Golf Digest Top 30 in Canada

[Wayne_Kozun]

I think I personally prefer the SCOREGolf rankings to the list.  The most egregious error IMO is Crowbush at 14 ahead of Toronto GC, Highlands Links and Beacon Hall.  Memphrémagog  also remains very high - perhaps due to the exclusivity factor.

1. (1) Cabot Cliffs  ♦
Inverness, N.S.
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2015)
Score: 63.2679

2. (2) The National G.C. of Canada
Woodbridge, Ont.
George Fazio & Tom Fazio (1976)
Score: 62.4904

3. (3) St. George's G. and C.C.
Etobicoke, Ont.
Stanley Thompson (1929)
Score: 62.4426

4. (5) Capilano G. and C.C.
West Vancouver, B.C.
Stanley Thompson (1937)
Score: 60.9249

5. ( Fairmont Jasper (Alb.) Park Lodge G.C. ♦
Stanley Thompson (1925)
Score: 60.7167

6. (7) Cabot Links ♦
Inverness, N.S.
Rod Whitman (2011)
Score: 60.5586

7. (4) Memphrémagog G.C.
Magog, Quebec
Thomas McBroom (2008)
Score: 60.5229

8. (15) Tobiano G. Cse. ♦
Kamloops, B.C.
Thomas McBroom (2008)
Score: 59.9722

9. (6) Hamilton G. & C.C. (West/South)
Ancaster, Ont.
Harry S. Colt (1916)
Score: 59.8732

10. (10) Muskoka Bay Club ♦
Gravenhurst, Ont.
Doug Carrick (2007)
Score: 59.7110

11. (9) Fairmont Banff (Alb.) Springs G. Cse. (Thompson) ♦
Stanley Thompson (1927)
Score: 59.6014

12. (11) Shaughnessy G. & C.C.
Vancouver, B.C.
A.V. Macan (1960)
Score: 59.3669

13. (12) Devil's Paintbrush
Caledon East, Ont.
Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry (1992)
Score: 59.3038

14. (16) The Links at Crowbush Cove ♦
Morell, P.E.I.
Thomas McBroom (1994)
Score: 59.1871

15. (14) Beacon Hall G.C.
Aurora, Ont.
Bob Cupp (1988)
Score: 59.1439

16. (13) Cape Breton Highlands Links ♦
Ingonish Beach, N.S.
Stanley Thompson (1941)
Score: 58.8114

17. (17) Devil's Pulpit
Caledon Village, Ont.
Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry (1991)
Score: 58.7370

18. (19) Toronto G.C.
Mississauga, Ont.
Harry S. Colt (1912)
Score: 58.2275

19. (20) Redtail G. Cse.
Port Stanley, Ont.
Donald Steel (1993)
Score: 57.9995

20. (19) Victoria (B.C.) G.C.
A.V. Macan (1930)
Score: 57.9865

21. (23) Westmount G. & C.C.
Kitchener, Ont.
Stanley Thompson (1931)
Score: 57.6427

22. (27) London (Ont.) Hunt and C.C.
Robert Trent Jones (1962)
Score: 57.4978

23. (21) Mississaugua (Ont.) G. & C.C.
George Cumming & Percy Barrett (1906)/Stanley Thompson (1928)
Score: 57.4479

24. (25) Royal Montreal G.C. (Blue)
Ile Bizard, Quebec
Dick Wilson (1959)
Score: 57.3343

25. (24) Oviinbyrd G.C.
MacTier, Ont.
Tom McBroon (2005)
Score: 57.3053

26. (28) Coppinwood G.C.
Uxbridge, Ont.
Tom Fazio (2007)
Score: 57.1796

27. (22) Calgary (Alb.) G. & C.C.
Tom Bendelow (1911)/Willie Park Jr. (1925)
Score: 57.1127

28. (26) Bigwin Island G.C. ♦
Baysville, Ont.
Doug Carrick (2002)
Score: 56.7086

29. (29) Big Sky G.C. (Championship) ♦
Pemberton, B.C.
Bob Cupp (1994)
Score: 56.4131

30. (NR) Eagles Nest G.C.
Maple, Ont.
Doug Carrick (2004)
Score: 56.1679

[Mike Baillie]

Some what like the Score list last year, it seems Golf Digest doesn't have the affinity for golf course architecture like most on Golf Club Atlas.  A year ago Tom Doak made a comment that if Cataraqui and Kawartha were in the 90s, then there must be a lot of good golf courses in Canada!

Imagine Toronto 18th, Cape Breton Highlands 16th and Hamilton 9th.  Seems as crazy as the 90 rankings on the 2 eastern Ontario courses.  Can't comment on some I have not played but like Wayne, Crowbush seems way too high at 14th.

The Golf Magazine 100 and next 50 is solid list to me with an update later this year.  As far as Canada goes, I still go with BCD's / Ian Andrew's and Jeff M's list from over 15 years ago then toss in the Cabots near the top and Muskoka Bay in the low teens.

All in the eye of the beholder I  guess but The National at 2.  It should only appeal to some of those with indexes under 5.  How much fun can it be shooting 90 plus off that type of handicap and not necessarily playing badly!

[Wayne_Kozun]

FYI, here are the top courses in Canada on the Doak scale (I averaged where there were different, multiple scores)

Cabot Cliffs   8
Cabot Links    8
St. George’s    8
Fairmont Banff Springs    7.75
Cape Breton Highlands Links    7.75
Capilano    7.75
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge    7.5
Hamilton    7
Mount Bruno    7
Devil’s Paintbrush    6.3
Toronto GC    6.3
The National GC of Canada    6
Greywolf    6
Muskoka Bay    6
Oviinbyrd    6
Redtail    6
Weston    6
Summit    6
Calgary G&CC    6
Royal Montreal - Blue    6
Laval-sur-le-lac Blue    6
Kawartha    6
Taboo    6
Wolf Creek - Old    6
Cataraqui    6
Lookout Point    6
Dakota Dunes    6

[Phil Burr]

My initial reaction to the original posting with the GD top 30 was “what about Mt. Bruno?”.  It’s composite Doak score seems to bear out its merit.  Did it fail to make the top 30 because of its reclusiveness?  My second reaction was one of surprise and relief that GD’s Canadian panel had the good sense to ignore Glen Abbey.  Two interesting par fours in the canyon (11 & 14, I think), but little else that looks noteworthy.

[Tom_Doak]

If they'd just swap out The National at no. 2 for Banff, the ranking would not be so bothersome.  Did they play the third nine at Banff by mistake?   


Also, Mt. Bruno is a better PLACE than a GOLF COURSE, but the course should still easily make the top 30 in Canada.  Maybe they just hope people think they forgot it, instead of ranking it #26 and incurring the wrath of every banker in Canada.

[Andrew Harvie]

I've never heard of a single person who prefers Tobiano & Memphremagog over Banff and Toronto

[Wayne_Kozun]

I don't know who the raters are but I think the concentration of courses in Toronto leads to a bit of a backlash from those from outside of Toronto.  That likely hurts courses in the Toronto area.  Specifically with Toronto GC, I get the idea that Toronto GC does not care too much about ratings and doesn't actively court them so that likely hurts them on the rating lists.

[Kalen Braley]

If anyone stateside is itching to get up north.

Looks like August 9th you can get in if you have proof of vaccination.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/19/world/us-canada-border-opening/index.html

[Tom_Doak]

If anyone stateside is itching to get up north.

Looks like August 9th you can get in if you have proof of vaccination.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/19/world/us-canada-border-opening/index.html

Certainly good news for Cabot