Immediately it’s pretty clear this golf course is owned and operated by St. Clair college, approximately a 20 minute drive north of campus on the 401. Colours of yellow green and white can be found everywhere including this unique halfway house.

From the bustling sound of the 401 steps from the first green, to numerous windmills as far as the eye can see, this golf course is certainly one of the more interesting golf environments I’ve seen. But it is a white and green silo that is this facilities staple landmark.

St. Clair College Woodland Hills Golf Club is a nice and neat little package. A full driving range in the centre and a picturesque par three course surrounding it. All of which can be played including enjoying a delicious meal in under two hours.👌

I spent much of my time with course supervisor Mackenzie Essery-Ouellette and it didn’t take me long to recognize how proud Mackenzie is of this facility and the work they do to grow the game with junior golfers from the community.

The golf course also offers Footgolf which has been a very popular program to engage the community and a different revenue tool to attract and retain new customers.

One of this facilities biggest challenges is also a great opportunity: build relationships with college students who can play for free!

Mackenzie is keen to continue growing the game and Golf Ontario is happy to work together with St. Clair College Woodland Hills GC to make it happen! 👊

#partner #focused

More importantly, it was a lunch time when I arrived so I made my way into a very nicely appointed clubhouse and was excited to see a delicious menu waiting for me!

Feeling a bit under the weather, it was an easy choice to go with the soup special chicken vegetable. Really, really good! 😋

Two bowls of chicken vegetable later, I had to meet the chef behind the soup! Hats off to Chef Kyle Wagner and hostess Jamie Sykes - you’re killing it!

The rest of my day was spent with the man charged with the regular care of this beauty of a course, superintendent Bob Harwood.

Without a doubt, what you need to know about The Links of Kent is they are officially a 27 holes facility! Opening this spring, Bob was the man behind the design and building of the new nine. 👏

This project was a major win for \240thefacility allowing for greater flexibility, access to the tee for members and public golfers and providing the option for quick enjoyable 9-hole rounds.

My last note - \240Links of Kent have a booming ladies league and it’s growing. Sounds like a simple recipe to me: Great food, outstanding people and an even better golfing experience! Well done 👍

An 18 hole facility with a full range, St. Clair is situated on a fantastic plot of land with gentle elevation changes and offering a very well kept golf course.

The golf course is owned and operated by the Municipality of St. Clair and boosts a very healthy membership and Tues ladies league that is bursting at the seems.

It was a pleasure to spend my time with course manager Karen Grant (left) who was genuinely excited to tell me about the facilities new Play it Forward program...and its working! Leagues and events alike are playing from the new set of tees, improving pace of play and the overall golfing experience.

As was the case with my other visits today, St. Clair want to see more boys and girls as well as their friends trying golf and was eager to get involved.

Important note - The facility will be celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary in 2021 and MAY see a new clubhouse to mark the occasion...right Karen?! 😉

The course is located directly across from the London International Airport and as you drive in, it didnt take me long to recognize this was a substantial track with a beautiful range.

Situated on Fanshawe Lake, the property provides a remarkable backdrop to the lush, tree lined fairways of Forest City National.

My tour guides today were none other than two local legends Duane Swinkels (left) and Don Reed, General Manager. With not many golfers out, I wasn’t too worried about overstaying my welcome!

This completely public facility has a fantastic clubhouse with ample room to host events of any size. The guys were quick to point out the many PGA of Ontario, Junior Tour and High School events they have been pleased to host for many years. 👌

Forest City National is a must play in the London area. It was a pleasure spending time here and a big thumbs up to the team and ownership group who have a wonderful product! ⛳️🏌️‍♀️

Let me tell you right now, I had the most fun (as you will see) to date at this 9 hole track and I was the ONLY one here....that includes golfers and staff! However...John (who I didn’t meet, but hopefully will see this blog:) left me a very cool note!

So...I grabbed my sticks as John suggested and headed out to find the mailbox.

Unfortunately, I was a little short of 💲💰 and their wasn’t an ATM available...so, golf wasn’t in the cards.

Surrounded by farm land, I’m sure many of the farmers were wondering what I was doing when I found a legit Horseshoe pit beside the clubhouse....and since John didn’t mention any fee in his letter it was game on!

What I can say for certain is that Stonehaven is a wonderful place to play the game. With a modest clubhouse, rolling fairways and of course a killer horseshoe pit, I can’t wait to come back.

John - Sorry we missed each other, give me a call buddy!

Once again, I find another picturesque 18 hole golf course.

