Entries Tagged as 'Golf Courses'

The Story of St Andrews – The Oldest Golf Course in the World

The Old Course at Saint Andrews Links is said to be the oldest golf course in the world. The Old Course itself has a great deal of history to it and no one knows for sure when golf was first played on these grounds. There is a great deal of conflicting evidence regarding this, however it is clear that golfers have played on this golf course for over 600 years, with the exception of a 45 year period when golf was banned from 1457 to 1502. 

The Old Course is located in Fife, Scotland and is one of seven golf courses on the Links. The Links itself is the largest European public golf complex; each golf course in the complex provides its own set of challenges.

There are many special rules and traditions with The Old Course including the fact that on Sundays the course is closed in order to give the grass time to rest. On this day the course is opened up to the people of Fife to use as a park. The only exceptions to the Sunday rule are when the Open Championships, Dunhill Links Championships, Ricoh Womens Championships, or St Andrews Links Trophy and the St Rule Trophy are being played.

What do golfers think of this golf course?

The Old Course is highly regarded by professional and every day golfers worldwide and it has held the Open Championships more times than any other golf course in the world. In total the Open Championships have been held on this course 27 times and it is set to hold them again in 2010. This was the golf course that Tiger Woods won his very first Open Championship.

The Old Course is one that serious golfers from around the world dream they will one day have the opportunity to play on. As it has many unique features that will only be found at this specific location including its distinctive double greens and the fact that it can be played in two different directions. In general the course is played anti clockwise with the exception of three days during the first week in April.

The oldest golf course in the world and it’s still public!

The fact that the Old Course at St. Andrews is still a public course may be why it attracts so many visitors to it each year. Along with the fact that so many professional golfers consider this particular course to be one of the hardest yet best courses they have ever played on. In fact when Tiger Woods won his very first Open Championship at The Old Course he claimed that the course was his favourite.

In addition to its famous playing grounds, on the property lays the R&A Club house, a historic castle like building whose members are responsible for governing and organizing the Open Championships. It is often assumed that this club owns the Old Course however in reality there are many different clubs that have the privilege to play on this golf course, and it is open to the general public as well.

With its deep rooted traditions, panoramic views, and outstanding ratings The Old Course at Saint Andrews is truly a unique golf course and an unforgettable piece of golf history. It should be on every golfer’s “bucket list” as the one golf course they must play before they die!

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Golf Course Properties For A First Or Second Home

Golf Course Properties For A First Or Second Home

If you own a golf course property, you are not only able to enjoy this fine golf course, but you often have access to a fine club house, swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis courts and spas as well as fine dining. Some of the best communities in the nation are golf communities. At the center of some of these communities are located some of the nation’s best private courses.

Golf course often located in finest real estate

Golf communities are often located on the finest real estate available in an area. You will find some of the best views in a gated community with limited access by outsiders.

Golf course homes remain an excellent investment

These propertys have continued to increase in value even as the bottom has fallen out of the housing market.

With these properties, you could live along a beautifully groomed fairway or enjoy the view of your favorite hole on the course across the lake. Since membership is limited, you do not have to worry about crowded links as you would at a public course.

If you are a golf enthusiast, you can take the golf cart to visit the pro shop or the driving range. Pick up a few lessons form the on-site professional. If someone is not a golf fan, they can still benefit from the beaches, marinas, spas or shopping villages.

Maintenance free options are available in many of the communities through condominiums, town houses or villas. This makes a golf community ideal for a senior to enjoy retirement or for a vacation home for anyone.

If you choose a golf course house in a temperate climate, golf can be played year round, so you can use that vacation home as a vacation rental for even greater return on your investment.

This is the best time to make an investment in your golf course home.

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The Big Top 10 Golf Courses In Canada

The Big Top 10 Golf Courses In Canada

The Big Top 10 Golf Courses In Canada. There is nothing better than relaxing and playing a round of golf on a warm, sunny day with friends. Unless you’re golfing at one of Canada’s renowned golf courses! We have compiled our Top Ten picks for 2007 – Enjoy!

