Week 12

Some days seem like they just weren't supposed to be devoted to golf!  Such was our Saturday this week - and yet, we managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat!

We'd been out at a BBQ with friends on Friday night and just as the burgers, sausages and hot dogs were coming off the BBQ, the debate centred around whether we should eat indoors or stay out, as there was a fine mist starting and the mosquitos were descending.  We decided for indoors.  But, there wasn't much rain and when we left about 2 hours later there was only enough rain on the windshield to make one pass at it with the wipers.  Little did we know that in Brudenell, in Kings County (only some 50 km away) there had been rain of biblical proportions for about 3 hours Friday night.

When I had tried to book Brudenell for Saturday morning, I'd been told that the club championship was on both Saturday and Sunday, so no tee off times were available until after 2:30.  We've been enjoying our earlier morning golf in July, so I asked about Dundarave next door.  Yes, we could get a 8:36 a.m. tee off there.  So off we set on Saturday morning, with a forecast that indicated that the early morning fog was going to burn off quickly and the day was going to be hot and sunny, so thankfully we had an early tee off.  Arriving in Brudenell, we noted that the fog had not started to lift and, in fact, a fine mist had started to fall.  Our next clue should have been that golf carts were being not just made available for free, but they were being almost forced upon us and the mosquitos were very thick. 

We were paired up with Jim and Brad, two fellows from Hamilton, Ontario and it became quickly apparent that they had not played much golf.  Dundarave is a challenging course for most and extremely challenging for some.  On the first green, it was apparent how much rain had fallen the night before (the bunkers were showing signs of erosion at the edges and were mini-lakes at the bottoms) - some fool had tried to hit out of the "sand" and had left his foot prints and shot marks as if in quick dry cement!  We drove off on the second, but left and returned to the clubhouse for a "rain" check, as the rain got heavier and the shouts from the foursome behind ("Slow" "too slow") rained down upon us.

We tried to get a tee off time at the next door Divine Nine, but the starter there really discouraged us.  We set off for the eastern end of the Island and one of our favourite little 9-hole courses, Rollo Bay Greens, where the sun was shining and the course pro Darren was, as always, welcoming and helpful.  We had a quick 9-holes there and although lots of mosquitos were out (they too had had 3 hours of rain and thunderstorms the night before), the conditions were much better for play and we nearly had the course to ourselves.  As we were finishing up, the fog rolled in again from Rollo Bay.  It was as if there had been a window for us to play our nine holes and that was it!  The sounds of birds and bullfrogs (they have a couple of wonderful ponds where the bullfrogs serenade you) greet you everywhere.  At the clubhouse, there is a neat little pub/canteen named after the family's dog (Fidel's Pub).

So despite the adversity of bad weather the night before, and three strikes with the Green Card courses, we still managed to get in a golf game this weekend.  Besides, nine holes were just fine for me, as I'd also played nine holes with Ladies League in town on Thursday - which included more rain than a person wants while playing golf.

Next week, let's see if we can't return to the great weather that July can deliver in PEI,  Jane

Week 11

Is there any place more like Paradise than PEI in July, especially after a week of rain?  The answer clearly is NO.

This week we selected Red Sands in Clinton. northeast of Kensington, about 35 minutes from Charlottetown and this is a wonderful, manicured course, only 9-holes, but the quality of the grass and the variety of its holes and layout are well worth the effort of getting there.  And, getting there is definitely half the fun.  Coming from Charlottetown, take the Graham's Road off Route 2, and watch for the Princetown Road sign.  It appears to start in someone's side yard, but very quickly turns into one of those "trees closing over your heads, red clay roads" that would have done Anne of Green Gables proud.  Although not a designated Heritage Road, this could easily pass as one and as the photo will attest, it is eminently travellable.  It also gets you in the mood for an adventure.

The first hole at Red Sands is a treat, as is the website for Red Sands which gives a layout picture and a great description of each hole.  You are tempted to drive to the green and you risk going into the water (lake to the centre and left of the green) or out of bounds on the right.  If you can control yourself and lay up just in front of the green, you can reasonably be putting for par.  A great way to start your round.  We played the 9-hole course twice and on the second round played with a lovely couple Bud and Anne from Summerside who are members.  There are challenges on each hole, but there always seem to be ways in which you can avoid the challenges - if you practice good course management.  The course is in superb condition - the fairways are a bit like carpet and the greens were dewey wet on the first round and dried off and fast on the second round, so there was discovery aplenty for some of us.  I'd also like to mention the ninth hole - there should be a special place in Hell for the designer of this hole.  On paper, it looks like it should be a simple par 3 to finish off your round, but it's all uphill and the green is really hidden from view from the tee boxes.  Careful play can mean that you're putting for par, but there are all together too many chances to blow it on this hole.

