Sergio Garcia but it would be John Daly who hoisted the trophy taking nine skins and $210,000.

This year, Telus World Skins Game partners with Nike Golf with the field all belonging to Nike athletes: Anthony Kim Paul Casey and Stephen Ames have already been tapped with two other PGA Tour golfers being announced shortly. The golf event is owned and operated by IMG in Canada.

If you are fortunate enough to visit Canada to attend the 2011 Telus World Skins Game and stay in the fabulous Fairmont Banff Springs, the visuals...scenery as well as the old world charm of the hotel, will surely take your breath away!

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