ONTARIO GOLF
COURSE REVIEW

LOCHNESS LINKS (formerly Hunters Pointe Golf Course)
 (1-877-714-4659)

Ontario Golf Course Review

LochNess Links in Welland, Ontario is a upscale semi-private golf course that opened for public play in the spring of 2000.This Graham Cooke & Associates design features a modern link style lay out, incorporating rolling mounds, deep bunkers and generous fairways bounded by native fescue grasses. This Scottish design gives the layout a distinguished look. It has been rated as the 9th best course in Ontario by the Toronto Star Bogey Man, and is also the site of the qualifying for the 2002 Toronto Star Amateur and Ontario Amateur.

Deep pot bunkers and undulating greens provide considerable challenge and creates the need for accuracy off the tee and on approaches. With five sets of tee boxes, you can choose from yardages measuring 6884 to 5319 yards. The mid tees (whites) are very playable from 6207. The course is very well conditioned and the greens roll quick and true, though careful observation is necessary to read the deceiving undulations. Yardage blocks are provided on each tee box, and stakes are measured to the middle of the green at 250, 200, 150 and 100 yards. Some sprinkler heads are also marked. Being a traditional design, LochNess Links does not provide pin placement information allowing golfers to discern the depth of the greens for themselves. Their motto is - links golf as it was meant to be.

The clubhouse provides a private club experience with a pro shop and lavish dining room which features breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Gorgeous views of the course, particularly of the ninth and eighteenth green complexes, are highlighted from the picture window and outdoor terrace. The expansive practice facilities include a grass range with target greens, short game area with bunkers and a spacious putting green.

The opening hole is a deceptively difficult par 4. A good drive and a short iron will, hopefully, situate you somewhere on the small green that is guarded by bunkers on both sides. Be mindful that this green slopes back to front. Accuracy is important on the 2nd hole. The fairway is well guarded on both sides with water on the right and sand on the left.  The approach to the putting surface is a challenge as it is heavily guarded by a massive bunker in the front and a deep pot bunker in the back.   The challenge presented by the 3rd hole, a lovely par 3, is to avoid the difficult bunker deep on the left and three deep pot bunkers on the right A lay up off the tee on the short par four 4th may be the smartest move, as Bunkers on both sides and fescue on the left will greatly reduce any chance of scoring well. A fairway wood or long iron will put most golfers in good birdie position on the course's 15th handicap hole. Five fairway bunkers and a split green with tricky undulations awaits on the mid -length par 5 fifth. Avoid the heather and pay special attention to the pin placement here. The 6th hole is a picturesque par 3 with water on the right and deadly bunkers behind the narrow green. It plays long from the tips and blue tees, but is quite reasonable from the 3 remaining tees. Number 7 is a short par 4 with a very generous fairway that will invite long hitters to attempt to reach off the tee. The water in front of the tee shouldn't pose any real threat, but pot bunkers in front and deep sand traps behind the green can pose some problems. Nonetheless, this is the 17th handicap.  A long fairway waste bunker on the left and fescue on the right will challenge your driver on the long par four 8th. The approach to the green is tight due to the bunkers guarding both sides. Pay attention to the pin placement as the putting surface is deeper than it appears.

The number 1 handicap follows, in the form of a daunting par five, with a water hazard between the tees and the fairway that also runs along the right side for the entire length of the hole. Fescue left and an approach over the hazard which runs across the fairway about 80 yards out make par a great score here. See the initial picture at the top of this review for a wonderful view of the approach, which heads directly towards the clubhouse.The 445 yard and number 2 handicapped par four 10th completes the toughest stretch of the course - three holes that are all rated in the top five in difficulty. The creek crossing the fairway about 165 yards from the green may come into play for long hitters, and an extra club is necessary to reach on the uphill approach. Hole 11 is a long par 3 guarded by two bunkers on the left with out of bounds on the right.  Short is a safe play here, as the green is approachable with a low running shot or a timely bump and run.

A long hitter can reach in two on the par five 12th, if an accurate tee shot driven along the left side reaches the lower level of the tiered fairway. Water left and OB right, along with deep greenside bunkers will encourage many golfers to play it safe and approach with 3 shots.  The 13th hole is like a minefield with four hidden pot bunkers along the left of the fairway. The right side of the fairway is the safest and most effective area from which to approach the putting surface that is protected by pot bunkers and fescue. Next is a short but tricky par 3. The double-tiered green is surrounded by five bunkers, with the two on the left being particularly treacherous. There's more trouble to contend with on the left of the fairway on the 15th hole, which at 603 yards from the tips, is the longest hole on the course. The fairway narrows considerably about 130 yards out, making this a 3 shot hole for most golfers. There is some bail out room the right side just short of the green. The remaining three holes are reasonable par opportunities, and should allow for a good finish. Though long, the 16th plays straight and will provide a good roll off the tee if you can reach the second tier of the fairway. Aim for the flag as the putting surface is the course's most difficult, with split levels and an elevation change of nearly 10 feet! The green on the par 3three 17th is also split level, but can be approached with a low running tee shot as the front is wide open. The closing hole is a breathtaking par five, that features an elevated green - the highest point on the course. Water and bunkers left make this a 3 shot hole. Two good shots near the center of the fairway will leave a fairly easy approach. Stay to the left side of the fairway off the tee however, as the initial slope fades to the right.   

We found LochNess Links to be a very memorable round of golf. It is a picturesque layout, with a great variety of shot selections. When the wind is up, it can play extremely tough. Low draws off the tees and bump and runs green-side are effective weapons to have in your shot arsenal. Throw in the seaside, and this is an extremely authentic Scottish layout. The Two Guys appreciated this distinctive design and the outstanding conditions and service, and highly recommend a round here.

Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf detailed information page for LochNess Links with a link to its website.