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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NBC ready with major coverage of 2011 U.S. Women’s Open Championship

NBC Sports Group is primed to deliver an unprecedented 25-plus hours of combined, live tournament and wrap-around news coverage of this week’s 2011 U.S. Women’s Open Championship – the third major championship on the ladies schedule this year.

More than 25 Hours of Live Tournament and On-Site News coverage. As long as NBC doesn't switch from the coverage mid tournament or during final round Sunday in favor of higher-rated programming, then hurray for the ladies! “Altitude and wicked greens will be the story, as well as whether world No. 1 Yani Tseng can complete the career grand slam and extend her current winning streak to three in a row.” ...Dottie Pepper “Paula Creamer’s breakthrough U.S. Open victory at Oakmont while enduring the pain of an injured thumb was a fairy tale. It seems the U.S. Open produces that type of story every year. I’m sure this year’s Open will be no exception.” analyst Charlie Rymer

NBC Sports Group is primed to deliver an unprecedented 25-plus hours of combined, live tournament and wrap-around news coverage of this week’s 2011 U.S. Women’s Open Championship – the third major championship on the ladies schedule this year. Contested on the East Course at the historic Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., NBC-TV will present six hours of live coverage over Saturday and Sunday, with Golf Channel providing wrap-around news coverage originating from the course throughout the week.There will also be online coverage of the U.S. Women's Open championship, including live chats and a special weekend wrap-up show offered exclusively online. NBC Dan Hicks will host NBC's coverage alongside analysts Johnny Miller and Dottie Pepper, who competed in nineteen U.S. Women's Opens during her illustrious career. They will be joined by tower reporter Gary Koch, and on-course reporters Roger Maltbie and former LPGA players Jane Crafter and Kay Cockerill. NBC-TV live coverage (all times ET): Saturday: 3-6 p.m. Sunday: 3-6 p.m. Follow the latest updates of the 2011 U.S. Women's Open Championship on Twitter with Golf4Beginners

Win a FREE Golf Vacation and Gear in Coastal Canada Summer Giveaway Contest!

GOLF COASTAL CANADA ANNOUNCES SUMMER 2011 CONTEST FEATURING WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS AND GRAND PRIZE TRIPS

--The Four Atlantic Canada Provinces Offer Chances to Win Golf Gear and Golf Trips, to Residents of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania--

Golf Coastal Canada (www.golfcoastalcanada.com), a consortium of golf destinations along Canada’s Atlantic seaboard – New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, announces their online Summer 2011 Contest. Residents of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania can enter to win weekly golf gear prizes, or one of Golf Coastal Canada’s three Grand Prizes, with golf trips to the Atlantic Canada provinces.

Golf Coastal Canada wants to bring the Atlantic Canada golf experience to life for residents of this tri-state area. Beginning June 20^th through August 17^th, 2011, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania residents can enter Golf Coastal Canada’s Summer Contest by clicking on the contest icon at: www.GolfCoastalCanada.com. 

Weekly prizes include a dozen Titleist golf balls and Atlantic Canada ball caps. The Three Grand Prizes include a golf trip for two people to one of the Atlantic Canada provinces. Each Grand Prize trip includes three nights accommodations, a package of four rounds of golf and a power cart for two.

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The Atlantic Canada provinces boast some of the best golf in the world – in 2011 Prince Edward Island received the prestigious “Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year” Award from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).  

Departures Magazine named Golf Cape Breton, on the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, one of “The World’s Best Golf Destinations” in its March/April 2011 issue. In addition, both Newfoundland & Labrador and New Brunswick offer several top-rated courses sprawled across breathtaking, rugged terrain. Now residents of the tri-state area have the chance to personally experience these courses, not to mention Atlantic Canada’s renowned local cuisine and culture.

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Rules and Regulations: 

This contest is intended for residents of the states of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania only. This excludes, without limitation, the state of Florida and all US territories and shall only be construed and evaluated according to United States law. You must be the age of majority in your state of residence or older to enter. You are not authorized to enter this promotion if you do not meet these criteria. Internet access required.

Grand Prize Trip Winners will be responsible for providing their own airfare, ground transportation, meals and other incidentals on their trips. Winners will be personally notified by email only. All prizes must be claimed before the expiry date of August 30, 2011. Prizes have no cash value and must be accepted as awarded with no substitutions. No cash substitutes, no exchanges, refunds or returns. An individual may only enter once per week during the promotion period.

About Golf Coastal Canada

Golf Coastal Canada (www.golfcoastalcanada.com) is the golf consortium representing the four provinces that make up the Atlantic Coast of Canada - Golf New Brunswick (www.golfnb.com), Golf Newfoundland & Labrador (www.golfnl.ca), Golf Nova Scotia (www.golfnovascotia.com) and Golf Prince Edward Island (www.golfpei.com). Each of these four destinations has its own signature offerings, including top-rate accommodations, local cuisine and culture and, of course, a wide variety of courses for different levels of play.

Join Stacy and Barry next week on Twitter @Golf4Beginners, Facebook and Golf for Beginners blog as they share their Canada golf vacation in Fredericton and St. Andrews, New Brunswick! 

Posted via email from stacysolomon's posterous