1st hole – St. George’s
ScoreGolf’s bi-annual Top 100 Canadian Courses List
Canada’s top golf publication ScoreGolf has released the 2002 results of its bi-annual Best Golf Courses in Canada survey with St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto garnering top spot. A select panel of over 45 golf professionals, amateurs, media, superindendents and over golfing luminaries voted for the what they felt were Canada’s top courses according to Condition, Design and Enjoyability elements.
St. George’s has long been considered one of Canada’s best and certainly most historic courses. Designed in 1929 by legendary Canadian architect Stanley Thompson, St. George’s was originally named the Royal York Golf Club. Built near the banks of the Humber River in West Toronto, it was built to be the golf get away for guests staying at the luxurious Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto.
St. George’s has hosted four Canadian Opens and is one of the courses in the world to have hosted events for the PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA tours. St. George’s layout puts an emphasis on accurate play and is well known for its gruelling final four finishing holes.
| 2002 Rank | Course | 2000 Rank | Architect | Opened | Location | Public? |
| 1 | St. George’s G&CC |
-3 | Stanley Thompson | 1928 | “Islington, Ont.” | NO |
| 2 | Highlands Links | -1 | Stanley Thompson | 1939 | “Ingonish Beach, N.S.” | YES |
| 3 | Capilano G&CC | -7 | Stanley Thompson | 1937 | “West Vancouver, B.C.” | NO |
| 4 | The National Golf Club of Canada |
-2 | Tom Fazio | 1975 | “Woodbridge, Ont.” | NO |
| 5 | Redtail Golf Course |
-20 | Donald Steel | 1992 | “St. Thomas, Ont.” | NO |
| 6 | The Links at Crowbush Cove | -10 | Thomas McBroom | 1993 | “Morell, PEI” | YES |
| 7 | Royal Montreal Golf Club – Blue Course | -4 | Dick Wilson | 1959 | “Ile Bizard, Que.” | NO |
| 8 | The Lake Joseph Club |
(n/e) | Thomas McBroom | 1997 | “Port Carling, Ont.” | YES |
| 9 | Hamilton G&CC — South & West Nines |
-5 | Harry Colt | 1914 | “Ancaster, Ont.” | NO |
| 10 | Beacon Hall Golf Club |
-6 | “Bob Cupp, Thomas McBroom” | 1988 | “Aurora, Ont.” | NO |
| 11 | Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club | -21 | Stanley Thompson | 1925 | “Jasper, Alta.” | YES |
| 12 | Le Geant | -31 | Thomas McBroom | 1995 | “Mt. Tremblant, Que.” | YES |
| 13 | Glen Abbey Golf Club |
-8 | Jack Nicklaus | 1977 | “Oakville, Ont.” | YES |
| 14 | Westmount G&CC |
-11 | Stanley Thompson | 1931 | “Kitchener, Ont.” | NO |
| 15 | Banff Springs Golf Course | -45 | Stanley Thompson | 1928 | “Banff, Alta.” | YES |
| 16 | Predator Ridge Golf Resort | -17 | Les Furber | 1991 | “Vernon, B.C.” | YES |
| 17 | Wolf Creek Golf Resort | -23 | Rod Whitman | 1984 | “Ponoka, Alta.” | YES |
| 18 | Angus Glen Golf Club – South Course |
-14 | Doug Carrick | 1995 | “Markham, Ont.” | YES |
