by Travis Miller
If you’re looking to golf your way around Canada, why not enjoy the scenery while doing so? Each province has its own unique landscape and the game of golf is a great way to experience the country’s natural beauty. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most picturesque golf courses in Canada. [Photo credit: iStock.com/ImagineGolf]
In choosing this list, we took into consideration not only the beauty but the challenges of the course itself. Tell us if you agree!
Terra Nova (Twin Rivers)
Located just off of the Trans-Canada Highway west of Port Blandford, Terra Nova Resort & Golf Community offers a challenging course in one of the most unique settings in all of Canada. As you walk the impeccably manicured fairways and greens, you will experience the beauty of the forest, rivers and ocean that surround you. Often referred to as “Canada’s Pebble Beach,” the Twin Rivers course has earned a platinum rating from Score Magazine and is known for its two salmon rivers.
Cabot Links (Cabot Cliffs Course)
Situated atop bluffs overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Inverness, Cabot Cliffs has been ranked as not only the top course in Nova Scotia, but in all of Canada. Ocean-facing holes are skillfully contrasted with views of rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands and meadowlands. Fairways have been designed with humps and hollows to make your tee shot more of an adventure. Cabot Cliffs has been rated by some as one of the top 100 courses in the world.
Glasgow Hills
With panoramic views of the countryside, River Clyde, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Glasgow Hills expertly utilizes its many elevation changes. Featuring a diversity of terrain, the course offers a dramatic backdrop from just about every tee box. Located in New Glasgow, this course offers you a scenic and yet challenging golf experience. It can be played up to nearly 7,000 yards, but there are four sets of tees designed to accommodate golfers of all skill levels. Don’t forget to enjoy some mussels at the end of your round!
The Algonquin Resort
Located on the Bay of Fundy in St. Andrews, this historical course has been a preferred site for golf dating back to the late 1800s. The front nine was redesigned in the early 2000s and winds through coniferous forests, while the back nine hugs the seaside with excellent views of the Bay of Fundy and across the international border into the United States. The awe-inspiring oceanfront holes are a beautiful challenge for any golfer. The entire course is currently undergoing a makeover which is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2017.
Le Geant
With elevated tees and plunging fairways, “The Giant” is a truly unique course at Mont Tremblant Resort. The course itself has been carved into a mountainside, giving it challenging changes in elevation. The fairway on the 18th hole alone drops 150 feet from the tee box. Well-maintained fairways are hilly and sloped, creating lies that will challenge any golfer. This is a truly three-dimensional course that offers dramatic views of the Laurentian landscape.
St. George’s Golf & Country Club
Designed by famous golf course architect Stanley Thompson, this challenging tree-lined course boasts tight fairways and undulating terrain. Located in Etobicoke, just minutes from downtown Toronto, St. George’s is often rated as one of the finest courses in the world. It was originally founded in 1929 and has hosted the PGA Tour’s Canadian Open five times. The caretakers of this course have painstakingly restored many of the greens to their original specs. A challenge from any of the five sets of tees, this course stretches to just over 7,000 yards.
Hecla
Travelling a little over two hours north of Winnipeg, you will find Hecla Golf Course in Riverton, set amidst the beauty of Hecla Provincial Park. Well worth the trip, this picturesque course features many holes right along the shores of Lake Winnipeg. The entire course is located on a wooded island and offers spectacular colours in the fall.
Deer Valley
The scenic Qu’Appelle Valley is located just 15 minutes to the northwest of Regina and offers the hidden gem of Deer Valley. The course rolls across natural prairie and valley terrain, offering challenging changes of elevation and a wooded backdrop. The Qu’Appelle River winds through the course, creating a peaceful, quiet setting for this beautifully maintained course.
Banff Springs
Few things are as picturesque as the Canadian Rockies, which preside over the historical and beautiful Banff Springs Course. The fourth hole, known as the Devil’s Cauldron, is deemed to be one of the most scenic par 3s in the world with breathtaking views of the majestic Mount Rundle. The course, which opened in 1911, also runs parallel to the Bow River with Bow Falls greeting golfers at the conclusion of their round. The course has been carefully maintained and restored to reflect architect Stanley Thompson’s original vision.
Capilano
With the coastal mountains of British Columbia to the north and east of the course, few views are as inviting as those at Capilano in West Vancouver. The course itself was carved out of the hillside and is lined with fir trees and rocks. The mountains, and the weather coming off of them, provide conditions that can change by the minute. The course has mostly been unchanged since opening in 1939 and its caretakers strive to keep it as unspoiled as possible.
For more on how you can play each course or to find dining and lodging nearby, be sure to check out further travel tips from Yellow Pages.
