St. Marys Golf Blog.

Winter Golf Vacations are 'Overrated'

2011-11-17T12:50:00.001-05:00

Better to stay at home this winter...

Be sure to put on your ice climbing spikes.

St. Marys, Ontario - As we go through the brutal, cold, winter months of winter, we start to dream about how amazing our golf game will be in the coming year. We envision how our golf game will go to the next level, where we will only have straight drives and accurate approach shots, resulting in more birdies and more pars.

But then we decide that we can’t wait for the Canadian spring to make this dream a reality. No, we decide that we need a winter golf vacation! We think to ourselves and within our circle of St. Marys Golf buddies: “What a great idea: Golf in the winter!?” We begin by planning a trip to Myrtle Beach, Florida, or Mexico. We realize that we need a new driver to hit on our golf vacation as “Santa” didn’t bring the one we requested for Christmas. We then decide we need a new golf shirt to go with a new pair of shorts from GolfTown because this is going to be the year – and why not, we should look good while doing it! Once we figure out all the details, the hardest part becomes convincing our wives and girlfriends that this is somehow the best way to spend our ‘vacation savings’.

So we clean our clubs, pack our suitcases, and board the plane with visions of green fairways. The first morning we already have a tee time booked and when we get to the range, we are back ‘in the moment’ or ‘in the place’ that we feel we belong. After a few practise swings, a few range balls, and some SPF 75 sunscreen (for our blanch, white skin) we are on the first tee…and this friends, is where the breakdown occurs. We tee up with our new Nike Sasquatch or Cleveland Launcher driver and our first drive…goes into the water. We tee up for a second time (the first shot is declared quickly as a gimmee…it has been a couple of months since we’ve played of course), which hooks into some poor old guys’ backyard, out of bounds. We finally putt in on the first hole for our first ‘snowman’ of the golf season (and not the kind of snowman you build out of snow fellas’).

By the end of the day, things have only got worse before they have got better. We have lost balls to alligators, got yelled at by ‘snowbirds’ for peeing on a bush, and scored over 100 (for the first time in 10 years). This is where the question must be posed: “And for What?”

This question is simply answered: Wait for spring! At least you have excuses for taking a winter lie and for why you can’t hit a straight drive…it’s cold and the St. Marys Golf course just isn’t ready in April for you to break par yet...

Coca-Cola Men's Classic at St. Marys.

2011-08-29T22:35:00.001-04:00

Some of Ontario's Top Male Golfers Applaud Course Conditions.

Article by Pat Payton of the Journal Argus.

Coca-Cola is the title sponsor for the
Men's Classic at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club.

St. Marys, Ontario - Everybody was raving about the great shape of the golf course and the excellent scoring conditions. But only one golfer managed to break par in the annual Coca-Cola Classic

Men's Invitation held late July at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club. That golfer was London, Ontario native Zack Faulds, who fired a four-under 68 to win the golf tournament by four shots.

"I hit the driver really well; I hit a lot of fairways today," said London’s Faulds, who had five birdies and one bogey (No. 11) during his 34-34 round. "I also made some good par saves in the middle of the round, and I played the par 5s extremely well today."

The 32-year-old Faulds was born in Wardsville, Ontario and played his golf as a youngster in St. Thomas, Ontario. He attended the University of Minnesota on a golf scholarship from 1998 to 2002. Faulds also won the St. Marys Men's Invitation in 1999 as a 20-year-old.

About 90 tee it up:

Approximately 90 golfers competed Saturday in almost perfect weather conditions. Finishing first in the 'A' Flight (0 to 3 handicap) and second overall was St. Marys Golf member Jim Craigmile; former Invitation winner 2007. Craigmile finished with an even-par 72. Second overall in the 'A' Flight was another former Invitation winner, Brett Nymeyer, of Stratford, Ontario who carded a 73. "The course was in great shape," Stratford’s Nymeyer said after his round. "They were good scoring conditions today. The greens were soft and they rolled really nice." Nymeyer, 22, won the Men's Invitation in 2008. He's currently on a golf

scholarship at the University of Nebraska. Finishing third overall in the 'A' Flight was Rich Parsons (74); the defending men's club champion at St. Marys. Daren Vandenloo (74) and Rod Dench (75), of Ingersoll, Ontario were fourth and fifth, respectively. Notable St. Marys Golf member mentions include: Kevin Thompson & John McPhail (77), and Bob Hearn (78).

Golf course, greens praised:

Golfers all day praised the condition of the Southwestern Ontario golf course. "Phenomenal" was the way St. Marys Golf member Eric Henkemens described the golf greens. "The greens putted really well," said Henkemens who shot a 79. "They also held really well…they were just excellent."

St. Marys native Ken Harrison also praised the greens. "The pin placements were tough; they were a challenge today," Harrison said. “The greens were in great shape for the weather we've had. It was a fun day. We've been 33 years in Georgetown (Ontario) but St. Marys is still home," he added with a smile.

2011-07-25T06:29:00.003-04:00

CBHOF Celebrity Golf in St. Marys:
Canada’s version of the ‘Summer Classic’
Baseball Hall of Fame hosts big-time golf event at St. Marys Golf and Country Club

St. Marys, Ontario – The St. Marys Golf and Country Club hosted yet another successful Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic on June 17th to kick off another big golf summer in St. Marys. Both golfers and celebrities alike from all over Ontario, Canada, and even the United States visited the St. Marys Golf Club for this outstanding annual golf tournament.

The inductees for this year’s event were highlighted by legendary Toronto Blue Jays’ closer Tome Henke, nicknamed “The Terminator”. Alongside him were Tom Allan and George Wood, both influential figures in forming Canadian baseball. Tom was an amazing participant in this year’s event, travelling all the way from his small town in Missouri. A total of approx. forty family and friends of the Henke’s travelled over 1,100 kilometres to St. Marys to take part in the festivities. Way to go Tom and company!

