GOLF...A BRIEF HISTORY

Golf is a very old game of which the exact origins are unclear. The origin of golf is open to debate as to being Chinese, Dutch or Scottish. However, the most accepted golf history theory is that this sport originated from Scotland in the 1100s.^[3]

A game somewhat similar to golf was first mentioned in Dongxuan Records (Chinese: ???), a Chinese book of 11th Century. It was also mentioned on February 26, 1297 in the Netherlands in a city called Loenen aan de Vecht. Here the Dutch played a game with a stick and leather ball. Whoever hit the ball into a target several hundreds of meters away the most number of times, won.

However, modern golf is considered to be a Scottish invention,^[4][5] as the game was mentioned in two 15th century laws prohibiting the playing of the game of gowf. Some scholars have suggested that this refers to another game which is more akin to modern shinty, hurling or field hockey than golf. A game of putting a small ball into a hole in the ground using clubs was played in 17th century Netherlands. The word golf derives from the Dutch kolf meaning stick, club or bat^[6] (see: Kolven). Flourishing trade over the North Sea during the Middle Ages and early Modern Period led to much language interaction between Scots, Dutch, Flemish and other languages. There are reports of even earlier accounts of golf from continental Europe.^[7]

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

The oldest playing golf course in the world is The Musselburgh Old Links Golf Course [1]. Evidence has shown that golf was played here in 1672 although Mary, Queen of Scots reputedly played there in 1567.

Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. The St Andrews Links occupy a narrow strip of land along the sea. As early as the 15th century, golfers at St Andrews, in Fife, established a customary route through the undulating terrain, playing to holes whose locations were dictated by topography. The course that emerged featured eleven holes, laid out end to end from the clubhouse to the far end of the property. One played the holes out, turned around, and played the holes in, for a total of 22 holes. In 1764, several of the holes were deemed too short, and were therefore combined. The number was thereby reduced from 11 to nine, so that a complete round of the links comprised 18 holes.^[8]

The major changes in equipment since the 19th century have been better mowers, especially for the greens, better golf ball designs, using rubber and man-made materials since about 1900, and the introduction of the metal shaft beginning in the 1930s. Also in the 1930s the wooden golf tee was invented. In the 1970s the use of steel and then titanium to replace wood heads began, and shafts made of "graphite" (also known as carbon fiber) were introduced in the 1980s. Though wooden tees are still most popular, various designs of plastic tees have been developed in recent years, and the synthetic materials composing the modern ball continue to be developed.^[9]

Golf balls are famous for "dimples". These small dips in the surface of the golf ball decrease aerodynamic drag which allows the ball to fly further.^[9] Golf is also famous for the use of flags. These show the position of the hole to players when they make their first drive and are too far away from the hole to aim accurately. When all players in a group are within putting distance, the flag is removed by a "caddy" or a fellow player to allow for easier access to the hole.


*From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prince Edward Island competes as a top Canadian golf destination

By William K. Wolfrum,
Staff Writer-TravelGolf.com

Prince Edward Island has been making a name for itself as a Canadian golf destination in recent years. The Links at Crowbush and Brudenell River Golf Course are just a couple of the fine golf courses that make Prince Edward Island golf more than worth the price of a plane ticket.

When it comes to Canadian golf, for many traveling golfers the trip starts and ends in the Atlantic province of Prince Edward Island. And why not? When an authority like the Toronto Star calls it the "top golf destination in Canada," you get the idea: Golf on Prince Edward Island is world class.

More than just the golf, however, Prince Edward Island is an all-purpose golf vacation spot. From the miles of beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, to amazing seafood, to a diverse array of golf courses, to top-of-the-line luxury resorts, Prince Edward Island (Or just PEI to those in the know) has staked its claim as one of North America's prime spots for golfers looking to get the most from a Canadian golf package.

