Fore The Love Of Golf!
Hitting the links in South Eastern Ontario is a golfer’s dream come true. With legendary tee views to rolling greens and unique designs, golf courses here roll out an impressive experience for beginners to advanced golfers. Here’s a look at some memorable courses to play this season.
1. Summerheights Golf Links
This family-owned and operated course has a history of overcoming challenges – and it has won over the hearts of golfers from across the region in the process. Established in 1962, Summerheights Golf Links features 36 holes, and has hosted countless tournaments, welcomed celebrities and most of all welcomed golfers to have the opportunity to learn and love the game of golf. Be sure to look for the practice green and driving range here – and a banner junior golf program!
2. Cornwall Golf and Country Club
Found along the banks of the majestic St. Lawrence River, Cornwall Golf & Country Club is one of Canada’s oldest courses, founded in 1896. The 18-hole course is a wonderful collection of green fairways with wooded corners, strategically placed water hazards, and of course, challenging bunkers. Golfers can enjoy a fantastic game of golf and the setting of one of the finest and oldest golf courses in Eastern Ontario. Make sure this course is on your to-play list this year!
3. Upper Canada Golf Course
Morrisburg Ontario is home to the Upper Canada Golf Course, a favourite of locals in the region. Designed by noted golf course architect C.E. Robbie Robinson in the early 1960’s, Upper Canada has enticing golfers ever since. Reaching almost 7000 yards, the 18-hole course is good challenge for low and high handicap players. The natural beauty of tree-lined fairways, waterways, and occasional wildlife offer a beautiful backdrop for a great game of golf.
4. Brockville County Club
The Brockville Country Club golf course is one of the best you will find in Eastern Ontario. The course is very well maintained with greens that are smooth and true and often slick. The course is very picturesque with wonderful vistas and has many beautiful flower beds at various focal points throughout. The Brockville Country Club has a large practice putting green, driving range and short-game practice facility available to its members and guests.
5. Prescott Golf Club
History is in every swing at the Prescott Golf Club. As one of the memorable courses along the St. Lawrence River, it was established in 1939 and still offers an exceptional golf experience for members and public players. This meticulously landscaped 18-hole course plays host some of the area’s best tournaments, banquets and fundraisers.
6. Smugglers Glen
Located near Gananoque, Ontario, Smugglers Glen is a true 1000 islands golf experience. With a backdrop of the St. Lawrence waterway, meandering woods, hints of the Canadian shield, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife, Smugglers Glen is not only a challenging course, but a beautiful one as well! A definite must-play this summer!
7. Greene Acre Golf Club
The Greene Acre Golf Course near Gananoque provides a quiet nine-hole regulation-length golf course and practice facility situated alongside the Gananoque River. “The Greene” showcases wild beauty, meticulously maintained fairways and greens and practice facilities to make your golf experience memorable and to keep you coming back.
8. Gananoque Golf and Country Club
Along the river, the Gananoque Golf and Country Club is a public nine-hole par 35, which offers the unique option of arriving by boat at the club’s private dock. Established in 1921, the Gananoque Golf and Country Club offers a complete golf experience; the natural beauty of the area is complemented by the course design and the challenges it provides. Never fight for a tee time here – but be ready to experience the infamous and controversial 4th and 5th holes which require unique tee-off procedures.
9. Loyalist Golf and Country Club
A Ted Baker designed course, Loyalist Golf and Country Club offers a challenge to all golfers. Known for its great conditions, the course is a par 72 offering over 6600 yards from the tips. Bent Grass greens, tees and fairways are all constructed to USGA specifications. Colourful natural watercourse, strategic bunkering and native grasses contrasting the fine turf create a setting second to none. Located in Bath, Ontario, be sure to visit Loyalist Golf and Country Club this summer!
10. Rideau Lakes Golf And Country Club
Rideau Lakes has been challenging golfers with hilly terrain and tough holes for more than four decades. A beautiful 9-hole course with views of Rideau Lake and the village of Westport, the course is open to golfers of all skill levels.
11. eQuinelle
A recipe for the perfect day out: head to eQuinelle Golf Course to take advantage of summer at this championship-calibre course along the Rideau. The course’s stunning layout features five set of tees on each hole, strategically-sculpted fairways, and large rolling greens. eQuinelle is consistently recognized as one of the best golf courses in Ottawa and surrounding area.
