Eastern Townships – Montréal

PASSIONS ARE SWINGING!
Great golf and so much more…

BY Mertiss "Jay" Thompson

Although I have visited Paris to paint, I was truly impressed with the beauty of the Eastern Townships of Montreal. One can easily luxuriate in the peaceful villages, cafés and shops of a golfer’s wonderland extending over mountains, lakes and valleys near the borders of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

A rainbow of cultural rhythms surrounds Montréal, the City of Festivals. As you tour artisan shops, art galleries or discover architectural curiosities on the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, sample its fabulous culinary traditions are a mix of worldwide recipes that have been adapted for regional tastes.

The Condotels Bromont (located in Bromont) has that provide you with a kitchenette, fireplace, Internet access, TV, air conditioning and all you’ll need for a comfortable stay .

In between your golf rounds, visit Vignoble de l’Orpailleur, located on route 202 in Dunham, where the owners have taken full advantage of the vagaries of their climate and for 23 years have continued to create fine products such as their succulent white wine.

Tee-off on these sumptuous Montréal golf courses:


Parcours du Vieux-Village, hole#9 (par 4)

Parcours du Vieux-Village was build in 1994 in Bromont, along the Yamaska River and it is a links style par-72 course. The builders kept nature and the environment in mind with their design of this public course where you can expect to pay $20-35 per round. www.golfduvieuxvillage.ca

Discover the charming town of Dunham with the Chocolate Shop, Hansel & Gretel, the Cheeses and local products: La Rumeur Affamée; the antiques shops and the general store.
Dunham was the first proclaimed Township in the area in 1796, and the first to be officially established in Lower Canada.

Visit and tasting at Domaine Pinnacle
150, ch. Richford
Frelighsburg
Téléphone: 450 298-1226
www.icecider.com
Contact : Charles Crawford, Président

Domaine Pinnacle is a family-owned orchard and cidery, dedicated to creating the world's best Ice cider. Acclaimed by wine critics, chefs and sommeliers, Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider is truly an outstanding taste experience! We invite you to discover estate-produced, one-of-a-kind, premium product line and to visit our orchard and cidery located on the southern slopes of Pinnacle Mountain in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Golf La Prarie in Montréal will challenge you with its 18 holes. The recently redesigned golf club is located on the South shore of Montréal and has corporate, member and non-member rates. This lush and scenic course was renovated for a few years and now, is absolutely beautiful. You can play a round at $20-$75.

Golf La Prarie

Club de golf La Prairie www.golf-laprairie.com, a recently redesigned golf club on the South shore of Montréal

Relax for the night at Delta Centre Ville located in the heart of downtown and adjacent to vibrant nightlife, boutique shops and eclectic cuisine. Montreal’s famous joie de vivre can be found only steps away. Enjoy dinner on the roof of Restaurant Bonaparte that overlooks the city. The Bonaparte cuisine is inspired by the French countryside. The menu, with its array of tempting suggestions, is made to satisfy the most diverse palates

Located within just a few minutes of downtown is Club de golf de l’Île-de-Montréal and features two courses unique to Montréal : Parcours de l’Île, a Championship par 70 course was recognised in 2003 as the second most beautiful public course in Québec by Golf Illustrated and Parcours de l'Irlande (links course) reflects the personality and the character of its architect as well as his country of origin. With a par 70 over 7180 yards of greenery and dunes, this course, so typical of an Irish links layout, is unique in Canada. These are priced at $35-$65 per round.

At Casino de Montréal you’ll be mesmerized by One of the world's largest gaming rooms. Its casino includes over 3,000 slot machines and 120 tables for baccarat, craps, blackjack, and roulette.

Casino de Montréal

Club de golf Atlantide is a 36 hole golf complex on the shore of Lake St-Louis. Courses: Atlantide (par 72, 6618 yards – blacks) and Don Quichoette (par 71, 6018 yards – blues). Both courses offer challenging holes, panoramic views. The Don has notoriously narrow fairways and the Atlantide, created on a plateau, has windy conditions.

Club de golf Atlantide

Club de golf Atlantide, www.golfatlantide.com, a 36 hole golf complex on the shore of Lake St-Louis

Onsite you find a large 2-storey driving range, fully equipped pro shop, electric cart rentals and spacious lockers and showers. However, the lounge reserved exclusively for Club members. Annual and corporate membership are available and rounds can be played at $36-$72.

18 holes at Parcours du Vieux-Village www.golfduvieuxvillage.ca
Built in 1994 in Bromont, along the Yamaska River, Golf du Vieux-Village is a links style par-72 course

L’Orpailleur is located in Dunham, in the Eastern Townships, near the American border. Enjoy this visit and feel free to come and see us at the vineyard where you can find our products, visit our facilities and discover an area of the province where most Québec wines are produced. Follow the wine route and don’t miss our restaurant in season and our banquet hall all year round.

Visit and enjoy a wine tasting at Vignoble Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise
879, chemin Bruce, route 202
Dunham
Téléphone: 450 295-2020
www.cotesdardoise.com

Contact : Linda Barabé, Manager of the boutique
The Domaine Côtes d’Ardoise is Dunham’s premier winery. Founded in 1980, it currently produces 14 products, all sold on-site and in selected SAQ outlets as well as the Marché des Saveurs at the Jean-Talon market in Montreal. We welcome groups by reservation for visits and/or country meals, as well as for weddings, anniversaries, etc. The staff will be happy to answer your questions.

Mertiss "Jay" Thompson (far right) at dinner with friends.

Discover the charming town of Dunham with the Chocolate Shop, Hansel & Gretel, the Cheeses and local products: La Rumeur Affamée; the antiques shops and the general store.

Dunham was the first proclaimed Township in the area in 1796, and the first to be officially established in Lower Canada. The Township municipality was set up in 1845, and the village municipality in 1867, which amalgamated in 1971 to form the town of Dunham. The first settlers arrived in about 1820.

Dunham took its name in honour of Sir Thomas Dunn, born in Durham, England and one of the 35 concession-owners in the Township in 1796. The town of Dunham is typical of the Loyalist era, with many brick and stone houses bordering Rue Principale – some over 150 years old. Note the presence of three churches: the neo-classical United Church (1847), the Anglican All Saints Church (1849) with an amazing facade and trim of cut stone, and the Sainte-Croix Catholic Church (1875) with its wood siding, located at the peak of the rise to the south.