Algonquin Golf Course to Undergo Multi-Million Dollar Upgrade
Rod Whitman Chosen to Redesign Best Course in New Brunswick
St. Andrews, New Brunswick, CANADA - Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle Hotels & Resorts, today announced that top Canadian golf course architect Rod Whitman will lead a generational repositioning of the Algonquin Resort’s highly acclaimed course. Whitman most recently gained world renown for his work on Nova Scotia’s Cabot Links, the top course in Canada and winner of the Golf Inc. 2012 Development of the Year award. Cabot Links has secured two Top 100 Worldwide rankings.
“The Algonquin Golf Course is currently recognized as the best in New Brunswick, and ranks among the top 100 courses in the country,” said Matthew MacKenzie, general manager of the resort. “We want to elevate that standing and ensure that our course, a Maritimes treasure that has been challenging and impressing golfers for more than a century, stays competitive in terms of the level of play it offers and the sheer beauty of the design. Who better than Canada’s leading golf course architect to make that happen?”
Whitman’s redesign will accentuate the natural beauty of the region, re-sculpting holes, tee boxes, bunkers and greens to optimize the golfing experience. Sightlines and views will emphasize the Bay of Fundy location and the historic town of St. Andrews.
“New golf course design is always a creative challenge,” said Whitman. “The Algonquin Resort Golf Club has a long and storied history and I am honoured to be entrusted to re-imagine this national legacy. I look forward to the opportunity to further enhance the golfing experience at this one-of a- kind, seaside resort.”
Originally constructed in 1894, The Algonquin Golf Course was redesigned and expanded with an “executive nine” for those who don’t have time for a full 18 in the 1920s. The current, 7,000-yard, par 72 course was designed in 2000 and is rated the best course in New Brunswick and ranked among the top 100 courses in Canada by Canadian Golf Magazine. It’s original clubhouse, is believed to be the oldest in the country.
According to Jim Spatz, chairman, and CEO of Southwest Properties, and Atlantic Canada’s 2015 CEO of the Year, preparation for the renovation began in the spring and currently is on hiatus to prevent disruption to summer guests. Work will resume post-season and Spatz said that he expects nine holes to open early in 2017, with the remainder slated for July 2017.
Resort reservations and golf tee times are available by calling toll free 855-529-8693 or by emailing reservations@algonquinresort.com. For additional information about the Algonquin Resort, please visit www.algonquinresort.com
About the Algonquin Resort
The Algonquin Resort, ranked among Canada's Top 10 hotels by Conde Nast Traveler, and awarded CAA's prestigious Four-Diamond designation, overlooks the picturesque Passamaquoddy Bay from St. Andrews-by-the Sea, New Brunswick, Canada. Originally opened in 1886 and meticulously renovated in 2014, the Algonquin's 233 guest rooms and suites reflect the hotel's original Victorian style while meeting the needs and desires of modern travelers. The resort features two restaurants, Braxton's Restaurant and Bar and the Clubhouse, as well as in-room and anyplace dining, 19,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, a lounge with outdoor patio, fire pits with loaner guitars, an indoor pool and waterslide, outdoor pool and hot tub. Now in its second century of service, the Algonquin is a member of the prestigious Autograph Collection and was awarded Marriott International's Best Renovation award for 2014, and also is home to the seaside Algonquin Golf Course. Ranked among Canada's top 100 courses and adjacent to the Bay of Fundy, the Algonquin Golf Course is home to two of the top ten golf tees in Canada.
The Algonquin Resort is managed by New Castle Hotels & Resorts, of Shelton Conn. and owned by a partnership between New Castle and Southwest Properties of Halifax, NS.
