www.sawmillgolf.com

(see Rating Criteria)

 

Course Profile Sawmill GC offers an enjoyable golf experience in a picturesque setting. Characterized by rolling hills, deciduous woodlands and meandering creeks, the golf course blends naturally into the surrounding farmlands. Well-manicured fairways, undulating greens, numerous water hazards and bunkers add to the challenge and beauty of every hole.

Sawmill was selected as one of Niagara's "Hidden Gems" in the Niagara Golf Awards and boasts one of the strongest collection of par-3s in Niagara. Sawmill requires a good mix of distance, shot-making and strategic play to score well. The par-4 7th and par-5 12th, one of Niagara's signature holes, are good examples of the many risk-reward holes at Sawmill. A good short game is a must as the greens are undulating, well guarded, quick and true. Sawmill GC is a fully certified member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System of Canada (ACSSC) - just the 27th golf course in Canada to receive this prestigious designation and the first in the Niagara area. The certification program for golf courses is designed to recognize and support golf courses that have worked to ensure a high degree of environmental quality for both people and wildlife.

Course Review
	With generous fairways, modest length and great course conditioning, Sawmill GC provides a great setting for both recreational and tournament golf, well suited to players at all skills levels. The course offers a comfortable sequence of holes, beginning with a series of "driving" holes and progressing to the more strategic and demanding finishing holes.
Starting out, long off the tee will improve scoring, especially if tee shots are kept opposite the many lateral water hazards. At the par-4 7th, laying up is best, but big hitters will "go for it", then go look for it. The most strategic section of the course begins at the par-4 11th, the namesake, sawmill hole. Play from the back tees here to bring the creek more into play. On the par-5 12th, laying up is advisable. Two 160-yard shots will keep the ball dry and in a position to make a birdie or par. The chances of clearing the creek twice with consecutive shots (off the tee and on the 2nd shot) are pretty slim.

On the seemingly short, vulnerable par-4 13th, stay left, and hit plenty of club to the very elevated, 2-tiered green. At the 16th, the tee shot must be both long and in the fairway to have any chance of hitting the green far below. The par-3 17th, perhaps the best 3-par at Sawmill, is a great hole. At the finishing hole, laying up short of the creek, while wise, just doesn't leave much of an approach shot - so go for it ! Again, the huge, undulating, elevated green makes the hole play a lot longer / tougher than the card might suggest.

With par-3s demanding precision, strong bunkering, treelines, lots of water throughout the course, and quick, contoured greens, keeping the ball in play and a deft short game are fundamental to good scoring at Sawmill, one of Niagara's most favourite courses.