| 19 | Toronto Golf Club |
-28 | Harry Colt | 1912 | “Mississauga, Ont.” | NO |
| 20 | Radium Resort — Springs Course | -37 | Les Furber | 1957 | “Radium, B.C.” | YES |
| 21 | Osprey Valley — Heathlands Course |
-77 | Doug Carrick | 1992 | “Caledon, Ont.” | YES |
| 22 | Royal Colwood Golf Club | -19 | A.V. Macan | 1913 | “Victoria, B.C.” | NO |
| 23 | Nicklaus North Golf Course | -9 | Jack Nicklaus | 1995 | “Whistler, B.C.” | YES |
| 24 | Shaughnessy G&CC | -24 | A.V. Macan | 1961 | “Vancouver, B.C.” | NO |
| 25 | Victoria Golf Club | -13 | Harvey Coombe | 1893 | “Victoria, B.C.” | NO |
| 26 | Devil’s Paintbrush |
-30 | Michael Hurdzan | 1992 | “Caledon, Ont.” | NO |
| 27 | King Valley Golf Club |
-12 | Doug Carrick | 1990 | “King City, Ont.” | NO |
| 28 | Devil’s Pulpit |
-15 | Michael Hurdzan | 1990 | “Caledon, Ont.” | NO |
| 29 | Essex G&CC |
-25 | Donald Ross | 1929 | “Lasalle, Ont.” | NO |
| 30 | Deerhurst Golf Resort — Highlands Course |
-16 | “Bob Cupp, Thomas McBroom” | 1990 | “Huntsville, Ont.” | YES |
| 31 | Heron Point Golf Links |
-26 | Thomas McBroom | 1991 | “Dunbarton, Ont.” | NO |
| 32 | Oakdale Golf Club |
-52 | Stanley Thompson | 1926 | “Downsview, Ont.” | NO |
| 33 | Kananaskis Country Golf Course – Mt. Kidd |
-32 | Robert Trent Jones | 1983 | “Kananaskis, Alta.” | YES |
| 34 | Big Sky G&CC | -22 | Bob Cupp | 1994 | “Pemberton, B.C.” | YES |
| 35 | Westwood Plateau G&CC | -34 | Michael Hurdzan | 1995 | “Coquitlam, B.C.” | YES |
| 36 | Brantford G&CC |
-48 | “Nichol Thompson, Stanley Thompson, George Cumming” |
1906 | “Brantford, Ont.” | NO |
| 37 | Eagle Creek Golf Course |
-51 | Ken Venturi | 1990 | “Dunrobin, Ont..” | YES |
| 38 | Wooden Sticks |
(n/e) | Ron Garl | 2000 | “Uxbridge, Ont.” | YES |
| 39 | Le Diable | (n/e) | “Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry” | 1998 | “Mt. Tremblant, Que.” | YES |
| 40 | Heritage Pointe Golf Club | -35 | Ron Garl | 1992 | “Calgary, Alta.” | NO |
| 41 | Gallaghers Canyon G&CC | -43 | William Robinson | 1980 | “Kelowna, B.C.” | YES |
| 42 | Fairview Mountain Golf Club | -18 | Les Furber | 1991 | “Oliver, B.C.” | YES |
| 43 | Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community | -33 | Graham Cooke | 1993 | “Courtney, B.C.” | YES |
| 44 | Greywolf Golf Course | (n/e) | Doug Carrick | 1999 | “Panorama, B.C.” | YES |
| 45 | Kananaskis Country Golf Course – Mt. Lorette |
-44 | Robert Trent Jones | 1984 | “Kananaskis, Alta.” | YES |
| 46 | National Pines Golf Club |
-40 | Thomas McBroom | 1992 | “Barrie, Ont.” | YES |
| 47 | Whirlpool Golf Course |
-90 | Stanley Thompson | 1951 | “Niagara Falls, Ont.” | YES |
| 48 | Deer Ridge Golf Course |
-60 | Thomas McBroom | 1991 | “Kitchener, Ont.” | NO |
| 49 | Mississaugua G&CC |
-38 | Percy Barrett, George Cumming | 1906 | “Mississauga, Ont.” | NO |
