|
|
|
|
 |
By
Brent Long
Québec
City, capital of the province, was founded
in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain and is
also home to the second oldest golf club
in Canada – the private Royal Quebec
GC that dates back to 1874.
Located
a 2 ½ hour drive east of Montreal,
Québec City is the cradle of French
civilization in North America, and recently
ranked third among Canadian and American
travel destinations by readers of Travel
and Leisure Magazine. My wife and I look
back on our summer visits to the region
with fond memories of immersing ourselves
for a few days in its flavorful European
culture and French Canadian joie de vivre.
While
there's some very good golf to be enjoyed
in the area, the stone walls and archways
of Vieux Québec, horse drawn caleche
rides, strolling along the Plains of Abraham,
riding the funicular down to the St. Lawrence
River's edge to explore the Petit Champlain
district, browsing through the many art
galleries, fashion boutiques and artisan
craft shops bring back smiles of special
times.
|
|
|
While
the city celebrated its 400th anniversary
last year, Quebec City will make headlines
this summer as host to the fun filled
2009 TELUS World Skins Game
right after the US Open on June 22-23.
Canada's Mike Weir, Fred Couples of
the United States, Australian Geoff
Ogilvy, South African and 2008 Masters
Champion, Trevor Immelman, and England's
Ian Poulter will battle it out in
the popular Canadian summer golf event
at the world class La Tempête
Golf Course.
Golf
in the Québec City area offers
a pleasant contrast to city living
and most courses are within a 20-30
minute drive of the city center. The
proximity of popular local downhill
ski areas has led to the creation
of several challenging golf layouts
nestled at the bases of the slopes.
Many
area courses are characterized by
rolling fairways lined with mature
trees and strategically placed bunkering
and water hazards. Panoramic views,
from elevated tees and greens, of
the surrounding mountains, lakes and
countryside will impress even the
most avid shutterbugs.
While
everyone talks about the wonderful
Fairmont Chateau Frontenac as the
place to stay, we rather enjoy Le
Château Bonne Entente a 5-star,
4-diamond unique urban resort and
the only member of the Leading Hotels
of the World in Québec City.
If
you prefer, you can find less expensive
accommodations. Guests on the golf
package at Le Château Bonne
Entente have exclusive access to La
Tempête and there's complimentary
shuttle service to the course.
|
|
|
|
Le
Grand Vallon
|
|
|
|
Royal
Charbourg
|
|
|
|
Le
Manoir Richelieu
|
|
|
|
Le
Grand Vallon
While Mont-Saint-Anne is best known for
downhill skiing and winter activities, this
mountain resort is a fun place to visit
all year round. It is popular with mountain
bikers in the summer – but that's a
lot tougher than it looks and going head
first over the handles isn't out of the
question! (Been there done that, and will
stick to golf!)
Only
30 minutes from Quebec City, Le Grand Vallon
is a beautifully rolling 18-hole adventure
set against the breathtaking mountain backdrop.
Designed by Howard Watson, a Stanley Thompson
apprentice, the par-72 course features 6,583
yards of impeccable rolling fairways, challenging
tree-lined stretches, four lakes and 40
sand traps. You'll need a cart for this
one, so just soak up the scenery and enjoy
the game. Château Mont-Sainte-Anne
offers 240 spacious rooms with kitchenettes,
the largest resort outdoor pool in Québec,
the new Spa du Chateau, an indoor pool and
a gym if you're still looking for a workout!
Mont
Tourbillon
Another mountain layout designed by Howard
Watson in the early 1960s is the semi-private
layout at Mont Tourbillon. Only 20 minutes
from the city, this 18-hole routing boasts
unique large greens and will challenge all
levels of golfers while many elevated tees
offer breathtaking panoramic views of the
surroundings including Lake Beauport. The
fairways wind through thickly forested areas
of mature trees with six water hazards,
strategic bunkering and many elevation changes.
The Swiss styled chalet is a nice touch
with great views of Lake Beauport.
Royal
Charbourg
I haven't played it, but I have heard good
things about Royal Charbourg that stretches
out to just over 6,900 yards, par-72 on
rolling terrain just 20 minutes outside
the city.
Le
Manoir Richelieu
If you have time - and we always make time
- enjoy the two hour drive to the gorgeous
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu and its neighbouring
casino. This part of the world, named a
UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, offers unparalleled
natural surroundings: steep mountainsides
that plunge into the river, immense forests,
imposing gorges, raging rivers and utterly
breathtaking panoramas everywhere you look.
The golfing jewel of the region is the recently
remodeled 27-hole Manoir Richelieu GC. The
course is built along a plateau overlooking
the St. Lawrence with several holes descending
dramatically down the hillside towards the
water with some of the best views you'll
find anywhere in Canada. The best kept secret
of the area is the 133-year-old Murray Bay
GC, which was private for the longest time,
but now allows public play for about $40
for 18 holes. It's a real treat and only
10 minutes from Le Manoir Richelieu.
05/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
