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| Course Profile
In 2000, the opening of Hunters Pointe (now LochNess Links GC), a links-style course in Welland, signalled a new direction for golf in Niagara. The course immediately caught the attention of local, GTA and American golfers alike, as well as earning praise from a number of course ranking agencies. |
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In designing the course architects Graham Cooke & Associates introduced Niagara to "links" golf - a layout modelled after the courses of the Scottish Highlands. Aye, lads, she's a bonnie heath and dune ! Recognized as one of Canada's best new courses, LochNess Links GC garnered 9th place on the Toronto Star's Bogey Man's Top 18 courses for 2002, and the 9th hole made his Top 9 Water Hazards list in 2001. LochNess Links GC is bold, beautiful and bewildering all at once and a brand of golf that just can't be experienced elsewhere. |
| Links golf at LochNess Links GC is played across a landscape of rolling fairways, continuous mounding, innumerable bunkers, deep rough, tall wiry fescue, expansive ponds and lakes, firm, sloping and tiered bent-grass greens, dramatic elevation changes, few if any trees, OB perimeters, gusting and fickle winds. True to the links genre, the course has an elongated / "linear" design, running parallel to the Welland Ship Canal, but unlike a true links layout, this design returns to the clubhouse at the turn.
While a demanding test from the tips at 6884 yards, LochNess Links's multiple tee boxes set up well for most recreational golfers. The first five holes are located across the road, while the remainder of the course is "behind" the magnificent new clubhouse. Practice facilities include a driving range, practice bunker and chipping / putting greens. |
| Course Review |
| LochNess Links is certainly deserving of its recognition as one of Niagara's premier courses. Its unique links design makes it unlike other area courses both in terms of its look and play. Long carries across ravines and ponds, elevation changes, mounding to define and separate holes, innumerable bunkers and large, firm greens characterize the course. A good test, this championship layout should be on every golfer's "must play" list of Niagara courses. |
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| The course is always kept in great shape and features generous contoured fairways and well drained, soft and playable bunkers. The greens are large, very firm, fast and true and, in the manner of links golf, are best approached using "bump & run" shots. |
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Undoubtedly, accuracy is at a premium throughout the course. Keeping the ball in the fairway is critical since playing from the rough, fairway bunkers, mounding or fescue almost guarantees bogey - or worse. Missing the green will produce similar consequences as most are surrounded (or at least well guarded) by bunkers, rough and mounding. |
| On the front nine, straight off the tee will provide birdie chances at the par-4 4th and 7th holes and the par-5 5th. The short 3rd and mid-iron 6th (with a new pond up front) are devilish par-3s - miss the green and par is almost impossible. The monstrous, par-4 8th hole calls for a big drive and a precise approach shot. The signature 9th hole is a gorgeous, though treacherous, par-5 which crosses the lake twice - off the tee, where you must not be short or right, and on the approach to the green. Running along the entire right side, the lake is very much in play on every shot, and for good measure, there are a few bunkers near strategic landing areas as well. A signature hole if there ever was one, this hole ranks among Niagara's best. |
| Distance and accuracy off the tee are again paramount to any kind of success on the back nine. Only the par-3s provide any kind of relief and, even at that, the par-3 17th at well over 200 yards (usually into the wind) may still call for a driver. The par-5 12th is a great hole and can be reached in two by big hitters. Don't let the dramatic elevation change, the lake to the left, the bunkers or the severe slope of the green distract you ! Between the long and demanding par-4 13th and par-5 15th holes, the par-3 14th seems a "gimme" three. Not so - it plays longer than it looks and requires as delicate a short iron as you'll hit. |
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| Having survived the very long par-4 16th and par-3 17th, the finishing hole presents another scenic vista from which you can watch a lot of bad golf ! The tee shot must be long and in the fairway - not the lake, left, or the bunkers / rough / mounds to the right. Fool if you go for the green in two ! Crossing the lake is one thing, carrying it 200+ yards quite another. Lay up to the corner, then go at the pin. Any birdie here is worth celebrating.
Charming but challenging, LochNess Links has quickly become a Niagara favourite, and certainly ranks among Niagara's best courses. It singular style, superb conditioning and demanding shot making requirements make it a wonderful test of golf. There is simply nothing else like it ! How could there be ? |
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