Golf in Ontario Province, Canada
Some may not realize that Canada was the very first place on the North American continent to have a golf club the game was brought across by Scottish immigrants in the early 1800’s. Celebrated, remembered and played, the “club” game took root well and perhaps most deeply, in the Ontario province of Canada.
In all, Ontario province has nearly 600 golf courses. London, Ontario has more courses than any other city in the province. The other nine cities which make up the top ten golf destinations by volume are Toronto, Oakville, Cambridge, Markham, Niagara Falls, Thunder Bay, Barrie, Brampton, and Burlington. Between them, they offer up fine choices for a golf vacation destination, with many exceptional courses each.
That said, the top five courses in the country, as rated by Scoregolf’s Top 100, are all in Ontario province, but National Golf Club of Canada, in the #1 spot, is in Woodbridge, which doesn’t make it to the Top 10 by volume. A Tom and George Fazio course, it edges out the St. George’s Gof & Country Club from its venerable spot, having been established in Etobicoke Ontario, in 1928. Ancaster, another old course designed by Henry Colt in 1914, is home to the Hamilton Golf and Country Club (West-South Course earning place #3). Devil’s Paintbrush in Caledon Village is a modern course, opened in 1992 with design by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, and earns the #4 spot. #5 in Ontario province is the Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ontario. Designed by Thomas McBroom and the celebrated Robert Cupp, this 1988 course takes number 5. What we see from all of this is that while you will have many choices, one still has to choose. As is the case anywhere, some of the best courses are not available to public play... but with 600 courses in one province, you’re certain to find plenty of courses that fit your style and abilities.
What you can count on is an awesome time, regardless of where you choose to take your Ontario province golf vacation.
Ontario province is largely surrounded by water. Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and the Georgian Bay form more southerly borders, while Hudson Bay’s vast expanse seals the land to the north. This makes for very rich, dense grass growth during summer months, reminiscent of the turf in the UK. Bitter cold winters have led folks in the area to build underground streets and shopping centers. The 27 kilometers in Toronto is called PATH and said to be the largest underground shopping complex in the world. Montreal’s RESO, an underground mall/business complex which hosts 500,000 people every day, covers some 32 kilometers of tunnels, and accounts for 80% of all office space and 35% of all commercial space in the downtown section of the city. These are a real treat and experience, as you can travel for miles, browse and shop in comfort year-round.
What can you expect otherwise? Canadians tend to be friendly and hospitable people. Their pleasant, caring perspective puts most at ease and sets the tone for the entire visit. As you can see, Ontario province makes for a great golf vacation destination, and with the exchange rate, an outstanding bargain too!
