The last words my husband said to me when I left for the five-star Fox Harb’r Resort in Nova Scotia was, “What if you come back a golfer?” Ha! Like that was possible. Sure, I was going to take a lesson and even attempt nine holes at what is considered one of the most beautiful courses in Canada, with its rugged Scottish feel and stunning cliffside ocean setting. But this was for work – and there was no way I was going to take up the sport that I have long considered the epitome of uncool. With its early tee times, dorky attire and elitist history, it’s always been completely at odds with my gen-X grunge and skater worldview.
That said, golf has been dogging me my whole life; I took lessons at 12 at the behest of my grandfather. And I dated an assistant course pro all through high school. (When I met him he was wearing a Ramones T-shirt and had a punk-rock haircut. Little did I know, he spent most of his time in a collared shirt and Titleist cap.) Later, I reluctantly took a summer job working at the pro shop and clubhouse of our local course – thanks again, Grandpa! – which eventually helped me land a much-needed post-university gig at Nevada Bob’s Golf Store in downtown Toronto. I refer to that time as my “lost year,” selling Big Bertha drivers and golf shoes. But it was here that I honed my swing, endlessly hitting balls into a net in the back of the store. That was 25 years ago, and I haven’t felt the need to pick up a wood, iron or wedge since.
Nova Scotia’s Fox Harb’r Resort worked its magic on the author, a one-time reluctant putter, who now sees Caddyshack in a whole different light. Photo: Courtesy Shanda Dezeil
That is, until I touched down at Fox Harb’r, the resort that the late Tim Hortons donut king Ron Joyce built in 2000, and which is now run by his son, Steven. After only two days at this coastal wonderland, golf is all I can think about. OK, I also can’t get the food off my mind. I’d wear slacks, a visor and knock balls into holes all day if it meant I could have fresh lobster at every meal, as you do here – in the eggs benedict at breakfast, on a roll at lunch and boiled to perfection at dinner.
But back to the greens. To play the same links that Tiger Woods called “quiet and peaceful” – and where he shot a course-record 63 in 2009 – I was going to need a refresher. Enter Jeremy Briggs, one of three lesson pros at the resort. Now, I’ve met my fair share of course pros and let’s not sugar-coat this – they’re arrogant. But not at Fox Harb’r, where Maritime friendliness trumps all. Briggs was born in Nova Scotia and lived in P.E.I., and he points out that from right here on the driving range, we can look out over the ocean and see the island in the distance.
The vistas from the ocean-side course are breathtaking. Photo: Courtesy Fox Harb’r
Shy and reserved, Briggs does way more observing and quiet encouraging than anything else. And the little tips he passes on – things like “grip the club with the pressure you’d use if you were holding a baby bird” and “once your chin hits your shoulder, your backswing is done” – make a world of difference. By the end of the hour, the muscle memory has returned, and Briggs remarks that whoever taught me the stance and swing did a decent job. But I have to ask: “Will any of this work for me tomorrow when I’m actually playing nine holes, for the very first time in decades?” He gives a shy shrug, and I appreciate the honesty.
I also appreciate whoever came up with the pairings for the next day’s 7 a.m. tee time. I had the great fortune of being matched with Kyle Bodnarchuk, a casual golfer I had met on the trip who I knew would be chill about my slow play and utter ignorance. And rounding out our threesome was none other than Mac Boucher, Canada’s most popular golf influencer, with more than half a million Instagram followers. The former Canadian tour pro is a trick-shot master – he’ll tee off with an upside-down driver and hit bunker shots backwards over his own head. And his signature move is the slinger, a long drive that makes a massively curved arc down the fairway, landing inches from the hole – an absolutely awesome sight to see.
Photo: Courtesy Fox Harb’r
But this morning, I can barely see Boucher standing in front of me, let alone the trajectory of his ball, thanks to an unrelenting blanket of pea soup fog. That means I also can’t take in the full beauty of a round at Fox Harb’r. A separate tour on a clear day reveals a covered bridge, vineyards, marina and lighthouse all integrated into the course. Since I’ve been, they’ve even opened more holes along the coast, called the Ocean Nine.
For now, I remain focused on not making a fool of myself. Each hole, Boucher picks out a club for me, sets the tee, checks my stance, points out the direction of the flag and reminds me to keep my head down the entire time (the key to a straighter shot). Meanwhile, he and Bodnarchuk watch for where it lands.
Don’t miss the Sport Lodge, where you can try archery, skeet shooting, axe-throwing and e-bike rides. Photo: Courtesy Fox Harb’r
I certainly have my share of newbie whiffs and spend some quality time in the woods and the sand. But when I make par 4 on the moderately challenging fifth hole, my coursemates do not let me wave it off as beginner’s luck – and I can’t wipe the smile off my face, even when I quadruple bogey the next hole.
So I did, in fact, come home a golfer, much to my family’s surprise, and I have to give most of the credit – or blame – to my incredibly patient cheering squad. Although, what truly solidified the this-was-meant-to-be feeling was when one of the course’s eponymous foxes sauntered across the ninth green just as I was setting up for my final shot of the day.
I’m not entirely sure that, without all of the above, this new obsession will last. But just in case, I should probably head over to the closest Nevada Bob’s and pick up a Big Bertha and a pair of shoes.
