Golf travel tourism in Ontario represents significant untapped potential, experts say.
Speaking with Dug Stevenson, Executive Director at the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board, one theme begins to emerge: Ontario tourism leaders are recognizing the untapped economic potential of golf tourism.
“For me, it’s about affordability for the quality of golf courses you get throughout Ontario,” he told the Ontario Golf Travel Report in August 2023. “If you look at the quality of golf you get here in Ontario, the caliber of course you get to play for the price, the value is here. You typically pay $100 a round in our area with a few exceptions.”
Mr. Stevenson points out Ontario courses are consistently ranked in the Top 100 for courses throughout Canada.
“Black Bear Ridge, for example, is consistently ranked within the top 100 of all golf courses,” he explained, pointing out that rankings matter when folks are making golf travel decisions. “We have other courses depending on who you ask that are just as good as the top-ranked courses in the country and in other areas they are not as affordable — being affordable and quality is the key.”
Mr. Stevenson explains overnight package golf tourism in Ontario is in its infant stage as just recently the reputation of golf throughout the province has risen in stature.
“We have done a lot of work to promote golf as we don’t have the reputation for it,” he said pointing out the region of Bay of Quinte and Ontario has traditionally been an outdoors focused tourism draw revolving more around fishing. “A lot started because of the Golf in Ontario partnership and programming by Brad at Foreward Business Consulting and others in the space, so we are beginning to be more of a popular golf destination. But we’re still in our infant stage.”
About a 90-minute jaunt from metropolitan Toronto, Mr. Stevenson explains historically the Bay of Quinte is known for world renowned fishing, Walleye in particular.
“The outdoors has always been huge for us,” he said. “We have 1,200 kilometers of shoreline in the Bay of Quinte and we’re a half-hour drive from Lake Ontario. The municipalities have invested well in ensuring green space. It’s really a beautiful place to be. I mean, when you are golfing here, you are golfing in the woods.”
Pointing out the world-class hatchery, impeccable green spaces and picturesque bodies of water, Mr. Stevenson is bullish on the prospects for golf tourism in and around Bay of Quinte.
“I think there’s a lot of room for growth as we are so close to the Toronto area and so affordable,” he said of golf tourism in Ontario “We’re not trying to be a high-end destination. We want to be a place where you can spend $1,000 and be good with that.”
A unique golf adventure in the Bay of Quinte in Ontario
When you play a round in Ontario one is likely to encounter the owner of the place playing alongside or driving by tending to their property, Mr. Stevenson explains.
“I’m excited when people come here because they meet the people who run the business,” he said. “When you come to check in at courses around here you are often checking in with the owner of the course. Just last week, we were at Trillium Wood, and we are turning up to the ninth hole and the owner is there just hanging, chatting with golfers.”
An analysis of the past few years’ figures reveals that BOQ has grown exponentially and has become one of Ontario’s number one golf destinations. Thousands of golfers, hundreds of thousands of dollars in economic impact, and even better, the properties are seeing the value. Belleville is a golf town, there is no denying that.
The people and personality of Ontario are illustrated by the folks who make it special, and Mr. Stevenson contends when you play a round here you cannot help but feel that hospitality.
“I think that kind of experience makes a visit special, and you can’t help but feel the authenticity of that,” he said. “I’m excited because we are finally beginning to be known as a golf destination and what will follow is the investment in further tourism product.”
