MARSHES GOLF CLUB (613-271-3377)
Ontario Golf Course Review 7/25/2005
The Marshes Golf Club is a Robert Trent Jones II designed championship layout that is recognized as Ottawa's
premier golf destination. Visitors can combine a round on this award winning golf course with a stay at the
adjacent Brookside Resort, which features luxurious overnight accommodations, sumptuous cuisine at a four
-diamond restaurant, and relaxing spa treatments at Au Naturel. Located just 20 minutes from downtown, the
facility also features a European, PGA-approved short course - Marchwood. Together these components combine to provide a golfing experience unmatched in the Ottawa region!
The platinum winning Marshes Golf Course is Robert Trent Jones father-son collaboration. It is an Audubon
Sanctioned Sanctuary and public golf facility that provides service and amenities worthy of top scale private
clubs. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley North, the Marshes features immaculately conditioned bent grass
fairways along a rolling terrain that weaves through modern towers of glass and steel, against the distant
backdrop of the Gastineau Hills. It is Ottawa's leading corporate-play facility, with a spectacular 27,000 square
foot clubhouse that includes a pro shop, locker rooms with steam rooms and showers, plus a wonderfully
appointed restaurant/lounge open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Incredible golf course views are also available
from the outdoor terrace. Practice facilities include a targeted grass range that features complimentary range balls to green fee paying guests, plus a large putting green and short game area.
The championship course features 4 tee boxes with some holes providing extra sets, affording all levels of
players with an opportunity to choose a set that fits their game. The tips play to 7026 yards with a 132 slope, and
the blue tees measure 6467 yards with a 128 slope. For men the remaining two sets play to slopes of 118 and
114 at 5853 and 5274 yards, while the same sets play to slopes of 128 and 118 for women. Carts come
equipped with weather covers to protect clubs on rainy days, plus Uplink GPS which provides accurate yardages
from tee to the pin, as well as hole diagrams and tips on how to play each hole. Sprinkler heads on course are also measured to the center of the green.
Sculpted tee areas lead to manicured bent grass fairways that are often flanked by high grass mounding and
fields of native brush and wildflowers. The landing areas are quite generous but stray too far and the rough are
can be quite penal. Natural areas and marsh lands abound - hence the name of the course. Beautiful white sand
bunkers dot the landscape, located strategically along the mildly rolling fairways or greenside. The large, mildly
undulating putting complexes are mostly raised with swales and collection areas greenside, but some are also
open in front - inviting low running chips and approaches. Golfers should have an opportunity to try all the tricks in their bag on this course.
There are some interesting water hazards along the way, including the lake on number two which creates a
banana shaped par five winding from left to right. This monster of a hole encompasses 640 yards from the tips,
with the final shot over water to a well bunkered green. Average golfers playing from the whites will still have to
travel 581 yards to earn their score! Numbers 7 and 8 are also gorgeous - the former a par four with a split
fairway separated by bunkers and natural areas, and the latter a 134 yard par three over water with the beautiful Brookside Resort forming the background.
Number nine is a reachable par five for long hitters, and eighteen is the longest par four on the course at 500
yards from the tips. These two holes share a humungous double green that is replete with ridges and undulations
. On our mid-July visit, Marshes was in excellent shape from tee to green. This is an incredible golf or
corporate/business facility, with ample meeting and banquet space, and is highly recommended to any level of
player. The design is fun to play, and challenging enough to test even the top tier of golfers. The nine hole
Marchwood par three course compliments the championship experience. With holes ranging from 91 to 186
yards in length, this is a great warm up, and also is ideal for those with not much time on their hands…looking to
sneak in a few holes around a family or business agenda. For more info on the Marshes, visit our page fro the facility with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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