The focus of the major event on Friday was of course the golf tournament, where the St. Marys Golf course played host to the scramble-style golf event. One of the major highlights for many of the returning participants, particularly those from the local area (Stratford, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto), were some of the recent changes that had been made to the golf course; including the major changes to holes 17 and 18. The low score of the day was 14-under (58), with two groups tying for second at 13-under (59). The Staffen foursome, which included three generations of family members, was one of the groups to finish in second. The Staffen group had the pleasure of golfing with former NHL hockey player Mark Bell. Other big name celebrities attending this year’s festivities: Tony Fernandez, Miss Canada, and of course, fan-favourite, Fergie Jenkins.

The theme of the day was focused around the opportunity for golfers and baseball fans alike from across the continent to take part in a day of fun, golfing with famous celebrities, and raising money for a great cause: the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

The night was capped off by a fantastic dinner, some well-deserved prizes, and a great speech from the three inductees, as well as a heart-felt speech from the man behind the Hall, Tom Valcke. Tom, who always speaks from the depth of his bottomless heart, gave a fantastic rendition of the days’ event and provided us all with inspiration for the future of the Canadian Baseball of Fame in St. Marys!

Ryder Cup 2011: Young Guys Retain Cup

2011-06-14T22:25:00.000-04:00

St. Marys, Ontario - Another great weekend for the Ryder Cup in 2011. The course was in great shape like it usually is at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club. The weather held off on both days and there was fierce competition from beginning to end. The young guys for 2011 were led by Captain Kevin Thompson and old guys guided by Captain Greg Thompson (a father/son rivalry). The better ball matches were played on Saturday morning. With some good pairing by both captain’s there were some very tight matches with only one match not heading to final holes 17 or 18. With that the young guys were able to close out some of those tight matches and took a 6 to 2 lead, heading into the always tough alternate shot, Saturday afternoon. With some improved pairings by the Thompson captains in the alternate shot, this day saw the ‘young’ big guns go up against the ‘older’ big guns. The young guys held their ground in the alternate shot by taking a big lead into Sunday for the singles matches. Going into Sunday, the young guys only needed 5 points to retain the cup. The old guys came out swinging Sunday morning, however, and would not go down without a fight. With this, they took the singles matches, winning this round 9.5 to 6.5. Ultimately, in the end, however, the Old Guys fell short, with the Young Guys retaining the cup for 2011, winning by 6 points: 18.5 to 12.5.

Special congratulations go out to Dan Murrel, on his MVP award for the weekend, winning 2.5 points and some big matches for the young guys. Both teams would like to thank Sandy Fifield and her staff for having the course in great shape and setting up the course. Finally, we would like to thank Wendy and Jason and their staff for preparing the meals for us, the bar and Proshop staff for putting up with the after math of the Ryder Cup, and a special thanks to Pat Payton for doing a great job covering the event.

Going for it: my first TPI Golf Fitness experience

2011-06-13T23:19:00.000-04:00

St. Marys, Ontario - Back about two months ago, Cyril from Stonetown Physiotherapy (located in St. Marys, Ontario) approached me with the opportunity to learn more about the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) and the Golf Fitness Academy. The kicker being that I would have to participate in the golf fitness program.

Formerly a 10-handicap (now a five to six round per year bogey golfer), I did not know what to expect from the program. Would it be too easy? Do I really need this as part of my golf game?...shouldn't I just be taking golf lessons? These were some of the many questions that came to mind. What I have come to learn, however, after four weeks into the program, is that this golf fitness program is no 'walk in the park'.

The program started with a state of the art golf fitness system that was strapped on my body, wirelessly connected to Cyril and Jeff's laptop sitting across the room. I then had to hit the golf ball into a golf net they had located at the clinic, while the computer network read my swing plane, speed, etc. It was really fascinating to see my body movements and how the system reacted to the smallest change in direction.

After a number of golf shots, the TPI system then spit out my results and soon enough I was being analyzed (let's not say criticized...) on the movement of my body in the golf swing. And boy was there some fine tuning that needed to be done. However, it was not so much on the technical side, but more on the golf 'fitness' side that I needed much improvement.

Cyril and Jeff identified two key things to focus my efforts on: improved hip and shoulder flexibility. These two movements (or lack there of) were seriously inhibiting my golf swing from reaching its full capability. I believe the words 'stiff' and 'inflexible' were used. Little did I know that the next thing I would be doing were fitness exercises to help loosen my body and ultimately, allow myself to become more flexible in the golf swing. My own personal account was then set up on mytpi.com.

I have since attempted the set of 12 exercises that have been designed 'personally' for my program. The program is flexible in its own right, allowing users to view videos, read descriptions, and become very interactive with their own personal fitness program, in the comfort of their own home. All I need to complete the exercises are a swiss fitness ball, mat, and flex-band, and away I go.

It's amazing the difference I am starting to see in my improved flexibility in my hips and upper body (mainly upper back). I look forward to continuing this program and seeing the real benefits it will likely have on my golf game. Now here is your chance to take your golf fitness to the next level.

Call Cyril at 519.284.2569 to learn more or by visiting stonetownphysiotherapy.ca and stmarysgolf.com

Cheating in Golf: Do you Cheat?

2011-05-01T21:48:00.002-04:00

St. Marys, Ontario - If you have played more than one or two rounds of golf in your life, it is likely that you have cheated on the golf course. Each one of us would like to think that NONE of us have ever cheated and that we treat golf as a game of honour and a game of respect. However, anyone reading this article HAS at least cheated once on the golf course – whether or not they will admit it. Cheating is defined as ‘deceiving by trickery; deceit’ or ‘to mislead; fool’. There is not one golfer out there who would consider themselves as a deceitful person or someone that misleads or fool their best friends…yet, why do we cheat when we play golf?

