Trip To Belleville.....BBR and TW

[golferboy]

Well spent yesterday in belleville with a couple friends for an enjoyable day of golf.
Started off the day at Black Bear Ridge...tee time was 8:51am and we got there at 8am....to my surprise we were the only ones there....that sure doesnt happen in the GTA...and it was a welcome surprise. Staff were very friendly.... All I can say is that course is a must play in my books, conditions were excellent, a little dry/brown in some parts of the fairways, but expected with no rain..the greens putted true, and were in excellent condition, loved the elevated tees, the cross cutting of the fairways. Excellent course layout with a nice variation of holes, especially the Par 4s, as some required driver off the tee, and others a well-placed iron. At 6800yds from the tees we played it was a true test, and the wind was up...which helped with the bugs.

Then we headed over to Trillium Woods for an afternoon round. Have to say I was impressed with this course too...and at $43.00 it was a steal. Played from the back tees and it too was a nice test, difficult but fair. Good variation of holes, not as many elevation changes as BBR but most holes cut out of the woods, and meant you had to be accurate. Not as many hazards to carry, but still your approach shots had to be accurate.
One thing I didnt like, is that the greens had tonnes of unrepaired ballmarks.

Overall they are both fantastic courses, and the prices were amazing for both, but I would prefer BBR over TW.

[Mule56]

Well spent yesterday in belleville with a couple friends for an enjoyable day of golf.
Started off the day at Black Bear Ridge...tee time was 8:51am and we got there at 8am....to my surprise we were the only ones there....that sure doesnt happen in the GTA...and it was a welcome surprise. Staff were very friendly.... All I can say is that course is a must play in my books, conditions were excellent, a little dry/brown in some parts of the fairways, but expected with no rain..the greens putted true, and were in excellent condition, loved the elevated tees, the cross cutting of the fairways. Excellent course layout with a nice variation of holes, especially the Par 4s, as some required driver off the tee, and others a well-placed iron. At 6800yds from the tees we played it was a true test, and the wind was up...which helped with the bugs.

Then we headed over to Trillium Woods for an afternoon round. Have to say I was impressed with this course too...and at $43.00 it was a steal. Played from the back tees and it too was a nice test, difficult but fair. Good variation of holes, not as many elevation changes as BBR but most holes cut out of the woods, and meant you had to be accurate. Not as many hazards to carry, but still your approach shots had to be accurate.
One thing I didnt like, is that the greens had tonnes of unrepaired ballmarks.

Overall they are both fantastic courses, and the prices were amazing for both, but I would prefer BBR over TW.

Golferboy,
I would say that is a good review. The conditions at BBR are good. The reason is that the course usually only sees 20 rounds a day on weekends. I have had many days playing at Trillium were we never hear or see anyone at BBR. That has a lot to do with their reputation of being high priced in this area. Not many of the locals play the course regularly. The first time I played it there was 5 cars in the parking lot on a Saturday. This year I play it during the week and our foursome were the only cars when we started and finished.
As for unrepaired ball marks, it drives me nuts. I can fix 6 or 7 on every green. I can't figure out why other people can't fix their own. But that's what comes with a public course.
Mule

[golferboy]

Thanks for the comments Mule56....for a guy who pays $$ in the GTA...it sure was nice to pay $53 and $46 respectively to play two very nice, challenging courses..If they were in the GTA...they would easily be priced around $75 or more.

[Mule56]

Thanks for the comments Mule56....for a guy who pays $$ in the GTA...it sure was nice to pay $53 and $46 respectively to play two very nice, challenging courses..If they were in the GTA...they would easily be priced around $75 or more.

I could not agree with you more on these statements. We refer to it as "we're spoiled". He compain about the higher cost of BBR, yet we know we'd be steamed if the prices matched the GTA costs.
Mule

[Snipes5150]

Gotta love the Belleville golf - I still think 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, and 17 at BBR are some of the best par 4's I've ever played

[luv2golow]

I can't wait to go play TW and hopefully BBR this autumn. Hey Mule, you guys still get autumn over there? We've got this thing here where we go straight from summer into winter. Darndest thing that...:rofl:

[Jaytee]

Before even reading your post, I booked BBR next week Sat at 8:51 yesterday and am waiting to book Trillium for the afternoon.

Great minds think a like. ;)

[TehFlakes]

I love trillum, cant not wait to go back.

[Mule56]

I can't wait to go play TW and hopefully BBR this autumn. Hey Mule, you guys still get autumn over there? We've got this thing here where we go straight from summer into winter. Darndest thing that...:rofl:

We even have the fall classic tournament which couple of usual suspects have played.
Mule

[Leftygolfer30]

We even have the fall classic tournament which couple of usual suspects have played.
Mule

And when would this fall classic be??? ;)

Sounds like a road trip in the works to me! We can tear it up in Bell Vegas again :D

[Mule56]

And when would this fall classic be??? ;)

Sounds like a road trip in the works to me! We can tear it up in Bell Vegas again :D

I'll look for the date and post in a new thread.
Mule

[TehFlakes]

Fall classic.. less bugs i hope

[Mule56]

Fall classic.. less bugs i hope

Last year I don't believe Jay, Wayland or Scott complained about the bugs. But I am sure the hail stones got there attention. :eek: :D
Mule

[TehFlakes]

keep us informed bob!

