Hamilton Golf & Country Club, or Ancaster as it is known locally, is located on land that was once known as Grange Farm and it is set most beautifully in elegant, heavily wooded seclusion.
Hamilton Golf & Country Club (West & South)
Hamilton Golf & Country Club, or Ancaster as it is known locally, is located on land that was once known as Grange Farm and it is set most beautifully in elegant, heavily wooded seclusion.
Hamilton Golf & Country Club, or Ancaster as it is known locally, is located on land that was once known as Grange Farm and it is set most beautifully in elegant, heavily wooded seclusion.
There are three loops of nine holes at Hamilton, called South, West and East and the championship layout comprises of the West (front nine) and South (back nine). Although Hamilton’s club history can be traced back to 1894, the West and South were designed as two nine-hole courses by Harry S. Colt and both loops formally opened for play in 1916. Robbie Robinson added the East nine in 1975. According to his website, Rees Jones was involved in a 1982 redesign here at Hamilton, but we don't know precisely what was implemented.
Hamilton first hosted the Canadian Open in 1919 and Atlanta’s Douglas Edgar posted a course record score of 66 on his way to winning the title, pushing Bobby Jones into second place (the 1919 event was Bobby's first and last Canadian Open). When the Canadian Open returned to Hamilton in 1930, Tommy Armour shot a six-under-par 64 to set another course record which stood until 1991 when Warren Sye, posted an amazing 62 on his way to claim the Ontario Men's Amateur Championship.
Into the new millennium and Bob Tway won the 2003 Canadian Open at Hamillton, beating Brad Faxon in a playoff. The tournament returned to the club in 2012, when Scott Piercy held off Robert Garrigus and William McGirt by a single shot to claim the title. Seven years later, Rory McIlroy fired an aggregate score of 22 under par to win the 2019 event by seven shots from his nearest challengers.
The course is due to host the Canadian Open once again in the near future and, with that in mind, the club engaged architects MacKenzie & Ebert in 2019 to renovate all three nines, starting with the West, followed by the South, then finally the East.
The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings
California, United States
New Jersey, United States
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
New York, United States
New York, United States
Canada's Best: Why Five Courses Battle for Top Spot Unlike most golfing nations where consensus exists around a clear number one course, Canada presents a fascinating anomaly. Whilst panellists consistently rank Jasper Park Lodge as the country's second-best course, the top spot remains hotly contested amongst five world-class contenders. This unique situation reveals not just the exceptional quality of Canadian golf, but the remarkable architectural diversity that makes the country one of the world's most underrated golf destinations. For serious golf travellers, this debate offers an extraordinary opportunity: access to world-class golf architecture across diverse landscapes at substantially lower costs than comparable international destinations, with the added advantage of no mandatory caddies and favourable exchange rates. Why Canada's Golf Rankings Defy Convention When Golf Club Atlas managing partner Andrew Harvey spoke with Jasper Miners of Top 100 Golf Courses about Canada's golf course rankings, Miners revealed something unprecedented in the golfing world. "There's really no general consensus on the best golf course in Canada," Miners explained during the discussion. "There could pretty much be as many as five number ones." This stands in stark contrast to other major golfing nations. The United States essentially debates between Cypress Point and Pine Valley, whilst Scotland's argument centres around St. Andrews and Muirfield. Canada, however, offers no such clarity amongst its elite courses. When Top 100 Golf Courses reviewed the Top 10 Courses in Canada, Jasper Park Lodge emerges as the consistent number two choice across all demographics. But the top spot remained fractured between St. George's Golf and Country Club, Cabot Cliffs, Banff Springs, Capilano Golf Club, and Toronto Golf Club, with Hamilton Golf and Country Club and Cape Breton Highlands Links also receiving serious consideration. This disparity stems from what Harvey identifies as the "Thompson Five" (Banff, Jasper, Capilano, St. George's, and Highlands Links), the "Harry Colt Two" (Toronto and Hamilton), and the "Cabot Two" (Cliffs and Links). These nine courses represent different eras of golf architecture across vastly different landscapes, making direct comparison exceptionally challenging. Three World-Class Golf Destinations in One Country Canada's ranking controversy reflects its unique position as perhaps the only country offering three distinct styles of elite golf within its borders. Each region presents world-class examples of different architectural philosophies, creating an apples-to-oranges comparison that defies easy resolution. Rocky Mountain Golf Courses represent perhaps the most dramatic golf anywhere in the world. Stanley Thompson's masterpieces at Banff Springs and Jasper Park Lodge showcase the dramatic possibilities of mountain golf. Set against the Canadian Rockies, these courses utilise spectacular elevation changes, dramatic vistas, and strategic routing through mountainous terrain to create unforgettable golf experiences that blend natural grandeur with architectural excellence. Southern Ontario Parkland Golf centres around the Greater Toronto Area, where Harry Colt's influence created two of Canada's finest courses. Toronto Golf Club and Hamilton Golf and Country Club showcase Colt's mastery of rolling terrain and strategic bunkering. St. George's Golf and Country Club, meanwhile, represents what Harvey calls "that American championship golf course" style—a demanding examination that has proven worthy of multiple Canadian Opens. Atlantic Links Golf achieved new prominence with Cabot's arrival in Nova Scotia. Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links offer modern interpretations of links golf that rival anything in Scotland or Ireland, whilst the classical routing of Cape Breton Highlands Links provides a more traditional links experience through some of the most dramatic coastal terrain in North America. Stanley Thompson Golf Courses: Canada's Golden Age Legacy Understanding Canadian golf's excellence requires appreciating Stanley Thompson's unprecedented influence. Working primarily during the 1920s and 1930s, Thompson created what many consider the finest collection of golf courses by any single architect in any single country. His five Canadian masterpieces—Banff, Jasper, Capilano, St. George's, and Highlands Links—each demonstrate his ability to maximise dramatically different sites. Thompson's genius lay in his restraint and site sensitivity. Rather than imposing a signature style, he allowed each landscape to dictate the golf experience. This philosophy created courses so perfectly suited to their environments that they feel inevitable rather than constructed. Today, Rod Whitman emerges as Thompson's potential successor. The Alberta-born architect has developed a portfolio that increasingly draws comparisons to the master. Harvey suggests Whitman's career trajectory could rival Thompson's legacy: "If they're all as good as they currently are, you kind of go, okay, now there's a conversation to be had." With fifteen to eighteen courses planned or completed, Whitman's body of work may eventually challenge Thompson's supremacy in Canadian golf architecture. Western Canada continues producing exceptional golf course talent, from shapers like Josh McFadden (working with Gil Hanse) to architects like Riley Johns (working with Keith Cutten). This regional concentration of talent suggests something unique about the western Canadian golf experience that inspires deeper architectural understanding. Golf Travel Value: Canada vs The World's Elite Courses Canadian golf's most compelling argument for serious travellers lies not just in quality, but in exceptional value. Whilst a day at Sunningdale or Sandwich now approaches £500 including caddies and amenities, equivalent Canadian experiences cost significantly less with no mandatory additional services. The conversion rate alone makes Canadian golf attractive for international visitors. Where British golf has become prohibitively expensive for many travellers, Canadian courses offer world-class experiences at accessible prices. Harvey notes, "You can see some really great stuff on a budget, even though you're flying overseas." This value proposition extends beyond green fees. Canadian courses rarely require caddies, allowing golfers to experience these architectural masterpieces without the exponential costs associated with other world class venues. The emphasis on walking golf maintains the intended architectural rhythm whilst keeping costs reasonable. Seasonal considerations offer additional opportunities. Unlike the year-round accessibility of warmer climates, Canadian golf's concentrated season creates intense appreciation amongst locals and visiting golfers alike. The brief but glorious Canadian golf season—peaking in July and August—means early planning and booking are essential. Planning Your Canadian Golf Holiday: Regional Strategies Canada's vast geography—75 to 80 hours driving coast to coast—demands strategic planning for golf travellers. Rather than attempting a comprehensive national tour, successful Canadian golf trips focus on specific regions while acknowledging the country's three distinct golf landscapes. Western Canada Golf Tours offer the most dramatic golf experiences, centring on the Rocky Mountain courses of Banff and Jasper. These anchor points allow for exploration of hidden gems throughout Alberta and British Columbia. Rod Whitman's work provides contemporary excellence alongside Thompson's classics. Central Canada Golf Itineraries encompass the Southern Ontario corridor and Montreal region, offering the highest concentration of elite courses. The proximity of St. George's, Toronto, and Hamilton allows for efficient touring of multiple architectural styles within reasonable distances. Atlantic Canada Golf Adventures present the most remote but perhaps most rewarding golf experiences. Cabot's two courses alone justify the journey, whilst Highland Links offers one of golf's most unique experiences through Cape Breton's dramatic coastal landscape. Harvey's assessment proves increasingly relevant: "Every time I go somewhere, it reaffirms that the truly great golf courses here have their place in the discussion internationally." With six courses on Golf Club Atlas's coveted custodian list—tied with Australia and trailing only Scotland, England, and the United States—Canada's golf credentials are beginning to be appreciated by more and more astute travelling golfers. For golf travellers seeking world-class architecture without world-class prices, Canada offers an increasingly compelling proposition. The country's inability to agree on its best course reflects not confusion, but an embarrassment of riches.
Lockhart Travel Club’s host and co-founder David Davis shares the recent Canada Trip Experience with Top 100 Community Members. Lockhart Travel Club provides premium concierge hosted and bespoke luxury travel services for golfers who want to discover the finest courses and experiences worldwide, including the Top 100 world, GB & I, USA Golf Course rankings lists. Canada Trip The often forgotten, at least from a golf perspective, northern neighbour to the US is another tremendously underrated golf country. At the end of June, 16 Lockhart members were fortunate to experience the best this great country offers. From the fantastic hospitality of our hosts to the incredible golf courses, Canada did not disappoint! The Experience Begins The adventure started with "pre-trip" golf at the recently renovated, old Harry Colt designed Hamilton Golf & Country Club. We somehow managed to thwart the looming threat of thunderstorms and heavy rain to see Martin Ebert's work on this renovation that was carried out during Covid and when it was impossible for Mr. Ebert even to visit the club during the process. All things considered, it's a lovely course set in a hilly and forested property. Clearly, the setup and renovation aimed to host future Canadian Opens with relatively modern greens consisting of many run-offs to increase the challenge concerning recovery shots. It's a beautiful club and location, and we are already looking forward to future returns. Day Two The second day had us out in the Caledon area visiting the Pulpit Club and their famous Paintbrush Course. This was a typical Canadian, four-seasons-in-a-day experience. It involved high winds, some heavy rain, beautiful sunny skies, then a repeat. The Paintbrush course, designed by Michael Hurdzan, serves as his "break-out-of-obscurity" project. This very private club recently changed hands, and our group had it to ourselves. The course was enjoyable, albeit full of quirky elements, such as heroic carries and some crazy greens and double greens. One green had a very large hill in front of it, and the green was shaped in a C around this hill, with the line of play being over the hill and blind from nearly every angle. Another crazy double green had a large tree in the middle of it. Interestingly enough, we all agreed that everything worked, and it was a brilliant day. That night we relocated to the Caledon Mountain Trout Club for the next few days. This fantastic, old-world, private members' social club was more than once referred to as the "Augusta" of fishing clubs, and after the visit, it's easy to see why. They do an excellent job of creating a delightfully relaxed environment, delivering one delicious meal after the subsequent and taking care of the needs of the members and their guests. We want to extend a massive thank you to our host for his excellent hospitality and all the heavy lifting he's done in helping to make this a possibility for our members. This would also be our first meet-up with a large part of our group for the week and some of our newest Lockhart Members, The Bright Stripes. Given their fun and unique story, it's a pleasure to share that with you. The Bright Stripes are a small, golf-crazed, traveling band of gentlemen like us, most of which represent great clubs in the UK. Most unique, however, is that they are on a journey as a group to play and complete the World Top 100 as ranked by Top100golfcourses.com on our 2009 World Ranking List. To our knowledge, it's the first group trying to achieve this monumental task. A task that several of our Lockhart members have accomplished on their own and can attest to how difficult this is. The Bright Stripes are nearly halfway through this adventure, and noteworthy is that they have a top-down approach and have remarkably managed to play most of the hardest to get on first. In Canada, we experienced first-hand the collective charm of the group, joined in some of their unique group protocol and traditions, and thoroughly enjoyed welcoming them to the Lockhart Travel Club. We look forward to following along and helping them achieve their goals of conquering the World's Top 100. Goodwood Golf Club One of the big surprises of a trip where there were many was our visit to Goodwood Golf Club the next day. Goodwood is one of Canada's most private clubs and one of Martin Ebert's very few sole designs. That meant none of us, not even me, considering Martin, a close friend, knew what to expect. What we found was rolling, open prairie land, ideal for links-like golf, pure sand-based turf that was perfect, and a course that had been laid out following the lie of the land. Mackenzie & Ebert are best known for being the consulting architects for 7 of the 9 Open Rota courses and the legacy renovations of Turnberry and Hirono. Toronto Golf Club Next up was the classic Harry Colt design of Toronto Golf Club. It was situated right in downtown Toronto. Walking onto this property was like stepping back in time; Mr. Colt would be proud. Toronto Golf Club served up the biggest surprise of the trip. The excellent routing across this dynamic property, combined with classic Colt bunkering and green complexes, not to mention it being in perfect condition. We can't thank our host enough for all his time and efforts involved in setting up this wonderful day and sharing their incredible club with us. Our host also arranged a fabulous dinner at the club with great wine hand-picked from the club's impressive, almost Augusta-like, cellar. St. Georges Golf & Country Club The final day for most participants on this trip was exceptional indeed. The Stanley Thompson gem and World Ranked St. Georges Golf & Country Club serves up the magic of Canada's most famous architect and is considered by many to be his best work. Sitting on the city's outskirts and close to Toronto Pearson International Airport, any opportunity to visit this World Class course should not be missed. Thompson's design snakes its way through valleys and across this undulated terrain. It's a course where the golfer must carefully plot their way around. With the rough showing its teeth and the greens running to perfection, it's easy to see how St. George's could be the best possible host for a Canadian Open and have the ability to challenge the world's best players. What a spectacular finish to a fantastic week of golf, great food, and camaraderie with a wonderful group of people. For those that can't get enough… We often do "pre-trip" golf, add-ons, and "post-trip" extensions on Lockhart Trips. Canada was no different. A small group of die-hards didn't feel like a week in Toronto was enough, so we headed off to the logistically challenging location of Inverness, Nova Scotia. A 3 am wake-up call on Saturday morning and a race to the airport, as we all know too well. By 9 am, we were picking up our family mini-van at Halifax airport in the middle of nowhere, at least we thought. 3.5 hours later, we actually arrived in the middle of nowhere at Cabot Resort. Home of two World Ranked Courses, Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs. Naturally, we hit the course straight away and had a lovely afternoon round on the Links course. This design by Ron Whitten has given Canada one of, if not its first true links courses. It's a pleasant walk and routing with some very solid golf on fantastic links terrain. The two courses at Cabot split opinions, but the show-stopper for many people is the Coore & Crenshaw designed Cabot Cliffs. A round at Cabot Cliffs unfolds much like rounds at other great courses and ends with a visual spectacle delivering the "wow" factor that modern golf in an Instagram, social media driven world, longs for. This includes clifftops and the sea. Firmly ranked in the World Top 100 on almost every list, it's a must-visit on every golfer's journey. A final note, and this from a guy (yours truly) that bought a hat with one of his favourite sayings while in Canada, "No 1 cares what you shot!" Congratulations to Lockhart Member Paulo Malzoni, who somehow managed to bring his "A" game to Cabot and shoot one of his best rounds ever on the Cliffs Course going around in LEVEL PAR! Not bad for a 14 hcp. Mr. Malzoni, the handicap committee would like a quiet word, please. Register Your Member Application with Lockhart Travel Club With plenty of golf on the horizon for 2024, join our next adventure and sign up for one of our great upcoming trips today! 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Welcome to a special episode of Top 100 Clubhouse called 'The Cutting Room Floor', where we release previously unheard podcast content. In this special we're jumping back to a couple of really interesting podcast guests. First, we return to our conversation with pro golfer Zac Blair. We continue to discuss Zac's project to build The Tree Farm, the importance of being able to walk the course, and the surprising back story of the Tree Farm bell! The second conversation is with David Margolis. We discuss his strong views on what makes a clubhouse shower great, where you can get the best clubhouse food, and his opinions on golf course rankings. Enjoy! Previous Episode - Don't Miss Out! The previous episode features John Caven. John is the General Manager at St Georges Golf & Country Club in Ontario, Canada. He previously worked at the exclusive Loch Lomond Golf Club, and has a lot to say about life in the golf industry and what it takes to host professional events in the current climate. What Are The Top 100 Clubhouse Podcasts About? Top 100 Clubhouse is the ultimate podcast for golf enthusiasts! Join us as we delve deep into the minds of fascinating individuals from every corner of the golfing world. From players to course designers, caddies to golf historians, we'll leave no stone unturned in our quest to share unique insights and experiences with the Top100 Community. Together we'll explore the stunning courses and breathtaking landscapes, enjoying the unforgettable stories that bring the game of golf to life. How Do I Listen To The Latest Top 100 Clubhouse Podcast? You can download and listen on the following links. Listen now, wherever you download your podcast! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcast Podtail We Need Your Feedback? The Next Podcast Interview? Top 100 members can share their views on who should join the next Top 100 Clubhouse podcast show? If you have an idea who you would like to hear, why not drop our Top 100 Clubhouse host James Henderson an email on james@top100golfcourses.com Happy Listening!
