Golf P.E.I. hopes 'Buy Canadian' leads to another record year for Island courses
More Canadians planning golf visits at home this year rather than to the U.S., says CEO
Prince Edward Island golf operators are hoping to build on last year's record season, in part by tapping into Canadians planning trips to the province instead of the U.S.
Golf P.E.I. and its 18 member courses in the province are hoping to capitalize more than ever this year on the buy-local movement that's gained momentum in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with many countries, including Canada.
Sam MacPhail, CEO of Golf P.E.I., said many Canadians are opting to plan their golf trips to this province instead of heading south of the border.
"I think the 'buy Canadian' mentality isn't going to go away anytime soon regardless of who's the president of the United States," he said. "We're going to see that people try to keep their money in Canada."
MacPhail said all of the organization's member courses were able to open somewhat early this season, from Belfast Highland Greens in the first week of April to Dundarave on May 14.
Last year saw over 446,000 rounds played in P.E.I., an increase of 12.3 per cent compared to 2023, according to Golf P.E.I. statistics.
There were also over 200,000 paid, or non-member, rounds in 2024 for the first time in the province's history.
The parking lot was full at Charlottetown's Belvedere Golf Club last Wednesday.
Jeff Affleck, the club's operations manager, said the course was in good condition by the time it opened two weeks ago.
"Our opens have been pretty good after the last few winters. We haven't had a lot of damage," he said.
"The numbers seem very promising for more visitors coming from Canada, which is going to be very positive because [if we] get them here once, they're going to come back."
'Eagerness to play'
MacPhail said the game has also maintained and grew upon the rise in popularity it saw during COVID.
"You're seeing groups that never would have golfed before — younger folks, more women involved in the sport, more people that maybe were sidelined for many years… but decided to get back into it, and they've stayed back into it," he said.
"That eagerness to play is still there, so as long as tee times are available and it's a nice day, we're going to have people on the golf course."
Another factor that might draw more people to play on the Island — the possibility that the federal government could reduce tolls to cross the Confederation Bridge and use the Northumberland ferry service.
"Anything that invites people to come over for maybe a quick weekend trip from Moncton or Fredericton or Halifax where they're not getting dinged with a bridge toll, or a lower bridge toll, maybe that will help out," MacPhail said.
"If I could control the weather, golf would have its best year ever here, but we can't do that so we'll see how it goes this summer."
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With files from Connor Lamont