Posted : May 16, 2014
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
The southern stretches of York Region’s suburbia are a vast collection of subdivisions with catchy names, strip malls with chain restaurants and massive arteries filled with endless ribbons of traffic. A group of developers came together to ask the question, “What do you get when you put together a former quarry, ski club, a world renowned golf course architect and land developers with a formidable budget and grand vision?” The result is a national recognized golf facility boasting one of the most unique routings in Ontario. Eagle’s Nest, located in Maple at the corner of Major Mackenzie and Dufferin has quickly ascended to be part of the conversation when discussing Canada’s best golf courses. Now entering its 10th Anniversary year, Eagle’s Nest is an absolute must if you haven’t had the pleasure of being tested by its formidable design and wowed by the beauty of the layout. Doug Carrick crafted from this blank slate, a design so different and memorable from the remnants of a decommissioned sand and gravel quarry, that golfers feel transported to the seaside links of the Isles. With an unlimited supply of soil from major developments around the GTA, Carrick was blessed, limited in his creation only by his imagination. Massive high dunes covered with jungly grasses and dotted with deep and devious pot bunkers gives Eagle’s Nest an old world feel but in the heart of the Central Counties. This premier golf facility is in the center of suburbia, but a world away from it, when immersed in the routing. Opening with a strong, uphill, dogleg, Par 5 the first hole gives you a taste of the character of the design. Lined by thick grass and huge, high dunes the opening two holes give the player a feeling of solitude. Both are a stern test with well placed pot bunkers willing to swallow anything hit errantly. Holes 3 – 7 are routed over an old ski club, beginning with a risk / reward tee shot high atop what feels like a cliff leading you to the valley and some demanding shot making. The back side is a step into another world. Waste areas, menacing pot bunkers, split fairways and dunes present you with shots rarely seen in this part of the world.
A premier public play facility, with a major focus on corporate golf, Eagle’s Nest has assembled a facility that not only features a national ranked layout, but also is home The Henry Brunton School, headed by one of Canada’s most acclaimed teachers of the game. The striking, well appointed clubhouse is home to Jim and Garry’s Pub located on the ground floor, featuring your favorite post round libation and a pub fare, all with stunning views of the finishing hole. Lago, a fine dining experience either post round, or for a night out provides for a gourmet meal in an elegant setting. A favorite locale for the meeting and wedding crowd, Eagle’s Nest is a facility born with a golfing vision, but provides many with a prefect location to host a function or begin a new life together. On the eve of its 10th Anniversary season, think of including Eagle’s Nest on this upcoming year’s, Central Counties golfing itinerary. Eagle’s Nest 10 000 Dufferin St. Maple, Ont., L6A 1S3 905-417-2300 http://www.eaglesnestgolf.com/home.htm Written by Rick Parnham Associate Editor of On The Tee magazine and Tour Supervisor BAGS Junior Golf Tour www.ontheteemagazine.com www.bags.on.ca
