Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada, 2024-2025 – Beyond The Contour
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It’s here! The Beyond The Contour Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada returns after the inaugural list dropped in 2022.
This list represents the very best golf in the country, public or private. In total, there are over 2,300 golf courses coast-to-coast, with everything from Victoria, British Columbia to Port Blandford, Newfoundland represented. Every province has at least one course on this list (sorry, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), showcasing the diversity in a very golf-focussed country.
To view the “Near Misses,” the courses that just missed the Top 100, click here.
To purchase the limited-edition Top 100 Book, click here.
Course write-ups courtesy of Beyond The Contour Editorial Staff unless otherwise stated. Photos belong to Beyond The Contour unless otherwise mentioned.
Being far enough from downtown Calgary makes Priddis Greens an oasis away from the bustling city, yet its position in Calgary’s golf scene is unchallenged: this is one of the better thirty-six hole facilities in Canada, with the Hawk course leading the way.
The opening five holes play mostly on the top of the property near the clubhouse, until the dramatic par 4, 6th. It is this drop into the valley that posed some of the most interesting questions for Bill Newis, and his solutions to these questions provided some of the most exciting moments, such as the elaborate 8th and the heroic 11th. In recent years, southern Alberta architect Wade Horrocks has touched up the golf course, but the fact remains that the par 5, 18th, continues to be a disappointing finish to an otherwise pleasant golf course.
99. Crowsnest Pass
[Previous rank: 121st—NEW]
Architect:
Les Furber, Gary Browning
Year Built:
1995
Golf in Blairmore, Alberta, dates back to the 1920s, but the current layout is largely the product of Les Furber’s overhaul in the middle 1990s. Now, following a land swap deal with a local mine in 2018 that resulted in Furber’s layout needing additional holes, the golf course we know today is more Gary Browning’s than Les’, although much of the original layout’s charm remains.
The holes near Highway 3 were eliminated, and the layout now plays more alongside the mountain. Browning’s architecture balances out nicely against Furber’s more aggressive flavour. The old 13th (current 6th) remains and it is among the better holes in Western Canada, but Browning’s touches around the greens improved the hole (likewise for the 8th, which is an original Furber hole).
The new holes are mostly the stars of the show, though, with the heavily forested 11th, the tiny par 3, 12th, and the magnificent quasi-drivable par 4, 16th, being absolutely stellar.
98. Magna
[Previous rank: 87th]
Architect:
Doug Carrick
Year Built:
2001
Photo credit: Magna Golf Club
In the United States, large, spacious golf courses moved their way to the forefront of golf architecture following the introduction of Sand Hills (1994), but Canada generally lags behind the trends that our friends to the south set. By no means is Magna a “minimalist” golf course, the kind we have come to know Sand Hills as (almost its anthesis), but it remains one of the first true expansive golf courses north of the border.
To this day, Magna remains one of Doug Carrick’s larger golf courses, with the par 5, 15th, illustrating the width and options presented as it tumbles down the hillside to the left. Even on the back half of the front nine, the valley holes have a unique identity and contrast nicely against those that play on the high side to begin the back nine.
Magna may be exclusive and difficult to access, but there is no denying the quality of its product. No description of this north-of-Toronto escape would be complete without highlighting the first two holes, which comfortably ranks among the most difficult starts in Canada.
97. Northumberland Links
[Previous rank: 105th—NEW]
Architect:
Robbie Robinson & Bill Robinson
Year Built:
1964 & 1988
Set on a gorgeous site on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, down the road from the popular Fox Harb’r Resort, the impact of Northumberland Links’ routing benefits from glimpses of the water (and nearby Prince Edward Island) on almost every hole.
While not a traditional Links, there are certainly elements that Robbie & Bill tried to adopt from the Old Country, including numerous low-lying greens sitting on-grade, and the interaction with the coast. Following Hurricane Fiona, the property lost hundreds of trees to further expose that links-like comparison, and the golf course improved despite the natural disaster.
Among the strong collection of golf holes, the 204 yard par 3, 13th, aptly nicknamed “Lobster Pot”, juts out into the ocean asking golfers to carry the Atlantic waters, and the 441 yard par 4, 7th, with a creek flanking the left-hand side working its way down towards the water, were notable favourites among our panel.
96. Kelowna
[Previous rank: 62nd]
Architect:
A.V. Macan, Graham Cooke & Wayne Carleton, Jeff Mingay
Year Built:
1920
A melting pot of architects coming together is not always a winning combination, and realistically, until recently, it wasn’t at Kelowna. That is, until Jeff Mingay came in and amended the changes made by previous architects, like Graham Cooke & Wayne Carleton and Les Furber. After years of work, the results speak for themselves: Kelowna has inserted itself into the conversation among the best renovations in the country.
Unlike most modern courses in central British Columbia which play among the hills and mountains high above the valley, Kelowna largely benefited from the graceful land movement in the bottom of the valley, although it is more subtle and less visually spectacular than some other nearby options. Holes like the 5th and 8th narrow in landing areas making the golfer choose the line and club off the tee, whereas the 16th and even the 1st play to generous landing zones. Some greens are perched high above their surroundings, like the 7th and 15th, while others, such as the 11th and 13th, sit on grade. A variety in shots is the ethos of the golf course.
We would be doing Kelowna a disservice if we did not mention the epic 444 yard par 4, 10th, which is among the best long par 4’s in the province.
95. Derrick
[Previous rank: 92nd]
Architect:
Jeff Mingay
Year Built:
2015
Post Great Recession, quality golf clubs without much historical pedigree began to fall behind, either as a club in general, or in regards to the perception of their golf course. Given when Derrick’s original golf course was built in the late 1950s, its style of architecture had fallen out of favour, and a change was needed to remain relevant in a sneaky good city for golf. Welcome, Jeff Mingay and George Waters, who completely turned the property on its head.
Thus, the days of uninspiring golf are gone at Derrick; in fact, inspiring moments are scattered throughout the entire property now. The 4th, a tricky drivable par 4 shows Mingay’s mind is busting with brilliant ideas. Ditto for the 6th, with its almost Dell style green sunken into the surroundings. In complete contrast, the 11th features a centralized nipple near the green that deflects shots away from the middle.
