Atlantic Zone Championship / Stanhope Open
Stanhope Golf & Country Club will host 9-11 August
This year the CPGA Atlantic Zone Championship will be held in conjunction with
the Stanhope Open, on 9-11 August. The weekend tournament will be launched with
a corporate pro-am on Friday, followed by a pro-am banquet in the evening.
Championship play will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Tim Horton’s are the
sponsor and the event is presented by Wilson Sports.
“The Stanhope Open has been a very successful, long running event attracting
a large amateur field and a small professional field,” advised host
professional, Shannon Grinton. “Recently, with sponsorship from Tim Horton’s and
the Maritime Tour, more professionals have participated. This year, as we are
playing our Atlantic Zone Championship during the event, we are expecting a
larger professional field.”
Located in the heart of the PEI’s “beaches district,” Stanhope Golf & CC is a
mature, well-maintained course with a definite links feel. How could anyone
resist the temptation to enjoy competitive golf and a festive atmosphere at a
great facility on picturesque Prince Edward Island ?
The 6,600-yard, par 72 course, designed by Robbie Robinson, was opened in
1970. At first glance you may think the course will be easy, due to a lack of
tree lined fairways, however, the smaller than average greens, ponds and
mounding throughout the layout insist that you put your best effort into proper
tee shot placement.
Host professional Shannon Grinton describes, “ The mounding around our greens
will challenge your accuracy off the tee. You may not be in trees, if you stray
right or left, however, you won’t have a good angle to the flag on your approach
shot. The course is fairly wide open but you still have to position your shots
so you have a good approach to the flag.”
“ Being this near the water we can get fairly breezy days,” adds Grinton. “
You don’t have to throw much grass in the air to see if it’s windy. Your club
selection, on many of the holes, may vary a great deal from one round to the
next. You’ll use every club in your bag on this course.”
One hole in particular where wind and club selection will play a crucial role
is the 171-yard, par 3, thirteenth. The long, narrow green has water in front
and on both sides.
The mounds in back are not inviting either. Although he has recorded an ace
here, Shannon admits it’s not a hole where he has enjoyed the most success.
“This is the hole most golfers remember. You ‘re normally faced with a cross
wind on your tee shot, so picking the right club is crucial. I’ve hit everything
from a seven iron to a two iron, depending on the wind. It’s a tough hole to
find land, let alone get your par,” he laughs.
The pars fives at Stanhope are relatively short, but the par fours, with six of
them over 400 yards, make up the difference.
“ Our par fours can make or break a good round,” says Shannon. “If you can
make pars on the fours, you can attack the par fives and have a chance at a low
score.”
As for favorites to win the 2002 open, “Kevin Dugas is a favorite every time
he tees it up,” admits Grinton, “and Stu Musgrave has the game needed to win
here.”
Dugas, the defending champion, recorded 69-68 = 137, seven under
par in his victory last year. What about Grinton’s chances? “I’ve seen
improvement in my game lately, so if I can put two good rounds together, who
knows ? I’ll be trying, but the player who hits it long, knows where the best
positions are and keeps the ball there and is comfortable playing in the wind,
will come out on top.”
Located only twenty minutes from downtown Charlottetown, Stanhope has a very
active membership of 500. Several of the members have cottages in the area, but
most are residents of the city and its suburbs. If your family would like to go
to the beach, while you’re at the club, Brackley Beach is only five miles away.
“We have a wonderful social club,” says Grinton. “We get great participation
in our club tournaments, because the members love to play golf.”
Mixed tournaments take place in the spring and fall; summer events include
the President’s Classic, single and double match play events, club championships
and scrambles; in October novelty events are held, such as String and Tombstone
competitions and Tough Guy and Tough Girl tournaments. Ladies days are held on
Tuesday and Thursday mornings and men’s’ night takes place on Thursday. Junior
clinics are conducted twice a week.
Stanhope Golf & Country Club has ten owners, including their current
president, Bev Simpson, who is well known as the president of Vesey’s Seeds, who
also distribute Club Car golf cars. Another of the original owners was the late
Harry McLaughlin, who died earlier this year. Harry was well known and respected
for his involvement in several successful golf ventures on “the island.”
“There is a terrific sense of community among the owners,” remarks Grinton.
“They look upon the golf course, not only as a business, but as a facility that
benefits the entire community. Continuing to improve the property, a full
irrigation system was installed last fall. The owners want to make sure that
Stanhope continues among the leading golf facilities in the province.”
The upper level of the Stanhope clubhouse consists of a fully stocked proshop
with a very helpful and knowledgeable staff, also a licensed lounge, restaurant
and offices. Club manager is Rena MacLeod. On the lower floor are locker rooms
and club storage. A large golf car fleet is available and practice putting green
and range are nearby. Golf lessons may be arranged with Shannon. Green fee rates
are $ 45.00 + tax in mid season up to 15 September. After that, the shoulder
season rate is $ 35.00 + tax . Golf cars are $ 30.00 and rental clubs and
handcarts are available. For tee times and information call 902-672-2842.
The next time you go to PEI, play a round at Stanhope. You’ll
have a great time!