The travel industry has been quick to pick up on this fact. Recently, Delta Airlines introduced a daily nonstop flight from Boston to Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island, and the sheer amount of advanced bookings quickly proved to Delta that their plan was solid. Here's a look at a few of the golf courses that have golfers making Prince Edward Island a big part of their travel plans.

Prince Edward Island golf

The Links at Crowbush Cove is located in Morel and was named Canada's best new course by Golf Digest in 1994. Set alongside the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Crowbush Cove is the epitome of Prince Edward Island golf, as it combines spectacular scenery with challenging play.

Prince Edward Island a golfer's paradise Prince Edward Island making up for lost time A golf course guide to Canada Golf destination: Canada

Designed by Canadian golf course architect Thomas McBroom, Crowbush Cove gives players a diverse round. The native spruce will be a companion to golfers on the opening holes, followed by wetlands and finishing with dunes. Put together, the course plays to nearly 7,000 yards from the PGA Tour tees, but three other tee placements make it a challenging run for everyone from high-handicappers to Canadian pros like Mike Weir.

Since Crowbush Cove opened, the golf scene on Prince Edward Island has flourished, with 10 more courses appearing and golf revenue exploding nearly 500 percent.

For golfers who feel a multi-course resort is their best option, the Rodd Brudenell River Resort is the place to be on Prince Edward Island. Brilliant, scenic accommodations compliment 45 holes of golf to make it a popular stop for those looking to make the most of their Canadian golf package. And the two 18-hole championship courses the resort has to offer - Brudenell River and Dundarave Golf Course - are PEI must-plays.

After three decades, Brudenell River Golf Course remains one of Prince Edward Island's most popular golf courses, and it's not hard to see why, as the eclectic layout gives players something completely different: six par threes, six par fours and six par fives. All told, the course plays to just over 6,500 yards with a 137 slope rating.

Dundarave Golf Course was crafted by the imposing golf course design team of Dr. Michael Hurzdan and Dana Fry. Opened in 1999, it gives players a more modern feel than the River Course, playing to a whopping 7,284 yards from the tips with a 76.4 rating. Large fairways will guide players through Dundarave, where lush pines and the river offer not just challenges, but the breathtaking scenery that comes with this part of Canada.

Prince Edward Island golf: Solid seconds

Tee Times: (877) 323-3633 Click here for more information on a Prince Edward Island golf package.

Mill River Golf Course has long drawn raves for its scenery and affordability. You'll be happily lost in the trees as you play through the wide fairways and numerous lakes and streams that helped make this legendary PEI run rated one of the Top Three Best Golf Courses in Atlantic Canada by SCORE magazine.

Belvedere Golf Club is a Canadian course with classical antiquity, as it was established in 1902 and still draws fans today for its classic layout and superb conditioning. If you're staying in Charlottetown, then Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club will be your best bet, as it's located just seven minutes from downtown and managed by the Delta Prince Edward Hotel, ensuring golfers a well-conditioned, interesting round.


By William K. Wolfrum,
Staff Writer-TravelGolf.com

Prince Edward Island: A golfer's paradise

Two main crops of Prince Edward Island are potatoes, golf courses

After Scotland, Prince Edward Island (PEI) in Canada should be every golfer dream destination. Golf in PEI goes way back to 1893, when the Charlottetown Golf Club opened its doors.

There is something about the soil on PEI that makes it the perfect environment for growing grass and potatoes, and you will find both of them on the Island in abundance. Someone once said the two main crops are potatoes and golf courses.

When you visit and play a Prince Edward Island Golf Course colors seems vibrant especially the green of the grassy. Some say it is because of the fact the Island is surrounded by water and the reflection coming off it enhances colors, this is why artists like coming to PEI to paint their landscapes. Others say it is something about the composition of the red soil and that the minerals absorbed into grass give it an emerald like appearance. It's probably a combination of all these plus others that are only conjecture.

