CENTURY PINES GOLF CLUB (905-628-2877)
REVIEW 8/28/03
Century Pines Golf Club is a member of Kaneff Golf - a group of courses considered to be among the finest public golfing experiences in Ontario. Their reputation has been built on high standard of service
and an outstanding level of course and facility upkeep, as witnessed at their fine properties which also include Lionhead,  Royal Niagra, Royal Ontario, Streetsville Glen and Carlisle Golf and Country Club. Players on these layouts will
encounter finely sculpted fairways and bunkers along with high quality putting surfaces, plus upscale amenities and facilities. At Century Pines this means
a full scale clubhouse with pro shop, locker rooms with showers, restaurant with lounge and outdoor patio, and banquet and outing facilities that can
accommodate large tournaments and special events. A huge putting green and driving range with target areas are also on property. The course was completely redesigned and re-opened for public play in 2002.
Though rain threatened throughout our early morning round, we felt secure in knowing that our clubs would be protected by the weather covers provided for on each cart - just one of the
amenities at Century Pines. The scorecards include a course diagram and information on the slope and course
rating. Pin placements on the mildly undulating and quick, true rolling bent grass greens are indicated by small
flags for front, middle and back hole locations. The 150 yard stakes on all the par fours and fives double as
target areas, and 100/200 yardage blocks are also easy to find on the well conditioned fairways.
 Century Pines is a tremendously interesting layout, with ample fairways
defined by playable bluegrass rough, and with many water hazards in play. On the sixteenth and eighteenth holes golfers will have to navigate a winding
creek that intersects at various points, creating formidable obstacles to par.
As witnessed by the photographs in this review, ponds and natural areas provide not only aesthetic beauty, but also will challenge your shot making
ability off the tee and near the greens. With 4 sets of tees, golfers of all skill levels will be able to choose a distance that suites their game. The blacks
measure 6605 (128 slope), the blues 6161 (125 slope), the whites 5792 (120 slope) and the red tees 5183
yards with a 118 slope. For mid handicappers and average golfers, the blues are fair game and include only 2 par fours of greater than 400 yards.
 The opening hole provides a good indication of what to expect at Century
Pines. The well defined fairway is flanked by trees with a pond coming into play along the right side that stretches from about 165 to 80 yards out. A tee
shot aimed slightly right of the 150 yard stake will set up for a good approach on number two. Be careful of the pond that rests just right of the green, as it
intrudes into the corner of the fairway just prior to the putting complex - a tough approach! The mid-length par four 3rd is score-able and sets up well
with a shot aimed at the 150 stake. The approach is simple from there.  Number four is one of many short par fours can that result in low scores if played properly. This hole is very tight off
the tee, and demands a shot placement on the right side as trees block entry from the left. Another pond comes into play about 190 yards out on the right.
There is plenty of room on the short par three 5th, which precedes the challenging 6th hole that begins with a tee shot over a natural area. Again - a
shot aimed over the 150 will leave a good approach on this dogleg left par four. Pay attention to the pin placement as the putting surface is quite undulating and slopes away.  The seventh is a rustic par three that is nearly all
carry over a water hazard, with trees on either side of the green. The simple par four eighth is followed by the course's number one handicap - the 538
yard finishing hole of the front. Grip it and rip it off the tee, but be mindful that a pond rests in front about 100 yards out and a creek cuts across the fairway
about 25 yards in front of the green.
The back side opens with a set of 3 short par fours - each one of them interesting in their own right. The tenth has a beautifully sculpted fairway with
sand traps defining the landing area which sets up for a simple wedge approach on this dogleg left design. It is easy to drive through the fairway and into or past the right bunker, so a
lay up to about 70 - 100 out is a cautious play. Eleven is an easy hole if you can avoid the wetland left and land
an accurate lay up along this narrow fairway. Ditto for 12, which also invites a lay up past the 150 - be aware of the out of bounds markers along the left
side. The par three 13th is pretty hole, and one that demands a carry over a pond. There is a bit of room long here. These four holes comprise the 16th,
14th, 12th and 10th handicaps - allowing an opportunity to post some low scores to begin the back nine. A shot aimed towards the right fairway
bunkers will leave a good angle for approach on the tight, dogleg left par four 14th.  There is plenty of room anywhere but right on the par 3 fifteenth - which is the easiest hole of the layout. The final
three holes provide the most challenging stretch on the course - and will make or break the rounds of many golfers. Sixteen begins with a tight tee shot
demanding placement to a specific landing area -just right of and past the 150 yard stake. If you go too far, the approach will be blocked by trees. If not far
enough, the approach to what amounts to an island green will be extremely testy. Anything on the left will leave a second shot that must be aimed to the
right edge of a putting complex, as a tree just left of the green prevents entry from that side. There is water everywhere as a winding creek dissects this
hole - running in front and along the left side from about 130 in, and a pond rests to the right and behind the green. Seventeen demands a tee shot over a pond to a wide fairway that
narrows considerably about 180 yards out. The closing hole also begins with a tee shot over water, with the area
just left of the right fairway bunker a good location. Long hitters with visions of reaching in two should note that a
meandering creek fronts the green complex - much like the hazard on 16. A lay up in front of the hazard will leave
an uphill approach to a large putting surface. This is a cautious way to play this hole - but with all the trouble lurking this may be the best choice.
Century Pines is a beautiful golf course with wonderful facilities, and merits a top rating as a great place to play.
With 2003 rates (including cart) topping out at around $73 (Canadian) prime time - this is also a great value.
Walking is allowed with rates $15 less. While there, pick up a Kaneff Golf Magazine, for information on their
other fine properties. Great golf, wonderful facilities - and outstanding, friendly service - Century Pines is highly
recommended. The property is conveniently located in Flamborough - near the 403 and just outside of Hamilton and not too far from Niagra Falls.
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf informational page for Century Pines with a link to its website.
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