Showing posts with label Prince Edward Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prince Edward Island. Show all posts

Monday, August 09, 2010

Golf in the Coastal Provinces of Atlantic Canada

I must admit, when I first accepted the assignment to spread the word about the once-in-a-lifetime Golf Coastal Canada Adventure contest, I didn't know much about Atlantic Canada, its provinces or heritage. A bit of internet research and a passion for golf and travel led me to reasons why I want to visit 'The True North Strong and Free'.

Map of Canada

For those golfers who have never ventured into Atlantic Canada, there are four distinct provinces with flavors all their own: Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

The Atlantic provinces are not only meant for vacationers seeking to play golf at some amazing courses, but they are also filled with endless dining and cultural opportunities, making this a "must-see" region for those searching for a multifaceted Canadian adventure.

Prince Edward Island (PEI or 'the Island' for short) is the smallest and greenest province where it is said 'the air and water are fresh and clean'. PEI is known for fresh lobster and Malpeque oysters harvested straight from the bay! With over fifty lighthouses and ninety island beaches, the home of "Big Break XI" will tempt you with it's natural wonders and challenging golf courses!

River Mill Golf Club is the site of Big Break XI, but I understand that two of the courses featured in the contest, Green Gables and Crowbush, are equally considered "must-plays" on Prince Edward Island.

Green Gables, recently updated by Thomas McBroom and on the North Shore is "a scenic, ocean-side course with rolling greens guarded by deep bunkers, six water holes, an ever changing breeze".

Crowbush Cove
Crowbush Aerial View
Crowbush Golf and Beach Resort has a five-star, four diamond rating. The Links at Crowbush Cove on the eastern side of PEI have received numerous accolades from Golfers Choice awards to Best Scenery and Best Condition. Although beautiful, she is also known to be challenging, laden with pot bunkers and water hazards.


When visiting New Brunswick, you won't know whether to spend your time walking the sandy beaches, discovering the reversing falls or enjoying spectacular golf courses. Why not do it all?

Fairmont Algonquin
Fairmont Algonquin
From the Algonquin, redesigned and one of the oldest and most challenging golf courses in Canada to Kingswood Golf Course (seven water hazards in the first six holes), the choice of which golf club to pull from your bag will depend on the topography and direction of the wind.


Nova Scotia (Canada's Ocean Playground) and Newfoundland (called 'The Rock'), round out the four provinces in Atlantic Canada.

Nova Scotia, the most populous province and also the second smallest in area next to PEI, is surrounded by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic Ocean (and their salmon is deliciously famous!) The two golf courses selected as part of the contest winner's prize are the classic layout of Highland Links which received numerous accolades including a 4 1/2 star rating from Golf Digest in 2008 and The Lakes Golf Club.

The Lakes Golf Club
The Lakes Golf Club
Overlooking Bras d'Or Lakes in the Cape Breton Region, the brand new Lakes Golf Club sits 150-feet above sea level. Designer Graham Cooke said of his new golf course, “Each golf hole at Ben Eoin will have an intriguing appearance and the course will have a balanced challenge so that all golfers will be able to have an unforgettable and entertaining experience,”

Newfoundland (and Labrador), the fourth of the Atlantic Canadian provinces, is nature at it's most grand, where I understand that there are whale and rare bird sightings!

The tranquil Humber Valley River and meandering lakes and streams set the pace at Humber Valley Resort's River Course.  Voted “Canada’s Best New Course 2007” by SCOREGolf Magazine, the River Course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course measuring 7,199 yards. Gros Morne Resort (the second course featured in the contest) is centered in the middle of a National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site and one of only 911 in the world considered as having "outstanding universal value."

Humber Valley River Course
Humber Valley Resort's River Course

As you can see, a visit to Coastal Canada's Atlantic Region is more than just a few rounds of golf, it's an adventure and should be part of any golfers "bucket list."

The Great Coastal Canada Golf Adventure is a nine-day vacation for four people covering all four Atlantic Canadian provinces!

Here is what the winner will receive if you win the contest:
  •  9 day adventure
  •  8 courses
  •  4 diverse provinces
  •  4 people total
  •  3 helicopter tours
  •  Endless dining and cultural opportunities
  •  1 all-expense paid trip
Read more about the Contest and Enter today


No purchase necessary. See complete rules for details. Open to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents only.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Do you have to be great to get the Big Break? The big snub from the Big Wiesy, the 50-yard sand shot, Shaft Skinz review

Click here to listen.




For the average golfer who dreams of one day getting a big break and playing on tour, consider the "fantasy tour" instead unless you come equipped with a low handicap, solid-looking swing and a glowing camera presence.

The golfers from season-one of the Big Break (2003) were chosen by open audition with the main prerequisities being "scratch" handicap and demonstrative proficiency with various types of shots. Personality, of course, also had to be "engaging" to the viewer as Jay Kossoff, Senior Producer of the Golf Channel, once said, "positively or negatively".

Eleven seasons later, the Big Break: Prince Edward Island premieres with a similar premise but, according to the Golf Channel Big Break forum, BB Moose states that now you have to be "very good, be yourself and be able to execute at an audition". Add to the mix a great look and the group of possible auditioners just got smaller. How many golfers really have that "Survivor" look?

Out of the thousands that apply, only two handfuls get the go-ahead. BB Moose's advice to get a shot at the Big Break? "Apply and hope!"

From a former Marine who once played a match with Tiger Woods to competitive Irish dancer Brenda McLarnon who claims, "people will probably hate me, but that’s their problem," (shades of Danielle Aimee?) the entertainment value is going to have to match the $100,000 prize that is being dangled in front of the contestants. Get ready for the "wow" factor and "do not try this at home" stunts beginning tonight (April 20th, 9pm EST) on the Golf Channel.

We also discuss yet another faux pas by Michelle Wie, this time on the KLPGA Tour where she decided to practice instead of play in the pro-am, because she couldn't use her own caddy.

With Wiesy's downward spiral in her quality of play and the nonchalant way she's been treating her sponsors, e.g. KLPGA, Michelle may find herself auditioning for the next Big Break!

The fifty-yards between the sand and the green can be one of the most daunting shots in golf. We offer up our opinion on how to get the ball to the hole without using your wedge and review Shaft Skinz, a decorative and protective heat-shrink cover for your shafts.


Can Blair O'Neal get you to watch Big Break XI?


Can Blair O'Neal help capture your interest on Big Break XI: Prince Edward Island?


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