(see Rating Criteria)

 

Course Profile Water Park G&CC (formerly Westbrook GC) has long been a part of the Niagara golfscape and continues to be a popular recreational golfers' course. Originally a 9-hole layout, a few new holes and some re-routing of the Westbrook GC design has transformed Water Park into something of an "executive length" par-68 course measuring 5312 yards off the back tees. At that length, there's still plenty of challenge and the luxury of hitting driver off the tee. The course is neither long nor punishing, and as far as recreational courses go, it is still a good test of golf. Water Park has relatively few fairway hazards, and short sparse rough, making it vulnerable to big hitters. Not blessed with large acreage, the couse is a bit compressed, with holes often in close proximity to others, necessitating OB lines. The greens are small, flat, average speed, generally hold good approach shots and provide a fair test of putting skills. The course makes effective use of eleven ponds and its smaller greens to toughen it up - features which place a premium on a good wedge / short game. The course is built adjacent to the river, but nowhere does it come into play.

With sparse rough, firm, wide fairways and few hazards in the driving areas, this is a course that begs players to "grip it and rip it" ! Good driving provides immediate rewards - short iron approaches, a pair of two-shot par-5s, and (perhaps) one reachable par-4. The course has six par-3s - a nice mix of short & long - which are the strength of the course. Generally forgiving, the backbone of the course is comprised of holes # 6 - 12. Accuracy off the tee is a must to make any pars, with bogeys or worse commonplace. The par-3s (# 6, 11, & 12) are especially demanding. Practice facilities include a practice range and chipping / putting green.

 

Course Review

Because it is not overly long and there is little in the way of trouble in the fairway, the course is ideal for even shorter hitters. Fairways woods, even irons off the tee will still open up birdie opportunities. Big hitters will feast on fully half the holes. For the most part, the course features flat, firm fairways and small greens that putt true. While distance off the tee is a real plus, accuracy and a solid short game are the keys to scoring well here. The ever present ponds present some distractions, but most don't come into play very often because of the re-routing of the course and numerous holes that require only a short-iron approach shot.

The first ten holes offer the opportunity for a fast start - short-iron approaches and a very reachable par-5. If the wedge and putter are working on the front nine, sub-par scores are readily attainable. Upon reaching the par-3 11th, however, things change dramatically, and the course bites back with back-to-back long par-3s - both over 200 yards. The finishing holes are a kind mix of short par-4s and another short par-5. A couple of solid par-3s fill out the back nine. Don't let the short yardages lull you into thinking that "short" means "easy" - it isn't necessarily so. Firm fairways mean unpredictable bounces and the greens are rather small and flat, so keeping the ball of the green is paramount to having birdie putts.

Keep in mind that Water Park is a recreational course, not a championship layout, and as such, is intended to provide high-handicappers, short hitters and beginners an enjoyable golf experience. © 2002  Teeing It Up NIAGARA