Top-rated Pulpit Club now accessible through new stay-and-play program

The opportunity to play two of Canada’s top ranked private clubs is rare for most public golfers. Even members of other private clubs would typically need to call in a favour or two to gain access.

But that’s not the case at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ontario any longer. With the launch of their new Stay-and-Play program, golfers can enjoy The Paintbrush, ranked #10 on ScoreGolf’s Top 100 Courses in Canada and The Pulpit, ranked #22 – and stay in luxurious accommodations.

Stay-and-play? At a private club? Preposterous!

It does sound a bit strange for Canada, but it’s true.

A couple of weeks ago, I was part of a small media group invited to The Pulpit Club to experience their Stay-and-Play program, enjoy both courses and learn how it all works.

Readers may recall that Chris Haney and Scott Abbott, two of the developers of the Trivial Pursuits boardgame, initially founded what was then called Devil’s Pulpit back in 1990. The course was designed by the architectural team of Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry and almost immediately starting garnering awards including Best New Course in Canada.

The Pulpit was followed two years later by The Paintbrush, also designed by Hurdzan/Fry and also winning awards. Over the ensuing 35 years, both courses have been ranked amongst the best in Canada.

Perched on the Niagara Escarpment northwest of Toronto, the two courses feature stunning views of downtown and offer golfers an unparalleled experience. The Pulpit is pristine, manicured and devilishly tough, while The Paintbrush is more expansive, an open links style course with rock walls, pot bunkers and massive greens that wouldn’t look out of place in Scotland or Ireland.

Six years ago, Longridge Partners acquired what was then known as Devil’s Pulpit Golf Association and set about re-imagining the private club. Longridge is a private investment company started by John Clark and Mack Crawford that acquires and holds real estate in the Greater Toronto Area. Investments are chosen for their rich natural features and typically are held for long term appreciation. The Company currently has a portfolio of premium real estate assets consisting of more than 2,000 acres.

The Pulpit Club is a marked departure from Longridge’s other assets, which are more passive than a bustling private golf club on two properties. However, Mack Crawford acknowledged during our visit that the timing and price of the purchase were right, and the real estate precisely fits the nature of their portfolio.

Access to private clubs is always a touchy subject, particularly since Covid. These days memberships are full, and many clubs have lengthy waiting lists. Tee times are sometimes tough to get even for members and guest play is often quite restricted.

That was not the case pre-Covid when private clubs were looking for members and more accessible to outsiders. At Fairways, we used to run an annual series of events at various private clubs in the GTA and each year The Pulpit and Paintbrush dates were always fully subscribed right off the hop. That was when they were just outstanding golf courses. Now, with an exceptional stay-and-play program, they have upped the ante considerably.

The key to making that kind of program successful at The Pulpit Club now is the availability of accommodations held in the Longridge portfolio that are close to the two courses. Longridge House (three bedrooms) and Brushview (five bedrooms) are just minutes from the Paintbrush and feature all the amenities a group of golfers could want, including smartly designed living areas, ping pong tables, outdoor hot tubs and lots of space to kick back and unwind.

Escarpment House (pictured at top) is the epitome of luxury with 14,000 square feet of living space on 85 acres. The five bedrooms and 14 bathrooms can easily accommodate up to 12 people, whether it be for golf, a wedding or a business meeting. A stay at any of the properties can include golf privileges, spa services, a personalized chef, shuttle service and all of the amenities offered at both of the golf properties.

Cost will vary depending on the size of your group and the services requested but still look quite reasonable when compared to typical top end resort properties elsewhere in North America. Plus, the price is in Canadian dollars, and you don’t have to fly anywhere.

Two of the top private clubs in Canada plus luxurious accommodations, right in our backyard. For more information or to request a quote, click HERE.