We had four nights accommodation at our choice of three hotels in Charlottetown (The Rodd, Delta Prince Edward or Great George) and a choice of golf courses to play every day that included Crowbush Cove, Dundarave, Brudenell, Andersons Creek, Glasgow Hills, Fox Meadow, Eagles Glenn and Thomas McBroom's new redesign at Green Gables, where you can take a peek at the famous red-haired orphans' house from the 14th fairway.

Most couples rented cars so they could tee off in the morning and have time to explore the island in the afternoon, but there was also a shuttle service for those wishing not to drive. PEI offers some one-of-a-kind Island Experiences. In Bedeque you can go out with an oyster fisherman, learn to pull up the bi-valves with tongs and shuck them fresh at sea on his dory. There's even an opportunity to make a batch of your very own moonshine at the Myriad View Artisan Distillery.

The Couple's Golf shindig started at the Confederation Centre of the Arts (where Anne of Green Gables—the Musical— is also playing for the 45th year). Chunky seafood chowder, mountains of steamed mussels and freshly shucked oysters were enjoyed by all. The grand finale on the last evening was a rollicking kitchen party complete with fiddle music, whole steamed lobsters, hot butter and bibs.

There were a few prizes for "longest drives" and "ball closest to the hole" on the various courses, but this wasn't a competitive event. The goal was to have fun, enjoy the Island's great golfing experience and other diversions and maybe even make some new golfing buddies. If this sounds like your idea of a good time, pencil July 8 to 12, 2010 for next year's festivities. Watch Golf PEI's website for more details on the 2010 festival at www.golfpei.ca

Seafood Smorgasbord
But why wait until next summer? Autumn is the perfect time to pack your clubs and appetite and head east. In September, the temperature hovers between 15 and 21 degrees (that's 60-70 Fahrenheit) and the beach crowd has gone home.

PEI boasts having ten of the top 100 courses in Canada all located within a 45-minute drive from each other. It's world-class golf with down home prices, not to mention the warm welcome. At Andersons Creek, for example, you might be entertained on the last green by a bagpiper and you'll be invited to help yourself to free mussels in the clubhouse.

Savvy swingers will time their trip to include PEI's International Shellfish Festival, billed as Atlantic Canada's biggest kitchen party, from September 18 to 20. Apart from the opportunity to tuck into the freshest shellfish, you can attend the chowder championships where chefs from across Canada compete using those famous PEI spuds. Or be dazzled by the dexterity of the contestants in the oyster shucking competitions. There's even a contest to see who can mix up the best Bloody Caesar. Many of the events take place in Charlottetown harbour's Main Festival Tent but participating restaurants all over the island will also be dishing up great seafood.

Fall Flavours
A bit later in the Fall, from September 30 to October 5 - still perfect golf weather and prime harvest time - there's another gastronomic festival, Fall Flavours. Chef Michael Smith, star the Food Network's series, Chef Abroad, will be your official host. All in all, 150 culinary and cultural events will be packed into ten delicious days starting with a Gala dinner at Dalvay by the Sea orchestrated by Chef Smith and other island cooks using only ingredients farmed, fished or produced on PEI. There will also be wine and beer tastings, and an ode to the potato and Charlottetown's biggest barbecue. Various restaurants across the island will be creating special Fall Flavours menus featuring the best of land and sea.