Oh, Canada! 5 Stellar Courses to Play

July 1, 2014

This week is truly a celebration of independence, patriotism and the establishment of free nations. Not only is the United States’ Independence Day quickly approaching, but millions of Canadians are currently recognizing an equally important milestone, Canada Day, the nation’s informal “birthday.”

On this day in 1867, the British North America Act (now known as the Constitution Act) was officially enacted, leading to the unification of three British colonies – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada – into one country: Canada.

While some folks are enjoying today’s festivities at parades, barbeques, and concerts, why not play golf to mark the occasion? After all, Canada has a wide variety of top-notch public and semi-private courses to choose from, including these five GolfNow favorites.

The Ridge at Manitou Golf Club, McKellar, Ontario

Designed by award-winning, Canadian-based course architect Thomas McBroom, The Ridge at Manitou is arguably one of Canada’s most naturally beautiful golf courses. Offering views of Manitouwabing Lake and pristine forests and meadows, the semi-private course is not only aesthetically pleasing, but challenging as well with its 72.9 course rating and 141 slope rating.

Brudenell River Golf Course, Georgetown Royalty, Prince Edward Island

For 45 years, Brudenell River has provided guests a layout that is neither overwhelmingly daunting, with its wide fairways and shorter distances (6,541 yards from the tips), nor too easy, as golfers must maneuver their shots around a wide array of bunkers and water hazards. Previously rated as one of Golf Digest’s “Places to Play,” the course is especially renowned for its unusual combination of holes – six par fives, six par fours, and six par threes.

Dinosaur Trail Golf & Country Club, Drumheller, Alberta

Don’t let the distance fool you. Although it is only 6,409 yards long, Dinosaur Trail is a demanding track, forcing golfers to often consider strategy, rather than distance, as they hit their tee shots. Since some holes are surrounded by the ridges of the Canadian Badlands, golfers must be precise, whether they are standing on the tee box or in the fairway, or else their scores will quickly rise above par.

Oakwood Golf Course, St. Anne, Manitoba

Another shorter course, measuring 6,045 yards from the tips, Oakwood Golf Course has been enjoyed by golfers of all ages and experience levels since its opening in 1988. But that doesn’t mean it is a cakewalk either. Holes like the signature par-three 15^th is bound to even challenge lower handicap golfers, as their shots (from an elevated tee box, nonetheless) must carry a large pond prior to landing on a severely undulated green.

Ussher’s Creek Course, Niagara Falls, Ontario

Regarded as a parkland course, Ussher’s Creek is bound to test the nerves of each of its guests through its U.S. Open-esque rough, fairway and greenside bunkers, and multiple water hazards including two ponds and a creek that winds its way throughout the course. As if that weren’t enough, the 7,180 yard, par-72 layout also assesses golfers’ driving accuracy, since some holes are surrounded by wetlands or forests.

 

Honorable Mention

Bell Bay Golf Club, Baddeck, Nova Scotia

Muskoka Bay Club, Gravenhurst, Ontario

Tobiano Golf Course, Kamloops, British Columbia