Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club

One Of The Pacesetters In Quebec Golfing

by Habeeb Salloum

Nestled majestically between the sea and the mountains 150 km (94 mi), east of Quebec City, the 5-star Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu situated between the Saint Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains has a rich tradition of hospitality, romance and elegance. However, topping these attributes is its Golf Club – one of the best golf courses in Canada’s French Canadian province of Quebec. It is rated as one of the 30 top class hotels, resorts and golf courses represented by the Association of Golf Courses of Quebec, in partnership with the Minister of Tourism of Quebec, inside the playgolfinquebec.com program.

Called a ‘Castle Resort perched on a cliff’ and 700 feet above the St. Lawrence River Le Manoir Richelieu blends the quiet charm of the countryside with the sophistication of a world-class resort. And this is not all. This ‘Castle Atop the Cliffs’ of Pointe-au-Pic includes, besides its Golf Club, an exciting world-class casino.

Located in the heart of the scenic Charlevoix region and set in stunning surroundings, Le Manoir Richelieu offers an unmatched striking view of the St. Lawrence River. Since the turn of the century, discriminating travellers from Canada and the United States have been continually coming to enjoy its rich traditions of hospitality, romance and elegance. Its breath-taking beauty has, for years, made it a haven of peace, tranquillity and pure relaxation. Not surprisingly, the magnificent landscape surrounding Le Manoir Richelieu has for long been a source of inspiration for artists.

In and not far from the hotel, outdoor activities abound. At the top of these is its 27- hole world class golf course, one of Quebec’s most famous golf courses. Located on a hill overlooking the Castle on the Cliff, it was designed by the British golf icon Herbert Strong and inaugurated in 1925 by former U.S. President William H. Taft and recently re-designed by the renowned architect Darrel Huxham who managed to showcase the natural beauty and aesthetics of the Charlevoix region.

Its surroundings, showcasing the unforgettable natural beauty of the Charlevoix region hug it in a loving embrace. This is emphasised by the 1.5 km. panoramic trail leading up to the clubhouse set on a perch, offering magnificent and breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and the encompassing mountain region of La Malbaie.

The golf experience at the Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Course begins while driving ones’ golf cart up on this trail. From their cart, golfers enjoy the magnificent vistas of the surrounding countryside. A unique and uncommon way of accessing a golf course, it adds much to a rare golf experience. There is a joke making its rounds that golfers are sent on their way from the hotel with the words: ‘We hope your best drive today is not driving up to the Clubhouse.”

One of the pacesetters in Quebec golfing, the birthplace of golf in North America, Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club has a good number of attributes that lure golfers. The three nines in which the golf course is designed offer many greenside and fairway bunkers, and the multitudes of trees and mounds that surround each reconstructed hole are somewhat unique in the golfing world.

The golf course measures between 6,066 and 6,326 yards depending on which course is played. It features wide but challenging fairways, lined with stately trees, rock outcroppings, creeping bent grass throughout, and impressive contoured mounding. Golfers will be put to the test on its undulating greens - with the breaks toward the majestic St. Lawrence River.

The Club is a must and challenging play for all levels of golfers. Above all, the Club’s design gives breathtaking and panoramic vistas to the players. It is not an exaggeration to say that golfing at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is a golf experience extraordinaire.

Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club is only one of the 30 premier class golf clubs that are offered by playgolfinquebec.com, a new initiative of Quebec’s Association of Golf Courses. Located in Greater Quebec City, Charlevoix, Greater Montreal, the Eastern Townships and the Laurentians, they all feature 4 or 5 star accommodations and are restricted to those who pass exceedingly stringent admissibility requirements.

The aim of these high calibre abodes is to make Quebec become recognized as an attractive golf travel destination, especially for those who live in Ontario and in the neighbouring north- eastern states in the U.S.A. Quebec also offers, along with its golf courses, innumerable festivals, first class fine dining, relaxing spas, interesting wine routes, whale watching and other sport activities. The hotels that are members of the playgolfinquebec.com program offer periodic exclusive packages and custom multi-course packages can be easily created.

Anyone dreaming of a golf holiday will find very few places better than those offered by playgolfinquebec.com. The province is a world of greens, as exemplified by Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club, waiting to be enjoyed by golf loversPicture # 7

For Further Information on the www.playgolfinquebec.com program golf courses see: website: www.playgolfinquebec.com or contact: Tel: 1-877-656-GOLF (4653) or E-mail: info@playgolfinquebec.com 2500 boul. Casavant Ouest, suite # 103, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 7R8

and for the

Fairmont LE MANOIR RICHELIEU Golf Club, 183, street Richelieu, Malbaie, P.Q., G5A 1X8. Tel: (418) 665-3703 or Toll Free: 1.800.441-1414. Email: reservations@fairmont.com Website: http://www.fairmontgolf.com/

A Few Pointers About the Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club:

1) Walking is not permitted – Shared Electric/gas cart are included in PRICES for 18 holes. Complimentary range balls included.

2) Practice facility on site – Private lessons: 1 hour $75 CDN + taxes.

3) Yardage: 6326 Slope: 125 3 sets of tees

4) Unscheduled replay rates are $69 CDN per person all season including shared cart and taxes.