Not only did ScoreGolf Magazine rate Prince Edward Island as Canada's No 1 Golf Destination for the second straight year, but Travel and Leisure Magazine rated PEI the top Island destination in North America…and one of the Top 10 in the world. And the Tourism Industry of Canada named the Charlottetown Festival the 2003 Event of the Year.

There are 26 courses, all located within minutes of the Island's main destinations. Everything from championship courses that have challenged the skills of pros like Mike Weir and Fred Couples to more forgiving courses that offer a great family golf experience.

PEI's golf resorts have accommodations close by there is a wide selection of cottages, bed and breakfasts, inns, campgrounds, summer homes, motels and hotels that fit every pocket book.

The ever-popular Cavendish area has seen a number of new courses open over the past several years, the most recent being Andersons Creek in 2003. There are now seven courses within a 15-minute drive.

In Eastern PEI, ten golf layouts are within 30 minutes of Brudenell Resort. In the central part of the Island, Charlottetown has five courses within 20 minutes. And three other courses are located in the western part of the province, within easy driving distance for a game of golf and a tour of some of PEI's most scenic areas.

For those who want work on their game as well as play it, the Canadian Golf Academy at Brudenell offers a good facility with top-notch instruction under the guidance of Anne Chouinard. While the same success as is enjoyed by Anne's prize student, PEI's Lorie Kane, cannot be guaranteed, it certainly provides something to shoot for.

Whatever course you choose, you can expect to deal with people who do things the Island way. A relaxed style of service that makes you feel more like a welcome friend than a customer.

In addition to offering a premier golf experience featuring a variety of nationally ranked courses, can't- beat-prices and breathtaking scenery (spring, summer and fall), PEI also offers all the ingredients for a memorable vacation for the whole family.

The beaches of Prince Edward Island have drawn visitors to the province for over a century and are still the center of many family vacations. Like the golf courses, PEI beaches come in a variety_ the white sand beaches of the north shore and the red cliff beaches of the south shore. Don't forget to visit the Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum in Cavendish. Kids surely will love it.

Theatre people abound in PEI in the summer, both the performers and the audience enthusiasts. The Summer Festival sponsored by the Confederation Center of the Arts provides a number of superb productions, and that's only the start. New community theatre productions appear every year, and when you include the dinner theatre and musical performances, you could spend the entire summer seeing something different every day.

Cyclists consider PEI an untapped treasure. Confederation Trail, the former railway line, offers almost 300 kilometers of groomed trails that take you through rolling farmlands, quaint villages, wetland and hardwood groves, and provide you with some of the most picturesque scenery on the Island.

No visit to PEI is complete without indulging in the delicacies of local cuisine. A PEI lobster dinner is a treat you will remember a lifetime. Add to that other seafood wonders such as Island Blue mussels, Malpeque oysters, soft shell clams and scallops and you may never want to leave. Then there's the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, suffice to say, you will not go home hungry.

For history buffs, Charlottetown's heritage as the Birthplace of Confederation makes the city an intriguing stop. Province House National Historic Site, where the original Fathers of Confederation met in 1864, still stands and greets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Of course, these are only some of the activities and events of PEI. Scenic tours, festivals, horse racing, windsurfing, kayaking, deep sea fishing, camping…the list is long. Whatever your interests, Prince Edward Island offers its visitors much to do, see and experience.

That is, if you can tear yourself away from the golf course long enough.

And that is a very difficult challenge, indeed.


GolfCanada.com

The Perfect Golf Vacation Awaits On Prince Edward Island   by Amy Nutt

There's no feeling that beats hitting a perfect shot. Except hitting a perfect shot against the perfect backdrop. Prince Edward Island's natural scenery has made for some of North America's most beautiful golf courses. And with more than 25 of them, it is the perfect place for a golf vacation.

The quality of golf on the island is completely dependent on the player behind the club. There is no shortage of available opportunities ranging from the club on the edge of town, to the five-star resort that attracts some of the biggest names in the golf world. And it's not limited to the players. Some of the most renowned golf architects have designed courses on the island, offering breathtaking vistas that are challenge enough for any golf enthusiast.