Cheating happens in many different environments, whether it is on a test at school, on a spouse, on a work assignment, or in various sporting environments (ex. we all know what Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire have done to the world of baseball…). However, there are a select few out there that define their life through their reputation, self esteem, and most of all, pride in knowing that they lived a life of honour, by never cheating…at anything! Nevertheless, when it comes to getting out on the course and playing a casual game of golf, these same people that believe in all of the attributes listed above, somehow are able to cheat during a round of golf. Whether you are a golfer that hails from London, Stratford, St. Marys, Kitchener-Waterloo, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ontario, Canada, the United States, Ireland, England, or anywhere else in the world, you have at least once ‘twisted’ the rules of golf. So why is that with all the examples listed above of cheating, there are several people who can say they have never cheated at any of them, yet, not one of us can say, ‘I have never cheated at golf’?

Any golfer that has said this statement to their friends or a tournament official, can simply be termed, a LIAR! Growing up, playing local junior golf tournaments in London, Ontario and other Southwestern Ontario golf course locations, I have constantly witnessed, first hand, fellow participants, ‘forgetting’ to count a stroke (or two). This often led to a bigger trophy and more…self pride?! How can anyone, whether honourable or not, be proud of winning…when cheating is involved? It has got to the point where various golf publications have termed cheating a serious issue. ScoreGolf’s most recent magazine release focuses on this subject and how it affects our psyche on the golf course. Websites like abc-of-golf.com and badgolfer.com go as far as teaching readers a number of ways to cheat at golf. Greg Norman, the great Australian golfer, admits to have cheated while golfing. Most recently, PGA Tour golfer, Kevin Na, carded a 16 on one hole…how do you NOT cheat, in an instance like that?

Maybe there is a golfer out there that you know has never cheated, or who knows, maybe you have never missed a stroke (maybe even because you didn’t know the correct rule at the time…). All I ask is that you look down deep inside yourself, if I wouldn’t cheat on a test or on my spouse, why would I cheat on the golf course? I know I can’t say I haven’t let a shot go…

Write your comments below on your thoughts on golf cheating! And be sure to check out our Facebook page and website for St. Marys Golf for more on golf.

St. Marys Golf: Back for 2011 Season!

2011-03-27T22:48:00.000-04:00

As we get through this rather long winter, and head into Spring, we look forward to what promises to be yet another exciting golf season at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club in St. Marys, Ontario. The 2010 golf season brought many exciting changes to the club, the most notable of which was the construction of the new 17th hole and 18th tee.

To celebrate the re-designed golf holes, we will be hosting a Grand Opening of sorts in late May, which will be tied into our Member’s Appreciation Day. At the event we will highlight the changes to the course, while allowing both golf members and green fee players to enjoy the 17th and 18th holes in their new layout. Sandy, the course superintendant, says that the grass took very well to the new hole and that the view from 17th tee is absolutely spectacular, with the surrounding trees and church steeple standing behind the hole creating 'a golfer’s delight'. The new tee block on 18 promises to offer a tremendous, but fun challenge for golfer’s of all abilities. Rick, the golf course manager, commented that the carry over the stream on the 18th will amass 186 total yards from the tips, making the decision whether to go straight up the pipe, or lay up to the left (while flirting with the danger of going to the trees), a difficult one. Rick smirked, “The new set up of the 18th hole will make this finishing hole…one to remember.” If anything, the new layout should prevent a few golf balls from ending up in someone’s front windshield.

If you are thinking of getting out to the course for a round of golf in April or May, be sure to check out our green fee rates and golf memberships on our website: stmarysgolf.com. If you are thinking of giving us a real try this season as we continue to make St. Marys golf one of the best golf courses in Southwestern Ontario, you’ll have to see if our Preferred Players Packages/Game Packs are right for you (and/or your spouse or friends to share). This is a great opportunity to purchase 20 to 30 rounds of golf at a much lower price than paying per visit (while not having to invest in being a member).

With the golf industry evolving each year, we are also offering our members and green fee golfers (and wanna-be golfers) great value to become part of the St. Marys Golf Team through various Social Media outlets. We continue to enhance our website year after year, with the newest edition coming out in early April. Furthermore, we plan on investing even more time in our monthly e-Newsletters, daily Facebook updates, the St. Marys Golf Academy (in partnership with Stonetown Physio), and of course, our Golf Blog. To become a member of our e-Newsletter where we will be offering the chance monthly to WIN golf packages and golf gear, be sure to e-mail us. Also, be sure you sign up with us on our Facebook page where we will be offering discounted golf rounds, golf tips, and golf-related news.

We look forward to the 2011 golf season at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club. If you are from Ontario, in cities such as Stratford, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) or beyond, be sure to give the St. Marys golf course a try. And don’t forget to become a member of the St. Marys Golf Team!

St. Marys Golf's SDRAWKCAB ELBMARCS [Backwards Scramble] is a huge hit...

2010-10-17T21:18:00.000-04:00

St. Marys, Ontario - A beautiful, sunny, fall day was exactly what the 84 participants of the first annual SDRAWKCAB ELBMARCS [Backwards Scramble] ordered, and St. Marys Golf Team favourite Mother Nature pulled through.

This past Saturday, the St. Marys Golf Team hosted the first golf tournament of its kind to ever grace the fairways of the Gowanbrae and Ainslie nine hole courses at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club; a backwards scramble. Rob Staffen and Rick Fifield, designers of the backwards golf day, did not know what kind of response they expected when they first came up with the idea back in early summer. "The turnout is amazing", Staffen commented before heading to Hole 8 approach where he and his foursome would tee off towards Hole 7 green. A total of 21 foursomes took to the course on 18 ‘backwards-style’ golf holes. The result was both low and high scores, several lost golf balls, and most importantly, a ton of fun for all involved.

‘Backwards Course’ Ranger Nelson Goad commented, “The biggest difference is the number of approach shots that golfers have to hit from the rough and over several trees and humps that golfers rarely ever see on this golf course.” And Nelson was right, hitting over 50 year old trees and through thick, luscious rough resulted in unexpected bogeys on several holes, some of which weren’t even 100 yards in length. From the practise putting green to holes that covered over three traditional golf holes (Hole 10 approach to hole nine green for example), this wild, and outrageous, re-designed golf course quickly became an instant hit!

