Sports
October 16, 2008 09:02 PM
By: John Cudmore
Since Markham and York Region are teeming with golf courses — there isn’t one located every second set of stoplights, but almost — it figures there are plenty of favourite golf holes from which to choose.
So it was expected when The Economist & Sun sent out the call for readers to share their favourites, there would be a wide variety from which to select the region’s favourite golf hole.
There is no hard-and-fast rule regarding the definition of favourite.
For some readers, it is the best challenge from a pure golf standpoint. For others, it may be one on which they score well, quite possibly a satisfying birdie or par. On the other hand, maybe it’s the one that induces nightmares and scores badly. Perhaps it’s that one hole on a golf course that provides comfort as if it’s an old friend. Or, that one hole which is capable of grabbing the imagination or senses.
All that said, however, an old reliable generated the most responses from our readers to earn itself status as the favourite hole for 2008.
Those readers include the winners of a random draw for prizes among participants — Markham resident Suzy Rose who won four rounds at ClubLink’s Station Creek Golf Club and John Suk of Newmarket who carted off a TaylorMade Staff bag.
Read on to see what else our readers and course representatives had to say.
TOP CHOICE
Uplands Golf Club (Thornhill), No. 8
Par 3, 232 yards
By the book: Feared as one of Canada’s most challenging golf holes, this 232 yards test demands pin-point accuracy from tees gazing down from 60 feet above its tree-lined valley fairway. The entire length of the fairway is guarded by a small stream on the left side, leading to a green elevated about 15 feet above the fairway.
The Stanley Thompson-designed course which opened as a 18-hole private course in 1922 certainly has the lineage to be a standout despite surrendering half of its layout to urban sprawl in 1989. The nine-hole facility still manages to provide a jewel in an urban setting.
No huge surprise here since the No. 8 is regularly rated among the top 10 golf holes in Ontario and in the top 500 world-wide by Golf Digest.
Just goes to show, the classics are timeless.
Readers Take: “Trying to hit a straight and precise shot at that distance is challenging as well as terrifying. I would never get tired of playing this hole again and again.” — Henry Chau, Markham
- “The 8th hole is my lifelong nemesis, but my favourite hole. It always wins and I love a challenge. With not one birdie in at least 100 tries, it keeps me coming back for more.” — Ash O’Malley, Richmond Hill.
Pro’s Take: “If you are able to reach the green, hit a draw to the hill on the right of the green,” writes Scott Smirnov on the Uplands website.“ A shot that appears to be going over the right side of the green will kick to the centre of the green.”
“If you are not confident about reaching the green, play the hole as a par-4 and be happy walking away with a bogey.”
Runner-up
• King’s Riding Golf Club (Aurora), No. 11
Par 3, 171 yards
By the book: It’s best to possess oodles of confidence and nerves of steel on one of the more intimidating par-three holes in the area.
Peering out from elevated tees for a landing area between tee and green is a futile effort since it’s one massive pond. Hence, a drive must carry 165 yards to reach a dry landing. Those feint-of-heart will take solace in a bail-out area to the left, bordering Bathurst Street. Adding to the mix is a wind which usually plays into the face of the tees or occasionally, right to left, a bit of a gift from the gods to right-handed strikers. A long ball finds a hazard behind the tricky, back-to-front green.
“It’s definitely an intimidating par-three and very intimidating (tee) shot,” said associate golf professional Jason Stewart.
Readers take: “The ‘beauty and the beast’ hole plays 193 yards from the elevated blue tees and is all carry over the water. Intimidation is the name of the game, especially if it’s windy or if you tend to lose the ball to the right.” — Steve Watson.
- “If you are good enough and have an accurate shot and can get it on the green watch out for the fast green and you will go from getting your birdie to rolling off the green to end up with bogey.” — Justin Theodoropolous, Aurora.
Pro’s take: “I break out the anti-slice swing and play to the left off the bank to get the members’ bounce,” said Stewart
Rounding out the all-star roster of holes, in no particular, order are:
St. Andrew’s Valley (Aurora), No. 9
Par 5, 495 yards
By the book: Outfitted with the monicker ‘Twisted’, this hole is twisted. The river meanders into play three times and to add to the challenge, a pond guards the right side off the tee. Risk-takers will opt to reach the green in two shots.
Reader’s take: “All aspects of your game are tested on one of the most challenging yet scenic holes you will find in Ontario. A par is a terrific achievement on this wonderful hole.” — Dan Dunn, Newmarket.
- “It is always a very challenging hole and must be played properly in order to have a chance at a birdie or even a par.” — Murray Blight, Newmarket.
Pro’s take: “It’s the most talked about hole here but not in a positive way,” said director of golf Rob Pearce, claiming it is wise to play conservatively rather than try reaching the green in two. “Accuracy is a must. A gamble will prove folly. Pay it safe.”
Ballantrae Golf & Country Club (Ballantrae), No. 11
Par 4, 343 yards
By the book: One of two holes re-worked by designer Doug Carrick four years ago, the hole plays from 277 yards from the forward tees to 378 at the tips.
Water accompanies the left side from tee to green and there is plenty of hardwood forest to the right and behind the small undulating green.
General manager John McLellan points out a driver and short iron is do-able to reach a small undulating green, one of the trickiest on the nine-year-old course. But a small landing area might persuade most visitors to play it safe and lay-up with a longer iron on the second shot.
“It’s true risk-reward in Doug Carrick fashion,” said McLellan.
Readers take: “The design genius here is all shots require absolute precision. Your drive must carry a pond 190-plus with more water left and bunkers/snarly rough right. Two putts on this razor thin, humpy green is miraculous; approaches short find water, long is dead, bail right means a carnival chip.” — Rob Hums, Newmarket.
