A quick nine of notes from yesterday’s tour through the Toronto Golf & Travel Show at the International Centre.

1. I miss the good old days of the show being at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. It was nice to be able to access it via the GO Train and regular transit, and there was more energy with some Bay Street types rolling in during their lunch hour or after work.

2. Really disappointed to hear that the PGA of Ontario pulled the chute on their planned attendance just three weeks before the show after 25 straight years. But I was happy to see that the Canadian Golf Teachers Federation swooped in to help bail out the organizers—and feedback from those receiving lessons was quite positive. Also, PGA of Canada CEO Kevin Thistle, who was his usual effervescent presence at the show yesterday, says he expects the PGA of Ontario to be back next year.

3. Golf may not be experiencing quite the success it did 15 years ago or so, but there were a handful of great success stories in evidence yesterday. Atop the list is Seguin Valley GC, just outside Parry Sound. There can’t possibly be anyone in Canadian golf who has worked harder to improve the situation of their course than General Manager Gail Burrows. The first year Burrows came aboard (2014), Seguin did 7,500 rounds. Last year they were just shy of 16,000. And the club’s trio of stay-and-play lakeside cabins sold out every weekend during the 2019 season. Their stay-and-play specials at the show included a serious deal of $219.95 plus tax per person (until June 18), which includes 36 holes with cart, overnight in one of the rustic cabins, and one dinner and one breakfast. Seguin is also a hot spot for weddings and events, and superintendent Darwin Howard has done an exceptional job keeping that scenic track in outstanding condition in recent years, as I can personally attest.
Now, if they can just get that dang driving range approved.

4. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia was again at the Toronto Golf & Travel Show. I didn’t really see any presence from Cabot Links/Cliffs, but my personal favourite course in Canada, Highlands Links, was prominent. There was also a little media reception last night on the show floor, replete with some live local music, food and beverage, courtesy The Lakes at Ben Eoin (pronounced “ben won”) and Breton Air, with further support from Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport, Glen Breton whisky, Breton Brewing and Nova Scotia Spirit Co. I got to play the Graham Cooke-designed The Lakes (dumb name but great property) just after it opened and hope to get back there to see how things have evolved. The club, which is a half-hour from Sydney, purchased the neighbouring Birches inn (11 rooms) last year and have also constructed 12 two-bedroom chalets. They’ve additionally renovated the home of the former resort owners, Larry and Barb MacPherson, who, sadly, have both passed away in recent years. The home is now a great venue for overnight wedding parties. Incidentally, the club hoped to lure three to five wedding in the coming year, but have already booked 17!

5. Another huge success story from Cape Breton is the newly founded Breton Air. Operated by retired Royal Canadian Air Force captains Parker Horton and Matt Wallace, the island’s premier helicopter company got up and running last July and have—literally and figuratively—taken off since then. If you fly in to Sydney, the charter company has a pair of options: 206LR (Long Ranger) single-engine helicopter that can accommodate and foursome and their luggage and clubs and ferry you to, say, Cabot Links in 30 minutes. The larger, more luxurious Bell 412HP (High-Performance) twin-engine model can accommodate eight players and get you to Cabot in just 20 minutes. You can also book one-way trips with rental cars, which the company will help pre-arrange. Your party can book the smaller helicopter for $1,800 an hour, and the big model for $6,000 an hour. I can just imagine how memorable that ride must be, skirting the Cape Breton cliffs, with mountains, eagles, moose and other assorted wildlife below.

6. Another great golf course deal that stood out from yesterday was Port Severn’s Oak Bay. Two can play for $99 (carts included). Each ticket is valid for two players any time of day Monday to Thursday for the 2020 season.

7. Best high-end travel deal? That had to be Merit Travel’s Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic. If you haven’t been there, this place is a five-star resort for golf purists. As an example of the options, starting on May 1, for $1,459, you get five nights in a Superior Casita (double occ.), unlimited golf at Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links courses, a four-passenger golf cart to ferry you around the 1,000-acre resort, free premium food and beverage, unlimited horseback riding and tennis courts, one round of shooting, non-motorized watersports, etc. It doesn’t include airfare, but this is a major deal for such a luxury destination. And if you book by March 31, you save 15%!

8. Coolest golf getaway for real Canadians? That goes to Golf Away Tours’ golf-and-curling Sweep and Swing Tour for October 2021: five rounds including both Carnoustie courses, Kingsbarns, the New Course at St Andrews and Dunbarnie; eight nights’ accommodations split between Carnoustie and Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews, a two-day international bonspiel, all transfers and several meals, among other extras. Last year the tour included legendary curlers Glenn Howard and John Morris, and Golf Away organizers says you expect more of the same for the coming excursion.

9. Places I need to get back to include Virginia, as I was reminded during a quick stop yesterday. Apart from the fact that there are amazing properties like Kingsmill, Primland and The Homestead, Virginia is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the union, including some premium wineries like Barboursville, Blenheim (owned by renowned musician Dave Matthews) and River Hill Wine & Spirits.