LEGENDS ON THE NIAGARA (905-356-1140)
Battlefield Course
Review 9/06/04
General information:
The Legends on the Niagara, located near Niagara Falls on the hallowed, historic grounds of the 1814 Battle of
Chippewa, features two 18-hole championship courses, the nine-hole Chippewa Course, a unique 3-acre bent
grass 18-hole putting course, and a comprehensive practice facility that includes a 45-acre 360 degree driving
range, putting greens and a short game area with bunker. A golf Academy and a beautiful clubhouse top off the
list of impressive facilities. This building houses a full service pro shop, locker rooms with showers for men and
women, plus a wonderful restaurant/lounge with outdoor patio affording gorgeous golf course views.
On course golfers will find yardages measured to the center of the green on all sprinkler heads, plus markers on
the fairways at 100, 150 and 200 yards. Tee boxes also have yardage blocks, and hole locations are rotated
daily with pin placement sheets provided on each golf cart - which also feature weather covers to keep clubs dry.
Throw in a yardage book and complimentary range balls, and the Legends on the Niagara provide everything
one needs to enjoy a fantastic round. Both courses are maintained to the highest degree of quality, with finely
sculpted tee boxes, manicured fairways, soft sand bunkers and excellent putting surfaces. The conditions on our early September visit were as good as that of any course we have experienced this year.
REVIEW OF THE BATTLEFIELD COURSE
The Battlefield is a gorgeous Doug Carrick design, which features a nice mix of wide, links style holes with
fairways that are bound by dense forest and brush. Strategic water hazards, like those pictured above in images
of the 9th and 12th holes, come into play on 10 holes. The forced carries are kept to a minimum, and ladies will
find the forward tees to be user friendly as the hazards are often located to the sides of these tee areas. All
players will have to deal with the 92 sand bunkers that can be found on this layout, however. The fairway traps
are particularly treacherous, as high lips and grass walls make recoveries quite difficult. High trajectory clubs will
most often have to be used to escape. The good news is that the fairways - even those that are tree lined,
present plentiful room to avoid these traps, and level lies will most often be found. Four sets of tees play to a
whopping 7309 yards/134 slope, 6862 yards/129 slope, 6271 yards/126 slope for men and 137 for women, and 5500 yards with a slope of 110 for men and 121 for women.
Golfers can get off to a good start on the front side as each of the initial five holes, with the exception of number two, is quite score-able. The par four 4th (photo above) is an interesting hole, with bunkers defining the landing
areas in the fairway. After an open start on the first 4-hole stretch, trees line the fairways of the middle holes.
Fairway bunkers are the main obstacles to par on the 5th and 6th, and water comes into play on the left side of
the fairway and greenside on number seven. The eighth (also pictured below) is a pretty par three with bail out
room to the right side of the green - for those attempting to avoid the pond in front. The ninth is the course's
number one handicap - a long par four (472 yards from the tips) with a lake running the length of the hole on the
left. Long hitters can cut this dogleg left with a tee shot aimed at the last fairway trap. The water hazard sits perilously close to the green, making for a challenging approach.
The back side opens with a pair of score-able four pars sandwiched in between a par five of reasonable length.
Holes number thirteen and fourteen (pictured above) begin an interesting stretch that can make or break a round.
Golfers are presented with a risk/reward opportunity on the par four 13th. A row of bunkers are situated in front
the raised portion of fairway that provides the most rewarding landing zone. Breach the 170 yard area over the
initial trap and the approach is a simple one. Land short or play safely to the left and a long fairway wood will be
needed to reach in regulation. Number 14 is the course's 18th handicap hole, but a natural area and bunkers
short of the putting surface can make this hole play more difficult than it should. Length is necessary off the tee on
the tree lined par four 15th, which precedes another four par with a pond situated along the right from 140 yards
in. Missing to the right or long are not options here. Water hazards define the difficulty of the final two holes as
well. Seventeen is a par three that is all carry over a pond, with some bail out room short left. The closing hole is
a long par five with a lake in play all the way down the right side. Tee shots need to find the landing zone over the
hazard, and before a row of sand traps that will make a good score on this hole nearly impossible. The water
interjects towards the fairway, with a sand buffer, from 160 to 70 yards in - and also borders the putting surface on the right. Par on this hole is a good score.
The Battlefield is a wonderful golf course - fun yet challenging to play. Needless to say, a good sand game will
come in handy. These intricately designed hazards are just as the words imply…bunkers…traps…One can
imagine that they were developed during a war, molded from bombs exploding on the battlefield (fairways)
before being filled with sand like giant divots. Good players can probably get through a round without landing in a
single bunker. Novices should play the safe routes, as there is usually ample room. In any case, with the beautiful
scenery, wonderful landscaping and great conditioning, plus fantastic facilities, one cannot help but enjoy a day
here. The 18-hole putting course also looks like it is a lot of fun to play, and the nine-hole Chippewa Course is a
great layout to walk. For those looking for more variety - the Whirlpool Golf Club near the Falls is the sister
property and is a great layout as well. For more info, visit our page for the Battlefield Course, with direct link to the Legends on the Niagara website by clicking here.
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