The Association of Golf Course Owners of Quebec (A.T.G.Q.) and Tourism Quebec are promoting Quebec as a golfing destination.
Quebec is of special interest to golfers within a 10-hour drive of Montreal, living in Ontario, the Greater Toronto area and Northeast USA, including the New England and Mid-Atlantic States.
First golf club in North America
"Quebec is the birthplace of golf in North America," says Jacques Landry, general manager and project director for Playgolfinquebec.com. "The first golf club in North America was the Royal Montreal Golf Club, which was founded in 1873."
The website, Playgolfinquebec.com, provides information on more than 30 hotels, resorts and golf courses in five regions of Quebec: Greater Montreal, Greater Quebec City, Charlevoix, the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships.
Golf courses
According to Landry, the quality of golf courses and golf resorts on the website is assured by strict admission requirements. The hotels and resorts are four-star and five-star, and golf clubs must meet specific standards for greens fees, golf cart fleets and full service clubhouses.
"The golf courses on Playgolfinquebec.com are very diverse," says Landry. He cites the following examples: the Irish Course and Island Course at the Ile de Montreal Golf Club, the Don Quichotte Course, at Atlantide Golf Club, near Montreal, the La Prairie Course on the south shore, the Mont-Tremblant golf courses in the Laurentians and Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club, in the Charlevoix, east of Quebec City.
Junior golfers
Kerry Donohue, project manager for Playgolfinquebec.com, describes the user-friendly website. "Visitors can search for golf courses by clicking on a Quebec region in the drop-down menu or by clicking on an image in the photo gallery," she says. Golf course information includes yardage, slope, tees, replay rates, practice facilities, cost for range balls, availability of electric or gas carts, golf academies and if walking is permitted.
"Most of the regions are great for family vacations. The website lists if junior golfers are welcome and if there are any age or time restrictions."
Golf vacations
For each hotel and resort, the website provides useful information on number of rooms, parking, Internet availability, dining and children stay free programs.
"Visitors can create customized golf holidays, though Merit Golf Vacations, the largest golf tour operator in Canada." says Donohue. A Trip Quote tab allows them to quickly obtain information on a golf vacation that caters to golfers and non-golfers, as well as the type of holiday (mountain resort, self catering etc.). Merit Golf Vacations handles delivery of travel vouchers.
Golf packages
An Golf Packages & Specials tab directs visitors to packages such as Tee Off in the Montreal Region and Tee Off in the Quebec Region.
To help visitors plan their golf trips, Playgolfinquebec.com includes links to Tourisme Quebec and Via Rail. A Quebec map pinpoints the regions covered by the website.
Visitors can download a colourful Quebec golf brochure or request additional information by e-mail or a toll-free phone number.
