Tarandowah Golfers Club:

Southern Ontario's Unique Links Experience

Posted by Alistair Orr

The sea is nowhere in sight but that did not prevent Dr. Martin Hawtree from designing a course that looks, feels and behaves like a seaside links course. The fairways are undulating with knobs and bumps here and there that toss the ball around at will. The green complexes and driving areas are well protected by deep sod faced bunkers that are trimmed with lengthy fescue grasses. Tarandowah is a course where strategic play and a deft touch will win out over brute force in the end, however, there are a few holes on the course where a heavy hand is certainly advantagous.

Hawtree is a third generation UK course architect and has worked on the likes of Lahinch, Carnoustie, Portmarnoch, Muirfield, Royal Birkdale and St Andrews among others so he knows a thing or two about what makes a good links course tick. If you are looking for a links experience, without having to take on a five hour flight and then drive for five more, the next best thing can be found on Putnam Rd south of the 401 between London and Woodstock.

Course Stats:

Access: Public

Location:

Springfield, On. -15 minutes west of Ingersol south of the 401.

Feature Holes Descriptions:

There are a bunch of really strong holes at Tarandowah, such as the par 3’s 3rd and 12th holes and the par 5 14th, but there are four par fours which stand out as a cut above and get the nod as our shot maker’s selections. The sixth hole is a wonderful short 4 par where brain beats brawn. The ideal tee ball will find the left side of the fairway around the 100-120 mark, avoiding a group of mounds which divide the fairway, setting up the best angle to this two tiered, false fronted, bunker protected, green site. Number 8 is a dogleg left that requires a drive long down the right side avoiding two bunker left that are begging to be challenged. Should you successfully challenge these bunkers you may find yourself blocked out from your goal if the pin is tucked back left behind a stand of trees. There are no bunkers around this green site but fall-offs make an up and down tricky.

Unlike #6 the 11th and 17th holes requires plenty of brawn. At 468 yards, the straight away 11th is the longest par 4 on the course and usually plays into the teeth of the prevailing wind. With bunkers wreaking havoc in the landing area off the tee and a sloping two tiered dance floor guarded by five bunkers, this hole has rightfully earned its number 1 hole rating status. The dogleg left 17th is another beastly par 4 stretching out to 462 yards. A burn crosses in the driving area and it takes a healthy wallop to carry the hazard leaving a mid to long iron uphill to a slightly elevated green site with bunkers short and collection area long. If you manage to pencil in a 4 on these two holes pat yourself on the back because it is a rare accomplishment.

Contact:

Tarandowah Golfers Glub

15125 Putnam Road
Springfield, Ontario N0L 2J0
519-269-9656

[Web site]