12. Rideau Glen Golf Course
The perfect course for golfers who prefer to walk! Rideau Glen in Kemptville is a jewel in the world of golfing, with a rich history behind every hole. Built-in 1929, Rideau Glen Golf Course is a shorter challenging course with no par fives, but with natural beauty abounding and privacy due to mature trees separating the fairways.
13. Evergreen Golf Course
Evergreen Golf Course is conveniently nestled in the heart of the Rideau Lakes Region located on Wolfe Lake just 5 minutes from the charming village of Westport on the historic Rideau Canal. Enjoy 1st class dinning on the new patio which has amazing sweeping views of the 9th fairway and green along with a panoramic view of the shores of Wolfe Lake.
14. Black Bear Ridge
Located near Belleville, Ontario, Black Bear Ridge was founded in 2005, and offers tees from 5145 to over 7100 yards, providing a challenge to all golfers. A beautiful course, Black Bear continuously ranks in the top 100 courses in all of Canada, and offers a great course layout at an affordable price. “The Bear” as it is called locally, is a sure-fire golf destination to play this summer, and should be near the top of your list.
15. Trillium Wood
Located in Corbyville, Ontario, Trillium Wood is located on over 200 acres of old farm and woodland. The par 72, 6700-yard course offers a good challenge to golfers of all capabilities. Sweeping fairways, tough bunkers and even a moat will offer you a true test of your game. Holes in one have been had on holes 2 and 5, so may luck be with you!
16. Wellington On The Lake Golf Course
With the breeze off of Lake Ontario and mature tree-lined fairways, this 9 hole Prince Edward County gem is only 20 minutes from Sandbanks Provincial Park. Challenging Scottish links style play (including the double dogleg seventh hole) keeps you focused on making the perfect shot. And those Lake Ontario breezes we mentioned? Keep those in mind on holes one and two! All that being said, hole in ones can be made on the sixth…are you up to the challenge?
Bonus
The Garrison Golf and Curling Club
The Garrison Golf and Curling Club is a full-featured course bringing the finest golfing experience to the Kingston area with challenging game-play on a beautifully groomed playing surface that is as welcoming to the novice as it is to the seasoned pro. The club offers a variety of membership options and green fee packages for the occasional or avid golfer and curler.
Kingston Expert Tees
This is Canada’s largest aquatic accuracy driving range! Test your distance and accuracy at five professionally-turfed floating greens within the 10 acres of water hazard on Quarry Lake. Kingston Expert Tees offers more than 45 tee-off areas in addition to a large practice sand bunker and putting green. Find an exciting challenge here for golfers of all skill levels.
The Landings Golf Course
Shine up the clubs and head to The Landings Golf Course. This premiere public golf facility is an 18-hole, par-63, with a 4,200-yard layout and full practice range. Fun is the name of the game here with theme nights, popular ladies and men’s leagues and a well-regarded junior program. Tee off and enjoy!
Rivendell Golf Club
A self-described golf “Oasis”, located near Verona, Ontario, Rivendell Golf Club has captured golfers’ hearts since its inception in 1979. Without the hustle and bustle of the big city, Rivendell offers a quieter, relaxing golf experience for golfers of all capabilities. A hidden gem just north of Kingston, it is well worth the short drive to experience this great course this summer!
Wolfe Island Riverfront Golf Course
Breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River at every hole sets this course apart. This 9-hole, par 35 course on a heritage farm even has a stunning hole #5, featuring a pond along the waterfront, a windmill, bird houses and a foot bridge. Grab some friends and go make memories on the links!
Inverary Golf and Country Club
The amenities and customer service are all nice, but the real star of the show at Inverary Golf and Country Club is the high quality of the golf layout. It’s a rare course that manages to be friendly to newcomers while simultaneously pushing experienced players to improve their skills. Multiple tee lengths cater to players of all ages and skill levels and are coupled with idyllic scenery, pristine fairways and strategically-placed bunkers will bring players back again.
No matter where golf takes you in South Eastern Ontario, take a moment to appreciate the one-of-a-kind scenery!
Written by Leighton Davidson. Updated by Rosanne Lake