| 50 | Salmon Arm Golf Club | (n/e) | Les Furber | 1928 | “Salmon Arm, B.C.” | YES |
| 51 | London Hunt & Country Club |
-41 | Robert Trent Jones | 1960 | “London, Ont.” | NO |
| 52 | Harvest Golf Club | -69 | Graham Cooke | 1994 | “Kelowna, B.C.” | YES |
| 53 | Chateau Whistler Golf Course | -39 | Robert Trent Jones Jr. | 1993 | “Whistler, B.C.” | YES |
| 54 | Morgan Creek Golf Course | -36 | Thomas McBroom | 1995 | “Surrey, B.C.” | YES |
| 55 | Le Mirage Golf — Carolina | (n/e) | Graham Cooke | 1993 | “Terrebonne, Que” | NO |
| 56 | Bell Bay Golf Club | (n/e) | Thomas McBroom | 1997 | “Baddeck, N.S.” | YES |
| 57 | Lionhead G&CC – Legends |
57 | Ted Baker | 1990 | “Brampton, Ont.” | YES |
| 58 | St. Thomas G&CC |
87 | Stanley Thompson | 1899 | “Union, Ont.” | NO |
| 59 | Northview G&CC — Ridge Course | 42 | Arnold Palmer | 1994 | “Surrey, B.C.” | YES |
| 60 | Glencoe G&CC – Forest Course | 49 | Robert Trent Jones, Jr. | 1984 | “Calgary, Alta.” | NO |
| 61 | Red Deer G&CC | (n/e) | William Robinson | 1922 | “Red Deer, Alta.” | NO |
| 62 | Greystone Golf Club |
46 | Doug Carrick | 1991 | “Milton, Ont.” | NO |
| 63 | Marine Drive Golf Club | 53 | A.V. Macan | 1922 | “Vancouver, B.C.” | NO |
| 64 | Glen Arbour Golf Club | n/e | Graham Cooke | 1999 | “Hammond Plains, NS” | YES |
| 65 | Golden Golf Club | 75 | Bill Newis | 1986 | “Golden, B.C.” | YES |
| 66 | Le Blainvillier – Royal | n/e | Graham Cooke | 1991 | “Blainville, Que” | NO |
| 67 | Maple Downs G&CC |
54 | William F. Mitchell | 1954 | “Richmond Hill, Ont.” | NO |
| 68 | Falcon Lake Golf Course | 91 | Norman H.Woods | 1958 | “Falcon Lake, Man.” | YES |
| 69 | Calgary G&CC | 47 | Willie Park Jr. | 1911 | “Calgary, Alta.” | NO |
| 70 | The Priddis Greens G&CC | 72 | Bill Newis | 1985 | “Priddis, Alta.” | NO |
| 71 | Whistler Golf Club | 80 | Arnold Palmer | 1982 | “Whistler, B.C.” | YES |
| 72 | Trickle Creek Golf Resort | 62 | Les Furber | 1992 | “Kimberley, B.C.” | YES |
| 73 | The Mad River Golf Club |
59 | Bob Cupp | 1991 | “Creemore, Ont.” | NO |
| 74 | Rivershore Estates & Golf Links | 58 | Robert Trent Jones | 1981 | “Kamloops, B.C.” | YES |
| 75 | Weston G&CC |
27 | Willie Park Jr. | 1920 | “Weston, Ont.” | NO |
| 76 | Silver Tip | 68 | Les Furber | 1998 | “Canmore, Alta.” | YES |
| 77 | Mont Bruno | 67 | Willie Park Jr. | 1918 | “St. Bruno, Que” | NO |
| 78 | Rodd Brudenell River Resort | 88 | C.E Robinson | 1969 | “Roseneath, P.E.I” | YES |
| 79 | Glendale G&CC | 56 | Norman H.Woods | 1961 | “Edmonton, Alta.” | NO |
| 80 | St. Charles Country Club | 55 | “Donald Ross, Alistair McKenzie, Norman Woods” |
1904 | “Winnipeg, Man.” | NO |
| 81 | Pine Ridge Golf Club | 79 | Donald Ross | 1912 | “Winnipeg, Man.” | NO |
| 82 | Scarboro G&CC |
(n/e) | A.W. Tillinghast | 1912 | “Scarborough, Ont. “ | NO |
| 83 | Dundarave Golf Course | n/e | Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry | 1999 | “Roseneath, P.E.I” | YES |
