What are Stanley Thompson's Best 18 holes?

[Ian Andrew]

What are Stanley Thompson's Best 18 holes?

You must remove courses like Brantford that were not actually done by Stanley, or holes that have been so severely altered or changed that they shouldn't be included. In particular courses he didn't actually do, like Waskesiu. So, what are the best 18 that remain essentially intact?

I made a list of Thompson holes for Ran when the architects best holes were match played against each other (around 1999), and Thompson held up very well against the others.

I put together some holes for concideration, but I'm quite sure there a few I have missed or a course that I've forgotten.

Look forward to some helpful suggestions on what are his best 18 holes.

Some 3’s

15th at Cataraqui
9th at Capilano
9th at Jasper
4th at Banff
8th at Uplands
15th at Niakwa
15th at Oakdale
15th at Jasper

Some 4’s

2nd at Highland GL
2nd at St. Georges
7th at Capilano
18th at Jasper (does it still hold up?)
15th at Westmount
13th at Kawartha
8th at Summit (is it actually a Thompson hole?)
13th at Highland GL
12th at St. George’s
12 at Banff Springs (old 16)
12th at Burlington
18th at St. Thomas
9th at Thornhill
16th at Highlands GC (too altered?)
10th at Oshawa (questionable lineage)
18th at Cataraqui
3rd at Jasper
4th at Highland GL

Some 5’s

15th at Highland GL
7th at Highland GL
18th at Capilano
14th at Summit (likely a Cumming's hole)

While I've seen almost all courses, there remains a couple I still haven't seen. I will wade in where the architecture may not be pure Thompson, or be incorrectly credited to him.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

None of these compare to the National Golf Club. NONE OF THEM!

[Mike Nuzzo]

Surprising not to see any 5's from Banff or Jasper.
I don't know if I disagree, as I've only seen those 2 courses.
10, 13 & 2 at Jasper were good.
3, 9 & 18 at Banff were also good - Hate the current numbers...

[Bill_McBride]

Par 4, #1 Capilano!

Just kidding, I see no reason to tamper with Capilano's par 5's.

Capilano's #15 and #17 are very good par 4's.

[Andrew Cunningham]

What about the short - very reachable 6th at St. Thomas?  While I believe Ian is responsible for the bunkers, the general routing is still intact.  Great hole!  Risk reward at its best.

What about the 18th at Whirlpool?  That's a solid par five.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I would love to play enough of his courses to comment. I loved Jasper and Banff is none too shabby either.

[Gerry B]

2,3,4 at st thomas are outstanding holes as are a few others on this very underrated course

[T_MacWood]

A few others worth considering:
#2 Sleepy Hollow (230 yds)
#3 Sleepy Hollow (460 yds)
#11 Sleepy Hollow (450 yds)
#17 Sleepy Hollow (275 yds)

[Ian Andrew]

Mike,

They are nice holes, but none compare to any of the four at Highland Golf Links.

Gerry,

All three holes you mention are by Robbie Robinson (his best work he ever did is at St. Thomas IMO)

Tom,

I am not familiar with Sleepy Hollow. Do you have photos or descriptions to share.

Andrew,

Isn't that hole a long four? It has been a long time since I've been there, but the thrid is a hole that is a standout.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Ian,

Sorry you're correct about the 6th being a par four but it's actually a short sub 400 yarder.  The 7th is a 440 plus uphill blind second shot brute!  I meant the 8th which is the downhill par 5.

What I can't figure out is why most people rave about number 3?  It's a difficult hole (and very picturesque!!), but not nearly as difficult as the par 5 15th.  At least you can hit a three wood on #3 and still reach the green (410 yards).  If you hit a 3 wood on 15 you need a mid-iron for a lay-up that is over water and surrounded by a creek on both sides.  Tough hole.

[Adam_F_Collins]

The par three #2 and #16 at Digby Pines are a lot of fun.

[T_MacWood]

Ian
The second is a long Redanish (reverse) par-3. The tee is elevated, the green is angled from left to right with a deep gully (full of trees and bushes) that drops off along the rightside and right front. The green falls away slightly as well. A very intimidating hole.

The third is a very long par-4...the fairways tumbles in all kinds wild directions...I don't there is flat place anywhere, I haven't found anyway. The fairway then drops down and then back up to a well guarded green. Two and three are among the toughest back to back holes I've ever run across.

The 11th is from a dramatically elevated tee down to a well bunkered fairway and well bunkered green. The dramatic drop and the bold bunkering make this a cool hole.

17th is a drivable par-4 around a pond...I'm not sure what the straight line distance is to the green...my guess would be 240-250 yds.

[Matthew MacKay]

I'll throw a few out...

