The family-oriented member club offers Golf Bikes and a cycling club in 2016
STOUFVILLE —Granite Golf Club is embracing cycling—on and off the course. This season Granite Golf Club, a unique, family-oriented member club set in an incredible natural location just north-east of Toronto, will be the first private golf club in Canada to offer Golf Bikes as a means of allowing golfers to play a quick round while providing valuable exercise.
“Granite Golf Club prides itself on looking forward, while still embracing the traditions of the game,” says General Manager Murray Blair. “We feel the Golf Bike is a great fit for a club with an active, engaged, and energetic membership. The opportunity to put your clubs in the back, jump on a bike and cycle for a quick morning or evening round really elevates the experience.”
The Golf Bike was conceived 15 years ago by avid cyclist Todd May as a means of combining his passions of biking and playing golf. A prototype was first demonstrated in 2010 and the concept was presented at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando three years ago. The bike has made significant inroads since its commercial introduction.
“With The Golf Bike, I have combined the benefits of [cycling and golf], bringing the elements of fun, fitness and speed of play to the greatest game ever played,” May says. “This new spin on an old tradition will provide the avid golfer with the ability to play at the speed of a cart while getting paid back with fun and fitness.”
Members will be able to use the Golf Bike by simply transferring their clubs to the attached bags, and heading out on the course. Golf Bikes cuts the average time of a round to around three hours, an important element when lifestyle demands often limit the amount of time players can allocate for the game they love. “Golf Bikes are really an extension of our culture and our focus on friendship, family, fun and flexibility,” says Club President Rob Fletcher. “This is a club that has golf at its core, but embraces elements that really engage members and emotionally connects them to our Granite Golf community.”
As part of that, Granite Golf Club is also starting a cycling club this spring, open to members of the golf club, as well as the historic Granite Club in Toronto. Members will take to the picturesque roads that surround the club, an area that is already very popular with Toronto-area cyclists wanting to escape the city and explore the countryside on two wheels. There is even on site bike storage for members who do not want the hassle of transporting their?bike back home following their ride.
“With flexible membership offerings and a relaxed, refined family- oriented culture, Granite Golf Club is really expanding the notion of what people consider a member club,” says Blair. “This is what the modern club member wants – unique and interesting experiences they can participate in with friends and family. And that’s exactly what Granite provides.”