Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/68546
DESTINATION GOLF BY LISA "LONGBALL" VLOOSWYK PEI IS SIMPLE 16TH HOLE AT CROWBUSH WITH GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE IN BACKGROUND As a golf writer I have the good fortune to be able to travel and play some of the most amazing courses in the world, and yet, I find myself coming back time and time again to play the spectacular courses across Canada. One of my favourite places to tee it up is Canada's pint sized province, Prince Edward Island. Measuring only 224 km long and from 6-64 km wide, it offers thousands of yards of glorious golf. There are over 30 courses on PEI, 10 of which rank on Canada's Top 100 Courses. ON THE TRANQUILITY COVE CRUISE On my most recent trip to the island I stayed at Rodd Brudenell River, a signature Rodd resort (www.roddvacations.com). It is a peaceful setting on the eastern side of the island 30 minutes from Charlottetown. It is located in Brudenell River Provincial Park and in addition to golf, offers a host of activities such as indoor/outdoor pools, saunas, whirlpool, marina, bike trails/rentals, sea kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing, horseback riding, lawn bowling and tennis. THE PRIZE CATCH REELING IN The Main Hotel features 67 deluxe guestrooms, 18 junior suites, and 14 larger hospitality type suites and 16 two bedroom cottages. Dining options include Club 19, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner with views of the golf course and Stillwaters, a fine dining restaurant offering delectable fare. I highly recommend sitting outdoors if it is a warm evening and have a spectacular meal looking over the Brudenell River. As for the golf there are 3 courses on property. The Divine Nine, a par 30, fun 9 hole track perfect for juniors, beginners and those wanting to work on their game. For those looking for championship golf there are two 18 hole tracks, Dundarave Golf Course and Brudenell River Golf Course. DUNDARAVE'S 8TH 14 Dundarave is known for its spectacular and penalizing bunkers. Avoid them at all costs. It is also revered for its quality greens, often some of the purest smoothest running greens on the island. You must take a cart due to some of the long treks between holes but it affords you the opportunity to see more of the breathtaking property. There are many risk reward holes making it a new and unique challenge every time you tee it up. The fairways are lined with pines giving you the feeling several times throughout the round you are the only one on the course. Truly a course fit for champions, in 2006, Dundarave hosted "the Legends of Golf" featuring real life pals Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson as they dueled it out in front of a live gallery. To have one championship course on site at a resort is a treat to have two is just decadent. I am a fan of playing 36 holes a day, and whether you are a fair weather golfer, a replay player or one who loves to see 36 different holes in one day a stone's throw from your bedroom; this is the resort for you. The second 18 hole track is Brudenell River. It was the first course on property opening in 1969. This is often heralded as one of the most popular courses on the island for its unique layout of six par 3's, six par 4's and six par 5's. It is a picturesque course with many stunning views of the Brudenell River accentuated by ponds and gardens throughout. It is simply a fun track. It has generous fairways and what you see is what you get. There are great scoring opportunities and it will challenge every level of player. Many pros have tested their game here including the Lorie Kane Island Challenge in 2000 and numerous Canadian Tour events. After golf, you have to go to the clubhouse IMAGE /CREDIT COURTESY TOURISM PEI IMAGE /CREDIT COURTESY LISA VLOOSWYK IMAGE /CREDIT COURTESY LISA VLOOSWYK IMAGE /CREDIT COURTESY TOURISM PEI IMAGE CREDIT/ COURTESY TOURISM PEI