- “It’s not a long par-4 but makes your knees tremble. You think about this hole even before you come to play it.” — David Lewis
Pro’s take: “As soon as you walk on the tee you know why it’s our signature hole,” said general manager John McLellan. “There’s just such a ‘Wow’ factor. It’s our prettiest hole. We wanted it spectacular and that’s what Doug Carrick did.”
Richmond Hill Golf Club (Richmond Hill), No. 11
Par 4, 376 yards
By the book: Hitting down in to the valley to a narrow, right-to-left sloping fairway makes the tee shot the most important shot. An iron off the tee to the right of the 150-yard marker is recommended. The approach is downhill to a well-guarded green with trees and water awaiting long, overzealous shots. Take one less club and go at the pin. A relatively flat green offers a chance to make up a stroke with your putter. Walking away with a bogey is a good score and par is a bonus.
Reader’s take: “For sheer intimidation, No. 11 does it for me. I look back with a smile whenever I manage to pull off a bogey.” — Idalia Adamo, Richmond Hill
Pro’s take: “It’s probably a favourite for the wrong reason — it’s so tough,” said golf director Doug Young. “It is our signature hole and once was always a top-rated hole until the newer courses came along. It’s our number one handicap hole.”
Copper Creek Golf Club (Kleinburg), No. 10
Par 4, 420 yards
By the book: The teeing ground for Copper Creek’s signature hole is 100 feet above a fairway that slopes dramatically toward a pond that runs the length of the left side all the way up to the green. The right side of the 10th hole is dense treeline making it extremely important to find the fairway with your tee shot. A successful drive aimed at the lone tree on the right side of the fairway leaves a long approach shot to a deep narrow green guarded by water on the left and the forest of the Humber River Valley on the right.
Reader’s take: “I’ll take a bogey any day and I’ve walked off the green a few times happy with a six.” — Dan MacGillivray.
Pro’s take: “Coming away with par on the 10th hole is a small victory in itself,” said head golf professional John Young.
Shawneeki Golf Club (Sharon), No. 11
Par 5, 474 yards
By the book: The main issue in playing this left dogleg is staying clear of trees. Easier said than done. With trees lining both sides of the gently rising fairway, it is wise to target the large standout tree about 215 yards out. From that narrow landing area set-up for an approach from about 150 yards out to bunker-guarded green. An error to the right on approach, however, will risk finding the lateral hazard and bring the unfortunate golfer face-to-face with the spectacular backdrop.
“It’s like kicking a field goal between the two trees,” says director of golf George Lacy, on the critical tee shot. “You have to get past those trees. You want to put it through the uprights.”
Reader’s take: - “Once you have thwarted all the hazards, from the tee to the green, you are rewarded with an amazing views toward the east since you are elevated high above the landscape. A reward for making it.” — John Suk, Newmarket.
- “For some unknown reason I play it very well. Some holes just fit your eye better than others.” — Bob Wallen, Newmarket.
Pro’s take: “Most of the trouble is off the tee,” said George Lacy. “It’s a strategy hole. I tell people to move your chess piece. If you miss the trees you can make a good score.”
Shawneeki Golf Club, No. 12.
Par 3, 169 yards
By the book: Don’t let the spectacular view of Shawneeki’s signature hole fool you — this has potential to be unpleasant.
Playing from an elevated tee and dropping 60 feet into a beautiful valley, the hole plays about 1-1/2 clubs shorter to the enclosed green from any of the tee decks. Combine that with tricky wind conditions and a fast green, especially when putting from left to right, which difficult to hold, and par is no given.
Backdropped by a cedar grove and offering a spectacular view of farmers’ fields and the Black River tributary, the hole is indeed memorable.
Reader’s take: “You have about a 10-foot window to play to on the drive, but what like is that it is a different club every time you play it based on the winds. I play anything from a five- to an eight-iron.” — Brent Peterman, Holland Landing.
Pro’s take: ‘You can see everything from the tee, but it is our toughest par-three,” said Lacy. “I think it’s the hardest hole on the course when the wind is coming into you from the east.”
Glenway Country Club (Newmarket), No. 18
Par 4, 382 yards
By the book: A relatively easy finish to a round, providing the opportunity to leave a smile on any golfer’s face. Trees line both sides of the fairway. Ten-foot fairway banks helps save off-line shots and if you can avoid the fairway bunker at 180 yards it’s not a tough play into a green despite protection from bunkers on either side.
A hybrid off the tee to 120 yards out, a wedge in and a chance at birdie.
Reader’s take: “This is a deceptively difficult hole that can jump up and bite the unwary golfer, a fitting end to decide the winner of a round.” — Blair Hammond.
Pro’s take: “It’s a nice looking hole but not a lot of risk,” said associate golf professional Mickey Franc. “Even a poor drive will give you a lot of run down the fairway.”
Honourable mentions
Pheasant Run Golf Club (Sharon), No. 9, Midlands; No. 7 Highlands.
Silver Lakes Golf & Country Club (Newmarket), No. 2.
Diamondback Golf Club (Richmond Hill), No. 8.
Woodington Lake Golf Club (Tottenham), No. 18.
Angus Glen Golf Club (Markham), No. 1 (South Course); No. 12 (South Course).
Cardinal Golf Club (Kettleby), No. 8 (East Course).
Remington Parkview (Markham), No. 11 Valley Course.
Mandarin Golf & Country Club (Markham), No. 16.
Pines of Georgina Golf Club (Pefferlaw), No. 6.
Eagles Nest Golf Club (Maple), No. 17.
Rolling Hills Golf Club (Gormley), No. 1.
Shawneeki Golf Club (Sharon), No. 4.
Copper Creek Golf Club (Kleinburg) No. 9.