Awesome Golf in the Mont Tremblant region
The heart of the Laurentians is home to some of
Canada’s finest golf courses.
Holes 4 and 5 of La Bete at Gray Rocks alongside Le Diable River
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Right
from the get-go the most notable golf courses in Canada generally had
one thing in common. Even before earth moving machines began shaping
their layouts, each of the existing landscapes was decidedly special.
Mother Nature had provided parcels of land so superbly scenic and
geographically interesting, they were perfect putty from which to mould
memorable tracks. Moreover, none of these special places is finer than
Quebec’s Mont Tremblant region, 90 minutes north of Montreal.
Here in the heart of the Laurentian Mountains, amidst the physical
beauty of this all-seasons playground, distinguished designers have
created some of the top golf courses in the country.
Renowned courses, beautiful surroundings
At over 80 years old, the most seasoned of the region’s courses
is La Belle (The Beauty), a classic mountain layout appropriately named
for its scenic splendour. Attached to Gray Rocks Resort, a year-round
vacation complex situated on the shores of pristine Lake Ouimet, this
well groomed track that meanders through lush mountain valleys was not
designed to beat golfers up, rather to give them a pleasant day on the
links.
It could be argued that La Belle’s
sister course, La Bête (The Beast), is also appropriately named. This
championship track designed by prominent Quebec architect, Graham
Cooke, is tough and tricky. But for players who can manage
strategically placed shots, The Beast is capable of being tamed. No
matter who comes out on top, golfer or Beast, play on this course
guarantees a memorable experience.
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Gray Rocks Resort has a rich
100 year history
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Marc Atchison, former editor of the
Toronto Star’s annual Canadian golf guide said, “I played La Bête in a
beating down rainstorm but the course was so good I never considered
stopping. Every hole is magnificent.”
Just down the road from
Gray Rocks are the Intrawest-owned, Tremblant Resort’s celebrated
sister tracks Le Géant (The Giant) and Le Diable (The Devil), plus a
state-of-the-art teaching academy. Lying cheek to jowl with the
sprawling Tremblant Resort village, Le Géant was designed by master
architect Thomas McBroom. This awesome track demands precision
shot-making to combat its somewhat narrow fairways, numerous elevation
changes, few flat lies and 52 silica sand bunkers. “This is one of
McBroom’s best works,” said Atchison. “He excels at crafting courses
out of mountain terrains.” With panoramic vistas from every hole, Le
Geant’s elevated tees and greens provide added drama to a course that
many consider the most challenging in the area.
Sister course, Le Diable is
as immaculately groomed as its sibling and barely less challenging.
This championship, Arizona-style course features long fairways that
thread through stands of red pine forest and memorable elements include
a proliferation of expansive waste bunkers, 44 rust-red sand traps and
two man-made lakes.
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Le Diable at Tremblant is a championship course
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Le Diable is currently being re-branded as a prestigious Raven course,
an Intrawest-owned brand founded on the principles of outstanding
course conditions and quality customer service. The re-branding will
unfold over the next couple of years but for the present Le Diable will
retain its name for the local market.
The latest addition to the cluster of Tremblant area courses is Le
Maître (The Master), a Clublink project co-designed by celebrated
pro golfer, Fred Couples, and architects Graham Cooke and Darrell
Huxham. “The variety and natural beauty of the site made me
realize we could design something very special,” said Couples
about his first design project in Canada. “I enjoy a course where
I can clearly see the hazards and layout of a hole from the tee so I
can decide the best way to play it. The challenge comes from the
location and placement of hazards, greens and course shaping. I think
we have those ingredients at Le Maître.”
Bordering the scenic Diable River, its layout embodies three different
characteristics that alternate from typical Laurentian woodland; to
Scottish links-style golf; to a wetland landscape reminiscent of
Carolina low country.
Le Maitre is a Clublink members' course with limited access. However,
guests of affiliated Tremblant hotels can arrange stay/play packages at
participating properties that include: Fairmont Hotel, Quintessence
Hotel, Chateau Beau Vallon, Grand Lodge, Marriott Hotel, Club Tremblant
and Comfort Inn.
Minutes from Tremblant
village is the 18-hole Royal Laurentian, a family-owned operation whose
impressive garden landscaping and impeccable conditioning belie plenty
of challenge.
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La Belle is noted for its scenery
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In addition to 80 sand traps, the course’s layout has the
wet stuff on 13 holes and unless golfers can walk on water they will
use the 16 bridges that make the course navigable. Overall, this is a
good value track that provides an enjoyable round for all skill levels.
Après golf
One
of the area’s most popular attractions is the Tremblant Resort’s
extensive pedestrian village, an alpine enclave that gets more than 2.5
million visitors a year. With its mountainside maze of cobblestone
streets and charming pastel buildings, it looks like it was snatched
off a mountainside in Switzerland and transplanted in Tremblant. In
terms of entertainment it has it all: bistros, outdoor cafes, 42
restaurants, 45 shops, spas, movie theatre, bars and nightlife
hotspots. A water sports centre offers sailing, waterskiing, canoeing,
kayaking, windsurfing and boat tours. The Tremblant Activity Centre
arranges horseback riding and ATV tours.
TRAVEL PLANNER
Gray Rocks: see www.grayrocks.com or call 1-800-567-6744
Tremblant: see www.tremblant.ca or call 1-866-274-7731
Le Maitre: see www.clublink.ca or call 1-819-425-9888
Royal Laurentian: www.royallaurentien.com or call 1-800-465-3769
Accommodations:
Grey Rocks, Tremblant and Royal Laurentian have a variety of hotel
and/or other resort accommodations. Prices vary widely and they can be
obtained by calling the properties’ toll free number or going online.
Other accommodations not connected to the golf courses can be found on
the internet at www.laurentians.com.
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