MONTERRA GOLF CLUB at Blue Mountain (705-445-0231)
Ontario Golf Course Review
Monterra Golf Club is a 4-star (Golf Digest Places to Play) Thomas McBroom championship design that is the centerpiece of the Blue Mountain Resort - located in Collingswood,
2 hours north of Toronto. The village at Blue Mountain features an abundance of year-round resort style recreation, plus amenities worthy of a top class resort. This includes a
variety of accommodations, skiing, tennis, biking, eateries and nightlife, shopping, swimming pools, a fitness facility and more.
Monterra Golf Club
Monterra is a traditional links course that features immaculate rolling bent grass fairways that often play from dramatic elevated tees, with razorback mounding, 86 sand bunkers,
7 lakes and ponds, and numerous ravines and creeks that make for a memorable and challenging round of golf. Three sets of tees enable all levels of golfers to choose a
distance that suits their game, with the tips measuring to 6581 yards with a slope of 129. Alternate sets play to 6011 yards/124 slope for men and 142 for ladies, and 5139
yards/116 slope for men and 121 for women. While not overly long, Monterra is a "thinking" person's golf course, with fast greens and lots of up and down topography. Drives that
are well placed on the manicured fairways, with frequent lay ups before creeks and ravines, will serve well - as opposed to a grip it and rip it mentality from the tee. The prevalent
wind, which is often quite gusty must also be taken into consideration. It is possible to score well on this beautiful resort course, and it is even more likely that golfers will enjoy
the spectacular.
The clubhouse at Monterra features a pro shop, locker rooms with showers, plus a small seating area both inside and out - serviced by a snack bar with breakfast sandwiches,
beverages, fresh baked goods and lunch items available. The several dining establishments of the Blue Mountain resort are also within walking distance. A separate building
provides facilities for outings and meetings, and is located adjacent to the clubhouse. On property is a large putting and chipping green - but no driving range. On course yardages
are indicated by small color coded flags at 100, 150 and 200 yards, plus sprinkler heads that are measured to the center of the green. This same system is used on the greens
for front, middle and back pin placement, and there are yardage markers on the tees at all par threes. Visitors and resort guests will be pleased to know that weather covers are
provided for on each cart, protecting clubs during rainy days. Of course, with our incredible summer like weather in late September, 2004 - this amenity was not necessary!
While primarily a links design, tight tree lined fairways on a good number of holes also provide a parkland setting to the Monterra golfing experience. Wonderful views of Blue
Mountain and of the ski hills often form a backdrop along a terrain that features significant mounding and plentiful bunkering. A good short game featuring the full spectrum of
chips and approaches, including high lobs and bump and runs will be needed to score well here. It is also important to land on the correct portion of the greens, and most of the
putting surfaces are ridged or double tiered. The front side has lakes, creeks or ponds in play on six of the nine holes. A score-able par five (just 467 yards from the tips) opens
the round, and is followed by a very short par three that demands a carry over water. Throw in a short par four (301 yards) on number three, and golfers will find an opportunity to
get off to a great start. The long par four fifth is s different story. This number one handicapped hole begins from an elevated tee, and features a tight approach with water in play
short right and forest to the left - making par a very good score here. The 2nd and 5th holes are pictured above. The next four holes also present water hazards, with the long par
four eighth being especially tricky. A pond is situated to the left off the tee, and a creek crosses the fairway about 150 yards from the green. The approach is guarded by trees all
around. Number nine also has a creek that crosses near the 200 yard marker, with the green again tucked in neatly amongst mature hardwoods.
A few interesting par threes (1oth and 12th pictured above)highlight the back side, with the 134 yard tenth playing to a two tiered putting complex located across a ravine, with a
deep slope and formidable bunkers guarding the front. The 12th features one of three sandy waste areas which are found on the back side. Number 14 is one of the most
challenging par fours on the course, as it features an ample fairway that ends about 75 yards away with a creek and deep ravine running straight across. Short is not an option on
the approach to this hole, which is featured in the two photos below, one from the fairway and the other from behind the green.
The fifteenth is the third in of a series of short three pars on the backside - this one features a false front that will send balls landing on the initial layer back down the slope into the
heavy rough that fronts the putting complex. Number sixteen is a true links style golf hole with fescue, mounding and bunkering lining the way, and is followed by a par four with a
sand waste area that runs the length of the hole on the left. The finishing hole is a score-able par five, with plenty of water in play from tee to green along the left side.
We found Monterra to be a challenging but pleasant golf experience. Course management is vital, and a good short game with a nice arsenal of chips and approaches will
certainly come in handy. Stay and play packages are available throughout the resort. For more info and for a direct link to the Monterra website, visit our informational page for the
golf course by clicking here.
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