It’s a uncommon mild wind day on the coast of Prince Edward Island and I’m setting as much as tee off on one the numerous jaw-dropping view holes on the Hyperlinks at Crowbush Cove in rustic and rural Morell.
The sound of crashing waves calms me and the salty sea air is simply the correct amount of cool on this tremendous sunny fall day. I swing, strike and land it on the green proper the place I wished it.
However you already know what? Had I shanked it, I’d nonetheless be crammed with golfer’s pleasure. As a participant who loves the entire expertise – from the green challenges to the doglegs to the surroundings round me – The Hyperlinks at Crowbush (https://peisfinestgolf.com/) gave me a list-topping spherical.
It’s no marvel Crowbush gained prime accolades from the time it opened simply over 30 years in the past; the whole lot about my spherical there was particular. Crowbush is one in every of 4 golf programs operated by the provincial authorities of PEI – principally a muni – however performs like a well-manicured personal spot.
The hyperlinks really feel is actual: most holes are open to the views and the weather and are lined with thick fescue. Fortunate me, for my first spherical there they’d simply mowed that fescue down, making errant balls not simply simpler to seek out, however completely hittable. Nonetheless, I’d wish to play it in its full Hyperlinks apparel, difficult edges or not.
When Hurricane Fiona ripped by the area in September 2022, it had Crowbush in its line of fireplace, ripping down and destroying 1000’s of timber.
A tragedy, to make sure, however one with a silver lining. When course designer Thomas McBroom visited his masterpiece once more post-storm clear up and regarded out over the holes most impacted – the previously tree lined holes 1-5 – he smiled.
“Nature did what we should always have executed,” he’s mentioned to have mentioned. What that storm did was remodel Crowbush from a considerably Hyperlinks-like course to a full on Hyperlinks expertise. At this time, with that fescue the place timber as soon as stood and an oft brisk wind swirling the place forestry as soon as considerably blocked it, Crowbush performs like a dream.
That’s to not say it’s simple. The championship course affords up lengthy par 5s, wildly difficult par 3s, some nice threat/reward spots all through. The greens are massive and laborious to learn and tame; they’re somewhat bit imply however loads of enjoyable. Sinking a protracted putt there’s a large victory.
We arrived early and had a unbelievable breakfast on the course aspect Crow’s Nest. There are different eating decisions as nicely because the course is tucked into the Rodd Crowbush Golf & Seashore Resort. Paired up with two guests from Vancouver, they performed the whites, me the reds, and all of us discovered our groove as we performed, taking up carries over wetlands, some huge water spots and breathtaking elevated tees.
The play was superior however for me, the setting sealed the deal. Excessive up the “stairway to heaven” to the black tees of the eleventh gap (cease and stroll up there even in the event you’re not enjoying these tees) you’ll discover a panoramic view of the PEI shoreline and inland farms. Adirondack chairs are set there so that you can soak it in; who cares if it provides a couple of extra minutes to your spherical? It’s a must-do.
The seaside sidles up subsequent to you usually, and people on walks to and from there pop into view all day.
You’ll wish to arrive early. There’s that nice breakfast, in addition to glorious follow amenities together with a full size vary with free balls and an enormous placing inexperienced that mimics these difficult ones you’ll tackle on the market. The employees – from waitstaff to starters to professional store people – are that degree of pleasant that all of us love Canadians for.
Go for a cart. Whereas it’s walkable, there are some huge hills, and also you’ll wish to use your time to take photographs between pictures moderately than stroll. Rounds are available in at $165 excessive season and $115 earlier than June 15 and after Sept. 28. To make it a deal, go for a multicourse play package deal or take into account one in every of their many play and keep choices.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient in my comparatively new golf profession to play many famed programs each in North America and overseas. Crowbush ranks among the many greatest. Get to PEI and play it. And once you breathe in that salty air, thank nature for the newer format. Typically the winds of change do proper.
