ONTARIO'S BEST NEW COURSES 2007
PRESENTED BY ONTARIO TOURISM
Ace Reporting
Being a panel member for Ontario's Best New Course involves some serious mileage and time commitments, but occasionally it's all worth it, whether it's enjoying a hidden gem such as The Quarry Golf Club not far from Peterborough, or scoring your first hole-in-one, as was the case for golf writer Brent Long. Playing alone, the Burlington resident holed out a seven-wood from 185 yards at the Quarry's par-3 14th for his first career ace, although he never saw it go in with the setting sun obscuring the flight path.
"I had just finished photographing the hole from the tee and was thinking to myself that it's the first really good par-3 on the course," said Long. "I took one practice swing. I could see it bounce on the green but didn't even think it was in the hole. I drove up to the side of the green, got out and couldn't see it on the green and couldn't see it over the back. As I have done many times before, I went to check the cup before heading to the back of the green to look in the rough...and there it was in the front of the cup. I couldn't believe it-a hole-in-one after years of playing golf, and nobody was there to share it with, except some cows in the neighboring farmer's field.'
Worth the price!
Our panel members were also asked to rank the five new courses according to the best value of the lot. The Quarry Golf Club in Ennis more, not far from Peterborough, was the clear consensus from the group, its paltry $45 green fee making it one of the best bargains in the province for such a sophisticated layout. Second spot went to another Kawarthas area course, Bellmere Winds on Rice Lake, with a prime time price of admission of between $42 and $45. Finishing third was Cobble Beach. Topping out at $135, it might seem rather steep to many, but this place is simply worth every dollar.
THE QUARRY GOLF CLUB Ennismore (Shawn Watters)
While there is a wide degree of inconsistency in the difficulty of some of the holes, architect Shawn Watters has created what will be one of Ontario's hidden gems in years to come. The 6,565-yard layout is a challenging walk, but not impossible. Holes like No. 3, No. 4 and No. 15 are extremely difficult par-4s with forced carries over wetlands, while several of the par5s, including No.10, No.11 and possibly No.17, could easily be par-4s. The unique composition includes five par-3s, five par-5s and three short, almost driveable par-4s in the 320-yard range that gamblers should enjoy. Also of note is the local black sand used in the bunkers. All in all it makes for an entertaining and enjoyable round-well worth the $45 prime-time fee. The panellists gave it eight third-place votes.
PRIME-TIME FEES: $45
www.quarrygolf.ca
PANEL COMMENTS
"The golf course is a must-play for the Peterborough area. The routing flows with the natural terrain. Narrow fairways and undulating green sites will pose many obstacles for average golfer, and there were, perhaps, a few too many forced carries that may leave the average golfer little option but to hit driver and still never be able to find their golf ball. Given its recent opening, though, the course conditioning was spectacular. It may be the best green fee value in Southern Ontario." - Vito Cirone
"Surely a hidden gem in the near future and among the top for best value. Shawn Watters has created a strong design, the most demanding holes being the third and fourth-straightaway par4s that require a long carry over a creek while avoiding trees flanking the fairway. The most memorable hole on the course is No. 15, a downhill par- 4 that doglegs right to a green protected in front by a intimidating pond. Generally, the par-5s are relatively easy, which is offset by the difficulty of the par-3s, three of which have tough green sites- greens that are too small and narrow for the length of the approach shot. The small quarry is integrated well into the finishing hole and leaves a lasting impression, but I don't feel that the views to the nearby lake were captured to their fullest. The black bunker sand throughout the course, though, looks unique and is the most playable sand I have experienced in some time." - Kevin Holmes
"A commendable and enjoyable - if altogether too short - golf course that puts a premium on accuracy off the tee and offers players plenty of options to get to the green. Still no clubhouse or practice range, however. Leave the driver in the bag to keep the frustration quotient to a minimum." - James McCarten
"The name may be misleading, with only the remnants of a small quarry adjacent to the 18th green creating a menace for misplaced second shots, I hope they drain that pond and reopen the quarry so I can get my Pro VI back." - Kevin Corriveau
"Although not overly long, the course can still provide a challenge with some forced carries over a creek and a few tree-lined tee shots. One interesting and very noticeable feature is the dark (almost black) sand bunkers, a crushed granite silt-like sand that is great to play out of and adds to the framing on most holes on the course. There were a few holes that require a season of growing before they mature like the others!" - Craig Loughry
"The actual quarry is very small and only comes into play on a couple of holes, which makes The Quarry somewhat of a misnomer. Its layout makes very good use of the rolling terrain and wooded/swampy areas. The most memorable features are the bunkers that are filled with crushed black lava for sand." - Carry McKay
"As you drive up to the golf course, you can feet the excitement. The views are excellent and the links-style golf holes let you see the course from a distance. The front nine was a great test of golf with the feel of a high-end course. The back nine was a little chopped up with a few holes definitely Out of character. Yet, the finishing hole around the quarry is great and the 15th hole is as tough as they come. The conditions were good. However, with some of the course being sodded, it made it difficult to hit compressed shots. Overall, a great experience with an outstanding value-for-money proposition!" - Stephen Johnston
This piece was featured in the "Best New Courses" Fall 2007 edition of Ontario Golf. Shawn P. Watters & Associates' Quarry Golf Club was named one of the best new courses in Ontario. To view the article online, click here.
