New Brunswick/Nova Scotia

[Dan Herrmann]

Hi - Other than Cabot Links and Highlands Links, what would you recommend in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick on a drive up from Philly (entering NB at Calais, ME or up at the end of I-95 in Houlton, ME)

Thanks!

[Bryan Izatt]

Dan,

Glad to see that you're going to go.  It's wonderful country all through the maratimes. 

On Cape Breton, there is Bell Bay.  On the way, more or less, are ALGONQUIN GOLF COURSE in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea and Fox Harb'r near Tatamagouche, NB.  Or if you have the time and inclination there are some nice courses on PEI.  Or just stick to Cabot and Highland Links.  You can't go wrong.

[Tyler Kearns]

Dan,

Riverside in St. John, New Brunswick is an old Ross course that is quite solid, although it's been over 15 years since I played there. It's private, but most places in Canada are very accommodating.

TK

[Carl Johnson]

Dan, check out this thread: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51847.0.html

[Rich Goodale]

Dan

Please play St. Stephen's GC just across the river from Calais and report back.  I've never been there, but my great-grandfather played there before slumming on "up West" to TCC in Brookline and I'd like to know more about it.

Rich

[Garrett McKnight]

Dan:

I agree with Bell Bay. Good course and is in great shape. I played last Tuesday with three guys playing their practice round for the Nova Scotia AM. #17 is a fantastic par three and #18's tee box affords an amazing view.

[Will Lozier]

Dan,

My wife and I honeymooned through Canada - from Cape Breton to Banff - and began our journey from DC driving the same route.  I also lived in Maine and New England for many years.  Here are my suggestions as you get closer to Canada:

Early on 95, if you can gain access, Portland CC is a fine old Ross course where I once played the Maine Open.  Portland is also a great food town not to be missed.  If you were taking 95 all the way, I would also highly suggest Penobscot Valley in Orono, another old Ross restored recently restored by Ron Forse.  

Kebo Valley (Herbert Leeds) on Mount Desert Island is a must but would require a venture off of 95.  But, it is well worth it - the 8th oldest course in the US and one of my absolute favorites.  You could then play the short but sporty Northeast Harbor (Ross) course and spend a day or two in Acadia National Park (which is remarkable!).  If you then had time and wanted a very scenic route take 1 up the coast.  You could then play my favorite 9-hole course Wawenock.  After that, as you reach far northern ME, Mars Hill looks really interesting and Aroostook Valley (Howard Watson) seems like a must stop.  Check out their websites as they both look really sporty and scenic.  


*Brunswick is a fun track as well with an especially the older back 9.

Cheers

[Greg Beaulieu]

Dan, I presume you want to get to C.B. reasonably quickly and not do a golf tour of the region? If you're in touring mode you could catch the ferry from Sant John, NB to Digby, NS and play the wonderful Stanley Thompson Digby Pines course. A bit further out of the way is my favorite pre-Cabot course in NS, Chester. But I cannot in good conscience advise you to travel to Cabot by way of Chester!

On the way to Cabot from NB is what the scribes would call "a sporty little track", Truro Golf Club, in the town of the same name. Also along the way is Abercrombie Golf Club just outside New Glasgow, which is a fairly brawny course that I always really liked. Partway between Cabot and Highland Links is Cheticamp, which I have not played but one about which I hear good things.

Enjoy your trip. Spectacular weather up here right now, mid-70s, not too humid, not a cloud in the sky.

[Dan Herrmann]

Thank you all!
It'll be my 2nd time to NS - we were there last in 2002.  Took a ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth (not a good idea - expensive and slow). 

[Don Hyslop]

Here are a few along the way that are noit too far off your route.
1. Algonguin Golf Course, St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Originally a Ross design which has been reworked by Thomas McBroom.
http://www.algonquinresort.ca/golf.asp
2. Riverside Golf and Country Club- just outside Saint John, New Brunswick. A Donald Ross layout that opened in 1897. It is the only course east of Montreal to host a Men's Canadian Open Championship.
https://www.riversidecountryclub.ca/default.aspx
3. Fundy National Park Golf Course- This is a 9 hole layout designed by Stanley Thompson. Great 9 hole course with ridiculously low green fees..
http://www.golfnb.com/flyer/53
4. My last suggestion is Northumberland Links in Pugwash. Built along the shores of Northumberland Strait, it is a Bill Robinson design. Given the Scottish heritage of the area, nine of the holes have Gaelic names.
http://www.northumberlandlinks.com/

Then of course you could always look through this list of Nova Scotia courses and make your own choices.
http://golfingns.com/courses_summary.shtml