Royal Waterloo (Le Lion)

Established in 1923, Royal Waterloo Golf Club moved to its present location in the 1960s. Fred Hawtree set out the course's first layout, and later additional holes were added to create four nine-hole courses that eventually became La Marache and Le Lion 18-hole layouts. Paul Rolin was responsible for the expansion in the 1980s, but Martin Hawtree also introduced a 9-hole short course dubbed Le Bois-Heros, which he remodeled (along along with La Marache) between 2003 between 2003 and the year 2006. The architect who designed the course also upgraded Le Lion during 2014-15.

The course today measures 6,394 meters from the back markers. It plays at a par of 72. The holes are arranged in two nines that return. Starting and concluding with an eminently birdie-friendly par five holes The course offers golfers the chance to begin and end their game in style. Other holes worth mentioning include the left-handed doglegging shorter par four 12th, and the final one of three par 3s on the 14th, which is played through a couple of small lakes to a low, shallow green. The 16th hole is 437 metres long and an absolute nightmare to play later in your round, soaring slowly to a sand-shielded green that slopes dramatically from front to back.

The following extracts are from the Peugeot Golf Guide: "The course is well-maintained and well-balanced both in terms of layout and layout of hazards. While technically difficult for those looking to score the best score, especially on the back tees, the course is suitable for less experienced golfers. The quality of maintenance contributes to the appeal of the course overall. If you're passing through and you have a day left, you can visit the course in the early summer and make plans to play the two courses of Waterloo."