WOODEN STICKS GOLF CLUB (905-852-4379)
Ontario Golf Course Review 7/27/05
Wooden Sticks provides one of the most high quality and unique golf experiences in Ontario. Architect Ron Garl
patterned the design after inspirational holes from great golf courses such as Carnoustie, St Andrews, Troon,
Augusta National and Pine Valley. Twelve of the holes on this 18-hole championship layout were each inspired
by a different famous golf hole from these revered courses. The experience is complimented by exquisite conditioning and by a range of amenities that make Wooden sticks a world class golf destination.
Each golf cart is equipped with weather covers, ice chests, ball and club washers, bottled water plus granola bar
and snack mix. The clubhouse features a full service pro shop, restaurant and lounge open for breakfast, lunch
and dinner in season, plus locker rooms and showers with towels provided. There also is a separate member's
area with added amenities. A beautiful banquet facility can host up to 220 people, and practice facilities include a grass range and large putting/chipping green.
Designed along a rolling terrain, the natural topography provides ample opportunities for a great variation in hole
design. Golfers will encounter everything from flat, open holes with large inviting greens to those that are
extremely undulating, with challenging green complexes situated on plateaus or protected by ravines, mounding,
bunkering or natural areas. Elevation changes from tee to green are common, with the initial two holes providing
a good example. Both play from elevated tees to well bunkered fairways, with the "church pew" that was inspired
by Oakmont visible along the right side of the par four opening hole. The green complex on number two borders
on spectacular, but also may be considered devilish by those who land in one of the many traps or in the grassy swales created by moguled mounds. Images of both holes are pictured below.
The next two holes are also memorable, as both are inspired by holes from Augusta National. The 185 yard par
three 3rd features an incredibly small green located over a pond, with bunkers short and long. Land in one of the
back bunkers and this is an intimidating sand shot, with the water hazard situated perilously close to the narrow
putting surface (patterned after # 12 at Augusta). Number four doglegs left around a natural area and plays to a
green fronted by a creek, with the leader-board and sculpted landscaping framing the beautiful green complex - representing the 13th hole at Augusta.
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Par three 3rd |
Par five 4th |
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Pine Valley is represented heavily on the back side, with the ninth, twelfth and thirteenth holes featuring designs
highlighted by meandering sand waste areas for which this course is famous. Each hole presents a forced carry
off the tee - but one that is reasonable in nature with plentiful landing areas past the hazards. While some holes
demand very accurate tee shots, many fairways are wide and inviting at Wooden Sticks, affording all levels of
players with an opportunity to enjoy a memorable round. Low handicappers will have all they can handle from the
Oak tees, which play to 7012 yards with a formidable slope of 149. The Maples play to 6539 yards/142 slope
and the Birch tees measure 6306 yards/140 slope. Average golfers and high handicappers should choose Pine
tees (white) which play to 6005 yards/130 slope. The Spruce (red) tees measure 5216 with a slope of 122.
On course golfers will find that yardage markings on the fairways and cart paths are posted at 100, 150 and 200
yards, and sprinkler heads are measured to the front, middle and back of the greens. There also are 150 yard
stakes that double as directional devices on the par fours and fives. Pin placement sheets, with greens divided
into quadrants, are posted in each golf cart. There are 69 high quality, white soft sand bunkers- along with
numerous waste areas, and water comes into play in some shape or form on six holes. None is more prominent
than the 17th, patterned after the famous par three 17th at TPC Sawgrass. This and the par three 8th "Postage Stamp" of Troon (#11 at Wooden Sticks) are featured in photos below.
St. Andrews is also represented with the tenth and eighteenth at Wooden Sticks running parallel in opposing
directions, sharing a wide fairway that corresponds with the designs of the opening and closing holes at St.
Andrews. A creek cuts closely in front of the green on ten and is situated near the tee area on 18. Miss these
fairways and you have truly hit a bad shot! Miss the humungous green on 18 and lunch should be on you! The
15th was inspired by the famous "road Hole" at St. Andrews, with a rock wall serving as representation of the hotel which must be carried off the tee on the Old Course.
Wooden Sticks is a truly memorable golf experience. Visitors can expect top notch conditioning and service, in
an atmosphere that makes this facility ideal for corporate events or outings. New for 2005 are the 6 Cabins at
Wooden Sticks, providing on-site luxury accommodations featuring two bedrooms and two baths, along with a
comfortable common area and wet bar. For more info on the course and facilities, visit our page for Wooden Sticks, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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