Simcoe Test

Conn Smythe’s Gift to Golfers




Newmarket’s Brewery Duo




Resort Report:


A Lakeside Stay at the
Historic Briars Resort






Not Your Usual Superintendent






























South Lake Simcoe Edition

South Lake Simcoe Edition



Spring 2018


3 | A Fine Nine
The Orchard Beach Golf Club: Pg. 7
Keswick’s Historic Golf Experience


4 | Resort Report
The Briars Resort
New Owners, Same Great Resort

7 | The Pines of Georgina
Hit ‘em Straight or Else


8 | A Local Taste
Newmarket’s Brew Duo:

A Visit to Market and Arch Breweries Pg. 3

10 | Cedarhurst Golf Club Volume 19: Issue 1: 2012 Pg. 8
Classic Thompson Design Publisher: Alistair Orr
[email protected]
Publisher: Alistair Orr
[email protected]
11 | People & Places
Advertising Enquiries: 705-446-8472
Leesha Schwab: A Super Super Bay Area Golfing and On The Tee are
published The Orr Media Group Inc.

17 Martyn Drive, Wasaga Beach, ON., L9Z
1N4

Copyright ©2011.
All rights reserved and may not be
reproduced without



Pg. 4

Course Highlight






























The Orchard Beach Golf & Country Club:



A Lake Simcoe Favorite for Nearly a Century


Stanley Thompson is credited with dozens of classic designs The greens, typical of a Thompson design, are the primary
throughout Canada and the U.S. The post WWI era saw an explo- defense for the course. Not overly lengthy by today's standard,
sion of golf courses being built to satisfy the appetite for golf dur- playing to 3050 yards from the tips, the putting surfaces are what
ing the "Roaring Twenties." The charming community of Kes- provide the ultimate test of par. Many are sloped from front to
wick is home to the Orchard Beach Golf and Country Club,
opened in 1926 and one of the many Thompson creations that dot back demanding a deft touch with your approaches. The bowl
the Southern Ontario landscape. Having recently celebrated its green on hole-4 appears to be an easy target, however the severe
90th year, this classic parkland nine-hole layout continues to be a slopes bring a three putt into consideration if you aren't careful.
local favorite. Hole-5, the gentle dogleg right par 4, has the most dramatic green
Lake Simcoe has long been a coveted respite for its beauti- on the course. Built up like a launching ramp to the splendid back
ful sunsets and charming shorelines. One of Ontario's original drop of Cooks Bay, the green climbs more than six feet from
vacation spots, the south shore has been a recreational destination
providing generations a place to connect with nature and enjoy front to back. Multiple ridges and shelves guard the hole, while
memorable quality time with friends and family. The former Met- the steep fall-offs with pot bunkers loom for any wayward ap-
ropolitan Railway connected Toronto to Jackson's Point and proach.
brought city dwellers to the gentle shores of the lake. By the time Those looking for a historic nine hole golf experience
of the railway’s closing in 1930, Keswick and Sutton had become should consider a chance to savour a round at the Orchard Beach
the playgrounds for some of Toronto's elite. One of those famous Golf and Country Club. The club's warning bells and periscopes
vacationers was hockey legend Conn Smythe. are a couple of the charms not often seen on today's contemporary
Local lore has it that Smythe and some fellow golf enthusi- designs. Largely unchanged from its roots, the classic features an
asts were instrumental in the vision and building of “The Beach.” old-school feel of the course will delight purists while providing a
Perched high above Metro Road, the course traverses a rolling fair challenge for players of all abilities. Be sure to pay a visit to
landscape remaining largely unchanged from its beginnings. Over the humble clubhouse to view some of the club's historic hard-
the years a few nips and tucks have resulted in a routing change, ware. Tucked proudly on a shelf above the walkout to the terrace
some new tee decks to lengthen several holes, plus the addition of next to the final green you can catch a glimpse of Conn Smythe's
bunkers, mounding and tree planting, all done to enhance the name on another trophy. This one has been presented to the men's
challenge and playing experience. A recent addition celebrates club champion for decades.
with a the plaque on the back of the fifth tee-deck signifying Orchard Beach Golf & CC: 273 Metro Rd.
where "Hockey Night in Canada" was born.
Keswick ON (905) - 476 - 5910 | [email protected]


South Lake Simcoe Edition: 3

Cedarhurst Golf Club: Course Highlight


Stepping Back in Time



Lake Simcoe has drawn visitors to its
shores for decades. With miles of shoreline
and beautiful adjacent landscapes it is no
surprise to find a collection of golf courses
some dating back to the early beginnings
of the game in Canada along its southern
reaches.


