Posted : April 8, 2019
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.
East
Four Great Canadian Golf Courses in Eastern York Durham Headwaters
Where can you find great Canadian golf? The answer may surprise you.
Few areas in Canada can boast as many quality golf courses as York Durham Headwaters – Ontario’s Central Counties. The land lends itself perfectly to the game, with rolling hills, dense forest, and panoramas that allow you to be fully immersed in nature.roayl
The eastern side of this region touches the edges of Toronto and stretches to more rural landscapes to the north. Here, you’ll find a foursome of facilities with well-manicured and intriguing grounds. Royal Ashburn Golf Club, The Briars Golf Club, Wooden Sticks Golf Club, and Angus Glen Golf Club each stand on their own as desirable places to play, but together create a golf collective that will leave you with nothing but admiration.
It starts with the Royal Ashburn Golf Club in Whitby, which has been hosting golfers for more than 55 years. Over that time, the Club has evolved to world class level, such that it has hosted the qualifying school for the Canadian Tour for many years.
At 7,100 yards, the Royal Ashburn can be a stern test for accomplished players, but any golfer can enjoy the mature layout with multiple tee decks, including those as playable as 4,783 yards.
Add in an extensive practice area and a comfortable clubhouse and you’ll soon see why this course remains a go-to course in the region.
Every wanted to play some of the best layouts in the world? You have that opportunity in Uxbridge where tribute holes and brilliant original designs mark the property at the Wooden Sticks Golf Club.
Not only will you see glimpses of the world’s most notable holes, but you’ll experience what the club has been known for from their very beginning – first rate service. Delicious meals, extensive practice facilities, and on-site accommodations in well-appointed cabins make Wooden Sticks stand out in a province full of great properties.
If you want a multiple course option in one location, Markham, Ontario’s Angus Glen Golf Club is your spot in the eastern half of the York Durham Headwaters. Unlike many 36-hole facilities where one course shines over the other, the North and South layouts have both been strong enough to host the PGA TOUR’s RBC Canadian Open. At the same time each has a distinct architectural flavour. Playing one will only lead you to want to tee it up again on the other.
Moving further away from the Greater Toronto Area, The Briars Golf Club is a walk back in time to a golden era of golf club design. The original nine holes were crafted by the hand of Stanley Thompson in 1922 with the delicate addition of another nine by the equally respected Robbie Robinson in 1972.
With the full feel of a private club and a setting on the southern shores of Lake Simcoe, The Briars Golf Club is a true Canadian retreat.
Royal Ashburn, Wooden Sticks, Angus Glen, and The Briars; four great reasons to tee up in the York Durham Headwaters – Ontario’s Central Counties.
West
Golf in The Hills of The York Durham Headwaters
If you have played golf for any time, you will have experienced courses that fall on the bland side. You recognize them by the flat, unimaginative designs that serve the purpose of playing the game but do nothing to pique your senses and foster your love of the sport. Escape the bland and functional and head straight to the western part of York Durham Headwaters, which skirts the top edge of the Greater Toronto Area. Here you’ll find courses that quench your thirst for really good golf.
For all the golf you can handle in 6,500 yards, visit the well-established Caledon Country Club in the town of the same name for a fabulous introduction to this area of Ontario. It all kicks off with a risk-reward 240-yard par four where an eagle is a possibility and continues all the way through 18 holes that demand strategic precision from the golfer. The reward for all is premium conditioning in a setting where architect Rene Muylaert made the most of the Caledon Hills landscape.
The Caledon Country Club offers 27 holes set amid a sprawling property dotted with pine trees. You’ll enjoy your day on this well-conditioned and welcoming course.
Not far from the Caledon Country Club, you’ll find a Club with similar DNA. The Glen Eagle Golf Club near Bolton also has 27 holes and was designed by Rene Muylaert. Established in 1962 and situated in the Albion Hills, this course has become a favourite stopover for some of Canada’s Hall of Fame golfers.
Whether you choose to play the Red, Blue, or Yellow course (we suggest all three) you’ll be sure to enjoy the rolling topography, distinctive bunkering and mature setting. It is particularly spectacular in the Fall when the golden hues of the leaves add even more beauty. The Club also specializes in celebrations; whether you are a single golfer or a wedding party of 250, you’ll enjoy your time here.
Wandering to nearby Tottenham, one the youngest (1995) courses in the region, Woodington Lake Golf Club, presents 36 holes of spectacular golf. Near to Newmarket and Orangeville, the heart of this club is a sprawling 32,000 clubhouse, which is perfect for any occasion. That is, unless you are an avid golfer. In that case the two 18-hole layouts will demand your immediate attention.
With its challenging 18-hole courses and breath-taking landscape, the Woodington Lake Golf Club, located just outside of Newmarket in Simcoe County, is granted a neighbourly YDH honourable mention. The original Legend Course winds its way around Woodington Lake, making full use of its beauty. Carved out of a pine forest, the holes enjoy singular settings among the 200 acres they cover. Those preferring a more “open” experience will be attracted to the newer Legacy Course. That said, the “open” label does not mean “easy”. Its large, fast greens test your short game while an abundance of unique features will keep your attention all day long.
If you prefer the full resort experience, then plan a visit to the Hockley Valley Resort in Mono. The resort boasts dining facilities, a spa, and even a winery! The Hockley Valley Resort is a true four-season resort with skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.
The resort opened its golf course – designed by Thomas McBloom in 1980. At less than 6,400 yards, the golf course is suitable for all levels of players. Lush bentgrass tees, fairways, and greens carpet the course, which is accented by long fescue grass as it winds its way through the rippling terrain. There is no shortage of elevation changes, providing some exceptional views across an untouched natural landscape.
Just when you thought you had your fill of golf, there are still 54 holes left to discover in this region, all found at Osprey Valley Golf. Your first look may leave you shaking your head in disbelief as on a property of staggering size there exists three very distinct golf courses, all built to world class specifications.
You can have your choice of styles at Osprey Valley, from the parkland Toot course, to the waste bunker ridden Hoot, or a linksy affair at Heathland. The hardest part is deciding which to play, but if you stick around for some extra time, you’ll be able to pack in all three. If you do, you’ll be sure to run into many happy golfers (and maybe even some famous ones) who continue to tout this facility as one of the best public golf courses in the entire country.
It’s just another testament to this region, the quality of golf being offered, and why you should be booking your next golf vacation in the York Durham Headwaters – Your Road Trip Destination.