1. The Nation Golf Club of Canada (Woodbridge, ON)

What makes the National Golf Club of Canada so visually remarkable and challenging at the same time? Much of it lies in the greens. While the fairways can be tricky, they are fair and navigable. However, the putting surfaces devised by the Fazios can fray the toughest of nerves. Played at treacherous speeds, and with undulations that can be both dramatic and subtle, the National Golf Club of Canada’s greens may be unrivalled in Canada. While it only plays 7,009 yards from the tips, the National Golf Club of Canada’s difficulty became legendary in 1979 when Lee Trevino shot 67 to win the Canadian PGA Championship, setting the course record in the process. Remarkably, considering all the great players that have since tested the National, Trevino’s tournament record still stands.

2. St. George’s (Toronto, ON)

St. George’s Golf and Country Club is currently rated amongst the top three in Canada and amongst the top 100 in the world – facts which generate a great deal of pride among St. George’s members, young and old. The club has hosted the Canadian Open on four occasions, the LPGA Classic on five occasions and most recently, the du Maurier Champions, Canadian Senior Open. St. George’s Golf and Country Club’s has won much praise from noted tour players for its persistent demand for accuracy and four finishing holes.

3. Hamilton Golf and Country Club – West-South Course (Ancaster, ON)

Some argue that the Hamilton Golf & Country Club is the country’s best golf course. It hosted the Bell Canadian Open in 2003 and received rave reviews from players, media and fans. Hamilton Golf & Country Club currently has over 1200 members of which, nearly three quarters are golfing members. Players have made note of the beauty of the course and the friendly members.

4. Devil’s Paintbrush (Caledon, ON)

Since it opened in 1992, Devil’s Paintbrush has quietly won respect and admiration for its refreshing character as a links-style course that wouldn’t appear out of place alongside The Old Course at Ballybunion in Ireland. Links-style golf requires exciting terrain and Devil’s Paintbrush has it all-outrageous topography, lovely sweeps of land and magnificent scenic vistas.

5. Beacon Hall Golf Club (Aurora, ON)

Beacon Hall Golf Club is a private, equity-owned 18-hole course located in the Oak Ridges Moraine, 30 minutes north of Toronto. Since its opening in 1988 it has been ranked amongst the top 10 golf courses in Canada. Some of the perks? Beacon Hall Golf Club members never have to book a tee time. With only 241 equity members, access to the tee is virtually unrestricted and the pace of play is usually under 4 hours.

Golf Courses In Canada

6. Capilano Golf and Country Club (West Vancouver, BC)

Designed by the esteemed golf course architect Stanley Thompson, and considered one of his finest efforts, Capilano presents a challenging and artistic layout that takes full advantage of the topography and natural beauty of its location. Moreover, Capilano’s traditional design and immaculate conditioning have helped establish its reputation as one of the world’s premiere “members’ clubs”, where the scratch golfer and the high handicapper can share a game from the same set of tees and each enjoy a challenging and rewarding golf experience.

7. Highlands Links Golf Club (Ingonish Beach , NS)

The Highlands Links Golf Club is a special place where nature has been sculpted into a one-of-a-kind golf course. This inspired 18-hole, par 72 course is set within one of Canada’s most beautiful natural settings – the Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada. Together, Thompson’s genius, the contributions of the local community and the dedicated efforts of Parks Canada have resulted in the restoration of a legendary course which delivers a unique experience to all golfers, no matter what level of expertise they bring with them.

8. Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course (Jasper, AB)

Highly acclaimed for its challenging layout and spectacular beauty, the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club is rated by SCORE Golf Magazine as the #1 Best Golf Resort in Canada. It has also received the Gold Tee award from Meetings and Incentive Magazine seven years in a row, and the Successful Meetings Magazine Pinnacle Award six years running. Today, this award winning course remains one of the ”must play” courses in Canada.

9. Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club (Vancouver, BC)

Shaughnessy is a well-treed parkland style course overlooking the Fraser River and Strait of Georgia. The course was built in 1960 and many of the beautiful trees were donated and planted by the members at that time. There are more than 150 species of trees on the property and they flower at different times between March and September providing continuing beauty to the surroundings. Some of the large firs and cedars are more than 200 years old.

10. The Links at Crowbrush Cove (Morell, PE)

Overlooking the north shore dunes of PEI, Crowbush, this course continues to enthrall all those that take the challenge to conquer one of North America’s very best. Undulating fairways, water holes with a wisp of wind, pot bunkers and challenging greens all come together to provide you with an experience not to be forgotten. Truly an unbelievable combination of nature and imagination.

These are no doubt the big top 10 Golf Courses In Canada.

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