LEGENDS ON THE NIAGARA (905-356-1140)
Ussher's Creek 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 USSHER'S CREEK COURSE
The Ussher's Creek Golf Course is the original design at the Legends on the Niagara - a Thomas McBroom layout that borders the majestic Niagara River, and winds over and around Ussher's Creek.
This challenging and breathtaking course features tree lined fairways, wetland hazards, knee high fescue rough - and impeccable conditioning from tee to green. Four sets of tees play to 7180 yards with
a 130 slope, 6754 yards/129 slope, 6185 yards/122 slope for men and 132 for women, and 5421 yards/110 slope for men and 123 for women. For average golfers, this is a wonderful and fair test from
the white tee areas. Generous fairways will usually greet golfers off the tees, but the differences in
yardages from the blues to the whites on some holes can surely translate into higher or lower scores.
The par three third (photo above left) is a good example, with a wedge or short iron need to carry over
the marsh from the whites, while a mid iron is needed from the blue tee areas. The dogleg situated well
up the fairway on number five can be easily cut from the whites, leaving a simple approach, while trees and bunkers may end up being home for tee shots bending in that direction from the back two tees
(also pictured above - right). Choose the correct tees for your game, and low scores may result.
Numbers six and seven feature formidable water hazards that run along the left side of each hole. With
the prevailing wind blowing in, and with the hazards also situated greenside, it is a difficult task to go
directly for the flag. In each case, bail out room is provided short right. The par four 8th is an open links
style design, and precedes one of the most interesting holes on the course (photo below left). Number nine plays along a narrow fairway with trees and a creek in play to the right, and mounds plus tall
heather running the length of the hole along the left. The creek crosses diagonally from left to right, creating the need for an accurate lay up, and a sound approach from about 70 - 100 yards out.
The back nine is 160 yards longer than the front, with the par four tenth and 15th both playing from 400
yards plus from the 3 furthest sets of tees. The creek that dissects the fairway about 110 yards out
should not come into play on ten, but with it situated just in front of the green, this hazard creates a do or
die approach on number 11. Another creek crosses in just pass the tee area and then runs along the left
side towards the green on the par three 13 (photo above right). The next three holes present plenty of
room off the tee, and number 16 in particular has abundant room greenside. The bunkers on the left and
right (pictured below left) seem to be near the green, but are actually situated over 70 yards away from
the putting surface. Number 17 doglegs to the right, with the advantageous landing zone situated over
the left edge of the fairway bunker. Water comes into play from 90 yards in making for a tight approach.
The finishing hole is open off the tee, with another creek cutting through the fairway about 35 yards out. As the fourth ranked handicap, this is a tough closing hole.
Ussher's Creek is a wonderful layout - and provides just one aspect of an incredible golf facility. 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 - and is perfect for beginners or for those looking for a quick round. For those
looking for more variety - the Doug Carrick designed Battlefield is on property, and 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 Ussher's Creek Course, with direct link to the Legends on the Niagara web site by clicking here .
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