Renovations such as this, to completely overhaul a property to bring a hitherto forgotten club back to the pinnacle of Canadian golf, should be celebrated. And this list does just that; therefore, we have a feeling Derrick is here to stay.
94. Predator Ridge (Predator)
[Previous rank: 119th—NEW]
Architect:
Les Furber, Doug Carrick
Year Built:
1991
Photo credit: Predator Ridge Golf Resort
The land between Kelowna and proper Vernon is quite hilly and rocky, yet the Predator course manages to find a small parcel of land that seems suitable for golf. In fact, Predator Ridge’s Predator course sticks out amongst the other British Columbian golf courses because of its distinct identity. Gone are the towering evergreens and the cart-only golf, traded in for wispy golden-brown natural grasses and a (mostly) walkable golf course (it gets difficult at times, but it’s do-able). We will not call it faux-links, but there is something idyllic about standing on 10 green and taking in the surroundings natural grasses and the holes that flow effortlessly with the landscape.
That gorgeous piece of property allows some of Les Furber’s best golf holes to shine, including the bunkerless short par 3, 13th, with its wicked contouring that makes for some devilish pins, and the par 3, 17th, tucked into the hillside and seemingly emulating a dunes-like setting from overseas. Doug Carrick’s work in recent years has softened some of the extreme features previously found on the opening four holes, to make for a better, friendlier experience as well. These changes are largely to cite for its jump into Beyond The Contour‘s Top 100 for the first time.
93. Oakdale (Thompson/Homenuik)
[Previous rank: 73rd]
Architect:
Stanley Thompson, Ian Andrew
Year Built:
1926
Recent host of the 2022 Canadian Open, Oakdale’s twenty-seven holes allowed the PGA TOUR to produce a composite routing, though our panel prefers the Thompson/Homenuik combination.
The reason being that the golf course provides a quirky, unfiltered look at the work of Stanley Thompson in his early stage, with some of the most severe green complexes that he built in his career. On numerous occasions—1st, 6th, 9th, 10th,, for example— the golfer tees off from a high point down to the fairway, only to play back up to the green, which produces compelling golf throughout the routing. Perhaps the strongest part of Oakdale? The variety in the fairway contours, which helps keep the routing enjoyable on numerous repeat rounds.
As an added benefit, Black Creek touches numerous holes on property to best maximize the site to its full potential, all while providing another fine example of Thompson’s architecture prowess.
92. Wildfire
[Previous rank: 113th—NEW]
Architect:
Thomas McBroom
Year Built:
2003
Photo credit: Wildfire Golf Club
Located in the heart of cottage country north of Peterborough, Wildfire features a wonderfully varied layout that traverses woodland, marsh, open-field, and Canadian-Shield. The course is best where the land is most dramatic, such as on the wildly tumbling par 5, 4th, the clever and strategic par 4, 5th, the climbing 6th which features a number of exposed boulders all along the right side of the landing area and a green that sits wonderfully over the rumpled terrain, and, best of all, the bite-off-as-much-as-you-can-chew par 5, 12th, over the corner of the marsh.
Wildfire perhaps best fits alongside the cottage courses of the Muskoka Region, but its separation from the popular region gives it its own unique identity. And because of that, we can comfortably claim that there are very golf courses in the country that more pleasant and peaceful to play.
91. Pine Ridge
[Previous rank: 72nd]
Architect:
Tom Bendelow & Donald Ross
Year Built:
1912
Directly across the street from No. 88 Elmhurst and also having the privilege of calling Donald Ross the architect at large, this is the golf course that Ross came to Winnipeg to build specifically, which then spawned St. Charles and the aforementioned Elmhurst.
If Elmhurst feels closer to some of Ross’ best parkland efforts, Pine Ridge draws similarities to his work in the sand hills of North Carolina. Devilish false fronts and roll-offs are key components of the charm of the routing. The wickedness of Ross is beautifully demonstrated on the frighteningly titled green at the 1st, and the famous/infamous par 3, 9th, climbing up to perhaps the most extreme upside bowl green in the country.
Whether the credit belongs to Ross’ renovation or Tom Bendelow’s original golf course is a mystery, but the back-to-back par 3’s at the halfway mark, the Biarritz green on the 15th, and the handful of greens running away from the line of play are among the most unique features to be found in Winnipeg’s golf scene.
90. Marine Drive
[Previous rank: 84th]
Architect:
A.V. Macan, Jim Urbina
Year Built:
1922
In an ideal world, an architect has ample room to choose the best piece of ground on which route his golf course. At Marine Drive, however, A.V. Macan only had 92 acres sandwiched between the hillside above the clubhouse and the Fraser River. And yet, Marine Drive is a perfect example of “ideal” not always being more fascinating, at least when dissecting an architect’s strengths.
As such, Marine Drive is a testament to Macan’s ability to puzzle thoughtful golf into a small site. Aside from the small acreage, the routing itself has some distinct features that stand out: four of the five the par 3’s play into the corners of the property (only the 16th does not), and the finishing six holes dance down and out of the hillside, culminating with the downhill dogleg left tee shot on 18, where the clubhouse looms in the background.
In particular, the surrounds, fall-offs, and rolls of the greens at Marine Drive add a true cherry on top of one of Canada’s great golf courses and clubs.
89. Beaconsfield
[Previous rank: 95th]
Architect:
Willie Park Jr., Stanley Thompson, Darrell Huxham
Year Built:
1906
Golf has been played at Beaconsfield since 1902, but the golf course we see and play today is courtesy of Stanley Thompson, post-World War Two. Thompson was brought in to renovate Willie Park Jr.’s layout, set to be segregated by Highway 20, and as a result, Thompson took most of Park Jr.’s routing and reversed it. Those wishing to see what Park’s original Beaconsfield would have looked like should spend a couple extra minutes on the putting green near the 1st, which remains the only green of his left.
