New Courses opening in Ontario

[Golftool]

I found a site listing new openings in Ontario for 2005.
It also lists new courses being opened in 2006 and beyond.
Some of them i have never heard of and some are really close where i live - YAY!!!!!

Here is the link - I hope at least 1 is opening near everyone on this site - more to talk about!!!!

http://www.teeingitup.com/ontario/new-courses-2005.htm

[Grass Roots Tour]

Just added to favourites, thankyou.

[Golftool]

I am not sure if anyone has looked at all the courses on the list of new openings but there are a few that really intrigue me.

One is Black Diamond opening south of Lindsay - a lot of my friends & family will be playing there - some of you guys in Belleville & cobourg might want to give it a try.

Another is the John Daly designed course - Thundering Waters in Niagara Falls - They have one Par 5 that's 661yds from the tips!!! - definately designed for Johns game!!

There is also 2 or 3 courses opening in the Collingwood area - gonna give some serious competition to the area.

Anyone have any "must plays" from this list?????:D

[dixongolfer]

Additions...

Marchwood Short Course (Ottawa)

Jubilee in Ottawa actually Anderson Links

Smuggler's Glen (Thousand Islands Region)

Black Bear Ridge (Belleville)

[fireice]

Thanks for the link, wicked stuff.

[Happyfeet]

Thanks for the link. Added to favourites as well.

[i002399]

I am not sure if anyone has looked at all the courses on the list of new openings but there are a few that really intrigue me.

One is Black Diamond opening south of Lindsay - a lot of my friends & family will be playing there - some of you guys in Belleville & cobourg might want to give it a try.

Another is the John Daly designed course - Thundering Waters in Niagara Falls - They have one Par 5 that's 661yds from the tips!!! - definately designed for Johns game!!

There is also 2 or 3 courses opening in the Collingwood area - gonna give some serious competition to the area.

Anyone have any "must plays" from this list?????:D

Is BlackDiamond the old Bethany club in new skin?

[Happyfeet]

We were just talking about this course last night. I believe it is brand new from the bottom up. It is on Pontypool Rd. just off the 115. One of my playing partners lives not far from it. I believe the Bethany course is alot farther to the north. I'll ask him later today when I see him.

[Golftool]

This is brand new from what i understand. It looks challeging & the green fees are priced right. If you have the golf access there are 2 for 1's in there as well.


Certainly a "must play" for myself & i'm sure i'll be getting a half dozen rounds in there this summer!!!

See ya on the first tee!:hyper:

[dixongolfer]

Is BlackDiamond the old Bethany club in new skin?
Nope, Blue Spruce was the Bethany Course - Dead with a capital D. Sad to see a golf course grown over!!

[Lefty]

Hey if you check out the Black Diamond website www.blackdiamondgolfclub.ca (http://www.blackdiamondgolfclub.ca) and check out there clubhouse page.

Anyone played Copetown Woods before? Wow...nothing like a golf course copying another courses clubhouse! Even how they describe it is identical.

If you don't beleive me check out the Copetown Woods web site www.copetownwoods.com (http://www.copetownwoods.com) .

Other than that the course looks nice and the price is definitely right. It's almost like the two courses have the same owners or something. Both with the same clubhouse and great prices on green fees.

[Hoz-ay]

http://www.theclubatbondhead.com/thecourse.html

wow... they're going to have CADDIES!! but looks to be like $150 to play.... would we have to tip the caddies???

[mikejb]

Bond Head gets me HOT under the coller. I am really waiting how much it is going to be to play. I think it maybe a semi private club. They will not bite on giving out information. I requested course info and they sent me a boring copy of the old web site. They still have noting on there about joining the club or anything like that.

[Greywolf]

Hey if you check out the Black Diamond website www.blackdiamondgolfclub.ca (http://www.blackdiamondgolfclub.ca) and check out there clubhouse page.

Anyone played Copetown Woods before? Wow...nothing like a golf course copying another courses clubhouse! Even how they describe it is identical.

If you don't beleive me check out the Copetown Woods web site www.copetownwoods.com (http://www.copetownwoods.com) .

Other than that the course looks nice and the price is definitely right. It's almost like the two courses have the same owners or something. Both with the same clubhouse and great prices on green fees.
I have played Copetown Woods many times, it is a very good links style course, lots of waste bunkers and the greens are pretty fast. Some of the greens are huge, IE: the first green is approx. 60yards from front to back, you definitely need to know where the pin is.

