Up and Doon
KITCHENER CLASSIC IS RENOVATED AND READY FOR THE 2010 SEASON When I made a major lifestyle/job change in late 1972 by coming to Kitchener-Waterloo from my hometown of Niagara Falls, about the only thing I knew was going to stay the same was the fact that I was going to play golf. In that first summer of 1973, my home base turned out to be the Doon Valley golf course where a friend at the Kitchener daily newspaper, and I, would play about once a week. It... [Read More...]
Glen Abbey Joins the Trail
Glen Abbey becomes the newest member of the Toronto Highlands Golf Trail, which also includes Southern Ontario courses Angus Glen, Lionhead Golf and Country Club, Wooden Sticks, Copper Creek Golf Club and The Club at Bond Head. “Each year, thousands of golfers from near and far come to Glen Abbey to experience this unique layout,” said Glen Abbey spokesman Tim Green. The Trail offers premium golf in and around the greater metropolitan area. Leading... [Read More...]
Finally, a 12 Hole Golf Course
The well-known Derrydale Golf Course on Derry Road west of Toronto is planning to mark its 40th Anniversary in 2010 by becoming somewhat unique – a 12-hole golf course. Derrydale Golf Course will offer something a little different in 2010 - a 12 hole option. Not that this is anything new, in fact it is akin to Scotland’s historic Prestwick Golf Club, which hosted the British Open in 1860 on the land considered the birthplace of golf, which... [Read More...]
Places to Play – Turtle Creek
If you are a regular reader of this space, you know I’m the first to admit that my golf skills – and hitting distance with all the clubs in the bag – has declined over the years. It’s a fact of life that I have learned to live with. Now, the first challenge I face when touring around the countryside visiting a variety of new and different courses, is to find a set of tees that I am happy with and comfortable to play. Therefore, I was figuratively... [Read More...]
Place’s to Play – Fescue’s Edge
Despite being a self-admitted golf nut for more than 59 years, I was more than happy to just travel around Ontario in particular and North America in general to pursue my love of the game. For decades I had people ask me when I was going to visit bonnie ol’ Scotland, birthplace of the sport. Fescue's Edge Golf Club Ironically, it wasn’t until the early ‘90s when I made a wonderful golf junket to Ireland that I got thinking about the home... [Read More...]
Places to Play – Dragon’s Fire
It may not seem to be the easiest course to find, as attested by at least two of my three playing partners on this day, but that does not mean it is without an ideal location (Carlisle, Ontario) and well worth discovering (if you are one of the few who have not already). Dragon's Fire Hole 2 And don’t let the name scare you. This is a very walkable, playable, peaceful walk in the serenity of the escarpment seemingly miles from nowhere yet minutes... [Read More...]
Places to Play – Eagle’s Nest
If it weren’t for the tops of the roller coasters, I would have driven right past the once clearly visible landmark that is Canada’s Wonderland. The area has certainly changed and the same can be said for another ‘should be’ landmark but a few minutes away, Eagle’s Nest Golf Course. (the roller coaster sighting turned out to be a bit of an omen) Where does one begin with a facility like this? Seeing as I will try to keep it short and in... [Read More...]
Places to Play : FireRock
If I was heading to a place called FireRock should I be worried about a volcanic eruption? Perhaps in some parts of the world but not at the FireRock Golf Course located in Komoka just outside of London. Opened in 2004, the Tom McBroom designed layout continues to grow in popularity throughout the province. FireRock Golf Course Hole 15 “The London area certainly has a lot of good courses but we wanted to build something that was on the upper scale... [Read More...]
80+ Shots of ‘Scotch’
and no sign of a hangover. First of all let me preface this article by saying, yes, I have been fortunate enough to play golf in its homeland. Furthermore, I was lucky enough to tread on a few of Scotland’s national treasures (of which they have many) and, yes, I have stood on the Swilcan Bridge. So when a recent invite dropped in ye olde inbox it really peaked my interest. Why? Well because it was to play a course which was new to me and moreover... [Read More...]
Welcome to the Middle of Somewhere
In my more than five decades of playing golf in this province, I have constantly been amazed by the fact that I find some remarkable courses in what I like to describe as – with no offense intended to any area – ‘the middle of nowhere.’ Playing this silly game first in Niagara Falls and then settling later in Waterloo Region, there was no shortage of good, affordable playing facilities but it was to be expected in decent-sized urban areas. Otter... [Read More...]
