Le Diable

Lying in the centre of the Laurentian Mountains to the northwest of Montreal, Tremblant’s sporting reputation was once based solely on its position as a top ski resort but all that changed in the mid 1990s with the unveiling of a new Thomas McBroom-designed course, Le Géant.

Almost overnight, Tremblant was transformed from a winter skiing destination into one that also catered for golfers during the summer, allowing it to function as a sporting venue for all twelve months of the year.

The success of the 18-hole Le Géant course was such that it wasn’t long before the resort owners were planning another and this time, the partnership of Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry was chosen to construct Le Diable (“The Devil”).

A par 71 layout like its younger sibling, Le Diable is routed over testing terrain, with one or two steep changes in elevation encountered on either nine. The resort promises the course “won't steal your soul, just maybe a bit of your pride” so expect a decent test here on a course with “devilish surprises at every turn”.

Many of the holes on the outward half are flanked by sandy waste areas, which narrow the playing corridors considerably. Fairways are generally flat, apart from the sharply downhill par three 6th which is then followed by a bit of a climb on the par four 7th, rated stroke index 1.

The inward half is more undulating, with the par five 15th in particular plunging downhill towards a very scenic lake. Some of the walks from green to next tee are a little on the long side, which certainly doesn't favour the walking golfer so the use of a cart is definitely recommended.

The 7th edition of the annual Canadian Skins Game was played at Le Diable in 1999 and galleries were delighted to see home favourite Mike Weir pick up $210,000. David Duval and John Daly shared the remaining $150,000 of prize money that year while Fred Couples walked away with nothing – but don’t feel too sorry for him as “Boom boom” Freddie amassed a total of $985,000 from the previous six skins games, starting in 1993!