From the welcoming links of the South Shore to the majestic hills of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia offers a range of golf courses at a range of prices.
David Campbell is executive director of the Nova Scotia Golf Association and he’s played from Yarmouth to Sydney. He shared some highlights with Metro.
“Cape Breton is a unique area and the courses there tend to have a lot more undulation and they’re accented by beautiful views,” says Campbell. “Cape Breton has done a good job of marketing itself as a golfing destination in Canada.”
While Cape Breton boasts of the Fab Four — Dundee, Bell Bay, Le Portage and the Highland Links — the South Shore brags of the Affordable Four — River Hills, West Pubnico, Yarmouth and Clare.
“The South Shore is excellent value with some real hidden gems. Clare is arguably one of the best golf course in Nova Scotia,” Campbell says. “The hospitality on the South Shore is really first rate. When you go to one of their courses, you feel like you’re at home.”
The Annapolis Valley also has superb courses such as Ken-Wo, Eagle Crest Greenwood, Eden and others.
Northern Nova Scotia has some great greens, including Amherst, Springhill and Debert.
“Northumberland Links is one of the top courses in the province. It’s got great ocean views,” he says. “And, of course, there’s Fox Harb’r, a diamond in the rough. That’s a real high-end and exclusive course. Apparently, it’s second to none.”
City golfers don’t have to go far to hit the links, with Granite Springs, Pin-Hi, Ashburn, Oakfield and Brightwood catering to a range of golfers. Glen Arbour hosted the 2006 Canadian Women’s Open, marking it as a world-class facility.
“HRM is unique in that it has just about every type of course you’d want to play,” Campbell says.
Dartmouth offers course such as Grandview and Links of Montague. “It is one of the nicest nine-hole golf courses I’ve ever set foot on,” he says of Montague. “It’s well maintained and has a strong junior and ladies program.”
Learn more at nsga.ns.ca and golfnovascotia.com.
