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The Sparrow Lakes GC continues to grow and flourish, expanding in 2005 to become Niagara's only 36-hole facility, encompassing the original "executive" Sparrow course and the newer, championship Heron Course. Designed by Rene Muylaert, Sparrow Lakes GC is the only Niagara golf club with both "executive" and "championship" 18's.

Sparrow Course
Without championship length to fortify it, the "executive" Sparrow Course makes effective use of the surrounding countryside, numerous ponds / lakes, strategic bunkering and smaller greens to toughen it up. This layout places a premium on club selection, tee shot placement and a good short game. Sometimes overlooked because of its "executive" status, the course design presents a fair challenge for players of all ages and playing abilities. With greens nestled among secluded woodlots and tucked behind bunkers and ponds, the course is among Niagara's better layouts and certainly its best short track. While lacking in length, the course makes up for with dog-legged fairways and well drained, soft and playable bunkers. Most greens are small, hold approach shots well, putt quick and true. The strength of both the Rene Muylaert design is the imaginative use and strategic placement of bunkers and numerous water hazards. Any advantage that long hitters might have on this shorter track is effectively nullified through good design. Going out, the Swallow nine will give up several birdie opportunities if tee shots are played to the optimal fairway positions, oftentimes by laying up with a lofted fairway wood or long iron. Take the driver out of the bag for holes # 1, 7 & 8, though. Both # 3 & 4 are second-shot, birdie holes - short, lay-up, dog-leg par-4s. The dog-leg left, par-5 7th hole - the original finishing hole - is simply gorgeous and can be reached in two by longer hitters. The par-4 8th is a great driving hole, but stay center / right.
	Right from the start, the Sparrow nine is a risk-reward layout where, more often than not, birdie or bogey is the outcome. Go for it ! The par-3 second hole is set back in the trees and requires an accurate mid-iron to make par. The par-5 fourth is a go-for-broke hole - with little risk. Hole # 7 is a miniscule 266 yards, but lay up - the fairway pinches down to a walkway, trees border the fairway right and left, and a pond fronts the green. Make a good pitch shot for a birdie opportunity.
The "executive 18" at Sparrow Lakes GC is highly regarded and deserving of recognition as one of Niagara's better designs. If there is a weakness is one's game, a round at the challenging Sparrow Lakes GC exec-18 layout will expose it. And, fairly, the course consistently rewards wise course management, proper club selection, strategic tee shot positioning, accurate iron play, a solid short game and good putting.