Especially noteworthy is the clever routing, which plays up and down a limestone quarry around the clubhouse. Certain holes fall off it (1st, 12th), others play up it (9th, 11th) while some sit at the bottom and use it as a backdrop (18th, and Thompson’s famous “Quarry” par 3, 15th). The segment across the highway is less inspiring, but savvy eyes are sure to appreciate the green at the par 4, 7th, and the charming drop shot par 3, 8th.
While this ranking reflects the old Beaconsfield pre-renovation, early thoughts from Jeff Mingay and Christine Fraser’s work suggests the question: “how high can this climb?” We look forward to finding out post-production.
88. Elmhurst
[Previous rank: 76th]
Architect:
Donald Ross, Ron Prichard with Dan Philcox
Year Built:
1919
Photo credit: Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
An old saying in the architecture community rings true yet again at Elmhurst: Donald Ross and sand are an undefeated combo. The same could be said about Ross’ ability to route a golf couirse, but Elmhurst is, on Google Maps, one of the most confusing routings to try and figure out. Have no fear: on the ground, it effortlessly flows around the property, never overwhelming the golfer.
The sharp edged bunkering, courtesy of Ron Prichard’s master plan and the talented trio of shapers in Riley Johns, Trev Dormer, and Dan Philcox, beautifully captures of the essence of a “hazard,” more specifically, a Donald Ross hazard. The steep grass faced bunkers with flat, sandy bottoms are intimidating from the 1st hole, and they specifically pop on the par 5, 5th.
Other than the seductive bunkering and a creative routing, unusual features, such as the small ditch to the left of the 14th green and the fall-away green on the 17th, are welcomed and rather exciting. Ditto for the gambling short par 4, 18th, which is an underutilized trope in golf architecture.
87. Vancouver
[Previous rank: 98th]
Architect:
Mike Gardner & Alex Duthie, Ted Locke
Year Built:
1911
Photo credit: The Golfing Canuck
One would think that the “Vancouver Golf Club” would be situated within the actual city of Vancouver, but that is not the case. Instead, its founding members elected to set up camp in Coquitlam, some 24 kilometres from the city centre. As such, the course benefits from a hillier property, and one could argue, better golf than it might have had it been located inside the city of Vancouver limits.
The dramatic property is evident on the opening stretch, where the 1st-3rd tumble down the mountainside in an aggressive manner. As does the monster 6th, which reveals one of the best city views in the country. The 18th reveals the same panorama, a laborious par 4 working its way back down to the clubhouse with the Lower Mainland in the background.
Sure, the back nine’s routing, which primarily works its way east/west, gets a bit redundant at times, but those who play Vancouver will fall in love with more than its idyllic setting and brilliant contours that reveal themselves with each putting stroke.
86. Georgian Bay
[Previous rank: 74th]
Architect:
Jason Straka for Hurdzan/Fry Design
Year Built:
2003
As the name suggests, Georgian Bay Club sits in close proximity to Georgian Bay, overlooking the gorgeous body of water. The stunning setting is obvious from the get-go, with Lake Huron acting as a backdrop on the par 3, 3rd. Credit to Jason Straka, who built the golf course under the Hurdzan/Fry moniker, for syncing up the scale of the bunkers, fairways, and greens to match that of one of North America’s most majestic bodies of water. As a result, Georgian Bay is one of the widest golf courses in the country, allowing ample room for all golfers to get around.
The combination of large green complexes and inviting fairways provides a sense of comfort, yet their immediate juxtaposition with the massive, flashed faced bunkering and sharp shaping take some peace of mind away. Oftentimes, most of the excess width comes on the outside corner of the doglegs, which are rarely the preferred routes to the greens, yet it still allows golfers to lose fewer balls than normal.
The architecture community often gets wrapped up in the household names building big golf courses, yet Georgian Bay is a nice reminder that other firms do it well, too, providing a different outlook on the same archetypes we frequently celebrate in the media today.
85. Terra Nova (Twin Rivers)
[Previous rank: 94th]
Architect:
Robbie Robinson & Doug Carrick
Year Built:
1981 & 1989
How many golf courses can lay claim to playing over an active waterfall? That is the case at the par 3, 18th, at Twin Rivers, a fitting conclusion to an excellent golf course, but part of the benefit of being in the lesser-populated Newfoundland & Labrador, too. Overall, there are very few—if any—golf courses that interact with nature more brilliantly than this one.
Some of the tranquility is disturbed due to the Trans-Canada Highway running through the middle of the layout, starting at the 6th, yet the golf course continues to provide notable features. Indeed, one would be hard-pressed to find another golf course, other than Cypress Point, featuring back-to-back par 3’s and par 5’s— the 11th & 12th are beautifully spread apart at 157 and 243 yards, while the 15th/16th combo offers a chance to make up strokes, at 510 and 543 yards respectively.
Those who make the 2-hour drive from anywhere considered civilization must avoid “Mary, Joseph, and Jesus,” a group of three bunkers near the 16th green that can wreck a scorecard.
84. Royal Mayfair
[Previous rank: 79th]
Architect:
Stanley Thompson, Ted Locke, Les Furber
Year Built:
1927
Out of any province not named Ontario, Alberta had the most impact from the great Stanley Thompson. Edmonton, in particular, benefitted from being the Capital city of the province, with no less than four designs to his credit, although Royal Mayfair Golf Club is the only original design of his that remains. His routing here—best described as a graceful mosey through the tall evergreens on the shores of the North Saskatchewan River—comfortably puts it among the best parkland walks in the country, and one of the single best golf courses to be a member at (only slightly tainted by recent work from Ted Locke and Les Furber).
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Mayfair is the variety presented on the two three-shot holes: the 3rd bends dramatically to the left and is backed up with a slew of bunkering the closer that the golfer gets to the green; while the 14th, bends to the right and narrows to a cheeky green complex tucked into a cozy pocket of the property.
83. Dakota Dunes
[Previous rank: no change]
Architect:
Graham Cooke & Wayne Carleton
Year Built:
2004
Photo credit: Dakota Dunes Resort
In a country dominated by the Canadian Shield and the Boreal Forest, sandy soils ideal for golf are difficult to come across. Thanks to a surplus in Saskatchewan, Dakota Dunes has the distinct privilege of grounds ideal for golf, and as such, the golf ended up being of quality.
