Noticing a thread that was started last October asking for a worldwide Top 10 course list, it popped to mind that I would enjoy seeing our Canadian contingent (or our American or International friends, if they are comfortable with their knowledge of our Canadian courses) pass along a current Top 10 list of their favourite Canadian courses.

Yes, I know many of you know that I am involved in Jasper and trust me no offence will be taken to anyone who's list does not include it.

Thanks and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Of the courses I've played:

St. George's - Toronto, ON
Cataraqui - Kingston, ON
Banff - Banff, AB
Lookout Point - Fonthill, ON
St. Thomas - Union, ON
Beacon Hall - Aurora, ON
Weston - Toronto, ON
Kawartha - Peterborough, ON
Cutten Club - Guelph, ON
Cherry Downs - Pickering, ON (for the greens)

Alan, enjoyed seeing you at Mayakoba!

My top 10 Canadian courses, for today!  They are in sort of an order:
St.George's   Toronto
Banff (old)     Banff
Jasper           Jasper
Capilano         Vancouver
Toronto Golf Club   Toronto
Hamilton GC     Ancaster
Westmount GC   Kitchener
St. Thomas     Union, Ontario
Highlands Links  Cape Breton
Tie  Islington and Maple Downs

I'd play any of them with you, and give me 6 shots!

Pro, you and six shots???  I might give you six in Jasper, Banff and Maple.  Beyond that we would have to discuss it.  Islington in your Top 10 is very interesting.  The others I couldn't really argue.

Tyler,

I get to play Cherry Downs a few times a year.  It's a great second shot course.  I have noticed over the past couple of years the speeds have been a bit slower, and there have been more interesting pin positions as a result.

They host a fall scramble where they speed the greens up and put pins in funny spots.  It sometimes crosses the line when you see 4 guys putt it off the green.

Not necessarily in order...

St. George's
Highlands
Hamilton
Toronto Golf
The National (though I haven't seen the recent changes)
Capilano
Blackhawk
Eagle's Nest
Paintbrush
Scarboro (once Ian and Gil get their hands on it)

Alan,
I would be interested to hear your list.

When Rob, Ian, Jeff M and I did our top 25 in an In My Opinion piece, here were the results:

1. Highlands Links
2. St. George’s
3. Jasper Park Lodge
4. Hamilton
5.  Banff Springs
6. Capilano Golf and Country Club
7. Toronto Golf Club
8. National GC
9. Devil’s Paintbrush
10. Eagles Nest Golf Club
11. Blackhawk Golf Club
12. Westmount G&CC
13. Wolf Creek
14. Cataraqui Golf and Country Club
15. Bigwin Island

That is relatively close to mine, with the exception that I think Maple Downs, Mount Bruno and Scarboro would easily knock Westmount and Bigwin out and fight for the other spot.

Paul,
I am happy to see Cataraqui so high on your list, I am a great fan of the course.

Dan,
In that same IMO piece, we had the Abbey at 25. It is a course whose style has fallen out of fashion, but it has also gotten worse with the addition of homes to the already weak front nine. The stretch from 11-18 is pretty strong though and I think (for better or worse) it is still worthy of a top 20 spot in Canada.

Gents
thanks. I haven't played any of the courses listed, so I can't comment. I'm struck by how high Eagles Nest ranks for all of you; I'd heard/read it was good, but I didn't realize it was so good. I guess this summer I'll have to suck it up and pay that green fee to at least play it once.  (By the way, I'm also struck by how many times I've been introduced to a course by a friend, found that I really liked it, and then found out that it was a Doug Carrick design. He seems to always make a lot out of sometimes not very good sites.)

For those of you who play a lot, especially around the GTA, any thoughts on "top 10 modest courses", i.e. public courses with reasonable green fees that offer architectural interest and fun? (I was trying not to use 'hidden gems').

Thanks
Peter

I would add Redtail to the courses already given.

@Peter - Osprey Valley has three strong courses, particularly the Heathlands course.  Eagle's Nest has already been mentioned and Bond Head is also pretty good.  These may fit what you are looking for although it depends on your definition of reasonable.

Peter,
Uplands is a good selection, if only to see some neat green complexes and play the 8th hole.

Lakeview, Strong's effort across from the Toronto GC is a real cool course, which has the cheapest green fee in the city that I am aware of.

Quote from: Gary Slatter on April 17, 2007, 02:43:45 PM

Alan, enjoyed seeing you at Mayakoba!

My top 10 Canadian courses, for today!  They are in sort of an order:
St.George's   Toronto
Banff (old)     Banff
Jasper           Jasper
Capilano         Vancouver
Toronto Golf Club   Toronto
Hamilton GC     Ancaster
Westmount GC   Kitchener
St. Thomas     Union, Ontario
Highlands Links  Cape Breton
Tie  Islington and Maple Downs

I'd play any of them with you, and give me 6 shots!

Pro, you and six shots???  I might give you six in Jasper, Banff and Maple.  Beyond that we would have to discuss it.  Islington in your Top 10 is very interesting.  The others I couldn't really argue.

Islington is in my top 10 for several reasons:
1. Qualified for the Canadian Open at St.George's by holing a 20 footer on Islington's 18th
2. In two rounds at Islington in July 1975 (Pro Jr Press Day and Interclub) I shot 65 both times, 9 birdies both times, did not birdie same hole twice! Good Eclectic score!  Played both rounds with Pro Jim McKitterick. Alas, Shot 76 in their Pro Am the next month.

Ben, here is where the numbers fall when I submit both my Score and Golf Digest Rankings.

1. St. Georges
2. The National
3. Hamilton
4. Capilano
5. Highland Links
6. Banff Springs
7. Beacon Hall
8. Royal Montreal
9. Westmount
10. Glen Abbey
11. Toronto Golf Club
12. Mississauga
13. St. Thomas
14. Devil's Pulpit
15. Maple Downs

I don't have Jasper in the list, because I'm not allowed to cast a vote for a course I'm involved with.

I always enjoyed the Abbey.  I believe that Jack did a great job of designing a course that served as a great venue to watch tournament golf.  I think the course is very playable for the average player, yet proves to be no pushover for the better player.  I can't make that statement about many courses that host PGA Tour events.  Although the front nine is on a very dull piece of property the wind always manages to keep life interesting.  The back nine is great and the finishing few always manage to stir up excitement, whether it be in a tournament or in a simple Tuesday afternoon round with your buddies.

I've always enjoyed the place.  Though, it has been quite a few years since my last visit.  Maybe my impressions would change a bit next time around.  

Ben, here is where the numbers fall when I submit both my Score and Golf Digest Rankings.

1. St. Georges
2. The National
3. Hamilton
4. Capilano
5. Highland Links
6. Banff Springs
7. Beacon Hall
8. Royal Montreal
9. Westmount
10. Glen Abbey
11. Toronto Golf Club
12. Mississauga
13. St. Thomas
14. Devil's Pulpit
15. Maple Downs

I don't have Jasper in the list, because I'm not allowed to cast a vote for a course I'm involved with.

Thanks Alan. I like your list a lot. My two major disagreements are with RM (have you seen it since Rees has been there?), which I did not like much before and dislike more now and Beacon Hall. I have never understood the passion for Beacon. I agree with Gary's thoughts re:Mad River and I think I vote that somewhere between 15-20 for Score.

I do love St. Thomas as well. Are you a fan of Cat? What about Pulpit over Paintbrush?