Once the golfers rounded up in the clubhouse, prizes were handed out for everything, from best-dressed to highest score. This tournament truly did everything…backwards. Special thanks to Jason and his kitchen crew for preparing a fantastic fall meal consisting of veal parmesan and cabbage rolls. To see some pictures of the event, check out our Facebook page.

St. Marys Summer Golf Recap

2010-09-07T00:06:00.000-04:00

St. Marys Ontario - With the Labour Day Weekend now past, we take a look at the past few months at the Club. Summer 2010 was both a very successful summer, as well as a very momentous time at the St. Marys Golf and Country Cub. From Roberto Alomar and Paul Quantrill visiting the club with the St. Marys Baseball Hall of Fame, to the erection of the new 17 green, we have made leaps and bounds towards continuing to make the St. Marys Golf and Country Club one of the most revered and fun to play golf courses in all of Southwestern Ontario.

The month of June started off with a bang with the annual St. Marys Ryder Cup.competition between the 'Young Guns' and 'Old Guys'. After the tough beating they took at last year's competition, this year's Young Guns team was looking for redemption. And that is exactly what they got. The team took the trophy back to where they believe it belongs. Now we look forward to next year's competition where the Old Guys are reportedly already in training (wind sprints, etc), and determined to take the trophy back. The month ended with a visit to the course by Blue Jay great Roberto Alomar, and local Southern Ontario boy Paul Quantrill visited the St. Marys Golf Club for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic. These two baseball legends were greeted by avid golfers from all over Ontario who were excited to get the chance to meet a couple of good guys replacing their bats with golf clubs.

Then came the beautiful month that was July. After a very poor month of July in 2009 due to record rainfalls, this year brought fantastic sunshine. The course tee-times were filled up on weekends and the beer was flowing on the patio. An exciting finish to the Mid-Western Ontario Optimist Golf Championships, the annual St. Marys Memorial Hospital Golf Tournament, and even a feature in the London Free Press on St. Marys' signature third hole were some of the highlights of the month. Also in July began the commencement of the construction of the new 17 green. This hole promises to be one of St. Marys finest; possibly contending with the third hole for the club's signature golf hole. A tribute to St. Marys legend and Golf Club owner Earl Staffen, the 17th hole, already sodded, should be ready to go by the end of 2010 and we can't wait to for the first golf shot into the new green.

The final summer month was not to be outdone. A number of company tournaments also filled up many of the days at the course, while several club tournaments, including the Men's, Women's, and Junior Club Championships were played with Rich Parsons and Carol Wamsley taking home the adult championships (note: pictures can be seen at stmarysgolf.com).

With a cold, rainy, final Labour Day weekend, we thought that this was a great opportunity to highlight the more memorable moments from the summer 2010 season. From the St. Marys Golf staff, we would like to thank our members, public players, and local Southwestern businesses for supporting us throughout the summers months. We now look forward to a fall golf season full of coloured trees, golf slacks, and of course, more smiles with good friends.

St. Marys Golf Member/Owner visits the RBC Canadian Open!

2010-07-27T22:05:00.001-04:00

Wow what a golf day! I had the pleasure of attending the Open this year on day 3 (Saturday) of the tournament as a guest of Tournament Sponsor RBC and Vice Presidents Greg Belanger and Tom Parisi. Under cloudy skies and without Mike Weir in the mix, I wondered who I would watch. That mystery was solved, however, as soon as we entered the gates of one of Canada’s hidden gems, St. George’s Golf & Country Club. Your first impression of the course is how it can be so hilly, when you have just driven in to the parking area on a prosperous, quiet, mature, but basically flat Toronto neighborhood. The change in elevations is quite dramatic, with many holes having uneven lies; even in the fairway and most holes having elevated greens.

We entered our gate and quickly noticed on the leader board that Carl Pettersson, of Gothenburg, Sweden, was currently 8 under par for the day after barely making the cut at -1 just a day earlier. He was playing Hole 15 where we started watching him. After an excellent tee shot of over 300 yards, he capped the hole off with another birdie to go 9 under. You could see his confidence in his facial expressions, that he was on a roll, and that he needed to just keep moving. Our group decided we could be witnessing history, so we made the decision to follow him the rest of the way. On 16, he played an amazing up and down out of the rough for par, and followed that with another birdie on 17 to go 10 under for the day! Simply amazing – a shot at a score of 59; of which only 4 players in PGA history have ever done. Walking with him down 18 was truly exciting, his approach shot was just short of the green and it looked as though the he may have to settle for the 60. In fact we commented that he should play it safe and get down in two. Carl Petersson had no such thoughts; and with a marvelous putt lipped the cup that brought gasps of admiration from the Canadian crowd.

Pettersson carded a 10 under par 60 Saturday morning to establish a new course record and assume the lead of the RBC Canadian Open. In the third group out, Pettersson bogeyed the par-4 second hole before reeling off seven birdies and two eagles to best the old course record of 62, which was set by Brent Delahoussaye on Thursday and matched by Kevin Sutherland Friday. Pettersson shot 29 on the back nine alone. Coming into the week, Canadian George Knudson had the competitive course record of 64. Some info for St. Marys Golf fans. Rick Fifield holds the course record at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club. Rick shot an impressive 61 (11-under par), twice!

Watching him play those last four holes is why live sports is still the best; seeing his passion, his love of the game. and his zeal to win - you couldn’t help but hope for the guy to score his record round.

Although the rest of the day was somewhat anti-climatic after Pettersson’s record performance (and quite wet with the rain), seeing these guys play is truly inspiring – they are that good. And our golf courses in Canada are that good as well.

Saturday made it fun to follow his final round on Sunday on XM satellite radio and I felt a small part of Pettersson's victory after watching him play those last four holes on Saturday. Petterson persevered once again on Sunday after trailing by five strokes going into the final 10 holes, to take the RBC Canadian Open back to Sweden.

The Championship is the fourth career PGA Tour title for Pettersson and his first win in Canada gains him an invitation to this year's PGA Championship.

