A Nicely Finished Nine
Courtesy: Diamond In The Ruff
After playing golf this past weekend, I am convinced that what the world needs more of are nine-hole courses.
Not the typical, poorly maintained, scrubby nine-hole layouts that give all courses a bad name but really good, well crafted courses that test your game and do it in less than 2 and a half hours.
There is one in central Ontario, in the heart of Muskoka cottage country called Diamond In The Ruff.
It's short – less than 2700 yards – but it demands precision play. However, it is the quality of each hole that is the true attraction.
Let's start with looks. Now, we've had plenty of rainfall this summer in Ontario, so every golf course is as green as the Emerald Isle.
But Diamond In The Ruff (or "The Diamond" as those who know it well call it) goes beyond green.
It starts with the flowers. They're everywhere. On some holes, you won't find better flower beds in a conservatory.
Now I'm no green thumb – I leave that to my wife – but flowers in bloom are nice to look at and the groundskeeper at The Diamond does a superb job.
As he does with the greens which are fast and true even if they lack much break. Likewise, the fairways, which are mown close.
The rough is fair and the surrounding forests are pushed back leaving ample room for recovery should you spray your tee shots.
If you should have to wait at a tee, there are always several Muskoka chairs to rest in while waiting. That's a very nice touch.
My wife and I had lunch with the Director of Golf, Doug Wilson and I asked Doug if there were plans to expand to a full 18 holes.
He told me there was enough land to expand but, while the original 9 holes were built on a sandy base (which allows for rapid drainage), the virgin property was "pure Muskoka land" – in other words, sheer rock.
To build 9 more holes would mean plenty of dynamite and big bucks.
And that would, of course, defeat the purpose of being a diamond of a nine hole layout.
The Diamond also boasts a full practice facility including bunkers, so it doesn't lack for the necessary accessories.
The season is always short in Muskoka; fall can come early and the first week of October usually sees the courses close up for the winter. Frankly, since much of the traffic is cottagers, the majority of them are gone after Labor Day.
There is a strong membership at The Diamond but it's pretty much all cottagers who spend their summers in Muskoka. Throw in a long stretch of rainy weather like we've had this year and staying afloat financially can be a burden.
So, The Diamond has now built "fractional ownership" cottages adjacent to the course. They're not cheap but they do include golf. And because the cottages are year-round, fall visits mean The Diamond can push back its closing date by a few more weeks.
It may be a short 9 holes but you won't find a more beautiful looking course in a nicer setting. And the owners are doing their level best to keep it that way in an uncompromising climate and slowing economic conditions.
More power to them.
I used to play on a 9 hole course as a kid. It was more rough the a diamond. But I did learn the game on it. This one sounds very nice and if I ever get out that way I’d like to check it out. Thanks for the info.