Deerhurst Resort

Just two hours from Toronto and minutes from Algonquin Provincial Park awaits a lakeside wilderness retreat unlike any other: Deerhurst Resort. Open since 1896, the landmark resort sprawls across 800 pristine acres in Muskoka, Ontario, fusing a host of outdoor activities with top-notch amenities, two 18-hole golf courses, the pampering Spa at Deerhurst, and 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting, exhibit, and conference space, including two stylish ballrooms that easily accommodate 600 guests.

Groups can get down to business as soon as they arrive thanks to a separate check-in process and a friendly support staff, who stand by from the get-go to perfect all details of the event. Little to no outsourcing is necessary as the resort provides on-site facilitators and audiovisual specialists as well as an in-house entertainment department, culinary team, and sports professionals. Whether for a corporate meeting, large convention, or executive retreat, Deerhurst offers themed events, plus a complete Adventures in Excellence team-building and training program.

Much to the delight of active groups, recreation abounds year-round. Summer brings golf, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and tennis, while winter offers skiing, snowmobile tours, ice-skating and dogsledding. The miles of wooded trails surrounding the resort also invite group activities such as ropes courses, ATV adventures, Hummer tours and paintball competitions. Following fun-filled days, relaxation can be found at the spa, by the pool, or at one of three upscale restaurants. At night, two live stage shows provide world-class entertainment.

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Start	End	Rooms	Rate
10/01/08	10/31/08	200	$159
11/01/08	12/31/08	200	$139
1/01/09	3/31/09	200	$159

Posted Jul 25, 2008 by robertl
View RSS Feed Huntsville, ON, June 23, 2008 - After the photo calls and communiqus are finished, G8 Summits of the world's leaders are often best remembered for their settings, from the stately white halls of Germany's Heiligendamm to the dramatic Canadian Rockies peaks of Kananaskis.

This week, Huntsville's Deerhurst Resort proudly became the latest entry on that list of historic meeting places, when the Government of Canada announced the host venue for the 36th annual G8 Summit in 2010.

MEETING LIKE A HEAD OF STATE
Two hours north of Toronto and a landmark of Ontario's popular Muskoka "cottage country" since 1896, modern-day Deerhurst Resort was chosen as the site for the summit based on its accessible location, expertise in hosting large-scale events and extensive conference facilities. These encompass 40,000 square feet of interior meeting space with two ballrooms and the newly designed Lakeview Room, plus 400 guest rooms, easily accommodating up to a 1,000 people.

Known for year-round happenings like the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships and managed by national hospitality leader Atlific Hotels, the 780-acre lakeside property also includes an extensive waterfront, two 18-hole golf courses, a private airstrip, four restaurants and a freshly updated spa.

"We are delighted that the Government of Canada has recognized the extraordinary splendour of the region and chosen to showcase Deerhurst and Huntsville to the world," said Philippe Gadbois, Senior Vice President, Atlific Hotels. "The next two years will be a true community effort, involving the entire town of Huntsville and much of the Muskoka region."

A CLEARLY CANADIAN PLACE
While packed with modern technology, Deerhurst captures the same unspoiled sense of place found at Rambouillet, home to the very first G8 Summit, a similarity that's only underscored by this Canadian resort's proximity to world-famous Algonquin Provincial Park. But Deerhurst's woods are filled with classic Canadian adventures, like canoeing, snowmobiling and a thriving maple syrup-making operation.

Ingredients like mushrooms and honey for the resort's Savour Muskoka menus are harvested around the grounds. And two decades ago Deerhurst landed firmly on the entertainment map when the singer who became superstar Shania Twain performed in Deerhurst's live stage shows. Today that centre stage legacy continues with group drumming workshops, dance classes and two productions directed by Dave Campbell, the choreographer for Canadian Idol.

While it remains to be seen if the Japanese Prime Minister will feast on Deerhurst's homegrown shiitake mushrooms, the resort is ready for the challenges that these VIP guests and the eyes of the world will bring.
"There's more than one reason they call it a summit," Klein noted. "It takes a real team effort to complete the mountain of preparations and make it easy for the most powerful people on the planet to relax with each other, and get down to business. We're looking forward to working with the entire Deerhurst staff and our neighbours across the region to showcase Muskoka around the globe."

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CONTACT: Anne White, Director Communications, Deerhurst Resort
T (416) 566-9297 E awhite@deerhurstresort.com Posted Apr 30, 2008 by robertl
View RSS Feed Huntsville ON, January 28, 2008 - The math is quick and approximate, but impressive. Two rounds per week, 24 weeks per year for 21 years. Over 1,000 trips around a course, and that's just in his professional career.

Clearly, Deerhurst Resort's new Director of Golf, Simon Bevan, who arrives at his latest Muskoka post February 4, knows his way around fairways, greens and bunkers as well as the rough and hazards of running a large-scale golf operation that will include two 18-hole courses, a busy corporate tournament schedule, golf academy and retail outlets.

"Golf in Muskoka, and every major destination, is a very competitive business with high customer expectations and lots of different aspects," notes Bevan. "You definitely have to be able to deal with a wide variety of factors, including managing results - that's far beyond your last score, of course."

"It's really all about building good relationships with your members, your staff and your guests."

At least getting to work his first day will be a snap for Bevan who joins Deerhurst from the Grandview Golf Club, where he has been the Director of Golf since 2001, part of an extended stint with ClubLink.

"Not many people can say they could keep an eye on their new workplace from their former one," Bevan agrees. "But I'm certainly looking forward to the change of scenery, and new challenges ahead."

During his tenure at Grandview, Bevan and his team hosted a range of high profile events including Mark O'Meara's grand opening day, the Ontario Open and the 2002 Telus Skins Game. One of his first 2008 season events at Deerhurst will be the June 20-22 Good as Gold Open tournament, a celeb-studded fundraiser for the Ladies First Hockey Foundation in support of the Women's National Hockey Team and their bid for "three-peat" gold medals at Vancouver 2010.

"Someone with Simon's credentials and destination knowledge is an ideal addition to the Deerhurst Resort team," says General Manager Joseph Klein. "We're known for being the forerunner of championship golf in Muskoka and in 2007 Deerhurst was selected as one of the world's top 100 golf resorts. This year, we're delighted Simon will be keeping us on course toward even greater player satisfaction and industry success."

Prior to joining ClubLink, Bevan honed his skills at the Glen Abbey Golf Club and Greenhills Country Club. An active member of the local community he is the current President of the Huntsville-Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce and has served on the town's Economic Development Advisory Committee.

SCORECARD: Simon Bevan
Key numbers for Deerhurst's new director of golf:

1. When did you hit your first golf balls?
"I was born and lived in England until I was 10. My mother was an avid golfer and kids weren't allowed to play. So I caddied for her from the age of five or six, learning the etiquette and rules of the game - and hitting the odd shot when I had permission."

2. Greatest golf moment?
"Some would say my three holes-in-one. But it's actually meeting my wife-to-be while giving her a lesson. Ten years and four children later, including one-year-old twins, the rest is history."

3. What would improve your game?
"Like anyone else, less work, more play! Golf is all about practice. Every golfer can improve if they spent even 30 minutes at the range with an instructor."

4. Best golf advice you've ever been given?
"I was once on the range with three Canadian golf legends - Moe Norman, Nick Weslock and Ed Ervasti. Moe turned to me after I hit a few balls and asked, 'What was I scared of? Trees? Water? Bunkers? They are not scary...just hit the ball down the middle and don't be scared.'"

5. As a longtime golf professional, your top tip for beginners?
"Again, practice, practice, practice! Fifty percent of that practice should also be around the putting green."