Here is my list from most recent to least.
Norfolk Golf & Country Club (Simcoe, ON)
My home club. Norfolk is s 9 hole par 34 established in 1895 that has remained at the same location since its founding. There is some Stanley Thompson influence as well, based on the “eye-test” and the legendary mid-1930s photo in the clubhouse where Stanley, Nicol and Frank are hanging out with club membership. I might be biased, but I would call this one of the best 9 hole courses In Canada.
Mount Bruno Country Club
This is the one course on the list that I’d like to play again, excluding those that I have already played multiple times on this list. (Norfolk, Grand-Mère, Brantford and Lookout if you are wondering). The pacing is wonderful with a gentle start, a slow building crescendo through the middle of the routing, a change of pace with the short detour into the woods that eventually returns to the main field of play for the finish. Will they proceed with the Andy Staples restoration? Only time will tell.
Club de Golf Grand-Mère
Be sure to brush up on your French if you plan to make a visit. While it’s easy enough to get by as an anglophone in Montreal, this course is about 2 hours away deep into the francophone part of Quebec. Trees continue to come down and conditioning continues to improve (if that’s important to you). C'est un excellent parcours de golf.
Brantford Golf & Country Club
Recent work from Whitman, Axland & Cutten is unlocking the potential of this course. Hopefully a few more trees come down and the renovation reaches its completion soon.
London Hunt Club
Self proclaimed to be the Augusta of the North (I’ll wait for the chuckling to subside). London Hunt exemplifies just about everything I don’t like about a golf course.
Winter Park Golf Course
If you’re close by you shoujld definitely visit this gem of a 9 hole course. The setting and patrons create a very unique experience. Where else do you leave the golf course proper mid-round, walk down a municipal sidewalk, only to return to the course that doglegs around a cemetery?
Cabot Citrus Farm (Karoo / Roost / Squeeze / Wedge)
Stretching the rules a wee bit by grouping them all together. The only reason for me to return would be to see the rest of Roost that was still under construction when I played with a few of the lads from Beyond the Contour (dirt golf!).
Redtail Golf Club
A great course to name drop (from a Canadian perspective at least). I enjoyed the experience more than the golf course if that makes sense.
Lakeview Golf Club
A municipal course just on the edge of Toronto. Let’s hope the City of Mississauga continues the Cam Tyers’ renovation plan beyond the few completed holes. to date.
Lookout Point Country Club
Another Walter Travis that makes my list. As someone that enjoys being creative around the greens, I could imagine a scenario where I would be a very happy member enjoying the unique challenges these green sites present round after round. The epic 1st and 10th tee shots are a lot of fun as well.