OT—Canadian Private Courses

[Ira Fishman]

Do Canadian private courses use the UK model of allowing visitors on certain days?


Thanks.

[Alex_Hunter]

Typically no. It is the same model as US private clubs.
You might be able to have your club professional introduce you during off peak days/hours (typically Mondays and Tuesdays). Or a nice letter to the head professional/GM may help. It all depends on which club(s) you'd like to play and when.


What are you interested in playing?

[Ira Fishman]

Alex,


Thanks. My wife has never been to Niagara Falls which is what prompted the question but it also was a general one.


Ira

[Tim Martin]

Ira-On the U.S. side is CC of Buffalo which is worth checking out.

[Ira Fishman]

Ira-On the U.S. side is CC of Buffalo which is worth checking out.

Yes, but bidding on National Links Trust auction went too high for just the two of us.

[Alex_Hunter]

Alex,


Thanks. My wife has never been to Niagara Falls which is what prompted the question but it also was a general one.


Ira

Hmm. Here are some recommendations for both private and public clubs in this area.
I haven't had too much trouble with the private clubs being friendly. YMMV


Public/Semi-Private

• Niagara-on-the-Lake (9 holes - semi-private)

The oldest golf course in North America (continuous operation). Quaint little town you and your wife may enjoy staying there. Recommend the Prince of Wales Hotel or Queens Landing.
You can read a bit more on the course here. A version of this article might be coming over to GCA soon: [size=78%]https://beyondthecontour.com/niagara-on-the-lake/[/size]

• Whirlpool (18 holes - muni)

Charming Stanley Thompson. You won't be blown away but it is relatively good and very affordable.

• Legends on the Niagara (36 holes - muni)

If you want more of a championship test the two courses here from Thomas McBroom (Usshers Creek) and Doug Carrick (Battlefield) are good. Affordable and this is the extent of the best public in the area. Conditioning can be suspect (drainage is poor when it rains a lot).




Private

• Cherry Hill Club (18 holes)

Walter Travis. Fairly flat but lovely set of Travis greens that get very speedy. One of the most American clubs in Canada due to its proximity to the border and lots of US members. Not sure if they would accommodate you but a nicely written letter might help.

• Lookout Point (18 holes)

Walter Travis. Dramatic views from atop the Niagara escarpment this is one of my favourites in Ontario. The head professional Dan is very nice and he might be able to accommodate you for a round if you go during non-peak times.

[Rob Marshall]

Ira-On the U.S. side is CC of Buffalo which is worth checking out.

Only played CCB once and never thought it was that great with the exception of the quarry hole. If I had one round to play in Buffalo it would be Crag Burn. Cool place,  all golf.

[Ian Andrew]

Ira,


Most (Canadian Clubs) are open to a well written letter or a call from your club professional. The higher profile ones closer to Toronto are not. These are both worth playing.

[Jerry Kluger]

If you are going to Niagra Falls make sure you stay on the Canadian side near Niagara-On-The-Lake which is a lovely town and there are some really good wineries in the area which serve dinner overlooking their vineyards which is great.

[Andrew Harvie]

Ira,


Most (Canadian Clubs) are open to a well written letter or a call from your club professional. The higher profile ones closer to Toronto are not. These are both worth playing.

Yes, this! There's only ~10 golf courses that a well-written introduction from your club professional won't get you on (Mount Bruno, Memphremagog, Redtail, Oviinbyrd, etc). Some of the golf courses around Toronto have started to pick up on the American unaccompanied rates, but most would have you or do their best to set you up with a group of members to host.

[Ira Fishman]

Many thanks to all.


Ira

[Matt Bosela]

Ira,


I grew up in Niagara Falls and currently live about 15 minutes from the Falls in St. Catharines.


I'm also a member at both Lookout Point (Travis) and St. Catharines G&CC, two private clubs in the area and I'd be happy to host you at either or both if you visit.  Cherry Hill is usually very accommodating as well.


If you have any questions whatsoever about the Niagara Region, feel free to DM me and I'll be happy to help.

[Ira Fishman]

Matt,


Really appreciate that!


Ira

[Ronald Montesano]

FYI -- It is that great. Don't know what you saw, but your guide did not show you all of it. When did you play CCB?

Ira-On the U.S. side is CC of Buffalo which is worth checking out.

Only played CCB once and never thought it was that great with the exception of the quarry hole. If I had one round to play in Buffalo it would be Crag Burn. Cool place,  all golf.

[Ronald Montesano]

Ira, check your DMs. Between me and Matt B., we can be of assistance. Matt is a great guy to hang with, for 4-5 hours.

[Rob Marshall]

FYI -- It is that great. Don't know what you saw, but your guide did not show you all of it. When did you play CCB?

Ira-On the U.S. side is CC of Buffalo which is worth checking out.

Only played CCB once and never thought it was that great with the exception of the quarry hole. If I had one round to play in Buffalo it would be Crag Burn. Cool place,  all golf.

Played with my pro in a bestball. 25 years ago probably. It was after a wind storm had knocked down a bunch of trees. They had been cleaned up. Just didn't do anything for me. The quarry hole was cool.

[zachary_car]

I played CCB in early November of this year and enjoyed it for the most part. Overall, I'd judge that Lookout Point is quite easily the best of the three discussed here (LP, CCB, and Cherry). Cherry Hill is a pleasant WJT golf course, although one limited by its rather non-descript parcel of farm land. I don't even think that the set of greens, apart from a few sterling examples such as the 11th, is a standout set in his catalogue.


Lookout, on the other hand, despite having its last holes butchered, is replete with moments of peculiarity. Some of these are captivating and exhilarating (the 1st, 3rd green, 5th, 10th, and 14th) while others are slightly confounding (the 8th, most notably). In short, though, Lookout offers something that, in my experience, is pretty unique.


However, I do wish that they would geomap Travis' abandoned 18th green, which currently serves as a chipping green, and replace the current 16th with it.