(RELEASE) - On historic Prince Edward Island, Fox Meadow Golf Course and its accompanying Fox Golf Academy are conveniently and picturesquely situated about a smooth 7-iron from the island’s capital city of Charlottetown. Architect Rob Heaslip’s 2000 design measures just less than 7,000 yards from the tips but rest assured, Fox Meadow GC has plenty of waggle in its tail.
Prince Edward Island, Canada (September 2015) — They say that no matter where a person stands on Prince Edward Island, they are never more than a half-hour away from either fairway or sea — oftentimes both. So if proximity is the desire, there’s no golf venue that stands closer to the island’s capital city of Charlottetown — or stands out more from the hubbub — than the Fox Meadow Golf Course and Golf Academy.
Indeed, appreciating Canada’s Prince Edward Island to the fullest means spending time in Charlottetown … exploring.
Lots of it.
As a result of numerous transformations during recent years, the capital city is now more famous than ever for its culinary offerings, cultural scene and coastal charm. Fortunately for those living in or visiting this diverse center, they have a premier place to quickly – and quietly – sneak away for a round on the links.
“Fox Meadow is based in [the neighboring town of] Stratford and we overlook the Charlottetown Harbor from high up on the hill,” said Paul MacCormack, Fox Meadow’s general manager and superintendent. “It’s probably the best vantage point to look back into town. We’ve actually cleared away some trees to enhance the view.”
Located less than 15 minutes away, the course is situated far enough from Charlottetown yet close enough to see the quaint hotels of the city along with the majestic cruise ships that spend time in the harbor.
“That’s our selling point,” said MacCormack.
Another pitch point to the venue is its outstanding practice facility at the Fox Golf Academy. In fact, according to MacCormack, there might not be another academy nicer than it in all of Atlantic Canada. The facility, which is secluded from the golf course, features four championship greens that are maintained identically to the golf course, along with an additional practice range that is more expansive than the one used by golfers to warm up on near the Fox Meadow’s first tee.
Back to the golf course, the relatively young, 2000 design has matured well over a relatively short period of time. Since Fox Meadow is fairly wide open, grass conditions consistently remain top notch. Ontario’s Rob Heaslip crafted the unforced, natural routing. With Fox Meadow being the only course Heaslip designed on the island, his name often flies under the radar. Still, his vision for the course adds to the diversity of the PEI’s golf portfolio.
“It’s nice when you have multiple architects with different viewpoints and design styles to be able to mix it up,” MacCormack said. “It gives golfers the option to play lots of different, varying holes and courses.”
The story behind the name of the course is also a fascinating one.
“Fox Meadow evolved because a large portion of our property used to be a fox farm,” MacCormack related. “Back in the early 1930s, fox farming on Prince Edward Island was huge. You wouldn’t think of it in this day and age, but they were farming them for the pelts back then. Up Summerside way and in town around here there were many fox farms so many businessmen made big money then. If you go down over the hill toward the harbor you can still see the remnants of pens in the woods.”
The restaurant at Fox Meadow is called, naturally, the Fox Den. Its cuisine, however, is dramatically different to what a group of actual foxes try to munch on during the season.
“We have upwards of 25 to 30 foxes in a summer,” the 16-year golf veteran said. “And they love golf balls. For most people, it’s a novelty. We always say we’ll replace your ball for free if one gets taken. In truth, they are pretty tame. They’ve gotten to the point where they are almost like puppies. And they are pretty smart, too.”
One of the more playable layouts on the island, Fox Meadow is a favorite for the locals for many reasons.
“A lot of the holes here; I find they grow on you after a while,” MacCormack concluded. “There are only a couple that ‘wow’ you right off the bat. But there’s a few that once you figure out the subtleties of them and play them over a few times, they kind of reveal themselves a little nicer.”
Stretching to 6,836 yards, Fox Meadow has plenty of waggle in its tail. The engaging design embraces its natural PEI surroundings and provides golfers with spectacular rural and superb city harbor views.
The course itself flows in concentric loops. It’s an open, parkland style with plenty of elevation change. Fox Meadow is also considered a very efficient golf course — not one with a lot of forced carries and thus, not one that’s generally beats players up. Plus, with its proximity to Charlottetown, a visitor can get to the course within 15 minutes and can play his or her round in less than four hours. This makes for ideal pace of play.
While Fox Meadow may be the top choice for proximity to Charlottetown, there are several other fine layouts located within minutes of the province’s hub, including Clyde River Golf Course, Countryview Golf Club and Glen Afton Golf Course — just a few of the highlights afforded by golf on Prince Edward Island.
More information at GolfPEI.ca, Reservations@golfpei.ca or 1-866-GOLF-PEI (465-3734).
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