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Golf Cape Breton Island
Published July 21, 2025
in Canada
, Nova Scotia
On the Road Again
Golf Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
by Dave Finn as published in the July 2025 issue of Golf Central Magazine
“On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again
I can’t wait to get on the road again…”
Willy Nelson’s words reflect a rebellious time in my life in the 80s, when my wife and I took that suggestion literally and went “walkabout.” We boldly sold our house, quit our jobs and took our two children out of school to embark on a nine-month odyssey throughout Australia and the South Pacific, including six weeks in an RV motorhome exploring all of New Zealand.
Golf Vancouver Island – Play on Island Time
Published April 22, 2025
in British Columbia
, Canada
Golf Vancouver Island – ‘Play on Island Time’
By Dave Finn as published in Volume 26 Issue 1 of Golf Central Magazine
Located on Canada’s Pacific coast, this evergreen destination has been voted the #1 Best Island Destination in North America by Travel + Leisure Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.
Experience the wild with the Indigenous
Why? Because the island offers something for everyone. You can view Orcas, Humpback whales, sea lions and dolphins in their natural habitat, fish for salmon, mountain bike, savour the freshest seafood anywhere or relax in a luxurious spa that caters to your every need.
The Vancouver Island Golf Trail encompasses four regions, 12 golf courses and 12 accommodation partners. Golf Magazine calls it “one of the best deals in the continent.” In this issue, I want to focus on the largely undiscovered Comox Valley and Campbell River regions, which offers four unique and memorable golf experiences.
Naturally Pacific Resort – Campbell River BC
Published April 20, 2025
in British Columbia
, Canada
DOIN’ WHAT COMES NATURALLY
As published in the April 2025 Issue 30 of Planet Golf Review Magazine.
When the Mailman family acquired the Sequoia Springs golf course in Campbell River in 2017, daughter Amanda, a fourth-generation Vancouver Islander, had a vision for the property that exceeded expectations. She realized her dream in May 2024 with the grand opening of the Naturally Pacific Resort.
First impressions count and as I scan the lobby, I absorb all the details that individually are interesting but together make a statement. The décor is contemporary, but the elements of land, sea and sky are evident. The soft blues and greens of the textured cloth walls harmonize perfectly with the earth-toned furnishings, creating a tranquil, welcoming and elegant feel.
Pining in North Vancouver Island Canada
Published April 20, 2025
in British Columbia
, Canada
Pine for Cedars on North Vancouver Island
As published in the April 2025 Issue 30 of Planet Golf Review Magazine
Within minutes of leaving the Victoria airport, I find myself on Malahat Drive. Tall standing cedars line the road. Wise, old sentinels that part now and then to offer glimpses of Saanich Inlet and the surrounding mountains. Cedar has been considered a sacred tree associated with protection and purification for centuries. Stepping out of the car to breathe in their heady perfume, I feel the healing power of nature and know I’m blessed to be back on Vancouver Island.
Saanich Inlet viewed from the Malahat Skywalk
Now it’s time to head north to explore new territory; the Comox Valley.
A Tale of Two Cities – Surrey & Victoria BC
A Tale of Two Cities
Jane heads to British Columbia in search of culinary delights from around the world on the Spice Trail, while being protected by a wolf at a sacred site
by Jane Finn, Photography by David Finn as published in the April 2023 Edition of Planet Golf Review Magazine
The snow-covered peaks loom large, piercing the sky before tapering off to meet the sea. As we descend into Vancouver, I have a bird’s eye view of the raw, rugged terrain and dancing lights below. Sandwiched between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, British Columbia’s natural beauty is breathtaking and draws me back time and time again. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best places on the planet to hike, ski, canoe, or golf. Still, on this trip, I want to spend time exploring smaller cities and the diversity of culture, cuisine, history and entertainment that makes BC not only an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise but a world-class destination.
Canada’s Wine Country – Message in a Bottle
Message in a Bottle – Canada’s Wine Country
“A bottle of white, a bottle of red, perhaps a bottle of rose instead.”
Join Jane Finn as she savours the flavours and philosophy of Canada’s Wine Country.
By Jane Finn, Photography by Dave Finn as published in Issue 20 of Planet Golf Review Magazine
Writing this article was a challenge. Not because I had to sample so many delectable wines to make sure you would be delighted with my picks, but because Canada’s wine scene is as varied and diverse as the country’s landscape. From coast to coast, I’ve had the privilege of meeting passionate growers and world-class winemakers. I’ve walked with them in their vineyards, visited their cellars and spent more than a bit of time in their tasting rooms learning how to pair, serve, buy and enjoy a good bottle of wine. I’ve also gained a whole new appreciation for the vision, grit, and determination it takes to produce award-winning wines by listening to the stories of people who make a life and a living, sharing their labour of love.