Among the highlights Dakota Dunes offers is a strong set of two-shot par 4 holes. This includes the tumbling long par 5, 4th, running through the quasi-costal dunescape, the blind 5th, the maze-like bunkered 8th, and the gambling drive-and-pitch 13th, all of which are among the most diverse holes not just in Saskatchewan but in all of Canada.
Interestingly, the course ends on a 3-5-3-5 combo, highlighted by the signature drop shot 15th and a massive blowout bunker behind the 18th green.
82. Riverside
[Previous rank: 116th—NEW]
Architect:
Donald Ross, Ron Prichard, Keith Cutten
Year Built:
1937
Donald Ross’ prolific New England career ended up bleeding over to the Maritimes a handful of times, yet Riverside, near St. John, New Brunswick, remains his only eighteen hole golf course in New Brunswick. American Ross expert Ron Prichard is partly to credit for the resurrection of the golf course, as is Keith Cutten, who continued to make progress to bring back Ross’ bunker style and character to this charming layout.
The routing navigates a rather hilly piece of ground that slopes towards Kennebecasis Bay, setting up numerous exciting golf holes as it climbs on the opening stretches of both nines and then tumbles to close each side out. Holes like the short par 5, 2nd, with its attractive bunkering scheme near the green and the dry ditch running up the left is old world cool, and likewise for the 3rd, a quirky drivable par 4 up the hillside with a heavily canted fairway. Fans of exquisite, culminating one-shot holes will be fond of the brilliant par 3, 18th, tumbling down the hillside with the Bay in the back and a deceptive bunker short, but not before two of the more interesting green complexes suggest terror for those missing the 16th and 17th’s greens.
81. Waterton Lakes
[Previous rank: 80th]
Architect:
Bill Thomson, Stanley Thompson, Alex Hay & Oliver Tubb for LOBB + Partners
Year Built:
1929
Photo credit: Eclectic Golf Design
The phrase “If You Know, You Know” is overused these days, but Waterton Lakes, located in the farthest southwest point of Alberta where the Rocky Mountains sew together British Columbia, Montana, and Alberta, wears that badge with honour. The joys of playing mountain golf are paramount to the experience here, but it’s the heathland-ish nature, best highlighted by the low-profile, no-frills architecture draped over the land, that makes this golf course worthy of its inclusion among the Top 100 in Canada. As such, there is a sense of playfulness to the layout, especially on the opening stretch where the golfer must negotiate numerous blind shots.
Unless quirkiness and unusual layouts are not your style, one would be hard-pressed to complain about the excellent finishing stretch, and whether this part of the golf course belongs to Stanley Thompson or not, there is no denying that greens committees and passionate architecture afficiandos alike would be better served seeing Waterton Lakes.
80. Port Carling
[Previous rank: 82nd]
Architect:
Thomas McBroom
Year Built:
1991
The most invigorating golf courses tap into their setting, where a talented architect finds way to showcase the natural elements of a piece of property in a unique way. At Port Carling, with its severe property thrusting up and down the hillsides of central Muskoka, Thomas McBroom’s clever solutions lent way to some of the most exhilarating golf shots east of the Rocky Mountains. He included numerous tee-shots plunging into the valleys followed by approaches back to greens perched above the fairway, making this short, 6,400 yard golf course play noticeably longer and more difficult than it lets on.
As with every golf course on this list, there are numerous holes to single out as being special: here, the short par 4, 7th, rightfully takes its place among the “Best in Muskoka” list, whereas the par 3, 16th features shades of the famed “Wishing Well” hole at Capilano Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
In recent years, McBroom, who lives nearby, has improved the golf course thanks to the introduction of notably attractive bunkering. More than thirty years after it opened, Port Carling continues to get better.
79. Talking Rock
[Previous rank: 86th]
Architect:
Graham Cooke & Wayne Carleton from a Les Furber routing
Year Built:
2007
Photo credit: Golf in British Columbia
A routing from Les Furber and a golf course from Graham Cooke and Wayne Carleton is not only merely a unique collaboration on its own, it also remains the only project where both firms deserve shared-credit on the same new build. This unusual combination provides such a joyful ride through the mountains of the Interior of British Columbia that we almost wish that there were more available examples of the trio working together.
Where golf in British Columbia has been primarily defined by aggressive marketing across all channels, Talking Rock has largely stayed out of the limelight. Its separation from the popular resort towns of nearby Kelowna and Kamloops is likely to blame for it flying under the radar, but we believe that that will not be the case any longer.
Among the numerous points to discuss and celebrate, the routing climaxes at the finishing stretch, after slowly working its way up the mountain, when the 15th and 16th tumble down and offer views of Chase Lake, and the drivable 17th and gorgeous 18th followed them up to make one of the most rambunctious third acts of any golf course on this list.
78. TPC Toronto (North)
[Previous rank: no change]
Architect:
Doug Carrick
Year Built:
2001
The north course at the very popular Osprey Valley facility is almost overwhelming in its size, scale, and width, as evident by some of (if not) Doug Carrick’s biggest bunkers, greens, and fairways. Given the sheer size of the golf course, a lesser architect might lose the plot by building less-than interesting golf holes, yet Doug Carrick’s work is textbook in terms of the play lines, angles, and concepts.
Holes like the par 5, 13th, with its heavily canted fairway to the right demonstrates this perfectly, as does the long par 4, 2nd, with its bunkering cut into the hillside left and its green more readily accepting shots from (you guessed it) the left. The golf is best where the land talks, as it does on the blind tee shot over a ridge at the 16th, and on the gentle drop to the par 3, 14th, which was said to be inspired by Alister Mackenzie’s Royal Melbourne.
As of release on March 8, 2024, Ian Andrew is currently overhauling the North course to better suit the modern tournament player. Andrew worked on the original crew back in 2001, and while this ranking reflects the old product, we cannot wait to see what one of Canada’s great architects produces.