What I will remember from this visit is no doubt the course, but more importantly the people. Everyone was incredibly warm, welcoming and just flat out brilliant! Say hi to Dusty Carter (far right) Assistant GM and team 🙌 who thankfully put up with me for a couple hours.

As you can probably guess by now, it didn’t take me long to meet the chef and when I found out the soup special was seafood chowder, it was game over!

It didn’t stop there, obviously while I was in town I might as well check out the dessert menu.....that’s right, what your looking at is a Portuguese Tart....fresh out of the oven my friends! 5 seconds after this photo was snapped, it was gone!

Back to the facility...listening to Dusty talk about the new ownership groups commitment to improving the experience for golfers was inspiring and this was evident in what will soon be a beautiful NEW clubhouse!

The statue.....

Congratulations to a wonderful team at White Squirrel Golf Club. You have created and will continue to deliver a memborable experience for local golfers and travellers alike.

Dusty - I will connect directly to provide my shipping address where you can send a crate of those Portuguese Tarts! 😂

Meet Burt Degrazai, pro shop manager who’s smiling face has been greeting golfing guests at Sauble for over a decade.😊

Sauble GCC is everything a cottage course should be; pretty, user friendly with tons of charm. The 18 hole layout maxes out at 6,300 yards, is a par 72 and will test every club in the bag!

But what really sets this place a part is the lengths staff and ownership will go to create a memorable experience for golfers. These group of guys love what they do, have fun while they do it and are no doubt what makes Sauble a must play 👊 🙌

Now for the very cool part - Sauble uses this buggy to to pick up and get customers home safely...FOR FREE to anyone within 25km. Rock on team!

I wasn’t there very long before I met my first pooch on this roadshow; Royal - a beautiful golden retriever who is the true owner of this property 😂

What I continue to enjoy the most about this trip is the people I get to meet. They take so much pride in their piece of golf paradise and John Cooper, who manages the shop is no different!

In another rural setting, this 18 hole course measuring at no more than 6,800 yards is rich in rolling hills, ponds and has an outstanding range.

Smoker.....enough said 🥩😋

In 2008, SCOREGolf Magazine called BlackHorse one of the top new courses in Ontario and one of the best golf values in the province - no argument here!

A quick shout out to Brad, the facilities golf professional who teaches juniors not only at BlackHorse but also supports another facility nearby to help grow that game - and oh, by the way - kids play free under the age of 13! Well done!

With 27 holes to choose from, Ariss Valley is a course that can be enjoyed by all golfers, of all skill levels and abilities. The layout features tree lined fairways, a valley creek and who doesn’t like island greens?! ⛳️

The facility also boosts an exceptional event space and is a local \240favoriate for hosting tournaments and weddings..and who could blame them with this view!

Speaking of which - say hi to Phil who coordinates events at Ariss Valley and is setting up for yet another special event 🥂

Finally, thanks to owner Jim Maraschiello for giving me the grand tour today - you have a great property sir and I can’t wait to come back. Cheers!

This, my friends could be one of the very best 27 hole executive length golf courses you’ve ever seen. As I drove through the very cozy town of Marryhill, I was blown away by the look and feel of this facility the minute I saw her!

Everything about Merry-Hill is just right - the golf course is in great condition and golf can be played in a reasonable amount of time as you enjoy a walk in the park.

Owned and operated by the McLean-Peister Group, this family flat out gets it when it comes to innovative programs and initiatives to grow the game, and of, course their business. Case in point - meet Carly Peister, the facilities resident junior golf ambassador / rock star!

Merry-Hill boosts a booming junior program which includes hosting camps, clinics, competitions and allowing juniors under the age of 17 to play FREE after 1pm. BTW - Carly is actively involved in getting the sport into local elementary schools with the national Golf in Schools program 👊 🙌

Here is a WIN - the facility has a killer loyalty program called My Club Card and is without a doubt one of the best values I’ve seen in my travels.

As if this facility isn’t doing enough to drive new business, they also provide a FREE hot breakfast with all the fixin’s to all golfers.....every day. 🥓🥞🍳 That’s seals it, I’m moving here!

Meet my main man and owner of this par 3 gem, Andy Pulling.

This entirely public short course has absolutely NO TEE TIMES! - Come and go as you please and pay when your done as the sign says...only $12!

Apollo Valley oozes charm that words can’t do justice to, you’re just going to have to drop by and see for yourself!

After my tour with Andy, he had to go and I stayed to take some of these stunning pictures...and what I discovered to be maybe the most interesting find on this trip for sure!

If this is the starters hut...I have so many questions....

My apologies Andy - I just couldn’t resist!

Apollo Valley is par 3 golf at it’s finest! 👌