The National Golf Club, Canada- hole 18
History
In 1975 George Fazio was approached to build a championship golf course for a men only members golf club in Toronto.
George enlisted his nephew Tom to assist.
True to their brief the Fazio's built a very testing layout which has been regarded by many as one of the best courses in Canada since.
In 2006 Tom Fazio returned to spruce up the course and notably toughened the 16th hole
Back Story
Caddying for Tim at Seaforth
Our son Tim was playing on the Canadian tour in 2008 when we decided to head over and support him for a while.
We caught up with him in Toronto and I caddied for him in a tournament at Seaforth.
Being a member of The National Golf Club in Australia I was able to use our reciprocal rights to play The National Golf Club in Canada.
So Heather, Tim and I were some of the privileged few on the course that day, and it was memorable
Course
The National GC- hole 1
The National Golf Club was built by the Fazios to a brief from the club for a testing championship course for a men's only club.
The club is owned by the members and immaculately presented.
The greens are some of the slickest I have ever encountered.
It is a beautiful piece of land with lush green vegetation, creeks and lakes, and enough elevation change to add interest
It really is a very testing design.
From the tee the fairways are not the tightest, but neither are they generous.
But any miss is heavily penalised.
Approach shots are likewise demanding with greenside traps and/or water always in play.
You need to be accurate or pay the penalty
The greens are pure- firmish and fast.
Even good putters will stumble at some stage
Notable holes include:
- hole 3, a dog leg par 4 with green protected by water left and bunkers right
- hole 5, a quality par 3
The National GC- hole 3
The National GC- hole 5
- hole 10, a pretty drop shot par 3 over water
The National GC- hole 10
- hole 12, a short par 5 with a shallow green that is both hard to hit and lightning quick to putt on
- hole 13, a gorgeous par 4 dogleg with creek in play left
- hole 15, a tough long par 3
The National GC- hole 13
The National GC- hole 15
- hole 18, a monster par 4 finishing hole with drive over water and long uphill aprraoch to a well protected green (see pic top of page)
The National Golf Club is regarded as one of the toughest courses in North America, and will definitely not be everyone's 'cup of tea'
It is beautifully presented, and a privilege to play, but personally I prefer courses that offer more options for different types of player
But that is a minor quibble and I am sure it doesn't trouble the membership- who asked for a tough but interesting challenge for their gentlemen only club- and got just what they wanted..
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