| The newly completed Heron Course is a championship-calibre layout stretching to 6750 yards from the back tees and has added a new dimension to golf at the Welland club. Sparrow Lakes GC can now accommodate more golfers – young and old, beginners and pros, short and long hitters – conveniently, especially at peak-play times.
The Heron Course is demanding on two counts - its length and the numerous lakes which come into play on all but four holes. This is a driver's course where numerous ponds (16) eat up errant or lesser tee shots. Apparently, ball washers will be unnecessary !
The course features generous fairways, numerous strategically positioned fairway bunkers, and large, gently contoured, speedy greens. The par-3s are not overly demanding - largely mid-irons - but the closing hole with its island green stands out. Without a lot of mature trees, the "links" elements of the course - fairway bunkers, mounding, firm greens, ponds, fescue and perimeter woes - take over, making the Heron course challenging for even the best players.
The new 18-hole layout, a combination of the pre-existing Heron nine and a totally new nine holes, is something of a hybrid including the style, look and features of links, parkland and Carolinian courses. But no matter where on the course you tee it up, one common trait is instantly obvious – the array of hazards, including numerous ponds, drainage ditches, bunkers, and occasionally, treelines that define each shot.
Of course, the longer Heron Course places a premium on driving and distance off the tee, but accuracy and discretion are more likely to produce good scores. On and around the slippery greens, a solid short game and a deft touch with the putter are also paramount to success.
The par-5s are neither too long nor demanding, and there is some room to spray the ball a bit off the tees. However, many of the par-4s are quite the opposite, requiring accurate driving and a solid iron game. Holes # 4, maybe the best of the bunch, and # 6 take the driver out of the hands of all but the most confident and straight-hitting players. Par-3s are a bit on the long side by Niagara standards, but not overly penal. Coming in, the signature finishing hole features a near-island green, a great view of the clubhouse, and the promise of a cold beverage after a very enjoyable round of golf. |
