Week 19

What a difference a couple of weeks can make at this time of year on PEI!  Last week, we weren't able to fit in a golf game on the weekend - several reasons: too much on the go (two hockey games, registration for Seniors College and high enough winds to make it interesting for kiteboarding) and it was really difficult to get a tee-off time at Brudenell (too many tournaments scheduled).  Who says that the tourist activity stops after Labour Day? We did try to book Brudenell for this weekend, but - once again, tournaments - so we have booked for next weekend (10 days in advance) for Brudenell, and booked this weekend at Glasgow Hills.

We like to walk our courses.  That said, we'd been told that Glasgow Hills was a definite for a power cart, because of those hills.  It was a beautiful sunny, dewy morning (heavy frost in the hollows on the drive to the course) and we told the pro shop and the starter (both commented on how few walkers they had) that we would try the front nine and see how it went.  We were paired with a delightful young couple from Rochester, NY, Todd and Kate with a cart.  They had decided on a spontaneous long weekend trip to PEI and this was to be their only golf game.  So, off we went.  The course is challenging with sloping fairways, lots of sandy sand traps and tricky greens, but the views are spectacular across the hills, over the river and even to the Gulf in a couple of places.  The scenery at this time of year is fabulous anyway (all those varying shades of green, gold and red soil), but with the panoramic view from the clubhouse, it really is breathtaking.  We all agreed that spending some time on the deck overlooking the range and putting practice green would be a worthwhile expenditure of spare time!!

In no time, we realized that Kate was an excellent golfer (putting for birdies on the first 3 holes!) and after Todd settled down, he too was a terrific shot maker.  Certainly, we all had our good holes and our not-so-good holes.  A little bit inconsistent but a beautiful day and delightful company.

In fairness, we had also been warned specifically about Hole 17 - that it started up high and dropped down before rising again to a raised green.  OK, seriously, this is a killer hole, especially when it comes at the end.  I don't think any of us played it very well and certainly hubby and I were ready to pack it in on the walking after 17!  But, we all rose to the challenge and 18 was a great hole to finish on. 

Course conditions were perfect - lush grass, bunkers that have real, white sand in them and water hazards that are beautifully incorporated into the course.  Flowers and plantings accented most holes.  The course is only 10 years old, but it is a real addition to the offerings on PEI.  It is a little too challenging for those of us who like to walk and for those unfamiliar with the course layout and several blind shots that are required.  (Special thanks to Kate for her reconnaisance on Hole 10 - it worked wonders!)  Todd was playing from the blues and although hubby doesn't prefer them, on several holes the blues and whites were at the same placement and it wasn't significantly longer on many others.

Wildlife spotted:  a couple of ducks, a raven and a flock of Canada geese who looked like they were practising their fall flight as they circled overhead and honked!  No foxes and no crows stealing balls or food out of the carts of the unsuspecting.

Hope to see you next week (at Brudenell), Jane