From Panmure Island Provincial Park I moved to Linkletter Provincial Park. It was a nice change from Panmure. Much more professionally run and way better set up. More of the sites had a view of the water and the bridge to the island. My first night there I had quite a chat with some people who were tent camping from New Brunswick and then a couple in a big class A motor-home from Alberta. They were very experienced and gave me quite a few tips on places to stay in the west. They were headed all the way to Newfoundland. The following night I spent some time with a group of people, some of whom had some musical talent and were sitting around the campfire, playing guitars and singing. It was quite enjoyable, until the mosquito started pestering me.
Golf wasn't really on the agenda at this stop, but I did end up playing the Summerside Golf Club that was recently renamed PEI Oceanview Resort and Golf. They have big plans for the place. Unfortunately for me, they haven't yet built the 9 holes that will have views of the ocean. The course as it stands isn't anything great. I played with a father and son. We had a nice game. They were from the area, though the son is currently living and working in Fredericton. Prior to the round I had spent some time in Summerside checking out the town. There is a nice waterfront trail and a boardwalk with some shops and restaurants, a horse track and casino, etc.
My last campground on PEI this trip is Pine Hills RV Park, not far from Charlottetown. It was recommended to me by the guy from Fredericton I played with at Dundarave. I really like that park. It has quite a few amenities and is well set up. I guess being privately owned has some advantages. It is a little more per night, but it is worth it.
From Pine Hills I went to play Belvedere Golf Club on Monday, which is where Lori Kane got her start in the game. I played with a lovely couple. This is my type of course, mature, parkland, easy to walk. The overall conditioning could be a little bit better. We had a nice game. They suggested the courses I should play the next two days, my last ones on PEI.
The following day I played Fox Meadow. It is a newer course, which is quite hilly, has strategically placed bunkers and large greens. I played with three local guys who don't play much golf. They provided quite a bit of comic relief. I managed to keep my composure and play quite well. They said I was the best golfer they had ever played with. Some of the vistas would have been prettier a few years earlier, before the housing subdivisions started encroaching on the course. We didn't see any fox(s), though I did see one at Belvedere yesterday and also at Crowbush after the big rainstorm.
My final round on PEI was at Stanhope Golf and Country Club. The course is a combination of park land and links style. There are some holes on the back 9 near the water, with nice views. The front nine is rather boring. Overall the course is in very poor condition, other than the greens. There are a lot of weeds and some places with hard pan. The greens are tricky with many flags tucked behind large mounds that make approach shots challenging. The course was quite dry. I played with a couple of brothers, the older one was 82, I'm guessing the younger one was 64. They were perfect gentlemen. The pace of play was painfully slow with two groups on some tee decks. I kind of lost interest part way around due to the poor conditioning and the slow pace of play. I won't be playing this course on any future trips to the island.
For my last supper on the island, I treated myself to the New Glasgow Lobster Supper Restaurant. I have heard the advertisements on the radio and seen the flyers around, so I had to try it. It really was the best place for lobster on the island that I experienced. It wasn't fun waiting in line for nearly 1 hour to get in, but for the quality and quantity of food it was worth it.
Later today I will be packing up and heading off the island and ultimately toward Pinehurst, North Carolina.
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