There is wildlife too - Canada Geese in the pond between Holes 1 and 3; a fox patrolling on Hole 4 and birds all over the place chirping and whistling.  All of them seemed to be enjoying the day as much as we were!

When we arrived at 7:35 a.m. on Sunday, we were surprised to note how many cars were already in the parking lot, but play on the first round was quick - we were able to finish it in less than 2 hours.  However, on the second round, we had a group of beginners ahead of those who were playing before us who held us up quite a bit and it gave us several opportunities to discuss all manner of things with our player partners and those ahead and behind us.   Still, we finished our second round in 2 1/2 hours.  There are only par 3's and 4's on this course, so the yardage isn't long, but it is varied and interesting and in great shape.  There is a lovely putting practice green and a driving range.

The day warmed up as well and thankfully we were off the course by 12:20 so the heat of the day didn't affect us.  The drive home (again via the Princetown Road) was wonderful and made us again thankful that we live in Paradise and days like today are proof of that.

Until next week, Jane

Week 10

The Green Cards restrict holders to playing after noon or before 9 a.m.  So far (and we're now officially halfway through our Green Card experience - woo hoo!), we have only golfed after noon.  This weekend, we thought that it would be a good idea to try the other option, so we booked a 8 a.m. tee off time at Avondale.

Hidden in Avondale, PEI (near Vernon River), this course is a beauty - with lush, carpet like fairways, closely trimmed greens and the best sand traps on PEI (at least of the ones we've been to this year) with large crystalline particules.  Arriving at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, we were only the third vehicle in the parking lot and so had the putting green and driving range all to ourselves.  Mark at the pro shop was a very friendly young man and told us to start whenever we felt ready.  By 8 a.m., we were ready and there were several more vehicles in the lot!

We proceeded at our own pace (we actually let a couple of groups play through, as they had carts and seemed intent on getting done in a hurry.  We wanted to savour the course.  We had played here several years ago, when the rough was at least two foot high fescue and even if your ball rolled a couple of inches into it, it was gone.  Great news - the fescue has been trimmed and we were able to find our own balls, a couple of times, as well as a whole bunch of other errant balls from previous golfers.  The first cut rough is great to play out of, and as some of the fairways are narrow, this is good news for those of us who don't always have a perfect, straight drive!

This is an interesting course, every hole is different and the 17th especially is challenging, what with bunkers galore and a meandering drainage ditch (wide and deep enough to lose your ball in) cutting right across the entire "fairway" area!  There are lots of water hazards, including one that is home to a large family of Canada Geese and a host of happy bullfrogs.  Lots of birds cherping everywhere too.  There is a large lagoon that borders several holes and which sports a lovely fountain - one that scared me silly, when it suddenly burst into operation around 9 a.m. - I thought that the sprinkler system had been activated and that we'd get soaked.  Mind you, we did get soaked, as the rain projected to start, lighlty, around noon came about 45 minutes early and we completed the last 5 holes in a steady rain.  It didn't dampen our appreciation of this course, however.  We'd love to return and play here again.

Until the rain, we actually had been having one of our better performances on the links this year - for both of us!  So, if you're in the neighbourhood, do stop in to Avondale - you'll be glad you did.

See you next week, Jane

Week 9

Long weekend in July, sunny, hot weather and the Stanhope Golf & Country Club on Saturday afternoon - what could be better?  It would be hard to imagine - fireworks maybe?  Hey, we did that last night with my nephew and his girlfriend from N.B.!  A royal visit - hey, we're doing that tomorrow!

The course was first established in 1970 and designed by Robbie Robinson and it is conveniently located just a 20 minute drive from Charlottetown and smack dab in the middle of the North Shore beaches/National Park area, but not inside the park, so no additional park fee is required.  Some of the views are indeed spectacular - looking out across Covehead Bay to the National Park.  They have an interesting website (www.stanhopegolfclub.com) which features an audio-visual aid for each hole, as well as an overview - a terrific tool, especially if I'd found it before I went golfing.

We were very impressed with the friendly helpful staff and the offer of a free ricksha for my husband's clubs, plus the time that we spent on the practice green before our round.  They have a great driving range as well, and one that you can use with a driver!


The course itself is lovely and in great shape this year, with plenty of broad fairways, closely cropped rough areas which make for an "easy out" if you get into the rough.  The really challenging part of this course is the  undulating greens, where - if you're not well placed to begin with - you can take two or three or - perish the thought - four putts to get safely down!  Despite it all, this is a beautiful course to play and even on this fairly busy Saturday afternoon, we were able to complete our round in 4 hours.  It would be equally good for a novice or an experienced golfer to play - there's lots of water hazards and other features which reward those who can be certain about ball placement.  Wildlife spotted or heard included lots of birds, and a couple of muscrats in the pond between Holes 13 and 14!

We'd go back to play this course in a heartbeat - and hubby will be going back next week for a tournament.

Hope you can try this course out yourselves - see you next week, Jane