The Ups and Downs of Settlers’ Ghost:

The north Barrie area is known for a variety of quality golf courses either routed over stark elevations of the red pine and hardwood covered hills or laid out the adjacent rolling meadowland. Blessed with ski slopes, hiking trails and pristine countryside, this part of Ontario is a nature lover’s paradise. Just a short hop east off the 400 on Horseshoe Valley Road is a golf facility designed to highlight these elevations and the awesome sights atop. Settlers’ Ghost Golf Course, opened in 2004 to high regard, is a facility that celebrates the two original settlers of the area, the Huron, whose historic settlements are nearby and the original farmers who first tried to tame these hills with crops. Just have a look at their logo to see the tribute to the roots of this windswept acreage.

Located between Horseshoe Valley Resort and the quaint village of Craighurst, Settlers’ Ghost was designed by John Robinson on an old farmstead featuring very remarkable elevation changes throughout the design. This deceptively challenging layout, with 4 sets of tees ranging from 4877 to 6311 yards, is a local favorite and leads us to highlight the Ups and Downs of Settlers’ Ghost.

The course opens with a telling look at what is to come. The first tee is in the shadow of the original barn and leads to a relatively short, but demanding Par 4 that presents a high perched green site. The rest of the front side dips and climbs over ridges and mounds. The rollercoaster Par 5, risk / reward, fifth  hole plays to a well protected green at the end of a severe multi-stepped downhill. All the down is balanced by a steep uphill short Par 4, sixth. With mounds right and OB all along the left, this hole demands precision to survive. The Par 5 eighth is a fantastic design. Playing downhill with an interrupted fairway it presents a variety of ways to play. Hit it long and you might get to the second, lower level of fairway, or leave it on the upper level and have a great look at the side hill plateau green. A conservative play here may not be the best choice.  The front finishes with a terrific short Par 4, again playing downhill but protected with a pond in the front right.

The back side opens with one of the most challenging holes on the course. Playing straight up a hill that seems endless, this Par 5 is well protected by a falloff and stand of pines right leaving no room for error. The 12th hole plays back down the same hill to a green site protected well by a fronting pond. The short uphill Par 4 13th doglegs slightly right played over the same protecting pond and forces two well played shots to the target. The final of the three par 5’s on the back is the longest on the course, playing uphill again but with a little gentler slope than the others. The finale is another rollercoaster downhill par 4 wedged between towering red pines on either side. 

This family friendly facility combines a compact routing, golf academy headed by Director of Golf, Mary-Pat Quilty, with an exceptional dining experience in the farmhouse-style clubhouse. Providing a variety of membership public play and stay& play options, Settlers’ Ghost is filled with plenty of challenge, shot making and beautiful vistas for your round of golf.

Settlers’ Ghost Golf Club
3421 Line 1 North, RR #1
Barrie, Ontario
L4M 4Y8

Toll Free:  (866) 504-5534
http://www.settlersghost.com/