Traveling is such an issue these days for golfers reserving international and domestic golf holidays now facing the possibility of cancelled flights or lost baggage,
So forget the hassle and drive a short distance north [5½ hours from Portland, Maine] and discover Fredericton, New Brunswick, the province’s capital and the hub for ten distinct golf courses within ninety minutes of downtown.
Situated along the shores of the Saint John River or as the local First Nations designate it “Wolastoq” [beautiful and bountiful river], it is a city of tree-lined streets, historic homes and river walks. An outdoor lifestyle to enjoy!
Fredericton prides itself on “farm-to-table” where farmers’ markets and restaurants offer locally grown and harvested products be sure to ask for Fiddleheads [furled fronds of the ostrich fern], a local delicacy. If you enjoy craft beer then you have come to the right place as the area is known as Atlantic Canada’s “Craft Brewing Capital’ with twenty-five to experience along the “Taproom Trail.”
If music is part of your life then this is where you should be; eclectic, foot-stomping, reflective or energizing, local bands, international stars, bars and restaurants, festivals or concerts music is an important part of the personality and vibrancy of the city.
Golf:
Many of Canada’s internationally respected golf course architects have embraced New Brunswick’s distinct topography creating signature golf courses throughout the province.
With ten golf courses within a ninety-minute drive, there are numerous choices but as vacation time may be a factor consider the following three and you will see why you will have to return to see what the rest of the province has to offer.
Visually stunning but playable, unique and non-repetitive holes is the philosophy of the lead architects, in the design of two of New Brunswick’s finest golf courses, Kingswood and West Hills. “We like to include the flowing landforms, expansive water features, contrasting turf varieties with creative bunkering to accent the strategic character of the courses”. Huxham Golf Designs
Kingswood Golf Club
Recognized as one of Canada’s finest golf courses and the best course in the country by Golf Digest when it opened in 2003 it continues to receive accolades from players from around the world. Designed by the international course design firms of Darrell and Warren Huxham and Graham Cooke the course is part of Radisson Kingswood Hotel and Suites, a four-season masterplan that now features onsite Raddison Hotel and Canada’s only Sam Snead’s Oak Grill and Tavern.
Less than fifteen minutes from downtown, Kingswood is a beautifully crafted championship course that measures 7,000 yards from the back tees. This is a course that should be remembered for its many design features: inviting fairways, stands of white pine, and cavernous bunkering with picturesque water features add to the beauty and dynamics of Kingswood.
If you have time, you should experience the nine-hole 3900-yard Executive course. Beautifully manicured and a pleasure to play.
West Hills Golf Course
Across the St John River, less than seven minutes from downtown West Hills Golf Club is Fredericton’s newest signature championship course. The latest design by Huxham Golf.
This is a course where the owners understand the benefits of treating their guests with service and respect and providing them with a golf experience that will be memorable for years to come.
Though located around a housing community the builders took great care on minimizing any signs of homes. From the first tee, the course has the feel of a private country setting.
There are numerous elevated tees and vantage points as the Huxham design philosophy is to ensure that all hazards are visible to “excite and entice” golfers and to allow an opportunity for a “heroic tee shot’. This is definitely a risk-reward course so the only one to criticize an incorrect execution will be the individual who made the decision to go for it!
Though new and not long by today’s standards at 6,520 yards West Hill has a feeling of maturity. Every hole is individual in its make-up with deceptively contoured multi-sized greens creating challenges for golfers.
There is no doubt that West Hills will soon be rated in Canada’s” Top 100”.
The Algonquin at St. Andrews-by the Sea
Less than ninety minutes from Fredericton lies the historic, chateau-inspired Algonquin Resort and home of one of Canada’s most revered courses: The Algonquin at St. Andrews-by-the Sea takes its name from Scotland’s St. Andrew’s “Royal and Ancient”.
Located along the shores of the picturesque Bay of Fundy, with Maine across the waters the Algonquin Golf Course was opened in 1894 as a short nine-hole layout. Today the original clubhouse is still standing and is recognized as the oldest clubhouse in Canada. Now a new clubhouse overlooks the beautifully manicured fairways and greens and blue ocean waters.
This course has seen a few transformations over the last 100 years. Legendary Donald Ross drafted the plans for an expanded course in the early 1920s; award-winning Canadian architects Thomas McBroom and then Rod Whitman have recrafted the course to take advantage of the incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Playing to 7,135 yards from the back tees many holes face toward the prevailing winds. Par 3, 14th creates a sense of Pebble Beach’s Number 7. Continually ranked in the “Top 100” courses in Canada and awarded Golf Digest’s Editor’s Choice Award in 2021.
So swing up north, swing to the music; practice your swing and visit Fredericton, New Brunswick, where you can count on a hassle-free memorable golf vacation.
Check out www.tourismfredericton.ca/www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca
