Glen Arbour

The Annapolis property development company operates the Glen Arbour golf course on a site close to the city of Halifax that was once owned by the Jodrey family of Hantsport, Nova Scotia. The fairways now lie within a substantial residential project that sprung up in the late 1990s.

The title Glen Arbour comes from the Scottish term for "vale of trees" and the 18 holes are laid out on heavily wooded terrain that features lakes, streams and several significant elevation changes during the course of a round.

Canadian architect Graham Cooke designed this most pleasing of parkland layouts with an eye to making it as playable as possible for average golfers so it only extends to a comfortable 6,800 yards in length.

Don’t expect an easy walk in the park though, as most of the par four and par five holes dogleg one way or other and water – in the shape of Bottle Lake and Sandy Lake – comes into play at regular intervals.

The signature hole is kept until last and the 565-yard 18th plays downhill all the way from tee to green, allowing golfers one last panoramic view of the valley as they head towards a green that sits by the edge of Sandy Lake.

Graham Cooke, the course architect, wrote the following article:

Glen Arbour was built just outside of Halifax on a very impressive property and the course is set amid a gently rolling land, forested in deep firs and majestic maple trees, an ideal setting for any architect.

However, this site goes further because three beautiful large pristine lakes are tucked into the property. Sandy Lake, the largest body of water, was the perfect location for the finishing hole. A rugged rocky island rests some 150 yards off shore, adding interest and accent to both the clubhouse and the dramatic downhill par five eighteenth.

Glen Arbour takes the golfer on a mystical walk as the course searches out each lake and
spectacular views await around every bend. The deep woodlots isolate each and every hole and the golf course is yours alone when playing. Though the course has a wonderful collection of scenic and challenging golf holes it is this marvelous setting that brings people from afar to experience Glen Arbour.

On any given day you can see bald eagles soaring above the course or osprey diving into Sandy Lake in search of speckled trout - watching this show from the clubhouse balcony or enjoying the last deflecting rays of sun dance off the many lakes, Glen Arbour puts everyone in a good place.

The course has so many looks and vistas that the 18 holes have to be played many times to drink in all the special features and charms. This was a remarkable property and the golf course was the perfect fit. Glen Arbour captures your heart and makes you want to enjoy this distinctive, charming, maritime course on every visit.