I’ve turned many a trip to Bruce telecom into an inconvenient stop at Somerhill back in my Owen Sound days.
2 Likes
It’s legitimately one of my favourite courses around here. It’s such a fun yet challenging little layout. It’s really a par 34 (maybe par 33) but if you take the big sticks out of the bag, you have to really think your way around the track.
2 Likes
Usually only ever played it with irons. Makes it a lot of fun.
It really is the perfect #YOTB course.
1 Like
Hey man, let us know when opening day rolls around - I’ll happily be there!
1 Like
If that isn’t the best sell job I’ve heard on here…
Count me in
1 Like
Considering the amount of 9 holers on 21, it really does stand out amongst a crowd.
1 Like
I think I might be able to make this 
1 Like
Tell me more about this course. Its a hike for me but 2021 is not looking like a big go to the office year. Dont know OwenSound well.
I’ll let @scottyrp4 do it justice. I’ve played it about 6 or so times, but I was right in Owen Sound, so Cobble, Lora, Legacy Ridge, Northern Dunes, Stone Tree, and Saugeen were more my jam.
1 Like
I am intrigued.
It’s between Port Elgin and Kincardine. It’s hard to describe what’s so fun about the course, but here’s my Crash Course ™ of Somerhill:
Hole 1: 336 yards (tips)
The first hole is a 320ish yard risk/reward par 4. The hole features a valley that begins at the 200 yards marker and reaches its lowest point at the 100 yard marker. If you’re 125 yards to 75 yards out, you’ll face a blind approach to a green that will run away to the left. If you’re a long hitter, there’s opportunity to make a birdie. With an east wind, the hole is drivable. Even if you’re not with the wind, you can find yourself at the top of the valley, and leave yourself with an easy pitch to the green. Miss right or left and you can find yourself dropping 3. OB runs the length of the right; miss left and trouble can find you in the form of a creek, long grass or leave you blocked by trees that protect the green.
Hole 2: 179 yards
The second hole is a pretty straight forward par 3 that plays from 140 to 190 yards. The green is the hazard on this benign looking par 3. Miss left and enjoy your double. The multitier green means missing in the right spot is integral to success. Missing short is the safe miss, but on this hole there’s no such thing as a gimmie.
Hole 3: 489 yards
The third hole is the first of back to back par 5s. It’s a tight 480 yard slight dogleg right where you can make 4 as easily as you can make 8. Your tee shot will see you facing a bush on the left, and a valley with a stream from on the right. A good drive gives you a mid iron into a raised green. If you have a long iron or hybrido into the green, you’re better off to drop the tactical layup to just outside the 100 yard marker. The hole falls off into a valley at the 100 yard mark, and you’re left with a forced carry to the green. Our creek from the tee shot on the right crosses in front of green, but you can miss short and have an uphill chip to the green. Missing long or left or right and you’re in trouble.
Hole 4: 505 yards
The fourth hole is the second par 5, and is the only straightforward hole on the course. At 509 yards, it’s a straight shot to a multitier green. OB all the way up the right side, and you’ll be blocked by trees if you miss left. As with the second hole, landing your approach is key to scoring here.
Hole 5: 127 yards
The fifth hole is a short par 3 into a long narrow green. 127 yards is generous, and it plays more like 100 yards. The green is guarded on the left and right by hills that feed your ball to the hole. This hole has seen more than it’s fair share of hole in one’s and as @cfrench can attest “anyone can get a hole-in-one here”. I’m told it’s easy, but I’ve yet to do it.
Hole 6: 353 yards
The sixth is a dogleg right par 4. The hole drops 40 yards from tee to green and has OB all the way up the right side. On the card it’s 350 yards, but if you’re a big hitter, it’s drivable. The hill is going to feed your ball from the left to right, and depending where you land you may or may not end up with a sidehill in the rough. You can hit a 150 yard shot up the left side and stay on top of the hill and have a short iron approach to the green. It’s often easier to have a full shot than a half or quarter shot so you can hold the green. A soft landing is key to a birdie opportunity on this green that was designed by Satan himself. Everything runs to the river, even if it looks like it shouldn’t. I’ve played hundreds of rounds at this course and still struggle to read putts here.
Hole 7: 278 yards
The seventh is my favourite hole on the course. A tight piece of property, it’s a dogleg left par 4 that says 278 on the card but if you’re bold enough it, it’s drivable and plays closer to 220. There’s OB right, and a creek that runs in behind and to the left of the green. The creek divides the hole at the 100 yard mark. Like most holes on the course, it’s a hole you can play a bunch of different ways. The smart play is a 140 yard drive to just in front of the creek, leaving you a wedge into a small green. I think my scoring average on this hole was above par this year because #NoLayingUp.
Hole 8: 471 yards
The eight is a “par 5”, listed at 471 on the card. For the long hitters, a long iron or hybrid gets you to the 150 yard marker and will give you a good look at eagle. For shorter hitters, you have a decision: if you carry the second creek crossing at ~220 yards, you have a chance to go for it in two, but a missed shot can see you dropping 3 and leave you a really difficult decision. The creek crosses the hole again at the 100 yard marker, and a pond runs up the left side from the 100 yard marker to the front of the green; an errant shot off the drop can leave you looking at a very large number. OB runs the length of the right side, and the left side is guarded by pine and birch trees. Missing left likely results in a pitch back to the fairway before taking on an undulating green.
Hole 9: 112 yards
The ninth is a short par 3 playing between 90 and 115 yards. The green slopes up from front to back, and any back spin on your shot will likely result in your ball falling off to the front of the green. Like all the greens at this course, there’s more to the green than meets the eye, and there’s no straight putt.
It’s a course that’s only 2850 on the scorecard, but it gives you an opportunity to play every club in the bag. The staff at the course are fantastic, and will always find a way to fit you in, and you always feel welcome. It’s a course where the Strapped Boys would feel at home. Like @anon15484665 said, it’s a great track to play only with irons, because it forces you to think your way around. It should be obvious given the amount of time that I’ve spent on this post that I absolutely adore the track. The wind is never the same from one day to the next, so it’s always plays different. It’s also a course you want to play a couple times to get the layout so you know where you’re going.
10 Likes
Fantastic. And thankyou.
This is my kind of par 5. The 220 clear is the perfect green light (which then causes me to overswing and…)
5 Likes
It’s a great risk/reward par 5 for anyone that hits it 220-240. The owner is hoping to add another 20-30 yards on the back tee so that from the tips, it’s a true risk-reward par 5 for the longer hitters too.
Played there last sept when up at the Bruce that indeed is a very fun course.
Doing MCR work?
We have struck at the heart of Canada by defeating their teenage hockey players. I hope The Duck Club can recover.
4 Likes
In hindsight, maybe Canada will have the last laugh.
8 Likes
We always do, Eric.
We always do.
2 Likes