[Greywolf]

Thanks for the link!!!

[Queen of the Beach]

Thanks for the link! From the sounds of it, it's definitely worth checking out some new courses.

[flitemedic911]

Don't bother with Black Diamond. If you have a 2 for 1 give it a shot but don't pay full price.....you'll be pissed. I was and still am.

The back nine layout is a joke. The design is rediculous. Whoever the super is should be fired, if he can't grow grass he should be unemployed.

We drove over an hour to play this hyped up "new course". Expecting growing pains that come with opening new.....but we were disappointed with not only the condition, layout, but customer service as well.

[laxgolf]

Nope, Blue Spruce was the Bethany Course - Dead with a capital D. Sad to see a golf course grown over!!
Has Blue Spruce closed? That course had to be one of the toughest tracks in Ontario. There are a few holes at that place that are ridiculous. I remember the scenery being incredible though.

Please see my review of Copetown Woods.

http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/showpost.php?p=16198&postcount=14

[Mok]

Bond Head gets me HOT under the coller. I am really waiting how much it is going to be to play. I think it maybe a semi private club. They will not bite on giving out information. I requested course info and they sent me a boring copy of the old web site. They still have noting on there about joining the club or anything like that.
Hey mikjb, they do offer memberships at Bond Head now!!!

http://www.theclubatbondhead.com/docs/Memberships.doc

[Garcia]

Flitemedic911, I have to disagree with you about Black Diamond. Yes I'll admit two or three of the greens were in rough shape but the course only opened less than a month ago. From what I hear it is the first course in Ontario to be entirly soded from the start. I was talking to the starter, and they rolled out 523 thousand rolls with a cost of one million. This really shows with the fairways, rough and greens in very good shape considering the lenght of time it has been opened.

I played there last weekend and it was the best bang for a buck I have got in a long time. With the greens fee passport 2 for 1, I paid $72 with a cart. The front nine gives you room for error with wide fairways and not to many trees but is very long from the tips. Then it's like a whole different course on the back nine. With very demanding fairways and lots of trees, it is definaltly a shot makers nine. I recommend anyone in the area give this course a try. I promise it will take a bite out of your game and give you a challenge.

[mikejb]

Hey mikjb, they do offer memberships at Bond Head now!!!

http://www.theclubatbondhead.com/docs/Memberships.doc
$200 a month Cart Minimums OUCH!

[Mok]

$200 a month Cart Minimums OUCH!
$200 food and beverage minimum...can't you use this in the clubhouse?

[wayland]

$200 a month Cart Minimums OUCH!
Don't you mean food minimum? That's quite high compared to some clubs.

price sounds good at first but when you realize that it's only 1 day adv booking, no range use unless ur playing that day the deal is so so IMO.

$200/mth food from May-Sept means $1k. *ouch*

[flitemedic911]

Garcia,

You must work at Black Diamond with a review like that :confused: . I agree the front nine has decent length, 8 of the 9 holes are nice. But the back is the total opposite. Its almost as if they've run out of room to build this inward nine. Lack of length, uphill blind approach shots, trees in the middle of fairways completely blocking your second shot. Leave driver in the car and grab another wedge for the back.

Like I said if you have the coupon book give it a shot, but having played Wolf Run and Olivers Nest....I wish we had've played either instead.

My advice to those who are single digit handicappers looking to play in the east end, try one of the other two courses mentioned!

[Michael]

Garcia,

You must work at Black Diamond with a review like that :confused: .
haha, it's funny you say this...a lot of people always come out of lurking to defend something haha...

but i'm glad he posted it (not saying he works there), always nice to see both sides of the fence, and new posters to the forum hehe..

[Flogger]

Garcia,


Like I said if you have the coupon book give it a shot, but having played Wolf Run and Olivers Nest....I wish we had've played either instead.

My advice to those who are single digit handicappers looking to play in the east end, try one of the other two courses mentioned!Totally agree on Wolf Run. I've play it many times and really enjoy it. Great Value!

Haven't tried Olivers Nest though. How does it compare to Wolf?

[Garcia]

Flitemedic911,

Sounds like you had a bad back nine. You know you don't have to always use your driver off the tee. Thats golf; being able to use all clubs in your bag.