Among the storied names there is of course, Mike Weir who debuted at the 1998 Canadian Skins Game and who will make his Prince Edward Island return again this summer. For women golfers, Lorie Kane and four-time Player of the Year, Nancy Lopez played Prince Edward Island's Brudenell River during Canada's first-ever women's skins game. As for designers, Stanley Thompson, Les Furber, Rob Heaslip and Robbie Robinson have each left their mark on the Island

The makings of the perfect golf vacation include, of course, great golf courses, but also everything that goes with it. That includes accommodations, sights, sounds, cuisine, and perhaps a little downtime at a local PEI spa.

The sights can be seen both on and off the golf course and include the sapphire blue of the ocean water, beach sands in shades of white, champagne pink and red, and mile-high sand dunes teeming with shore life and ecosystem that includes the endangered Piping Plover..

Inland this gentle island is as much renowned for its pastoral landscapes and nature trails as it is for its farmlands and PEI potatoes. And though the Island measures less than 500 miles from tip to tip, it is the perfect spot for a golf vacation, with numerous courses catering to both the seasoned pro and recreational player.

When touring Prince Edward Island on your golf vacation, you will see miles of lush rolling farmlands and coastlines dotted with fishing harbours. So it may not come as a surprise to discover that we're well-known for our food.

Prince Edward Island is home to Malpeque oysters, cultured blue mussels and our world-famous PEI potatoes. And you haven't experienced taste or Island hospitality until you've gone to a lobster supper in a church hall on a hot summer's night. There's also no shortage of renowned restaurants featuring an array of Island delicacies.

There is much to do on a golf vacation on this gentle island. So much, in fact, you'll want to come back time and time again.

About the Author

Golf Vacations In Beautiful Pei   by Gentle Island

Not only is Prince Edward Island's landscape a feast for the eyes but there is something for all golf enthusiasts, regardless of skill level. Canada's smallest province has gained the reputation of being the country's number one golf vacation spot, not just once, but twice! PEI boasts over 26 courses in total ranging from executive, intermediate and beginner skill levels. The Island has also played host in recent years to a number of professional golfers such as in the 1998 "Skins Game" with Fred Couples, Mark O'Meara, Mike Weir and John Daly. Mike Weir was once again on the Island for the Making the Connection Legends of Golf event in July 2007 where he and golf legend Vijay Singh played The Links at Crowbush Cove in beautiful Lakeside, PEI.

If it is an executive course you seek, there is one on every corner of the island. If you happen to be in the west give Mill River a whirl. As a par 72 course with 14 par 4 and above holes and greens fees at $45- $60, why waste another second? In the north Glasgow Hills is another par 72 designed by Les Furber and is classified as a 'World Class Signature Golf Course". If visiting central Prince Edward Island the Glen Afton Golf Club is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. This par 70 course offers the biggest bang for its buck, $26- $33 for a round - an absolute steal. When you finally get out to the eastern side of PEI be sure to pay the red sandstone championship Dundarave golf course a visit. After opening in July of 1999 it was quick to grab the attention of Golf Digest and SCORE golf magazine with both giving it top marks. These courses promise to give you the opportunity to use all of the clubs in your bag

If you love the game but are not ready to play with the pros, why not brush up on one of Prince Edward Island's many 9 hole golf courses. Not only will it do some good to brush up, these courses are a great way to include the whole family. If your kids have an interest, or someone looking to play a shorter game is along, visiting St. Felix in the West, Forest Hills in the North, Country View in central PEI or Eagles View in the East are all great ways to get out and enjoy the sights PEI has to offer.

If you happen to be feeling ambitious you could try your luck with a double header at the beautiful Brudenell River and adjoining Dundarave. Offering 36 holes this day of golf promises to be quite memorable.

The next time you think about planning a golf vacation, keep Prince Edward Island top of mind!

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