Calabogie Highlands Resort
and Golf Club in the
Ontario Wilderness

By Kiel Christianson,
Senior Writer

Calabogie, Ontario - Eastern Ontario holds a surprise around every bend, be it a postcard-perfect glacial lake full of bass and trout, a treasure-filled antique shop, a quaint bed and breakfast, or a deer, bear, or snapping turtle wandering across the road. Among the best surprises of all (at least for golfers) is Calabogie Highlands Resort and Golf Club, located in the heart of the Ontario wilderness and resort area.

Just one hour from Ottawa, two and a half from Montreal, and four and a half from both Toronto and Syracuse, NY, Calabogie Highlands offers not only 27 golf holes hewn out of the surrounding thick forest, but also first class accommodations and natural beauty unsurpassed by any other golf resort in Ontario.

From tee to green, from drinks to dinner, from pool to bed and back to tee the next morning, the staff of the Highlands will pamper you and the surroundings will inspire you.

The motto of Calabogie Highlands, and its sister course Packenham Highlands, is, "Designed by man, defined by nature." Nothing could be more accurate, as architect William Dolgos has designed both courses to follow the natural contours of the hilly, watery terrain. The Calabogie course in particular takes full advantage of natural elevation changes and water hazards to present golfers of all skill levels with unique challenges, and more than a few outstanding memories.

While the 9-hole Lakeview course offers some nice views of the lake (hence the name), and a pleasant, if short, 2,765-yard par-35 track, it is the championship 18 that most folks come to play. At 6,764 yards from the tips (6,328 from the whites, 5,546 from the reds), the layout requires some length, although there are only one or two longish forced carries off the tees.

Moreover, the smallish bent grass greens demand precise approaches and the numerous hazards-ranging from ponds to fescue to woods-penalize any shots in between that go more than just slightly astray. The course is short on bunkers, but many of the fairway traps that do exist have pronounced front lips that may prove tricky if you have drawn an unfortunate lie.

The bluegrass fairways may be a tad shaggy for golfers use to bent grass from tee to green, but they are wonderful for average players who appreciate having their ball sitting up a little higher. The bluegrass does make for some fierce rough in spots, and most importantly, it is so hardy that the weather extremes in the region do not affect it a bit. If you choose to drive (walking is always allowed, and even preferred by most regulars), the tough turf stands up to cart traffic in wet and dry conditions.

• The Villas at Calabogie Highlands • Calabogie: Fiddler's Green Restaurant • Past Canadian course reviews

Hallmarks of the course are a host of blind tee shots (for example Nos. 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, and 13) and a number of elevation changes, some of which may cause nosebleeds. One of the most memorable stretches of holes is the 3rd and 4th, an Ontario version of the 17th and (the start of) the18th at Pebble Beach.

The 147-yard par 3 third is straight downhill to an island green. From the tips, you'll need 137 yards to clear the stream in front of the green, and no more than 165 yards if you don't want to end up in Grassy Bay. The championship tee box at the 382-yard 4th is on a finger of land reaching out into the bay, as well. So, whereas you might catch a glimpse of a sea otter or sea lion at Pebble, you might well see a beaver or loon at Calabogie. (But no hoity-toity movie stars are clogging up the links at Calabogie.yet.)

Another great hole is the 406-yard, par-4 ninth. From the tee, first-timers can hardly tell where to aim (Hint: right of the white marker on the left side of the fairway). The downhill second is to a small green guarded by water both front and left and framed by trees.

A long drive (especially from the whites) leaves an awkward downhill stance for the approach, and anything farther left than left-edge of the fairway forces a draw around menacing trees to the green. And one more word of warning: The layout is basically out and back, so you don't return to the clubhouse at the turn (but the refreshment cart shouldn't be too far away).

The second particularly memorable stretch of holes begins at the 14th, where you can take in a series of gorgeous vistas out over the lake. Nos. 15 and 16 offer two of the most impressive and intimidating tee shots anywhere. The tips on both holes are easily 70 feet higher than the fairways (and are also great tobogganing hills in the winter-no kidding!). While the view of the lake is better from the tee of the par-4, 382-yard 16th, the 15th is the hole you'll be talking about for a long time.

The 564-yard 15th is simply one of the most unique par 5s you will ever encounter. From the elevated tee, you'll see a less-than-generous landing area that narrows further into one of the tightest fairways on the course. A ball on the left side of the fairway requires a second around trees and OB on the left; a ball on the right side forces a second around an enormous fescue-covered mound of earth (possibly where Paul Bunyan is buried).

In addition, there is a pond jutting out into the right edge of the fairway at just about the yardage where most tee balls might end up. The second shot is blind to a narrow neck of short grass, and the third, with luck, is up to the elevated green. In short, this golf hole requires power, accuracy, and a bit of luck (or, lacking these, prayer, extra golf balls, and maybe a stiff drink).

Aside from the natural beauty of the course, a real selling point is the incredible value (especially for Yanks). 2000 green fees are only $26.17 (Canadian) during peak times, and just $23.36 during off-peak times (round numbers be damned-after all, you need coins for ball markers). Carts are a bit pricey at $22.61 (more change) for 18 holes, however the course is great for walkers despite the elevation swings; the distances between greens and the next tees are minimal. Memberships are available, as well.

Whether you are staying at the Highlands Villas or not, you'll be happy to cap off your round with a bite to eat and a local Ottawa Valley brew in the clubhouse at the Fiddler's Green Restaurant. The restaurant is located in the one-time summer home of Senator and lumber baron M.J. O'Brien, a 100-year-old, 16-room "cottage" which now serves as the clubhouse. Fiddler's Green occupies the part of the house that was once the sunroom overlooking the lake, and holds the promise of a spectacular sunset every night.

Calabogie Highlands is truly a top-notch golf and vacation experience. The range of activities available aside from golf (fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, hunting, antiquing, fine dining) would make most resorts envious.

Add in the carefully manicured greens and undulating fairways at the Highlands, and nothing in the Ottawa Valley can compare to this oasis of golf in the middle of a breathtaking wilderness. Man designed it, nature defined it, and now it is only a matter of time before golfers from all over eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. find it.

Calabogie Highlands Resort and Golf Club
981 Barryvale Road
Calabogie, ON K0J 1H0
Tel: 613-752-2171 or 1-877-224-GOLFE
mail: info@calabogiehighlandsgolf.com
Web: www.calabogiehighlandsgolf.com
Par: 72
Rating: Blue 72.0, White 70.0, Red 72.0