Last year I don't believe Jay, Wayland or Scott complained about the bugs. But I am sure the hail stones got there attention. :eek: :D
Mule

[luv2golow]

Definitely keep us posted. Really looking forward to coming back up to play. My Trillium Wood ball marker has been bringing me good luck all year!;)

[Mule56]

Definitely keep us posted. Really looking forward to coming back up to play. My Trillium Wood ball marker has been bringing me good luck all year!;)

Just so everyone is aware you will require an offical hc to enter the Fall Classic. They did tell me that they expect to have the October date confirm by September.
Mule

[TehFlakes]

We all keep an HC..
handicap.ottawagolf.com - is what I use

Just so everyone is aware you will require an offical hc to enter the Fall Classic. They did tell me that they expect to have the October date confirm by September.
Mule

[Mule56]

We all keep an HC..
handicap.ottawagolf.com - is what I use

As long as it's recognize by the GOA you should be good.
Mule

[Big Shooter]

Fall classic.. less bugs i hope

What Bugs? ;) (I don't remember any on Canada Day!)

[Mule56]

What Bugs? ;) (I don't remember any on Canada Day!)

I think, and I'm sure Little Shooter will attest, that had something to do with the hat. :rofl: . All fun aside some days it's good, some days it's worse, but nothing like the original days. We played last night with a slight breeze, little cooler and no bugs. Last week it was hot and humid and we had to get the bug spray and Cohiba's out for 3,4,5,6, and 7.
Mule

[Rustyblades]

I would say that is a good review. The conditions at BBR are good. The reason is that the course usually only sees 20 rounds a day on weekends. I have had many days playing at Trillium were we never hear or see anyone at BBR. That has a lot to do with their reputation of being high priced in this area. Not many of the locals play the course regularly. The first time I played it there was 5 cars in the parking lot on a Saturday. This year I play it during the week and our foursome were the only cars when we started and finished.
As for unrepaired ball marks, it drives me nuts. I can fix 6 or 7 on every green. I can't figure out why other people can't fix their own. But that's what comes with a public course.
Mule[/quote]

Do your comments above about the courses seeing few rounds still hold true now and on long wkends? I'm looking to play one of either BBR or TW this coming wkend. Thx.

[Frank101]

I would say that is a good review. The conditions at BBR are good. The reason is that the course usually only sees 20 rounds a day on weekends. I have had many days playing at Trillium were we never hear or see anyone at BBR. That has a lot to do with their reputation of being high priced in this area. Not many of the locals play the course regularly. The first time I played it there was 5 cars in the parking lot on a Saturday. This year I play it during the week and our foursome were the only cars when we started and finished.
As for unrepaired ball marks, it drives me nuts. I can fix 6 or 7 on every green. I can't figure out why other people can't fix their own. But that's what comes with a public course.
Mule

Do your comments above about the courses seeing few rounds still hold true now and on long wkends? I'm looking to play one of either BBR or TW this coming wkend. Thx.[/QUOTE]


The comments above never hold true. Mule couldn't be more wrong about the play BBR gets. Go there on a Sat morn on a nice day and then tell me what it's like.

Trust me on this one, BBR gets alot more play than Mule knows.

[Big Shooter]

The comments above never hold true. Mule couldn't be more wrong about the play BBR gets. Go there on a Sat morn on a nice day and then tell me what it's like.

Trust me on this one, BBR gets alot more play than Mule knows.

Well, first of all the Original (and most responses) are from 2007
...yes, Bob (Mule) is a "local", and prehaps a tad more biased, since he has a membership at Trillium, but the 3 times that I've been/played BBR, it's been pretty empty....

Saturday mornings at ANY golf course during the summer (especially on a nice day) are BUSY, so that's not a real barometer either!

I love both tracks, but when it comes to price, TW (especially with the upgrades in the last 2 years) is better value.
....but....everytime I'm in Belleville, we play BOTH on the same day...usually TW first, BBR @ twilight....that's the plan THIS coming Long Weekend, with bookends at Smugglers Glen & Timber Ridge! :)

[Mule56]

The comments above never hold true. Mule couldn't be more wrong about the play BBR gets. Go there on a Sat morn on a nice day and then tell me what it's like.

Trust me on this one, BBR gets alot more play than Mule knows.

Unfortunately my comment still are true. 25 cars on a Saturday at noon is not a lot of play.
I can you tell that according to the owner, play is up this year almost 8%.
Mule

[Rustyblades]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards TW as I can only play one, but it's not my call.

[Frank101]

Unfortunately my comment still are true. 25 cars on a Saturday at noon is not a lot of play.
I can you tell that according to the owner, play is up this year almost 8%.
Mule

Thats nice.