Some other notes from the Open:

 The 2010 RBC Canadian Open was held at St. George's Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The course has hosted the Canadian Open on four occasions and is rated one of the top three courses in the country. The course was built in 1929 for use by guests of the Royal York Hotel and was designed by Stanley Thompson

 Did you know that the traditional clubhouse is actually located across the road from the course on Islington Ave.?

 John Daly was never really a factor but his ‘Holstein look’ black and white pants were eye catching; particularly when his wife was witnessed wearing an almost identical ‘spotted’ skirt

 Adam Hadwin of Abbortsford, BC, playing in his first ever PGA event, was the top Canadian and was awarded the Rivermead Cup. He finished as the low Canadian with a score of 5-under-par 275, which was good enough for tied for 37th

 The RBC Canadian Open will return to Ontario after next year's trip out west to Shaughnessy, as Hamilton G&CC was announced as the 2012 host of the Open

 RBC should be commended for their sponsorship of the Canadian Open. They have invested their time and their money to resurrect the tournament and to someday help make the Open one of the premier stops on the PGA Tour

Written by Rob Staffen

Changes coming to Holes 17 and 18 at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club.

2010-07-01T21:16:00.002-04:00

Since adding nine holes back in 1994 to make the St. Marys Golf and Country Club a full 18-hole Championship golf course, we have made a number of changes (the most significant being the waterfall on hole nine) that have made the St. Marys Golf Club one of the most revered, and fun-to-play public golf courses in all of Southwestern, Ontario. So where do we go next? The question came up at our annual meeting of the St. Marys Golf owners a few summers past and what the ownership team came up with was the possibility of moving the number 17 green down to the right, while replacing number 17 green with new tee blocks for the finishing hole, number 18 – the infamous ‘Road Hole’. These two changes would make St. Marys that much nicer and would make the two finishing holes unforgettable.

After coming up with the idea, the next step was to start moving dirt. And so that’s what we started to do. And at the start of 2010 and after two golf seasons with the dirt sitting to the right of the number 17 green, as well as inspiration from one of our late owners, and close family members, we decided it was time to take some action. So we contacted the original designer of the new nine holes at St. Marys, Dave Moote and Associates. Dave and his team designed a spectacular view of holes 17 and 18 at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club from a bird’s eye view. What we see on Hole 17 is a beautiful, large, rolling green surrounded by trees, making Hole 17 a slight dog leg right over the stream. This hole would play as a beautiful approach shot to a slightly elevated green. These changes would make Hole 17 one of the nicest on the entire course. Hole 18 would play much tougher with the tees being located in the current location of 17 green, making 18 a dog leg left. The tee shot on the picturesque finishing hole would require a draw (by right handed golfers), or a fade (from left handed golfers). While completing changing the outlook of both holes, the adjustments would make these two holes both, more fun to play, and vaguely more difficult to par (or birdie).

So all that is left now is to finish what we have already started. The real inspiration of 17 green comes from our former owner, and my Grandpa, Earl Staffen. The hole is being designed as a way to commemorate a great man, while helping to complete his dream of making the St. Marys Golf and Country Club the best golf course that it can be. Earl was a fantastic man, with a strong desire for greatness, and that is what these new holes will reflect. We look forward to the dream of making these incredible, fun-to-play finishing holes a reality. And we are not too far away.

Course Profile: Muskoka Bay Golf Course - Gravenhurst, Muskoka, Ontario

2010-06-09T23:45:00.001-04:00

Full name: The Muskoka Bay Club
Location: Gravenhurst, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada
Year Opened: 2006
Course Designer: Doug Carrick
Distance: 7,367 yards (men); 4,981 yards (ladies)
Distance from St. Marys and London, Ontario: approx. 325 km (directions)

The second course profile in our list of 'Must Play' local Ontario golf courses is the spectacular Muskoka Bay Club located in the "Gateway to Muskoka" area. The golf course first opened in 2006 and became the Best New Course in Canada by 2007. The Doug Carrick Design Course is one of the best, if not the best golf course that Muskoka has to offer. This course is quite the possibly the best course in all of Ontario.

The Muskoka Bay Golf Course started out as a 300-acre landscape full of rock and trees, something that you would expect from a Muskoka property. After approximately $20-28 million worth of renovations by the Freed Development Group, the property became the beautiful golf course that it is today. Doug Carrick and his team designed one of the most player-friendly, exclusive, scenic golf courses in all of North America. There are only one or two holes on the entire golf course that you will see another group of players. Many of the holes are cut into rock and through wetlands to make this one of the best golf experiences offered anywhere.

The uniqueness of each of the 18 holes are what separate this golf course from many of its counterparts in Ontario and across the country. A few of the holes that make this place so special and so memorable once you play it are #4, #9, and #17. These three holes you will not see anywhere else and especially not anywhere near Southwestern Ontario. The #9 hole, in particular, is cut into rock that runs about five yards to each side of the fairway all the way to the green where the rock closes in front of the green to create a small gap that equals the most intimidating golf shot that I have ever encountered, times ten. The #9 hole might be the neatest hole I have ever played (and may ever play in my lifetime).

The length may be intimidating, but remember, the 7,367 yard Championship golf course is measured from the 'tips' and the course offers five different tee blocks to make this playable for any handicap. An even better feature of this golf course is the playability of the course that offers large, rolling greens, coupled with wide fairways. Though the trees and bunkers are still very much in play, the wideness of the fairways is something not seen at other Muskoka golf courses like Taboo and The Rock, which makes The Muskoka Bay Club even more fun to play.

I had the honour to work at the Muskoka Bay Club in 2006 and one of the benefits for working at the course was the free golf. It was amazing to bring both friends and family to the course in its first year and many lasting memories were created there. And now with the beautiful $10 million plus clubhouse overlooking the first and second holes from the top of an approx 75-foot cliff, this place is something special. The staff will treat you with great service from the time you enter parking lot until the time you get back into your car to go back to a cottage or head back on Highway 11. If you're thinking of playing this The Muskoka Bay Club, now is the time as soon this will be an exclusively private golf course in the very near future. To check out more, visit their website or call. And when you're there, be sure to mention the St. Marys Golf and Country Club to the course Pro Kevin, he'll know who you are talking about. Who knows, he may even reduce the green fee from the $230+ fee that exists today. But I'd say it's worth every penny either way. The Muskoka Bay Club is one golf course that should definitely be on your bucket list.

