EMERALD LINKS GOLF COURSE (613-822-4653)
Ontario Golf Course Review 7/25/2005
Emerald Links is a 27-hole semi-private championship facility designed by Graham Cooke and the Patterson
family in 1990. This layout features well conditioned, bent grass tees, fairways and greens on a wooded terrain
that weaves amongst lakes and ponds along a secluded northern terrain. Sixteen of the 27 holes have water in
play, and there are a total of over 75 soft sand bunkers lining the fairways or located greenside.
Three sets of tee boxes play to distances measuring a maximum of 6605 yards, with the forward sets playing
from as little as 5759 yards. The East and West nines are featured in the photos of this review, and are the most
mature of the three layouts. The South course is the most recent, and is also the longest at 3342 yards from the
blue tees. The West course is the shortest (3083 yards from the tips) but is also the most picturesque. Though
the topography is mostly level, there are several elevated tees and greens. Most of the green complexes feature mildly undulating putting surfaces, with open fronts inviting low running shots and chips.
On course color coded yardage blocks are posted at 100, 150 and 200 yards, 150 yard stakes are visible on all
par fours and fives, and pin placement is indicated by small markers on the flag sticks for front, middle and back
hole locations. The clubhouse features a pro shop plus restaurant/lounge serving lunch specials and hot/cold
sandwiches. Banquet/outing facilities are situated in an adjoining pavilion, and can accommodate as many as
260 people. There is a grass range, putting green and short game area with sand bunker on property.
As the slope ratings indicate (from 105 to 127 for men and from 115 to 119 for women) this is a player-friendly
layout, which can be enjoyed by all levels of golfers. Scratch players will find a challenge from the back tees,
especially off the tee as many of the holes begin tightly tree lined, and open up a bit further down the fairway. The
mounding near the landing areas and greenside often successfully hides menacing sand bunkers, whose
presence cannot be clearly ascertained until one is close to view. General rule - if you see two mounds close together, assume that a bunker is located in-between them.
With the extensive practice and outing facilities, interesting and yet fair course design, plus efficient and friendly
service, Emerald Links is an outstanding facility for outings and events. We highly recommend a round here! For more info, visit our page for the course with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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