Stretching from Beaverton in the east to Keswick in the west there par four with a crossing creek at 240 yards. There’s nothing like a
are no fewer than eight courses awaiting you. Half of these layouts tough decision out of the gate. The second hole is a wickedly tight
boast a connection to the infamous Stanley Thompson, legendary dogleg right Par 4, while the third hole is a Par 3 beast, playing 243
Canadian architect and some might say father of golf in our nation. yards to a well protected green. Par here feels like a birdie for sure.
One of these Thompson designs is Cedarhurst in Brock Township. These are followed by a couple risk-reward holes giving you plenty
With the emphasis in golf on bigger and flashier, it is a wel- of chance to score if your game is on. This routing finishes with a
come change when you get to experience a place like the Cedar- cute par four with a tricky green, surrounded by what else, huge
hurst Golf Club. Located just south of Beaverton on the south overhanging cedars.
shores of Lake Simcoe, this layout dates back to 1926 and Stanley The back nine, added to Thompson’s original holes plays
Thompson’s original longer with most holes playing as a dogleg off the tee, some more
nine holes. It is hard to severe than others. Designed by Bert Turcotte and opened in 1967
imagine that $200, the it begins with a brute of a Par 4 playing 433 with a crossing creek
fee paid to Canada’s at 250 and tightly- packed cedars on both sides of the fairway. Af-
most famed architect for ter this the holes open up and get a bit more forgiving for those
his design and supervi- with a loose swing off the tee. A pair of back-to-back, lengthy Par
sion of the build at Ce- 5’s, one heading out of a chute of cedars and the other a severe
darhurst, might not even bender dogleg left back into the cedars add some drama to the
be enough to cover the round. Most holes force you to shape the ball or lay-up to the
green fee at many of the reachable bends of the doglegs to stay in play. Don’t short-side
area’s most elite layouts yourself on these corners or forget about the crossing creeks or par
in 2013. will be a tough accomplishment.
Arriving, you will notice that the historic roots of the club For those looking to work on your game, Cedarhurst boasts
are very much valued here. The modest clubhouse and pro-shop a superb practice facility, with full-sized range, greens and even a
facilities provide you with all that you need combined with a huge practice hole to work out the kinks before or after the round. Best
dose of quaint and charm. A walk through the clubhouse gives you enjoyed by foot this is a very walker friendly course, but for those
a warm, cottage-lodge feel, with the massive stone fireplace enjoying the ride, carts are available.
adorned with all the club trophies and plaques. Cedarhurst’s own Cedarhurst is a step back in time. The membership is active
“Claret Jug” and its 90 years of history are proudly displayed. If in celebrating and preserving the rich history associated with club.
only the walls could talk, just imagine the stories of nearly a cen- A compilation of this history has been proudly produced and time
tury of golf and the personalities of this vintage club. well spent for those who love golf. This semi-private course has a
The course is laid out so the original Thompson nine is the strong sense of the past and tremendous pride in the club. Guests
front. It is relatively short by today’s standards, but tree-lined with are treated like part of the family. The nine hole rates of $19 - $36
small tricky greens characteristic of that era. The Cedarhurst ex- and 18 hole rates of $34 to $50 are a terrific value. You will be
perience wastes no time in familiarizing you with Thompson’s phi- treated to a piece of history and charmed by the experience.
losophy of nature being the guide for his design. Steps from the Cedarhurst Golf Club | Beaverton ON | 705-426-7521
clubhouse you are presented with the opening shot, a mid length www.cedarhurstgolf.com/home.php









South Lake Simcoe Edition:
4