Ridge at Manitou

Thomas McBroom, one of Canada’s most prolific modern golf course architects, designed the 18 holes for the Ridge at Manitou. With an out-and-back routing, the fairways depart the clubhouse and Manitouwabing Lake and wander across a wild landscape until heading for home again after the turn.

The Ridge at Manitou is located close to Parry Sound, on the east shore of Lake Huron, and the property extends to over three hundred acres of forest and meadowland, peppered throughout with startlingly beautiful rocky outcrops.

On the front nine, the 2nd is one of McBroom’s finest par fours, a short, driveable hole measuring 306 yards from the rear pegs and it tempts big hitters to fly the rocks on the right of the fairway, all the way to the green.

The five par three holes on the card are all very good. Some demand carries over wetland areas, others require precision shots to raised greens. All, except one, measure more than 200 yards from the tips so no easy flick with a wedge at these “short” holes.

The downhill, left doglegged 18th is one of the prettiest holes at the Ridge and it’s a par five that brings the course routing back down to the clubhouse by the lake. A wonderful home hole to end the round, it offers golfers the realistic prospect of an immensely satisfying birdie finish.