Golf in Ontario poised for growth as vacation rental marketplace matures
A sense of community is a powerful thing — and one of the best ways for those familiar with tee times, divot repairs and pure flush shots to capture those good vibes with friends, relatives and loved ones is known collectively as ‘the golf trip.’
A golf trip is a time for fellow golfers to enjoy time away, time together and time to get all the right conditions for the perfect round for those who call the Blue Mountains region of the Ontario Province home.
The Blue Mountains offers what locals of the region call, ‘simply stunning, with rolling hills, lush forests, and sparkling lakes.”
The Blue Mountains are also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bears, and eagles, but what some may not know is a one-of-a-kind golf experience awaits those ready to explore a burgeoning exclusive experience atop emerald greens and forgiving slopes.
Sean Landreth, founder of Property Valet at Collingwood of Blue Mountains Ontario offers a leisurely, affluent golfing experience in ‘The North’ providing exclusive, private accommodations.
“When it comes to the vacation rental space here in Ontario, it is almost underutilized,” Mr. Landreth told Ontario Golf Travel Reports. “There is so much opportunity for visitors to stay at a chalet or a house and you can come home at night and grill with your friends and family. You can go for a weekend and while there — through Property Valet — you are going to stay in first-class accommodations, and you are going to being the top three course of Ontario.”
Mr. Landreth, who played golf at the collegiate level, explains the No. 1 draw for him to play golf today is the sense of community the game can create, and the golf travel experience solidifies those foundations of play.
“For me, golf is a sport of connectivity, it is the way I connect with people. You spend four hours with someone, and I have been doing this since I was 7 years old, you really get to know a person. I have played golf all round the world and you always remember those four of five hours you spend with someone — sometimes that forges a friendship, or you just chalk it up to a special day.”
Creating an environment to facilitate those special days is the acute focus of working with Golf in Ontario to create and develop golf vacations, Mr. Landreth contends.
“There are going to be great opportunities here in the fall,” he said. “Our properties offer some of the best golf of the season for September and October. One of the biggest benefits of golfing in the area during this time of the year is you do not have to have your AC on full blast.”
For practical purposes: Property Valet manages dozens of properties across Ontario and around Collingwood and the Blue Mountains, but they are not the only ones promoting rental options to add to your golf vacation.
For those interested in other locations, Ontario Golf Travel Report offers a quick peak at these two partner options:
The Black Bear Vacation Rental Package where clients can stay at either the The Wallace House, which is a 9-bed, five bath facility or The Carter House, which features an 8-bed, five bath configuration. Golf is at Black Bear Ridge – The Academy Executive Short Course.
The Bay of Quinte Golf and Country Club Stay-and-Play Rental Units where clients can stay at The Big House or The Dormie House, which representatives say are spacious residential-style accommodations designed specifically for large groups wanting to spend time together in a clean, comfortable environment on a premier golf course in the Quinte area. Golf is more than 6,000 acres of parkland joy.
This partnership with property Property Valet offers untapped golf travel experiences in one of the top leisure travel areas of the province
The vacation rental program for golf travel is a new — and affordable — way to enjoy some of the best regions and golf courses the world can offer. The property portfolio of Property Valet can make the picturesque dreams of any golfer, Canadian or abroad, come true.
“We have a great product in our properties through Property Valet and a number of area courses that understand the value of tourism,” he explained. “Honestly, one of our challenges is making sure the tee times are ready for our guests as they come to the Blue Mountains. The more tee times, the better for everyone.”
Mr. Landreth points out a critical perspective for golf travel: the midweek travel circuit.
“There are some things you can to do be frugal if you want,” he said. “If you go midweek — like Tuesday through Thursday — you are going to get the best rates no matter the season — those tee times you want will be there.”
Mr. Landreth says he is optimistic about the future of golf in Ontario.
“My first instinct is more golf course will be built,” he said in response to being asked what the vacation rental space can do for Canadian golf tourism. “I think then when you have the tee times that are not always booked up, we will see revenues increase and we will develop a better product and you will continue to meet and create new demand.”