Have you ever played the Muskoka Bay Club? Please comment on your experience below:

Course Profile: Sunningdale [Thompson Course] - London, Ontario

2010-05-19T22:59:00.008-04:00

Full name: Sunningdale Golf and Country Club - The 'Thompson Course'

Location: London, Ontario, Canada

Year Built: 1934

Course Designer: Stanley Thompson

Distance: 6,611 yards (men); 5,141 yards (ladies)

Distance from St. Marys, Ontario: approx. 40 km

The first profile in our list of 'Must Play' local Ontario golf courses is the well-known 'Thompson Course' at the Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in London, Ontario. First built in 1934, the course has undergone a number of changes since inception, but remains true to its heritage throughout the 18 holes of beautiful golf located in a country setting.

It was an unseasonally beautiful day in London, Ontario when I played the Thompson Course last week. The golf course, due to recent rains and plenty of sunshine over the past two months, is in excellent shape for this time of the year, and the greens were already starting to roll true. Admittedly, I did not notice any brown patches, nor did I witness any unplayable areas; extremely rare for the month of May on any golf course in Southwestern Ontario. At Sunningdale Golf Club, I was most impressed by not only the great conditions, but also the 'maturity' that this course has developed over the past 76 years; tall trees and lucious grass surround the green fairways. The golf course is complemented with a (somewhat) newly built, prominent club house that is surrounded by a large practise facility and 36 holes of prestigous private golf (the Stanley course is the better of the two 18s).

There were several holes that impressed me on the Thompson Course at the Sunningdale Golf Club; the most impressive however being the Par 3's. These holes presented a different challenge on each tee, demanding the 10-15-handicapper (like myself) to pull out many different clubs throughout the round, from a Pitching Wedge on one tee, to a four-iron on another. Three of the Par 3's, the most impressive being the 3rd hole, are set on elevated tee blocks, providing nice scenery for a now, more difficult tee shot. The Par 3, in particular, that stood as the most 'unique' on the Thompson Course was the 16th, which reminded me in some ways of the Par 3 16th at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club. Though St. Marys' #16 provides a more difficult, uphill challenge, the 16th on the Thompson Course also presents a difficult green to hit off the tee. What separates these two holes, however, are the lasting memories that you will get from a hole like #16 at the St. Marys Golf Club, and which you may not get from the majority of the golf holes at Sunningdale.

There were a couple of other things that Sunningdale did not present to the golfer that you can get at some other golf courses in Ontario. First were the views. Other than a couple of the Par 3's already discussed, the Sunningdale Golf Club does not provide the picturesque views that you would expect from a golf course of its stature. [Although, there are very few views that can replace the scenery from #3 at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club, which overlooks the town of St. Marys, Ontario and the Thames River winding through the valley]. Nor did the Thompson Course provide as many memorable golf shots that you may get at other well-distinguished golf courses of similar length and difficulty. These negatives can be easily forgotten, however, when one is playing the course and sees the newly replaced, white-sand bunkers, which are set up in fantastic positions throughout the course, making them applicable on almost every shot. These well-designed, and plentiful golf bunkers are what may have impressed me the most at Sunningdale. And one cannot forget the complimentary golf ball finders located at each water location - something that amazed even me; though it does not take much at times.

Overall, the 'Thompson Course' at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in London, Ontario provides a fun, relaxing, and well-paced golf round. The conditions on the course are near perfect for the majority of the golf season, the fairways are easily hittable, and the greens are full of twists and turns, making it a fun challenge for any golfer. Though the Par 5's are positioned too close together (3 out of 4 holes are Par 5's in the middle of the round) and the views do not provide a 'wow' factor, the golf course's maturity and design make it a great golf course all around. I would recommend a private membership, though steep in price, to anyone who is looking for the many benefits that a private golf course, like Sunningdale Golf and Country Club, can provide to its exclusive members. To close out, I look forward to joining Sunningdale Golf's newest member, my friend Matt, at the course once again; hopefully in the very near future!

Club Car Introduces First Solar-Powered Golf Cart

2010-05-02T23:42:00.003-04:00

Club Car, one of the two big golf cart producers in the world (along with E-Z-Go) have introduced the first golf cart system powered by the sun. The state-of-the-art golf SolarDrive roof system is making big waves in the golf industry, all around the world. The cart has been introduced at golf courses, hotels, and even zoos, from Japan and Australia to California. The SolarDrive system is powered by pure solar energy, meaning there is no need for gasoline or electricity. Daylight is what powers these golf cart roof systems, allowing the roof cells to generate energy output. This in turn creates battery life and allows the golf carts to run throughout the year.

It was my original thought when I read about SolarDrive that the system had to be purchased with a Club Car golf cart. Upon further research, however, I learnt that the roof system can be added to most electric-powered golf carts, making this an intriguing proposition for any golf course. The two major benefits to golf courses are: (1) the SolarDrive system increases driving efficiency, meaning that golf clubs can rent out the same cart more often; and (2) the SolarDrive system also reduces utility costs. Amazingly, the golf cart charges while golfing and driving!

It will be interesting to see what kind of tax credits and/or rebates the Canadian and/or Ontario governments will provide for golf courses, particularly in Southwestern Ontario, for taking such a great leap towards helping reducing the carbon footprint that golf courses in Ontario and across Canada have on the environment. Courses in the Western Ontario golf market could easily take advantage of the SolarDrive roof system during the sunny summer months. This latest development in the golf industry, due to its major benefits to the environment and the long-term payback to golf courses, should have a profound effect in the future on the Ontario golf scene. Be sure to keep an eye out for the SolarDrive golf system at a course near you.