77. Kananaskis (Mount Kidd)
[Previous ranking: 89th]
Architect:
Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Browning & Les Furber
Year Built:
1983
Following the devastating floods in 2013, the locally loved thirty-six hole facility at Kananaskis was completely washed away. Thankfully, the provincial government was keen on restoring what had been lost, and controversially, local architect Gary Browning was selected to handle the job of restoring Robert Trent Jones Sr’s golf courses. Browning’s work mostly brought back what had been lost, but he softened many of Trent Jones features in the name of playability (something RTJ Sr. was not particularly known for) and removed a handful of bunkers.
Fans of the old layout will remember the excellent stretch of golf starting at the par 4, 3rd, until the wild par 5, 6th, which remains after Browning’s restoration. This stretch of riveting golf, as well as the elevation change on the back nine and its creative incorporation of Kananaskis River, pushes it past its sister course Mount Lorette, and up in the rankings from 2022.
76. Big Sky
[Previous rank: 81st]
Architect:
Bob Cupp & John Fought
Year Built:
1993
Photo credit: Golf in British Columbia
While a majority of the British Columbian golf courses on this list wind around the hilly topography of the mountainous province, Big Sky sits at the base of Mount Currie in the flatter, marshy plain below. As a result, the golf course feels much closer in spirit to the Low Country or Florida, which gives it a unique identity in a pretty spectacular setting.
Given how flat the property is, the talented duo of Bob Cupp and John Fought relied on the green complexes to provide a large majority of the interest. For example, the short par 3, 5th’s devilish green sits on the banks of the Green River with a devious depression area up the right. The 8th, a wonderful middle-length par 4, has a flirty kicker slope up the right beyond a bunker, while the 16th repels balls on both sides.
Isn’t it impressive what two great architects can do with a flat site?
75. Thornhill
[Previous rank: no change]
Architect:
Stanley Thompson, Doug Carrick
Year Built:
1992
Those who keep up with history will recognize Thornhill as the location of Byron Nelson’s record-setting 11th straight PGA Tour title in 1945. It is a cool memento, yet the actual architecture, courtesy of Stanley Thompson, still shines nearly 80 years later. In fact, a young Stanley Thompson managed to puzzle golf holes into a rather small and hilly property, before he built any of his “big five,” a testament to the talent that was brewing.
Thornhill follows many of Stanley Thompson’s “ideal golf course” principals for the front nine. The golf course opens with a manageable par 4, does not feature a par 3 until the 5th to avoid congestion, and there is merely a single par 5 in the second half of the nine after the first par 3. The back nine, however, throws the script out—for the better—and it ends on a high note with a superb downhill finishing hole to a green tucked on the other side of a creek, gaurded by bunkers. A fitting conclusion to a heroic journey.
74. Stewart Creek
[Previous rank: 93rd]
Architect:
Gary Browning
Year Built:
2000
Following in the footsteps of golf’s great architects like Stanley Thompson and Robert Trent Jones Sr.— who each built courses nearby—is never an easy feat, but that pedigree is even harder to live up to when it is in the Canadian Rockies. Thankfully, Calgarian architect Gary Browning managed to rise to the occasion with his magnum opus.
Holes such as the par 5, 6th, with its incredibly canted fairway bleeding into a split upper/lower layup area provides something not found on the flatter golf courses in the valley, while the 11th, with its centreline tree and the ability to play left or right of it, is unique in its own way. The opening par 4 is among the single best ways to start a round of golf in the Great White North, and visitors will surely remember the aggressively downhill par 3, 9th with its gorgeous mountain backdrop.
73. Ottawa Hunt (South & West)
[Previous rank: 57th]
Architect:
Dr. Michael Hurdzan from a previous Willie Park Jr. golf course
Year Built:
1920
Routed over a wonderfully rolling, sand based property, Ottawa Hunt’s “Gold” Course (the South and West Nines) was recently overhauled by Michael Hurdzan’s firm, and the reception has been largely positive, especially on and around the greens, where his firm eliminated and softened many of the tiers and swales that Thomas McBroom introduced in his prior renovation of the course in the mid-1990s. Some might argue that the two new holes—the 13th and the 14th, which were built to accommodate the new range—are awkward and out of place; however, there is no denying that they have added drama and excitement, particularly the drop shot par 3, 13th, to a glover-leaf green fronted by a water hazard.
Otherwise, Hurdzan’s effort highlighted and further emphasized the strengths of Willie Park’s original layout. The collections of par 4s is varied and thought provoking, especially on the front nine, where the land is best. The par 5, 6th, with a diagonal tee shot across a hazard to a thin strip of fairway, is another highlight.
72. Rivermead
[Previous rank: NEW]
Architect:
George Cumming & Albert Murray, Jeff Mingay
Year Built:
1910
The last decade or so has seen a plethora of previously unranked or neglected golf courses reap the reward of caring and intelligent renovations or restorations by appearing on national rankings for the first time.
Although, hypothetically, one wishes that every golf course could undergo the kind of full-scale, unbudgeted renovation from tee to green that, say, Inverness or Congressional went through, that is simply not the reality for the majority of golf clubs. So, instead, Jeff Mingay focused his work on the most essential aspects—such as tree removal, mowing patterns, adding short grass around the greens, reshaping the bunkers, and softening some of the heavy handed mounding left by Ken Venturi’s firm in the late 1980s—while leaving the pre-existing strengths—namely, the greens and routing—untouched.
Longtime favorites, like the driveable 4th, the clever 6th, and the treacherous uphill 3, 16th, have been enhanced and surrounded by holes that have been significantly improved from their former iterations, most notably the 10th, 11th, and 15th.
71. Cutten Fields
[Previous rank: NEW]
Architect:
Chick Evans & Stanley Thompson, Jeff Mingay
Year Built:
1931
A key componant of a restoration is being able to identify who contributed what (and where), and at Cutten Fields, the murky accrediation between US Amateur champion Chick Evans, and famed architect Stanley Thompson—who owned the golf course and began selling off sections of the layout to cover his debt—meant a pure restoration would prove difficult. Instead, Jeff Mingay used influences from golf courses than Chick Evans notably liked, including the famed Chicago Golf Club, and renovated, adding his own flavour to the routing.
