Golf on Prince Edward Island continues to be on the upswing as July numbers indicate busy fairways and promising industry trends, says Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Heath MacDonald.
“Prince Edward Island’s golf courses are among the most respected in the country and position the province as one of North America’s premier golf destinations,” said Minister MacDonald. “These courses serve as important contributors to the Island economy and are key employers in rural areas. We are pleased to see the industry benefiting from a strong tourism season and will look to continue to support Golf PEI’s efforts.”
With an early start to the season, favorable weather, and new marketing initiatives, Prince Edward Island’s golf courses have been enjoying healthy increases this summer.
Golf PEI, the nonprofit association of provincial golf industry stakeholders on Prince Edward Island, has posted positive July indicators for their 15-member courses. Paid rounds have increased 20.1 per cent and member rounds are up 19.6 per cent. This brings the overall number of rounds up 20.80 per cent compared to 2015.
Golf PEI operates a full service online and direct call reservation centre for tee times and golf vacations on behalf of member courses and accommodation partners. The Golf PEI reservation centre has already booked 300 more room nights for this season compared to all of 2015 with inquiries being very strong for the fall. Customers are also using Golf PEI’s online technology more than ever to book tee times and golf vacations with increases of more than 30 per cent in both areas this season. More than 5,000 tee times have been booked online at www.golfpei.ca this season.
With support from the provincial and federal governments, Golf PEI has been working to establish a stronger online, on-site, and TV presence to attract golfers to PEI fairways, reaching key markets including: Ontario, Québec, Alberta, and the northern United States. The goal is to promote the many golf courses on the Island, while highlighting other attractions the province has to offer.
“We are very pleased with the 2016 season to date. Great weather, outstanding course conditions, our reputation as a golf destination and an overall increase in tourism on PEI has created great momentum and we fully expect it to continue for the remainder of the season,” said Golf PEI’s Executive Director, Mark McLane. “I am proud of the way our staff has handled the increased demand for tee time bookings and golf vacations this year.”
The Prince Edward Island Golf Association is also experiencing a busy 2016 season. The association has been hard at work organizing events, tournaments, and golf clinics to help promote and grow the sport on the Island. This year the association held a girl’s golf camp at Belvedere Golf Club and has already begun preparing a team for the 2017 Canada Games. With no signs of slowing down, the PEIGA is hosting the Atlantic golf championship in Stratford, set to begin next week.
"The PEIGA is encouraged that golf is having a very strong year and that its programs and services are being very well received by local golfers and member courses,” said PEIGA Executive Director, Ron MacNeill.
The economic benefit from the golfing industry on PEI is significant. According to Golf PEI, the game of golf contributed an estimated $62.6 million toward Prince Edward Island’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014. Restaurants, retailers, accommodations, entertainment venues, tourism operators, and others all benefit directly from the influx of people who come to the Island to play golf.