A long-standing border issue has been resolved for a New Brunswick golf course located near the U.S. border. The Aroostook Valley Country Club, situated in Victoria County, now offers Canadian golfers a safe and legal route to access the course.

Stephen Leitch, the club manager and golf pro, expressed optimism about the club's future, stating, "The future of our club is back and very bright, and the club is vibrant." This positive change is largely attributed to a local family who faced challenges due to increased U.S. border security.

Mary Pedersen, a Fredericton physician, grew up near the course and decided to take action. "I just went, 'You know what — this is never going to change,'" she said. "So I said, 'I'll donate the land.'" Pedersen and her family donated a strip of land along the Canadian side of the border, which has been transformed into a trail for golfers to shuttle to and from the course using golf carts.

The trail is named after her parents, Nickolaj and Marion Pedersen, who lived nearby. The golf course faced difficulties after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, which led to heightened security measures along the Canada-U.S. border. Before these changes, Canadian golfers could easily access the course without checking in with U.S. authorities.

However, after 2001, U.S. border patrol enforcement increased, affecting not only golfers but also local residents. The Pedersen family experienced challenges with U.S. border patrols, which impacted their daily lives. Golfers began taking a longer route through the official U.S. entry point at Fort Fairfield, Maine, to reach the club.

The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated access, leading Leitch to worry about the club's survival. "There were jobs on the line, and actually the lifeline of the golf club was on the line," he said.

In the past, golfers would navigate through a potato field to reach the Pedersen property, where they would then shuttle to the club. This method was not ideal, as it involved driving against traffic on a blind hill. Leitch approached Pedersen for assistance, resulting in the donation of land for the new trail.

The trail's opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Pedersen and her family. "It made all the difference for them to donate this land and be able to build this road and drive straight out to the clubhouse," said Lynn Dooling, the reigning women's champion at the club.

While American golfers, who once made up a significant portion of the club's membership, now face longer travel times due to border regulations, Leitch noted that business remains strong for American visitors. As the club prepares for its centennial celebrations in 2029, Leitch believes the unique access to the course could enhance its appeal.

"There's not that many places where you have to shuttle in to the golf course over that distance on a golf cart to play such a beautiful course," he said. "But when you come up over the hill after driving through that potato field, and you wonder to yourself, 'Where in the heck are we going?' and you see this oasis, you say 'Oh, this is why,' and that's exactly what's happening. People are finding a charm in that."