What do you think about the new SolarDrive golf cart system from Club Car. Do you think that this is a distinct possibility for local Western Ontario golf courses in the near future? Please comment below:

Climate Change and Golf - What does the Future Hold for Southern Ontario?

2010-04-18T16:43:00.011-04:00

St. Marys, Ontario – Do any of you dream of playing golf more often? Do you wish that the winter ski and pond hockey seasons were shortened so that you could swing the golf club just a few more days every year? Because if this sounds like something you’ve been saying to yourself during the long, cold Canadian winters that we experience every year here in Southern Ontario, you may be in luck.

The average golf season in Southern Ontario, today, lasts for about 214 days every year. According to a recent study by the Ontario government, however, the average golf season is expected to increase. In fact, the study predicts that by the 2020s, the average golf season could be as long as 265 days a year – a 51 day increase from the 2000s! This could mean another 15 or 20 rounds added to your golf season, each year; depending on how many rounds you play each year [maybe even 51 more golf days if you play every day!?!]. What’s even more, by the 2080s, it is expected that if current weather trends continue, the average golf season could be up to 323 days a year – this equates to only 42 non-golf days each year! Does this thought get you excited? Imagine what you could with that many more golf swings per year – I bet the effect on your golf game would be dramatic.

Now this will probably not affect most of the readers of this article, but it could have substantial effects on your children’s children, and their children’s children, and how they view the Southern Ontario golf scene. And who knows, with the dramatic enhancements in life longevity, these weather changes could directly affect some of you as well. As a matter of point, at my Grandma Barb’s country club down in Sarasota, Florida, there is a gentleman golfing that is over 100 years in age!

This year, we are already starting to see the effects of climate change on the golf industry. As I sit here writing this article in mid-April, I look out on the St. Marys course and see golfers on every hole. This year, we opened the golf course to the public and members on March 18th, 2010 – believed to be the earliest the St. Marys golf course has ever opened. I also heard the other day that the Muskoka Bay Club is already open to golfers. To put this into perspective, the course, located in Muskoka, Ontario (approx three and a half hours north of London, Ontario) typically opens around mid-May. With a number of beautiful days already above 20 degrees Celsius, we should expect a great golf season ahead. For now, live in the moment and appreciate the fantastic weather that Mother Nature is providing us by getting out on the golf course and swinging the club. You’ll be glad you did.

How do you feel about the effects of climate change on golf? Feel free to write your opinions below.

Nike and Tiger's Controversial Commercial

2010-04-08T21:43:00.006-04:00

St. Marys, Ontario - "I want to find out what your thinking was; I want to know what your feelings are, and did you learn anything?" Those are the words of Tiger Wood's deceased father, Earl Woods, from an interview he did before he passed away, more than four years ago. Now, those are the words that make the background of Nike's most recent, Tiger Wood's golf commercial. Tiger is back, and Nike is making his presence felt. I imagine many of you have seen the commercial on YouTube or have heard the voiceover on the radio by now. If you haven't, I suggest that before you read on, you watch the commercial to get a sense of what so many people, and not just in the world of golf, are talking about.

Now let's go back four years, Tiger Woods was on top of his game, a "phenom" of the game of golf and the PGA Tour's major star. He was taking the world by storm; big endorsement contracts (of note: a 5-year, $100 million contract with Nike golf), a boat load of wins on Tour, a beautiful Swedish girlfriend, and a father-son relationship that on the surface, many sons, and more often, their fathers, only dream of. Now fast forward to April 8th, 2010 and the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club. Tiger is coming off more than a reported 20 extra-marital affairs and as recently as yesterday, a draw-dropping Nike commercial that has many people questioning Tiger's true intentions of his return and the remorse that he truly feels.

There is no doubt that Tiger is the best golfer in the world, and arguably, the best ever. But has he, and Nike, gone too far? What I find most astonishing about the Tiger commercial is that his father reportedly engaged in extra-marital affairs while married to Tiger's mother, which Tiger, did not admire of his father, Earl. It makes us huge Tiger fans question if Nike and Tiger really did go too far this time. Whatever comes out of this situation, you can't aruge that Tiger Woods is back and he seems to have not lost a step. A -4 (68) in the first round at the Masters may slow down the critics...at least until round two.

How do you feel about Tiger's Nike commercial? Feel free to post your thoughts below.

Thanks,

The St. Marys Golf Team

St. Marys Golf and Country Club Open Tomorrow - March 18th! And Tiger's Return...

2010-03-16T21:52:00.013-04:00

St. Marys, Ontario - With this unusually warm weather we have been having, can the 2010 golf season really be just around the corner? The average temperature this time of year usually hovers around 3-4 degrees Celsius, and after the cold winter we have suffered, who would have thought that it would be possible that we would be golfing by March 18th? The sight of water, absolutely no snow, and grass turning green, yes green, is getting golfers excited enough to shine up their golf clubs and for the St. Marys Golf grounds crew to back out on the course. Not in our wildest dreams did we think we could open the course this soon; likely the earliest since the St. Marys Golf and Country Club's inception back in 1931. If you really think this weather will hold up (and let's cross out finger's it does), it's time to really start thinking about your 2010 golf season. One consideration is to sign up with Cyril Moss and Jeff Romkey down at Stonetown Physiotherapy for a one-on-one Titelist Performance Institute session. Just visit their website at StonetownPhysiotherapy.ca or call 519-284-4078. Remember, the golf course opens tomorrow, March 18th - be sure to book your tee time right away [call 519-284-1387 or visit the golf course website: stmarysgolf.com].

Tiger Returns!
With the announcement of the St. Marys Golf and Country Club opening March 15th, who would have thought that we could get more great golf news? That's right, Tiger Woods plans to return in April for the greatest golf tournament in the world, the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. Whether you love him or hate him, Tiger has changed the game forever and with his controversial return less than a month away, the PGA Tour should receive a huge boost in viewership. Let's just hope this time his presence is a positive one. In 2010, Tiger has the opportunity to change the record books. He trails Jack Nicklaus 73-71 in all time tour wins and is only a couple victories away from setting the record for major wins.
Whether or not the weather holds up, the spring golf season is coming up quick and is sure to be an exciting one. So get those sticks out of the closet, iron your favourite nickers, and get ready for one action-packed 2010 golf season!