| 84 | Windermere G&CC | 98 | C.E. Robinson | 1959 | “Edmonton, Alta.” | NO |
| 85 | Mayfair G&CC | (n/e) | Stanley Thompson | 1922 | “Edmonton, Alta.” | NO |
| 86 | Summit G&CC |
71 | Stanley Thompson | 1912 | “Richmond Hill, Ont.” | NO |
| 87 | Storey Creek Golf Club | 73 | Les Furber | 1990 | “Campbell River, B.C.” | YES |
| 88 | Richelieu Valley Golf Club | David & William Gordon | “Sainte-Julie, Que” | NO | ||
| 89 | Royal Quebec Golf Club | 86 | Willie Park Jr. | 1874 | “Boischatel, Que.” | NO |
| 90 | Paradise Canyon Golf Course | (n/e) | Bill Newis | 1992 | “Lethbridge, Alta.” | YES |
| 91 | Ashburn Golf Club — New Course | (n/e) | Geoffrey Cornish | 1970 | “Halifax, N.S.” | NO |
| 92 | Kanawaki Golf Club | Albert Murray | 1912 | “Kanawaki, Que.” | NO | |
| 93 | Riverside Country Club | 66 | William Kinnear | 1912 | “Saskatoon, Sask.” | NO |
| 94 | Twin Rivers Golf Course | (n/e) | “Doug Carrick, C.E. Robinson” | 1984 | “Port Blandford, Nfld.” | YES |
| 95 | Royal Ottawa Golf Club |
(n/e) | Stanley Thompson | 1891 | “Aylmer, Que.” | NO |
| 96 | Dunes at Kamloops | 65 | Graham Cooke | 1996 | “Kamloops, B.C.” | YES |
| 97 | Niakwa Golf Course | (n/e) | Stanley Thompson | 1923 | “Winnipeg, Man.” | NO |
| 98 | Cataraqui G&CC |
81 | Stanley Thompson | 1917 | “Kingston, Ont.” | NO |
| 99 | Royal Woodbine Golf Club |
85 | Michael Hurdzan | 1991 | “Toronto, Ont.” | YES |
| 100 | Sunningdale G&CC — Thompson Course |
(n/e) | Stanley Thompson | 1934 | “London, Ont.” | NO |
It is also worth noting that the top 3 courses in the country (St. Georges, #2 Highland Links in Ingonish Beach, NS and #3 Capilano G&CC, Vancouver) were all designed by Stanley Thompson between 1928 and 1939. In all, Thompson had a hand in 17 courses that appeared on this list. Quite a testament to the ‘Toronto Terror’, his designs are just as relevant in today’s golf world as they were when they were built.
Among the other awards handed out by Score, the newly unveiled Magna Golf Club in Aurora was named best new course, St. George’s was named Canada’s best conditioned course and Angus Glen Golf Club kept its perch atop the Best Service at a Public Golf Course list.
[…] Top 100 Canadian Golf Courses | Golf-Courses.ca – It is also worth noting that the top 3 courses in the country (St. Georges, #2 Highland Links in Ingonish Beach, NS and #3 Capilano G&CC, Vancouver) were all designed … […]
[…] Top 100 Canadian Golf Courses | Golf-Courses.ca – It is also worth noting that the top 3 courses in the country (St. Georges, #2 Highland Links in Ingonish Beach, NS and #3 Capilano G&CC, Vancouver) were all designed … […]
[…] Top 100 Canadian Golf Courses | Golf-Courses.ca – 101 rows · It is also worth noting that the top 3 courses in the country (St. Georges, #2 Highland Links in Ingonish Beach, NS and #3 Capilano G&CC, Vancouver) were all … […]