Toronto, Ontario Features Top Golf Courses in Canada

By Oswald Smith

Golf Writer/CanadaGolf.com

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA – Most descriptions of Toronto are understated. The city is sophisticated, vibrant, clean and full of friendly citizens – and the golf here is the best in Ontario. This Canadian city offers tourists on golf vacation to Ontario world-class courses. There are 200 courses within 60 minutes of Toronto, so golfers will have a lot of choices for their golf package – as well as signature courses designed by some of the top golf architects in the world.

GLEN ABBEY – JACK NICKLAUS DESIGN, TIGER WOODS CONQUERED

Toronto, Ontario’s Glen Abbey is the most famous course in Canada that is open to anyone who wishes to challenge Jack Nicklaus’ first solo design. The golf course opened in 1976, and is held in high esteem by Tour players for its difficulty – 7,112 yards, Slope 140 from the Black tees.

“The Valley” at Glen Abbey is a five-hole stretch from the 11th tee, and is infamous as one of the PGA Tour’s toughest, adding to already substantial aura at the golf course.

“Surprisingly the course is accommodating from the shorter tees, which caters well to beginners who want to add Glen Abbey to their golf package,” according to Nick Rosen, a golf expert in Ontario. “Glen Abbey will be remembered for years as the site of “The Shot of 2000″ – Tiger Woods’ 218 yard 6-iron from a fairway bunker on the 18th hole to set up the birdie that clinched the Bell Canadian Open and The Triple Crown.”

HOCKLEY VALLEY – A CHALLENGE NEAR TORONTO, ONTARIO

At Hockley Valley in Ontario, Canada, golf architect Thomas McBroom has created an excellent Scottish-style links course worthy of this beautiful surrounding landscape. Centerpiece of a 300-acre, four-season luxury resort, the golf course winds through the hill and vale terrain with its pristine fairways, challenging bunkers and quick greens.

“Hockley Valley challenges the versatile golfer and rewards accuracy to those that dare it while on a golf trip near Toronto,” said Rosen.

ROYAL WOODBINE – A TOP COURSE MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN TORONTO

“There are challenges abound at this Michael Hurdzan designed golf course near Toronto, Ontario with 76 bunkers and water on all 18 holes that will keep you on your toes,” said Rosen.

Royal Woodbine boasts conditioned fairways and greens to make this championship golf course a real pleasure to add to a golf package while in the Toronto area. Only minutes from downtown Toronto in the Mimico Creek Valley, this is one of the area’s featured attractions.

OSPREY VALLEY – A SCOTTISH COURSE NEAR TORONTO, ONTARIO

The Heathlands Links course is reminiscent of a true Scottish links, a style favored by course architect Doug Carrick. One of the unique things about Osprey Valley is the way the layout mirrors the dunes of a seaside course. It has been claimed that Osprey Valley is a challenging course on the best of days, and a darn difficult one when the wind blows. Still, Osprey Valley is always a memorable experience, no matter how you play the round.

TORONTO’S ST. ANDREW’S VALLEY – THE TOUGHEST GOLF COURSE IN CANADA

This golf course located near Toronto, Ontario is not for the faint of heart. Rather, be tough and resolute before busting out the clubs to play at St. Andrew Valley. This immaculate course is as impressive as it is difficult, with water in play on 14 holes, and fast, fast greens. Dubbed “one of the five best public courses in Ontario” by Score magazine – and called “Canada’s toughest golf course” by other publications – St. Andrew’s is a real player’s course, designed and managed by knowledgeable golfers.

WOODEN STICKS – A NEW POPULAR GOLF COURSE NEAR TORONTO, CANADA

This golf masterpiece built in the middle of the rolling pine forests of the Uxbridge countryside, is located only 40 minutes north east of Toronto, Ontario. The first of its kind in Ontario, Wooden Sticks brings together some of the world’s most famous golf holes.

While designing Wooden Sticks, golf course architect Ron Carl has captured the essence found in some of today’s most recognizable golf landscapes. With holes inspired from Augusta, St. Andrew’s, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Sawgrass, and Pine Valley, Wooden Sticks provides some of the most exciting and memorable golf on vacations to Toronto.

LIONHEAD – A TOP PUBLIC COURSE NEAR TORONTO, ONTARIO

Lionhead’s goal is to provide a private club standard of golf and amenities in a public course setting for the Toronto public. And it has worked.

Golf Digest called it “one of the best courses, public or private, to be found anywhere,” and the pros in the Toronto, Ontario area are singing its praises. It is apparent Lionhead has succeeded. Course architect Ted Baker has designed two stunning 18-hole courses, the Florida-type Masters, and the demanding Legends, which has an unbelievable total of 14,233 yards of course to hit the ball on.

TORONTO, ONTARIO’S ANGUS GLEN – BEST NEW GOLF COURSE IN CANADA

Golf Digest named Angus Glen the Best New Canadian Golf Course for 1995, and it hasn’t slowed down since. Angus Glen, located in vicinity to Toronto, Ontario, has quickly gained a devout following for its excellently sculpted traditional links design, superior layout, sensitivity to natural contours, and strategic use of water –with Bruce Creek coming into play on seven holes. Angus Glen is certainly one of course architect Doug Carrick’s finest achievements.