I can also tell you 8% in a year when the weather is crap, economy low, gas expensive and the course is in a rural area = up quite a bit.

[Rustyblades]

Unfortunately my comment still are true. 25 cars on a Saturday at noon is not a lot of play.
I can you tell that according to the owner, play is up this year almost 8%.
Mule

Thx Mule. There were ~ 32 cars in the lot at noon. But there was no one ahead of us on the course on Sat. morning. I enjoyed the course and would play there again.

[Mule56]

Thx Mule. There were ~ 32 cars in the lot at noon. But there was no one ahead of us on the course on Sat. morning. I enjoyed the course and would play there again.

Glad you enjoyed it. Isn't it "nice" to play a course like that and not have to fight a crowd. Next door at Trillium they most likely had a 100 cars at noon. 32 had already played and left. I hate it when I'm wrong like that. :D
Mule

[Big Shooter]

Glad you enjoyed it. Isn't it "nice" to play a course like that and not have to fight a crowd. Next door at Trillium they most likely had a 100 cars at noon. 32 had already played and left. I hate it when I'm wrong like that. :D
Mule

Yesterday (Monday) Trillium Wood only had about 40 cars at Noon...course was in awesome shape, but the MOSQUITOES enjoyed the BUFFET we offered them!:$
Played in just less than 4 hours, and at $92 all-in with carts for the (3) of us [with coupons & mentioning Mule!], can't beat that anywhere!!! :)

[Mule56]

Yesterday (Monday) Trillium Wood only had about 40 cars at Noon...course was in awesome shape, but the MOSQUITOES enjoyed the BUFFET we offered them!:$
Played in just less than 4 hours, and at $92 all-in with carts for the (3) of us [with coupons & mentioning Mule!], can't beat that anywhere!!! :)

I don't know what it is about the holiday Monday's, but all the courses around here are always lite on those days.
Glad my name had some pull for ya. I've been there so few times this year that it's lucky they remember me. :(
Mule

[Rustyblades]

Out of curiousity, do you guys have any thoughts on Wellington On The Lake, Briar Fox and Barcovan? I did see a small thread on Barcovan from last year, but wonder if that has changed.

I was going to play WOTL on Monday, but didn't have a collared shirt. :(

[Leftygolfer30]

I've been there so few times this year that it's lucky they remember me. :(
Mule

Mule, you are nothing if not "unforgettable" my friend!:D

Out of curiousity, do you guys have any thoughts on Wellington On The Lake, Briar Fox and Barcovan? I did see a small thread on Barcovan from last year, but wonder if that has changed.

I was going to play WOTL on Monday, but didn't have a collared shirt. :(

I was down Kingston way over the weekend and took a trip further down the road and played at the rain-soaked Smuggler's Glen. It's a little on the pricey side ($90 with cart) but a beautiful facility/course. The greens rolled very true and fairly quick considering a LOT of the fairways had quite a bit of casual water and most of the bunkers were more water hazards than bunkers. It was cart path only but my threesome still played in 4 hours.

I had always wanted to play there and I highly recommend it. I plan on playing it again sometime when there isn't so much rain the night before!

[Mule56]

Out of curiousity, do you guys have any thoughts on Wellington On The Lake, Briar Fox and Barcovan? I did see a small thread on Barcovan from last year, but wonder if that has changed.

I was going to play WOTL on Monday, but didn't have a collared shirt. :(

Wellington on the Lake is a nice little 9 hole. There are plans to expand. It is nice but not anything that you makes you say I want to come back next week. After the expansion it may be better.
Briar Fox and Barcovan are not recommended. Not much water on Briar and it sits on bed rock so any water that comes down goes straight through. Fairways can be like concrete regardless of the rain fall. Small greens like a par three. Nothing will make you want to play it again.
Barcovan has some nice looking holes but still small greens and nothing that will make you want to play it again. There is water so it is usually in good shape.
Better bets if your in the area are Picton instead of Wellington. Loyalist instead of Briar and Timber Ridge instead of Barcovan.
Mule

[Big Shooter]

Mule, you are nothing if not "unforgettable" my friend!:D



I was down Kingston way over the weekend and took a trip further down the road and played at the rain-soaked Smuggler's Glen. It's a little on the pricey side ($90 with cart) but a beautiful facility/course. The greens rolled very true and fairly quick considering a LOT of the fairways had quite a bit of casual water and most of the bunkers were more water hazards than bunkers. It was cart path only but my threesome still played in 4 hours.

I had always wanted to play there and I highly recommend it. I plan on playing it again sometime when there isn't so much rain the night before!

Hey, you're lucky, we pulled up to the Bag Drop @ 220pm on Saturday, weather was nice, by the time we got to the tee, the skies opened, and it came pouring down...we never got to hit a single ball! ($72 with cart, but they gave us a full refund!) :cool:

[MikeK]

I'm a member at trillium wood and I do my best to repair the ballmarks in the greens but what can ya do with so many careless out there lol, but ya, bad bugs great course :)