Glen Lovat and Abercrombie wintered well and are set to go for 2025Published May 08, 2025 • Last updated 27 minutes ago • 3 minute readWayne Cock hitting his tee shot at Abercrombie Golf Course on its opening day, May 1, while playing partner Roy Mayo looks on. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsNEW GLASGOW – A sure sign that spring has arrived and summer is not too far off is obvious by watching local golf courses get busier and busier by the day.That has been the case with Glen Lovat Golf Club and Abercrombie Golf and Country Club, Pictou County’s two 18-hole courses.Glen Lovat, located on Fraser’s Mt. Branch Road in New Glasgow, opened on April 24.“It has been wet,” said pro shop co-manager Dawn Fraser, adding that this has meant asking folks, who are using carts, to stay on cart paths only, for now.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“The course is coming along,” Fraser said. “It wintered well; we had a few tree issues and things like that as we always do, but it’s greening up nicely.”As for changes golfers might notice, Fraser said they have opened up some of the tee boxes around the course to allow more sunlight to shine down on them and cleared some trees lining the fairways so golfers can get a better view of where they want to go with their next shot.“Where that (clearing) was required,” Fraser said. “It had been a few years, so it was needed. Improvements are always happening.”She added that those improvements are happening off the course as well, with an expanded pro shop.An avid golfer herself, Fraser talked about what she and club members like about the Glen Lovat course.“I like the fact that you have to learn course management,” Fraser said. “You can try (to overpower it), but you’re not going to win.”She said a key is to keep the ball landing on the flat parts of the fairways and not where they start to slope towards the tree lines.Article content“People say if you play Glen Lovat and post a score you like, you can play anywhere,” Fraser said, “And the views are spectacular.” Nick Hill, from Lyons Brook, hits his tee shot off of number one at Glen Lovat Golf Club on May 7. Watching and playing with Nick on the day are Maddie Stacey (left), Colby Hill, and Kim Hill. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsABERCROMBIE GOLF COURSEGreat views are something Glen Lovat shares with Abercrombie, which is located on Abercrombie Loop in New Glasgow.Golf director at Abercrombie, Ben Clarke, said the course opened on May 1 in “fantastic” shape.“The greens are incredible, and the golf course is healthy, so we are getting off on a good foot and excited for a great season,” he said.“We’ve been doing a bunker overhaul the last couple of seasons now,” Clarke added, regarding what golfers might notice playing their first round of the season.“Last year, our superintendent completed five new bunkers, completely rebuilt them, and we plan on doing another handful this year.”Clarke said improvements to cart paths around the course, including some paving work, have also been done.“So, a lot of new projects on the go,” Clarke said.And while the course opened on May 1, Clarke said it has been quite busy around the club during the off-season as more and more members take advantage of the golf simulator Trackman.Article content“We’ve been extremely busy with it; our members are happy to have it here,” he said, adding this was the fourth winter for Trackman at Abercrombie. “We are now at capacity with it, and it helps to keep us moving year-round.”As far as events, Clarke said course personnel are looking forward to their annual tournaments and events, which include one with the United Way of Pictou County as well as with SummerStreet Industries.“Those are probably our most fun days of the season here,” he said. Mountain Golf and Country Club member Mariam Gill prepares to tee off from the first hole tee box on May 7. The club, located in East Mountain, Colchester County, has been open since April 24 and is owned by the same group that owns Glen Lovat golf course in New Glasgow. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsDOWN THE ROADFor Pictou County golfers who may want to take a short drive to check out a different course over the golfing season, they could hit the Sunrise Trail and find many great courses along the way including Brule Point Golf in Tatamagouche, or drive over Mount Thom and find Mountain Golf and Country Club, just off exit 17 in East Mountain, Colchester County.The Mountain course on Pictou Road is owned by the same folks who own Glen Lovat.“We opened it up some between holes 12 and 13,” said course superintendent Shane Sutherland. “We’ve worked on some tee boxes last year, and did a bit of tree clearing.”Like Glen Lovat, the Mountain opened on April 24.General manager Ross Percy said people are commenting that it’s already in good shape and proving its usual combination of challenging but fair golf.“And that our people are always nice,” Percy added, as far as feedback, he is always happy to hear from people. Kim Hill hits her tee shot at Glen Lovat Golf Club on May 7. The course is putting an emphasis this season on more activities for female golfers with a ladies’ evening on Mondays and clinics run by instructor Brian Affleck. In the background is the Glen Lovat clubhouse as well as a couple of Kim’s playing partners, Nick Hill and Colby Hill. Not visible but also part of the golfing foursome is Maddie Stacey.Article content
Teeing up for a new golf season in Pictou County
