Kirkland Lake, Tri-Towns, and environs golf courses?

[MichaelR]


Hi, just looking for some feedback on local golf courses in these areas of Northern Ontario.
Might be a bit of flexibility to go further afield from there, any thoughts?
Relative newbie and known to pinch a penny, but might just spring for a nice one one day, too.
Thanks,
MichaelR

[Deuce66]


Hi, just looking for some feedback on local golf courses in these areas of Northern Ontario.
Might be a bit of flexibility to go further afield from there, any thoughts?
Relative newbie and known to pinch a penny, but might just spring for a nice one one day, too.
Thanks,
MichaelR

I grew up in Northern Ontario - the pickings are slim - if there's grass and you see flags in the ground there you go - played in Kirkland Lake a longggg time ago - I don't remember much except for one hole with a severe elevation change from tee down to fairway. Check out courses in the Rouyn Noranda (85 km) area and New Liskeard & Haileybury (87.9 km) NL has a decent little 18 hole track.
Expect most Northern courses to be generous off the tee with small greens that require a razor sharp wedge game to score. Oh yeah - most imporant of all bring every type of bug repellant known to man - you will need it or you will pay the consequences. Have Fun.

[Hombre Lefty]

you've come to the right place. I am most likely the only golfnut born and raised in that neck of the woods. Kirkland lake is a magnificent design - but it's only 9 holes. It is still my all time favorite 9 hole. It was originally intended to be an 18 hole course but the town fell on hard times and only 9 were finished. Tough track, surprisingly long considering it was finished in the 1920s i believe...

if 18 holes are a must, try New Liskeard (no further than from toronto to mississauga but it feels longer up there lol) - flattish, less imaginative than KL but still lots of fun. If you can, hit north bay on the way though. Several great courses there. pm if u will be going there. let's see.... across the border in Rouyn quebec there is a nice course. in Timmins there is Hollinger which is very nice. AVOID matheson. a lot of people will tell you to play there... nope. goat track.

another very pretty 9 hole is haileybury GC (right outside new liskeard).

hope that helps

[christd]

I too am a former northern ontario resident. Born and raised in New Liskeard and actually a past president of the New Liskeard Golf Club. I was able to get up there and play a tournament at the end of June. Greens didn't weather well through the winter, but am sure they are doing better now.
As said before, Hailebury and Kirkland Lake are nice tracks as well.
Spruce Needles in Timmins is worth a try too...but as said before, take some bug spray.
40 minutes from New Liskeard is a course in Ville Marie, Quebec that can be fun to play. It is right on the shores of Lake Temiskaming.
By far though, the best course in the north is Frog's Breath. Unfortunately, it is privately owned by Mr. Peter Grant. It is located on Twin Lakes, just outside of New Liskeard. Is defenitely worth even driving by to see.

[MichaelR]

Thanks, guys! Courses duly noted...
MichaelR

[Titan]

Great thread.. the inlaws have a cabin up in that area. Will also note the courses for next summer when we go up :D

[Hombre Lefty]

By far though, the best course in the north is Frog's Breath. Unfortunately, it is privately owned by Mr. Peter Grant. It is located on Twin Lakes, just outside of New Liskeard. Is defenitely worth even driving by to see.

yup, my uncle got an invite to play there last year and he was raving about it. It was all corporate bigwigs Grant knows. guy owns the north's version of Rona/home hardware and is overflowing with cash. It's basically the course you or I would make if we had tons of money and wanted our own private track to play. Forgot about ville marie, good one.

christd, from NL huh? small world. I remember when I was a kid and Liskeard was the only place in that part of the world with a mcdonalds, and whenever we had a roadtrip for our basketball team that was one of the hilites, stopping at micky d's by the giant cow....

[Chambokl]

Hey guys, I have been living in Kirkland Lake for 27 years. Course is in superb condition this year. If you come around let me know and maybe we can hook-up for an 18.

New Liskeard had a bad winter and greens are still awful. I would say the best courses in the North are Sudbury (Timberwolf) and Val D'Or (Belvedere). Two rewally nice courses. Played Val D'Or last week (200 kms away) and it cost us $52 for 36 holes with cart on Thursday (2 for 1). Lasarre is also a pretty nice course.

So, if you are up in KL let me know and you will have a partner if you need one.