The 2010 London Golf Show was a Great Success!

2010-02-25T18:58:00.004-05:00

London, Ontario - The London Golf Show was held at the Western Fair for 2010 and the St. Marys Golf and Country Club was there. Golf advocates, casual players, and even first-timers visited the show to check out what the Southwestern Ontario golf scene has to offer. Representing the St. Marys Golf booth was Kellen Fifield, Matt Staffen and Jason Skipper, while Marie Bickell set up an appealing and successful booth. Present at the show were a number of golf clubs, organizations, and retailers from the local London area, from across Ontario, Michigan, and even as far away as Myrtle Beach. The St. Marys booth was one of the most visited, and most popular booths once again at the London Golf Show, with the major highlight being the annually acclaimed St. Marys Golf Gift Package that is available only at the London Golf Show. Many golf enthusiasts at the show claimed that the main reason they visit the London Golf Show each year is to pick up a St. Marys Golf Gift Package, or two (or three, or four...). Each year, the package has a different element and at the 2010 London Golf Show, the package included: two golf green fees, a golf cart rental, a sleeve of golf balls, and a kitchen coupon to be redeemed at the course, all for under $85! The best experience at the London Golf Show for Kellen, Matt, and Jason were all the positive and upbeat comments that they received about the St. Marys Golf & Country Club. Two 'London Golf Club' members claimed that the St. Marys Golf course was their favourite course participating in the London Golf Club program. Next up for the St. Marys Golf Team is attending the Toronto Golf Show, March 7th to the 5th at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre, where they hope to pick up some new golf ideas and to see what is up and coming in the Ontario golf scene.

St. Marys Golf & Country Club will be at the London Golf Show - February 20th & 21st, 2010

2010-02-11T20:56:00.005-05:00

London, Ontario - As we wind down with winter over the next two months, thoughts of hitting long drives, short putts, and tight wedge shots will start taking over. But if you're like us, you'll find a way to get back in the groove even quicker than you can say Fore! And the way to do it is to visit The London Golf Show, February 20th and 21st in London, Ontario. The St. Marys Golf and Country Club will be attending the London Golf Show yet again and are offering a fabulous golf package you will not want to miss.

In 2010 there will be over 60 vendors at the London Golf Show, which is being held at the Western Fair Entertainment Centre in the Forest City. We have attended the London Golf Show for a number of years now and with resounding success and positive feedback. This year, by popular request, we are bringing back our fabulous golf package. This year's package combines two rounds of golf plus cart for less than $80! This is a great opportunity to visit the St. Marys Golf & Country Club for the first time, visit the course again, and/or purchase a golf package for the golf enthusiasts in your life. The St. Marys Golf and Country Club offers some of the highest quality golf for your money; value you won't get anywhere else in Southwestern Ontario. So be sure to set your Outlook calendars for February 21st, 22nd for the London Golf Show in London, Ontario and be sure to visit booth #122J, we promise you won't regret it. See you there!

London, Ontario is located only 45 minutes southwest of Stratford, one hour southwest of Kitchener / Waterloo, and only two hours southwest of Toronto and the GTA.

Canadian Paul Quantrill and 12-time MLB All-Star Roberto Alomar Headline Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees at St. Marys Golf and Country Club

2010-02-04T18:20:00.005-05:00

St. Marys, Ontario - This June at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club, former Toronto Blue Jays players Roberto Alomar and Paul Quantrill will headline the list of celebrities and professional athletes at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Golf Tournament in St. Marys, Ontario. Joining the former Toronto Blue Jays superstars on the list of Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductees are Canadians Calvin Griffith and Allan Roth. Alomar and Quantrill will be attending the annual 18-hole celebrity golf classic on June 19th, 2010 in St. Marys, Ontario. Roth and Griffith will be represented by their sons in St. Marys. Golf tournament participants and visitors from St. Marys, Stratford, London, Kitchener / Waterloo, Toronto, the GTA and all over the rest of Canada will get the chance to meet Alomar and Quantrill at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club on induction day (which is also being held on June 19^th). While on the golf course, Alomar and Quantrill will show off their golf skills where they will each play 9-holes with two, lucky golf foursomes. The now Team Canada coach Quantrill was born in London, Ontario, only thirty minutes north of St. Marys, Ontario. When asked about being inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall, Quantrill commented from his home in Port Hope, Ontario: "Baseball has been a huge and wonderful part of my family’s life, so getting the call from St. Marys created a lot of excitement around our home”. The verdict is still out on whether or not these former Toronto Blue Jays players can transfer their baseball skills to the golf course. June 19^th at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club will provide them the opportunity to do so at the par-72, championship golf-course, located only 15 minutes from Stratford, 45 minutes southwest of Kitchener / Waterloo, and less than two hours southwest of Toronto and the GTA.

To learn more, visit: The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Website and The St. Marys Golf and Country Club website.

Welcome Ontario Golfers!

2010-01-21T21:19:00.010-05:00

Thanks for being one of the first golfers to visit the St. Marys Golf Blog. The St. Marys Golf Blog is determined and designed to enhance the total golf experience for golfers from Stratford, London, Kitchener, Waterloo, Toronto and the rest of Ontario. Leading into and throughout the 2010 golf season, the St. Marys Golf team's mission is to keep golfers of all ages and playing abilities, up to date on the latest golf tips, golf stretches, golf exercises, and local golf news. With advice from Ontario golfers, leading professionals, and one of the top physiotherapist teams in Southwestern Ontario, the St. Marys Golf Blog is sure to be a hole-in-one! Make sure to check back often as the St. Marys Golf Team will be updating the golf blog right through the 2010 golf season in order to make your golf game the most enjoyable. This Ontario golf season is going to be one of the best and our desire is to make the season feel one swing closer.

Cheers,

The St. Marys Golf Team