3's- Capilano 9,16
      Burlington 2
      Cataraqui 2,8,12,15 (they're all great)
      Highland CC 2,15 (15 is awesome)
      Kawartha 6
      St. George's 16
      Uplands 8
      Sunningdale 9

4's- Capilano 2,7,15
      Cataraqui 18
      Kawartha 10,17
      Oakdale 10
      St. George's 1,2,5,7,12,14,17
      St. Thomas 7,16,18
      Westmount 4,8,9,15
      Whirlpool 9,16

5's- Capilano 5,18
      Burlington 10
      Cataraqui 4
      Dundas Valley 12
      Peterborough 17
      St. George's 4,11
      St. Thomas 5,8,15
     
     

[Tyler Kearns]

Ian,

#13 Niakwa. Given that you have seen MUCH more of Stanley Thompson's work than I, does this hole merit any special recognition? I think it's a beautiful par-4, a good (no brainer) use of the Seine River, some very bold natural contours in the fairway that make the approach a little more challenging and nice elevated setting for the green which features some understated slopes.

TK

[Greg Beaulieu]

The par-3 2nd at Digby and the par-5 7th and 18th there are both very interesting and challenging holes.  

[Ian Andrew]

Matt,

What do you like about 16 at capilano, it's just super long

#8 at Catarqui is not a Thompson green, he borrowed it from a hole that played in from the west.

Oakdale 10 is a great one to add
             
St. Thomas 16 is by Robbie Robinson
     
Of note Burlington 10 will be a par four inside a year
     
St. Thomas 15 is another Robbie Robinson hole.

     
Tyler,

I like Niakwa's 13th too. (I'll be there Thursday)


Greg,

Sadly, I have not got to Digby Pines...yet.


Tom M,

Sounds interesting, I will have to try get there, it's not an unreasonable distance.

[Mark Saltzman]

Some 3s
6th at Couchiching (some imagination required)
8th at St George's
5th, 12th at Thornhill
4th, 8th at Uplands
4th at Banff Springs
9th at Montebello
6th at Kawartha


Some 4s
7th at Couchiching
4th at Legacy Ridge (Owen Sound)
2nd, 7th, 12th, 14th at St George's
8th, 12th at The Summit
6th at The Briars (just because the green is amazing)
6th at Thornhill
9th at Windermere
2nd, 4th, 13th at Highlands Links
2nd, 13th at Kawartha
10th at Whirlpool


Some 5s
5th at Allandale
10 at Burlington
4th at St George's
4th at The Briars
7th, 15th, 16th at Highlands Links

[Alan Carter]

Easily I'd slide Jasper's #8 and #14 into the mix for Par 4's.  I also have no trouble sliding in #13 into the Par 5 list as well.

ac

[Gary Slatter]

Ian, interesting question, but can it end with definite answers.  I've been lucky enough to have played most of the holes noted, and they all have been subject to the whims (economic or committee driven or GK) over the years.  My favourites used to on Bigwin Island, none are there anymore.  Huntsville Downs #2 and #3 were great short 4s, #7 was a brilliant 210 yard par 3 - they are all gone, someone decided to make the 9-holer into an 18 hole course, they did and changed all the holes.

The courses with the least changes (Jasper, St Thomas, Capilano, Kawartha, Couch, Uplands?) might still have the best Thompson holes.  Certainly Banff still has many, if you can find them.  Some Robinson holes might in fact be great Thompson holes.  I'm sure some Ian Andrew holes will be great Thompson holes.

Whats the best Thompson tribute course?  St George's, Jasper, Highlands, Banff......

[henrye]

I put together some holes for concideration, but I'm quite sure there a few I have missed or a course that I've forgotten.

Look forward to some helpful suggestions on what are his best 18 holes.

Some 3’s

15th at Cataraqui
9th at Capilano
9th at Jasper
4th at Banff
8th at Uplands
15th at Niakwa
15th at Oakdale
15th at Jasper

Some 4’s

2nd at Highland GL
2nd at St. Georges
7th at Capilano
18th at Jasper (does it still hold up?)
15th at Westmount
13th at Kawartha
8th at Summit (is it actually a Thompson hole?)
13th at Highland GL
12th at St. George’s
12 at Banff Springs (old 16)
12th at Burlington
18th at St. Thomas
9th at Thornhill
16th at Highlands GC (too altered?)
10th at Oshawa (questionable lineage)
18th at Cataraqui
3rd at Jasper
4th at Highland GL

Some 5’s

15th at Highland GL
7th at Highland GL
18th at Capilano
14th at Summit (likely a Cumming's hole)

While I've seen almost all courses, there remains a couple I still haven't seen. I will wade in where the architecture may not be pure Thompson, or be incorrectly credited to him.

I always thought Thompson was best appreciated for his 3's?  Banff's #4 is my least favourite 3 there.  My fave is #2.  Also, prefer Jasper's #7 to 9.

Strong holes at Muskoka Lakes #4 (wonderful natural green site), followed by #5, a gentle dogleg par 5.  #6 is a wonderful Thompson 3.  Other admirable holes (probably not great) there include #'s 9, 10 & 18.

[Don Hyslop]

One hole that hasn't been mentioned that I find really enjoyable as well as scenic and challenging is the 16th hole at Green Gables Golf Course in Prince Edward Island. It is a 181 yard par 3 that crosses a salt pond on the edge of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It was even better before Tom McBroom took out some of the wild undulations that used to exist on the putting surface. Wish I knew how to post a picture.