The golfers at the Canadian Amateur Golf Championship were not disappointed when they arrived on the course at the Links at Crowbush Cove last week. The employees at the course succeeded in getting the course in excellent condition following an extremely hard winter and very poor spring for recovery from the damage caused.
Prince Edward Island was not the only province suffering from winter kill caused by a thaw and freeze cycle this past winter. The Royal Montreal Course in Montreal, site of the Canadian Open golf event, was operating all summer with half the course closed to allow its grass to re-generate.
Prince Edward Island continues to gain a reputation as an international golf destination. "Our courses are a big part of our tourism marketing strategy. It is important to keep them in top shape and communicate that to our visitors," said Wes MacAleer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "Crowbush is not the same as it was three years ago. It has been well-used. Personnel who work at Crowbush are some of the most knowledgeable and skilled course maintenance staff in the province. They worked hard to get the course back in shape. Nancy Pierce and her staff should be commended."
Some of the players in the tournament did not overlook all the hard work and effort on the part of the staff.
"The course is in good shape! The Maritimes had a tough winter and it took them a while to come back and this one's come back very well compared to the rest of the ones in the east," said Bill Murray from Fredericton, New Brunswick. "I think the problem is more with the nature of the climate then with the maintenance of the course."
Later this week another provincially-owned course, Mill River, will be hosting the Montclair PEI Classic. The Montclair is the last stop on the Canadian Tour before the Canadian Open in September. It is also the only Canadian Tour event being held in Atlantic Canada. "Players are sure to be just as impressed with Mill River as they were with the Links," notes Minister MacAleer.