As a result, the product is essentially new, especially the big, bold green complexes, which came at the request of superintendant Bill Green. Now, Cutten Fields showcases Mingay’s creativity in its most riveting form: the par 5, 13th, as an example, illustrates a darling green complex coupled with the strategies asked tee-to-green, and likewise for the par 5, 4th with its centreline bunker in the tee shot and green into the hillside. Squared off edges and blind shots round out one of the most unique golf courses in the country, and all thanks to Mr. Mingay’s prowess.
70. Burlington
[Previous rank: 77th]
Architect:
Stanley Thompson, Doug Carrick
Year Built:
1924
Those driving back from Niagara Falls might notice a bit of golf on Lake Ontario to the left as you cross Hamilton Harbour, and that’s Burlington, which is one of only a handful of golf courses on the Lake, though only the par 4, 17th, is set right against it—it is also used as a backdrop of the short 16th.
Without the lake being a real factor, most of the interest at Burlington comes from the micro-movement in the ground, such as the ridge on the 3rd/4th/5th/11th/12th, or the extreme fall offs around the 9th. The macro-undulations, such as the gully that the 1st & 2nd both straddle, the valley that the 13th dips into and the 15th then plays over, are most appealing.
In addition, Burlington is one of the select few golf courses on this list to end on a par 3, though we love the daring nature of the one-shot end against the clubhouse patio packdrop.
69. Ridge at Manitou
[Previous rank: 67th]
Architect:
Thomas McBroom
Year Built:
2005
Like No. 62 Rocky Crest, The Ridge at Manitou is much more reserved than other McBroom efforts, but its slightly more dramatic terrain posed a difficult routing question. As a result, the golf course’s journey is wanderlust as it meanders its way through the rocky, swampy terrain.
The par 5’s, of which there are a total of five, are something of an anomaly but rarely do golf courses have such a strong collection of three-shot holes. The 1st, playing through a rocky outcropping, and the par 5, 18th, tumbling towards Manitouwabing Lake, bookend the golf course brilliantly, while the 10th covers some of the more undulating terrain in 578 yards.
Of the collection of par 4’s, the drivable 2nd and long, rolling par 4, 8th, seem to be the most common standouts amongst our contributors.
68. Riverside
[Previous rank: 63rd]
Architect:
Bill Kinnear, Graham Cooke & Wayne Carleton
Year Built:
1912
Rarely, if ever, is the big city country club as dramatic and exciting as Riverside is, as evident by its placement on the top 100. As an added benefit, Riverside is distinctly “prairie” in ethos: down to earth, yet friendly; welcoming, yet those who cross it will be punished. It is replete with a true sense of place, as emphasized by its setting against the majestic North Saskatckewan River.
There is very little here that immediately jumps off the page and makes the golfer fall in love upon first play, but if we’re being honest, we are fond golf courses that linger in our mouth longer, that only reveal themselves upon multiple plays. Subtleties like small ditches just shy of the green, a common trope here, make it punitive for those lacking home course knowledge. On the other hand, the 1st’s wildly contoured fairway favours no one.
Like a great story trying to stick the landing by tying up its loose ends, Riverside ends on the epic 388 yard par 4, 18th, sitting high above the North Saskatchewan River valley directly to the left. It is a fitting conclusion to one of the most unassuming clubs in the country, and yet, that is all part of its charm.
67. Royal Ottawa (Championship)
[Previous rank: 69th]
Architect:
Tom Bendelow, Willie Park Jr., Neil Haworth
Year Built:
1903
An old-school club like Royal Ottawa ought to have an old-school, quirky golf course to match the vibe… right? That is absolutely the case of this Gatineau club, which is situated across the Ottawa River from its namesake city.
While the loss of the excellent par 3, 2nd for safety reasons was sad to see, the routing still takes full advantage and it features an strong set of one shot holes. Repeatedly, the par 3s tackle the most dramatic portions of the property, none more so than the back-to-back ones, at 11th and 12th. At Royal Ottawa, the tumbling piece of land forces tighter, limited landing areas where the golfer is best suited to play to, making the yardage feel (and play) longer than on the scorecard.
We are always partial to finishing holes set at the base of the clubhouse overlooking those making their up the final hole, and Royal Ottawa has one of the best.
66. Tower Ranch
[Previous rank: no change]
Architect:
Thomas McBroom
Year Built:
2008
Many of the modern golf courses in the Okanagan Valley are draped over the hillside high above the flatter valley bottoms, but the majority are poorly executed and feature mediocre golf. That may have applied to Tower Ranch had Thomas McBroom not found flatter portions of the mountainous terrain to route his golf holes on.
The peculiar choice to direct the initial three holes directly down the slope is unique, but the golf course benefits from it by allowing golfers to ease into the round. Most of the middle portion climbs uphill, best highlighted by the long par 4, 6th, and short uphill 11th, which then sets up the drama coming home.
The two tee shots on the 13th and 15th, both playing across a canyon are dramatic, but we tend to be partial to the par 3, 12th, with an attractive bunkering scheme, and the par 5, 17th, which side-winds its way to an infinity green. The par 4, 18th, playing around a bunker reminiscent of the Himalayas bunker at St. Enodoc, is a great way to end a thrilling round of golf.
65. St. Charles (Ross/Mackenzie)
[Previous rank: 68th]
Architect:
Donald Ross & Alister Mackenzie, Mike DeVries
Year Built:
1919 & 1929
Such an extreme juxtaposition in the style of two nines is typically not a winning combo, yet Alister Mackenzie & Donald Ross’ architecture perfectly compliment each other at this Winnipeg club. The reality is, of course, that a star-studded cast usually produces a quality result.
Mackenzie’s nine came a decade after Ross rolled through town on his way to Banff Springs, and to our group, it is the better of the two. Mackenzie’s ability to route a golf course takes centre stage, with a gathering point after the 4th/6th being a creative way to fit nine holes in. Fans of his work will particularly like the wildly contoured 2nd and the ridge running through the 8th, among other neat subtleties.