I had a look at the website posted by Greywolf above and surprisingly I noticed that the back nine only being 200 yards shorter the the "decent lenght" front nine. I don't understand how that means they ran out of room; 200 yards over nine holes, thats nothing.

Also that tree blocking your way, thats called an obstacle and your suppose to play around it. I didn't find it hard to hit the ball up the left hand side of the fairway and play a 9 iron to the green over the tree.

One more thing, just because I liked the layout and had a good time at Black Diamond doesn't mean I have to work there. Next time don't try to make someone look stupid if you don't know what you are talking about. All I was saying was I liked the course no need to be so defensive, especially when your wrong.

[mikejb]

Don't you mean food minimum? That's quite high compared to some clubs.

price sounds good at first but when you realize that it's only 1 day adv booking, no range use unless ur playing that day the deal is so so IMO.

$200/mth food from May-Sept means $1k. *ouch*
Yeah I meant food minimums. Very every you eat it you need to play 24+ rounds of golf to break even based on $4500 up front for the year, because you will be paying the $1000 in food, and a round of golf costing you $185 as someone else mentioned.

$4500 a year and a lifetime membership with no initiation. I might think about that. First right of refusal to pony up the cash to be a full member next year, not likely.

[snafu]

Garcia,

You must work at Black Diamond with a review like that :confused: . I agree the front nine has decent length, 8 of the 9 holes are nice. But the back is the total opposite. Its almost as if they've run out of room to build this inward nine. Lack of length, uphill blind approach shots, trees in the middle of fairways completely blocking your second shot. Leave driver in the car and grab another wedge for the back.

Like I said if you have the coupon book give it a shot, but having played Wolf Run and Olivers Nest....I wish we had've played either instead.

My advice to those who are single digit handicappers looking to play in the east end, try one of the other two courses mentioned!I'm going to have to agree with everything that Flitemedic911 has said about Black Diamond.

Over hyped, the course reminds me of full scale mini-golf with the number of gimic holes that they have on the back nine.

Also, there's no markings or sense of direction to the landing areas on more than one hole. On the 10th tee, you're basically hitting a completely blind tee shot on a par 5.
Some markings telling you how far it is to the landing areas would be nice.

The greens were pitiful and by casting them as that, I'm being very generous.

Maybe in a year or 2 when the course matures, the front nine might make playing there worthwhile.
But not unless they're considerably cheaper than Oliver's Nest.

Each to their own.. but having played almost all of the bogeyman's list as well as all of the upper class public, semi-private courses around the GTA, there's no way I'll be wasting my money again playing Black Diamond anytime soon.

Black Diamond.... http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/images/icons/icon13.gif

[flitemedic911]

Well said Otis,

By not indicating pin placement in the greens with coloured flags. Hitting to elevated greens is a total guessing game. I don't mind hitting balls uphill but not 3 out of 4 par fours on the back. Not one of these holes is over 400 yards.

I'm glad to here that Garcia played the 16th hole like a tour pro. But any time you are standing at the 100 yard marker in the middle of the fairway you shouldn't be penalized 60 ft tree blocking your second shot. Making a short hole tough is done on the green not the fairway!

If you want to have a good day on a good course go elsewhere.

[TehFlakes]

i really want to play BraeBen Golf Course located in sauga 60 bucks for a round is a decent price...

anyone wanna go ? lol

[Golftool]

[QUOTE=flitemedic911]Well said Otis,

By not indicating pin placement in the greens with coloured flags. Hitting to elevated greens is a total guessing game. I don't mind hitting balls uphill but not 3 out of 4 par fours on the back. Not one of these holes is over 400 yards.

I'm glad to here that Garcia played the 16th hole like a tour pro. But any time you are standing at the 100 yard marker in the middle of the fairway you shouldn't be penalized 60 ft tree blocking your second shot. Making a short hole tough is done on the green not the fairway!