Moe Norman – A Canadian Golf Legend
The unique, quirky, uber-talented Moe Norman
By Paul Knowles
Moe Norman is a legend among golfers everywhere. Moe, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 75, was renowned for consistently making perfect golf shots. His swing has been praised and admired by hundreds of golfers up to and including Tiger Woods himself. Moe was also known as the quirkiest good golfer ever – an introvert, described as “slightly autistic” as well as “a savant.” His skill was unquestioned, but his struggles with learning disabilities and self-esteem robbed him of the success he could undoubtedly have achieved on the biggest stages of golf.
He was born in Kitchener, Ontario, and during his finest playing days, was primarily associated with Rockway Golf Course, the municipal course in the heart of Kitchener. But in his later years, Moe was mostly found hanging around Foxwood Golf Course, west of Waterloo, because Moe liked to spend time with his friend, advisor, and advocate – Gus Maue, at that time owner of Foxwood.
You can find dozens of Moe Norman anecdotes through a simple search on the internet. And in the works is a Moe Norman movie, the project of Canadian moviemaker David Carver, who told me that some big Canadian names are on board: famed Canadian comedian and actor David Steinberg and his wife, Robyn Todd “are executive producers, and Wayne and Janet Gretzky are co-producers.” Carver hopes to start production of the movie this fall, depending on the availability of a still-to-be-named director and actors.
This movie will tell the Moe Norman story to the world. But Gus Maue has a store of other, more private, and poignant Moe Norman stories – and he sat down to share some of them for this article. So, this is not an exhaustive, biographical piece – it’s a collection of powerful stories about Canada’s quirkiest – yet internationally revered – golf legends, a man who Gus simply describes as “a golf genius.”
Gus Maue – The Legendary Canadian Golf Professional
Gus Maue: A life in golf… and he ain’t done yet
By Paul Knowles
A chat with Ontario golf icon Gus Maue is never really over – his supply of fascinating stories about golf and golfers is unending. We talked about a slew of golfing greats who have crossed paths with Gus – Arnold Palmer, David Feherty, Raymond Floyd, Al Balding, Moe Norman, and many more.
So, when Gus called me the day after our interview, to tell me about some important characters he had forgotten to mention, I wasn’t surprised – until he told me who these “characters” were. Their names were Willie and Bowdy. Willie was a black Labrador Retriever. And Bowdy was a yellow lab who gained national attention for his ability to find and retrieve golf balls.
Gus Maue has been involved with several golf courses, both as the pro and as owner – over the span of his storied career. One such – Foxwood – is located west of Waterloo. Foxwood is now part of the Golf North chain, which acquired it from Gus 19 years ago – but during the years Gus owned and operated the course, his pet dogs lived on the property. Continue reading
Oops – A Canadian Guide to Pandemic Golf
Par for Pandemic Golf
By Paul Knowles
We’re all familiar with the vocabulary of the golf course, which ranges from the congratulatory to the scatological and often profane. But this year, the most common utterance may be one seldom heard before on the links: “Oops!”
Today, that’s the go-too word every time we forget – or hopefully, almost forget but remember just in time – the new pandemic golf protocols that let us play our old familiar game that just isn’t familiar, any more. Reach out to shake hands… “Oops!” Touch the flagstick. “Oops!” Get in the wrong cart by accident. “Oops!” Walk into the men’s room and find one, just one, other guy in there. “Oops,” said while backing out apologetically.
The feeling that we’ve entered another, slightly off-kilter dimension starts upon arrival at our course. We proceed directly to the clubhouse, carefully distancing ourselves from anyone also on that same mission. We don’t bring our clubs – they stay in the trunk – we don’t shake hands or give the ol’ shoulder-chuck to anyone. We stand on designated spots, replete with posted warnings, awaiting our turn to check in.
Sault Ste. Marie – Simply Superior
SIMPLY SUPERIOR
Exploring the Past, Experiencing the Present
by Jane Finn as published in the November 2019 Issue 14 of Planet Golf Review
Sault Ste. Marie, ON – In our technologically-driven society, we’re always on or at least we pretend to be, so when you need a ‘break from life’, I can’t think of a better place to reconnect with yourself and nature than Sault Ste. Marie. Nestled along the banks of the St. Mary River, this friendly and diverse community of 73.000 people is the perfect gateway to Lake Superior, in area, the world’s largest fresh water lake and the pristine, rugged wilderness that surrounds it.
Whitefish Island – Sault St. Marie
After dropping our bags at our hotel, an easy stroll along the boardwalk found us crossing the narrow bridge atop the locks to Whitefish Island also known as Bawaating. Legend has it that when the Chiefs of all the First Nations needed to find a meeting place to gather without boundaries, a place to exchange information, ideologies, trade goods, and socialize, they sent out a crane to find the perfect gathering space. He led them to Bawaating, the place where the fast water flows and he chose well. Hundreds of years later, it remains a place with no borders except those created by Mother Earth, a place to align mind, body and spirit and heal.