The Ross nine benefits from playing in close proximity to the Assiniboine River, though it rarely comes into play. The greens on the 2nd, 3rd, the contours on the 7th (minus the awkward tee shot), and the entire 9th hole are enough to propel “St. Chuck” to top billing in Manitoba, though we cannot wait to see in 2026 where this layout ends after a restoration from famed architect Jim Urbina.
64. Cobble Beach
[Previous rank: 70th]
Architect:
Doug Carrick
Year Built:
1999
If a golf course has an “Eden” and a “Redan” template, one would likely think it’s a C.B. Macdonald or a Seth Raynor. And yet, Cobble Beach is a Doug Carrick design with both. The “Redan” par 3, 8th, and “Eden” par 3, 17th, are, of course, notable holes that stand out amongst the crowd, but many of those that play away from the Georgina Bay are charismatic as well.
The par 5, 7th, tumbling down towards the Bay and cresting over a hill, is a beautiful par 5 entrenched in its surroundings. Likewise for the the long par 4, 13th, which also works its way back down towards the Bay while crossing a ravine. As expected on a Carrick design, the green complexes are good, if a rather subdued to match with the pseudo-links style of Cobble Beach.
63. Crowbush Cove
[Previous rank: 51st]
1st, Prince Edward Island
Architect:
Thomas McBroom
Year Built:
1994
Few architects get the opportunity to truly work seasidedly, and that in itself provides an advantage over most golf courses. Thus, Crowbush gets the privilege to fly the flag for Thomas McBroom.
Weirdly enough, Crowbush is a bit like The Ocean Course at Kiawah, in that it plays by the sea, but interacts with it only fleetingly. In fact, only the 8th and 16th play directly against the water, but it should not come into play.
Instead, the golfer feels the effect of the coastal winds, putting a heavy-toll on premium ball-striking. Forced carries become difficult around the swampy hazards, like at the 11th, while even the shorter holes like the par 3, 17th, playing to the top of a knob that is fully exposed to the wind, become much more difficult.
Such limitations of an Oceanside property without immediate costal interactions require an out-of-the-box approach to get the most out of the site, but McBroom was up to the task and Crowbush Cove remains one of Canada’s great places for a round of golf.
62. Rocky Crest
[Previous rank: 65th]
Architect:
Thomas McBroom
Year Built:
2000
Muskoka golf is likely word-associated with sitting in a cart over too-severe land, but first time visitors at Rocky Crest will be happily surprised to know that it is completely walkable. That is because, unlike most others, the terrain at Rocky is not overly hilly, which is certainly a positive in our eyes.
Still, those thirsting for drama will absolutely find it at the par 5, 6th, with its massive rock outcropping, at the par 3, 8th, playing across a ravine, and at the drivable par 4, 15th. Perhaps the biggest compliment to Rocky’s quality is what it does apart from its more obviously Instagrammable moments. In particular, the par 3, 14th, is a clever little short par 3, though the illusion of the bunkers that sit some 30 yards short is lost after playing the 13th.
61. Mad River
[Previous rank: 55th]
Architect:
Bob Cupp
Year Built:
1991
Bob Cupp’s résumé is not overly long in Canada, but the three of his four original designs made this list—with Mad River sitting in the middle. The discourse about No. 76 Big Sky and upcoming Beacon Hall is not usually centered around their difficulty, but at Mad River, golfers of all skill levels often talk about the demand that it places on one’s game.
Of course, some may view this as us criticizing Mad River. but that is not the case. In reality, although challenging, the layout is replete with a great sense of balance throughout it. The stretch starting at the drivable par 4, 6th, continuing at the short par 3, 7th, and ending on the par 4, 8th, balances out the demanding 2nd and 9th. The same could be said on the back nine: the 10th and 13th come early before the demanding closing stretch featuring a 237 yard par 3, a 612 par 5, and a 460 yard par 4.
60. Laval-sur-le-Lac (Green)
[Previous rank: no change]
Architect:
Albert Murray, Willie Park Jr., Ian Andrew
Year Built:
1917
Willie Park Jr. was actually quite prolific across the entire country, but he called Montreal home during his time in North America (at one point, he was even Mount Bruno’s head professional). Somewhat surprisingly, Mount Bruno and Laval’s Green course are two of his only three remaining designs in greater Montreal.
All the classic calling cards of a Willie Park Jr. are to be found at the Green. Smaller, devilishly contoured greens that make the best putters question their prowess. Although modest in length by today’s standards, it is a thought-provoking layout that requires the golfer to strategically plot their way around.
Is this the best “B” side golf course in the country? There is most certainly an argument for it.
59. Mississaugua
[Previous rank: 53rd]
Architect:
George Cumming, Donald Ross, Stanley Thompson, Doug Carrick
Year Built:
1906
With such a dramatic property and perhaps the golf course that has been worked on by the most notable architects in Canada— including Stanley Thompson, Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Doug Carrick, George Cumming, and more—it is easy to see why Mississaugua is one of the staples in Canadian golf.
The routing crosses the Credit River no less than five times, spaced out beautifully at the 7th, 10th, and then ramping up at the 12th, 13th, before the final interaction at the 15th while climbing out of the valley. Perhaps no mention of this fantastic old-school layout would be complete without the macro moments: the 9th, for example, is entirely flanked by the Credit River up the right, while the 18th hole works its way to the base of the clubhouse on the high side of the property. The micro, too, is enticing, such as the topography on the 2nd or the green site on the 16th, where Mississauga really grabs the heart of the golfer and sets itself apart.
58. Essex
[Previous rank: 38th]
Architect:
Donald Ross, Bruce Hepner
Year Built:
1929
Cutting to the chase: very few, if any, architects could tackle the flat, clay property like Donald Ross did at Essex.
The clinic on architecture at Essex is not without a master-class in routing, weaving its way in and out of its self. The clay drainage swales the golf course interacts with are magnificent to transport water through the property, and as an added benefit oftentimes come into play on tee shots.
Our panel specifically identified the sum of all parts being a key contributor to what makes Essex great. That is not to say there is not a slew of standouts, including the par 3, 7th, tucked into the middle of the property with an attractive bunkering scheme.