Sounds like you can only grip and rip & can't shape a ball - although i agree on most points you guys have said eg:
Black Diamond Golf Course
Played on Saturday and I think this course has potential but should not be open yet! - I have putted on fairways and shag rugs that were cut lower!:( Needed a slapshot to move the ball 15'. Also the flags were not there. Every hole was same colour and no little one beneath to tell you pin position. Very frustrating especially on 30 - 40yd greens - that a difference of 3 or 4 clubs! All the rough was burnt from lack of rain and they watered the greens between groups so they wouldn't loose them as well! The place was packed and we didnt go off until 45min after our scheduled tee time!:confused: The front and back 9 are like 2 different courses and i much preferred the back as the front is wide open and set against a ridge and the wind just howls through the holes & hardly any place to find shade! Saw a maintenance worker and he said their root system is not deep enough yet - thus the long greens and fairways! I think the course has potential - some holes must be played twice in order to know ball position/placement. Major elevation change throughout the course.

All in all - i don't think i'll be back until it has a chance to grow in - but i do think i will play it again once it matures and becomes better groomed.
http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/images_greenish/statusicon/user_online.gif

I dont agree that the front is soooo much better than thet back - its so easy to spray your ball and find it! (must be what your game is like) - the reason the back is shorter (par 4's) is its tighter and it calls for shot accuracy and as for the big tree in the fairway if you can't put a SW or PW over it or punch a 6I under it - stay on the mini golf courses - whats the difference between this course and The Rock where your drive on 18 is 265 to carry water? is that a gimmick too? or do those type of shots scare you enough not to come back?

[snafu]

[QUOTE=flitemedic911]Well said Otis,

By not indicating pin placement in the greens with coloured flags. Hitting to elevated greens is a total guessing game. I don't mind hitting balls uphill but not 3 out of 4 par fours on the back. Not one of these holes is over 400 yards.

I'm glad to here that Garcia played the 16th hole like a tour pro. But any time you are standing at the 100 yard marker in the middle of the fairway you shouldn't be penalized 60 ft tree blocking your second shot. Making a short hole tough is done on the green not the fairway!

Sounds like you can only grip and rip & can't shape a ball - although i agree on most points you guys have said eg:
Black Diamond Golf Course
Played on Saturday and I think this course has potential but should not be open yet! - I have putted on fairways and shag rugs that were cut lower!:( Needed a slapshot to move the ball 15'. Also the flags were not there. Every hole was same colour and no little one beneath to tell you pin position. Very frustrating especially on 30 - 40yd greens - that a difference of 3 or 4 clubs! All the rough was burnt from lack of rain and they watered the greens between groups so they wouldn't loose them as well! The place was packed and we didnt go off until 45min after our scheduled tee time!:confused: The front and back 9 are like 2 different courses and i much preferred the back as the front is wide open and set against a ridge and the wind just howls through the holes & hardly any place to find shade! Saw a maintenance worker and he said their root system is not deep enough yet - thus the long greens and fairways! I think the course has potential - some holes must be played twice in order to know ball position/placement. Major elevation change throughout the course.

All in all - i don't think i'll be back until it has a chance to grow in - but i do think i will play it again once it matures and becomes better groomed.
http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/images_greenish/statusicon/user_online.gif

I dont agree that the front is soooo much better than thet back - its so easy to spray your ball and find it! (must be what your game is like) - the reason the back is shorter (par 4's) is its tighter and it calls for shot accuracy and as for the big tree in the fairway if you can't put a SW or PW over it or punch a 6I under it - stay on the mini golf courses - whats the difference between this course and The Rock where your drive on 18 is 265 to carry water? is that a gimmick too? or do those type of shots scare you enough not to come back?Golftool, the front might be open now but if they allow the fescue to grow in like they should, then it becomes tight. That's not even mentioning the 2nd hole where anything left or long and right off the tee is already impossible to find.
See, the real difference between the front and back is that the front has real potential and can offer a challenge without resorting to gimicks. The back nine, while more scenic because of the elevation changes, is only challenging because of the gimicks.
With regards to the tree on 16, what Black Diamond failed to realise is that they are not Firestone, nor are they Pebble Beach.
Trying to compare the majority of the back nine to one hole (18th) at The Rock, and claiming your drive must carry 265 yards to clear the water there is rather disengenous don't you think?
I mean afterall, the 18th at The Rock is a 511 yard Par 5 from the back tips and from the back tee to the start of the water hazard is a solid 290 yard rip.
Or even from the next hardest set of tees, it's still 270 yards to reach the hazard.
Of course if you were referring to the what would normally be considered the White tees on most courses, then fine, you have to lay up to the water hazard with a drive of no more than 245 yards. But even then, it's still fair because you're only left with just a little more than 200 yards to reach a par 5 in two..