Deerhurst Resort-Highlands Course:

Muskoka's Ground Breaking Course.

Posted by Alistair Orr

Carved out of the rugged Muskoka landscape this 1990 Bob Cupp / Thomas McBroom co-design has stood the test of time and nearly 25 years later remains among the upper echelons of Canada’s championship must play courses. Deerhurst Resort’s Highlands course initiated the high-end, dramatic, granite golf boom in Muskoka. Cupp & McBroom took this rugged hilly terrain and utilized the property's plentiful granite outcroppings to transform this densely forested landscape into a unique golfing experience. There is a fair amount of elevation change on the routing that flows over and around the granite seamlessly. Strategically placed bunkering, meandering creeks and well positioned ponds that dot the property  will be in the forefront of your thoughts while pondering club selection.

Although the course is a true shot maker’s test for the accomplished player from the back tees, technology as softened the sterness of the course a touch since its opening. However, Deerhurst Highlands is still very much a difficult test of golf. Those choosing the wrong set of tees will be in for a long day. For players of lesser ability there are 5 other sets of tees from which to play ranging from 5000 to 6500 yards allowing a choice of suitable challenge.

If the Highland course is be too much course for your abilities, or if time is of the essence, Cupp and McBroom also crafted a wonderful par 64 short course. The Lakeside Course plays from 2427 to 4567 yards and opens and closes on the shores of Peninsula Lake with the balance of the course weaving throughout the resort. Although the course is ideal for the novice golfer it is by no means a push-over. Featuring narrow fairways, undulating well protected green sites and strategically placed fairway bunkers this scenic routing will keep the attention of the dedicated golfer while allowing the novice a chance to score.

Highlands Course Stats:

Access: Resort Guests and Public

Location:

Huntsville, Ontario

Feature Holes Descriptions:

Every course seems to have a handful of key holes that encapsulates the essence of the course.  At the Highlands the stretch from the seventh tee to the tenth green showcases everything that makes this course great and unique. Elevation changes, granite outcroppings, creeks, ponds and tough sloping green sites are all on full display in this stretch.

The yardage would lead most to believe the par 5 seventh hole to be a birdie opportunity. However, the margin for error on each swing of the club is minimal with precise shot execution a must. A choice must be made on the tee; lay-up to the edge a steep drop off some 260 yards from the back tee (200 from the front) leaving a 220-240 yard approach to the green or challenge the hole taking the drive to the lower section setting up an approach shot in the 150-160 range. Failure to carry your ball to the bottom level will result in a steep downhill lie in thick rough making thoughts of birdie a pipe dream. Those choosing to play conservatively must take care on the second shot layup for a left side fairway bunker 75 yards shy of the green pinches in the landing area. The green is protected by a huge fall-off and traps front left and by a steep mound in the back. Ridges abound, so a ball found on the wrong tier will make two putting a challenge.

A truly heroic tee shot is imperitave from the elevated tee on hole number 8.  Stretching out to a considerable length from the Gold, Blue and Copper tees, the tee shot must carry the distance to the green as a small bail out area short and right is the only safe misst. The green is part of a complex shared with hole 17, so anything pushed too far right will leave you with a putt in excess of 200 feet. Humps, bumps and swales make this green a carnival ride and a stern test to save par. Don’t get tempted by the left pin. Center green and 2 putts is the way to play this brute.

Length is not the foe at the front nine closer, however being able to shape the ball is the test. The tee shot is best played to the far right of the fairway avoiding the encroaching tree line down the right. Disaster lurks for anything hit left  - encroaching forest blocks the site lines to the green from the left side of the fairway while the wide left shot brings a hazard that runs the entire length of the hole in to play. The approach plays to a raised sloping green guarded by fronting bunkers. No easy finish to the “front side.”

The dramatic back side opener requires a long left to right tee shot from an elevated tee ground high above the fairway to a fairly generous landing area below. However, a massive granite wall protects the right side from tee to the inside corner of the dogleg and dense woods will capture the wayward shot left. Distance control is paramount on the approach for the undulating green complex is long and narrow and falls off all around.

Contact:

Deerhurst Resort

Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course

1235 Deerhurst Drive
Huntsville, Ontario
800-461-4393

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