57. TPC Toronto (Heathlands)
[Previous rank: 54th]
Architect:
Doug Carrick
Year Built:
1991
A longtime favourite of many, the Heathlands is oldest of the trio of Doug Carrick designs at this highly popular public facility about forty-five minutes north of Toronto, in Caledon. Big, brawny, and difficult, the set of par 4s here is particularly strong, with the strategic 2nd featuring a cleverly placed fairway bunker that must be contended with in order to gain a view of the green, the downhill 3rd with a perched green featuring a troublesome false front, the sweeping 15th with a green guarded by a sprawling bunker short and to the left, and the low-lying 13th, being most noteworthy.
What elevates the Heathlands to the upper echelon of Carrick’s catalogue, however, are the putting surfaces, which are among the most undulating, devilish, and interesting he produced, though we continue to wish they watered this golf course less and let those contours really shine.
56. Royal Montreal (Blue)
[Previous rank: 49th]
Architect:
Dick Wilson, Rees Jones
Year Built:
1958
Located north of Montreal on Ile Bizard, Royal Montreal, originally founded in 1873, is the eldest club in North America, and it has hosted a litany of major events throughout its history, including the Canadian Open and the Presidents Cup in 2007. The club has curated a fantastic array of historic exhibits in their stately clubhouse, and a lengthy peruse of them should not be eschewed by any lover of golf history.
The current iteration of the Blue course, a Dick Wilson design that Rees Jones completely overhauled in preparation for the Presidents Cup, is among the foremost “championship tests” in the country, with all of the characteristics one would expect from the work of the “Open Doctor” Rees Jones: narrow fairways that place a premium on driving accuracy; long, brutish par 4s with landing areas flanked by cavernous bunkers; par 3s that require deft long-iron play; and enormous, elevated, multi-tiered greens. The back nine is the stronger of the two sides, with the final five holes, all of which feature a prominent water feature of some kind, providing much drama and an opportunity for both birdies and bogeys.
55. Cataraqui
[Previous rank: 48th]
Architect:
Stanley Thompson, Doug Carrick
Year Built:
1933
Located halfway between Toronto and Ottawa, this 1931 Stanley Thompson design has long flown under the radar, primarily because of its location. Yet there is nothing understated about the design, which features a set of par 3s that is as varied and strong as anything in the country, as best illustrated by the ridiculously difficult, yet enthralling 15th climbing back up into the hillside.
Thompson’s brilliance shines particularly where the land is less intense, such as on brawny par 4, 3rd, with a downhill tee shot and a devilish green set against a rocky outcrop, on the uphill par 4, 7th, with a clever on-grade green, on the intriguing 10th featuring a sunken green, and on the sweeping par 4, 13th.
54. TPC Toronto (Hoot)
[Previous rank: 47th]
Architect:
Doug Carrick
Year Built:
2001
The highest ranked at the mega-facility TPC Toronto, Hoot feels like a mix between No. 78 North and No. 57 Heathlands, blending the strategic elements of the Heathlands with the scale of the North.
Conceptually, the golf course begins to take its own nature on, with sandy waste areas scattered throughout that influence play, and the tall pines that control the vibe. Holes such as the par 4, 3rd, and par 4, 7th, meander through the topography with bunkers seemingly at the perfect angles into the greens. Sharp doglegs like at the 5th, 6th, and12th tempt golfers to take the aggressive line to gain an advantage over their playing partners.
In truth, the Hoot is one of the countries great match play courses, capped off by the gambling drivable par 4, 17th, split with a water hazard in the middle.
53. Wolf Creek (Old)
[Previous rank: 56th]
Architect:
Rod Whitman
Year Built:
1987
Canada unfortuntely never got a Pete Dye design in his illustrious career, but if he had ever ventured north, Wolf Creek’s Old course helps us visualize what it might have looked like. Previously a Pete Dye associate, Rod Whitman built the Old and a result, small, heavily-contoured greens and railway ties define the Old.
Granted, this is not merely a golf course that feels like a tribute to Pete Dye’s work, as Rod’s own perspective on golf architecture is evident and stands on its own, emerging from Dye’s shadow. The golf course effortlessly balances the two landscapes by weaving its way between them: the open, links-inspired landscape on the 1st-3rd, 5th-10th, 15th, 17th-18th, and then the tight tree lined golf holes at the 4th, 11th-13rd, and 16th. Among the many standout holes, the par 4, 5th, playing over a ravine, the demanding par 4, 9th, and the short par 5, 11th, stand tall among Rod Whitman’s impressive body of work.
52. Tarandowah
[Previous rank: 58th]
Architect:
Martin Hawtree
Year Built:
2007
A pseudo-links experience in the rolling hills near London, Tarandowah is rightfully coined “Tarandowah Golfers Club.”
The rugged nature of the golf course is accredited to Dr. Martin Hawtree, who brought his consulting and design experience from many storied Irish and Scottish links courses to this rural Ontario farmland. As expected, many trademark links characteristics can be found here. Small, distinctly difficult pot bunkers coupled with firm fairways and whipping fescue in the wind, would grant an exemption for anyone who thinks they’re in the United Kingdom.
Some of the best moments occur when the landscape appears to trick the eye, such as the par 3, 3rd, tucked behind a small ridge, the par 5, 15th, seemingly going on forever, or the slew of bunkering on the final hole. Upon repeat visits, one realizes the secrets in the dirt are part of the charm of Tarandowah.
51. London Hunt
[Previous rank: 32nd]
Architect:
Robert Trent Jones Sr. & Robbie Robinson, Michael Hurdzan
Year Built:
1960
Even though Robert Trent Jones Sr. was a partner with and under Stanley Thompson’s wing, his footprint in Canada is rather small, comparatively. London Hunt remains his finest work in Canada, although many forget it was in partnership with Robbie Robinson.
The theme of London Hunt is big: the fairways are spacious, and the bunkers are big and mean as well. The greens themselves are likely on the short list for the biggest of its respective style of golf course, with pockets tucked behind bunkers or long, expansive greens adding depth the holes. To be expected, the balance between being challenging while remaining fair is a point of pride for RTJ, and in recent years, Dr. Michael Hurdzan has added his own flavour to the golf course.
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