Fall golf in Southern Ontario on a 100 year old muni

Don Valley?

Drew said:
Don Valley?

Thames Valley.

Shaye said:

Drew said:
Don Valley?

Thames Valley.

Don Valley is a terrific muni in the middle of Toronto (401 and Yonge) that I’ve played many times. I’ll need to check out Thames Valley next time I’m in London – it looks very similar.

@Arden
It’s kinda similar.

I went searching for a video of the course and came upon this. Somebody apparently built it in GSPro. I have to try it at least once this winter! The level of detail in this is kind of incredible. Maybe a bit more slopes around the greens, and a bit heavier tree cover, but everything is where it should be.

Video Link

Shaye said:

Drew said:
Don Valley?

Thames Valley.

Ahhh - London. Love that track.

Drew said:
Don Valley?

First few pics I thought it was Lakeview, haha.

Very nice. Where is that, if you don’t mind? I’m new to Southern Ontario.

Zhen said:
Very nice. Where is that, if you don’t mind? I’m new to Southern Ontario.

London. Thames Valley is the course name.

Shaye said:

Zhen said:
Very nice. Where is that, if you don’t mind? I’m new to Southern Ontario.

London. Thames Valley is the course name.

Gracias.

Thought this was Chedoke Beddoe course in Hamilton for a second. We are just celebrating our 100 as well!

@Marcell
Beddoe by far. Feels like you’re not even in the same area of the city let alone next to another course. Martin isn’t bad to just muck around in. I find I’d rather play solo at Martin to work on my game and then play with friends and randoms at Beddoe.

In temperate climates, if it’s above 50 and the leaves are still on the trees, fall is the best time to golf.

It was 80 degrees in Pennsylvania and most of the leaves were still on the trees. It was comfortable, the scenery was next level beautiful, and the course was empty. The only downside is how quickly the sun sets.

@Terry
It was in the 70’s and sunny the last couple of days. And yeah, Saturday, the round was terribly slow because of a scramble tournament and a frost delay in the morning really clogging up the course. I teed off around 1, and didn’t finish until 6:20, the longest round of the year. The sun was setting. Friends of mine can’t play on the weekdays anymore because they don’t get home from work until around 4, and they may only have time for 9 holes.

This weekend they are running a tournament called The Gauntlet. Last year, they turned this course into an 8400 yard monster (there is an 18 hole and 9 hole course). They doubled up some holes. Put pins in absolutely brutal positions. Was a 4 person scramble and 68 won it. I was with some low 20’s caps and we ended up shooting like 78. Was also brutally cold, which didn’t help.

@Shaye
I know this feeling. My local muni and home course is almost always packed. Some nights after work, I could get in a round in under 2 hours walking. And other times it was a parking lot, and it took well over 3 hours. Just a lot of waiting in between holes. Once or twice I cut rounds short because they were taking too long, and I had stuff to do with the family.

My favorite course! Hope I can get one more round in this year.

Marcell said:
Thanks for sharing! Will add to my bucket list to play next year! I enjoy playing in the London area; lots of great courses and decent prices compared to the GTA.

Yep! This one is 45 dollars a round, which is a steal compared to what courses are in the GTA.

I’ve lived in the London area my whole life and have only played there once. Will have to get back.

Brad said:
I’ve lived in the London area my whole life and have only played there once. Will have to get back.

Greens are running brutally fast right now. It’s hard to get an accurate read as there are zero flat spots on these greens, but people estimate they are running around 12. I made 2 very long birdie putts today (30 feet plus) that broke at least 6 feet. The one on the 5th hole probably broke a good 15 feet down the slope from where I aimed, and I just tapped it to get it rolling.

It’s only open for another week and a half and then closing for clubhouse renovations. Try to get out before the end of the season. I’ve never seen these greens playing like this before. The course is in great shape except for all the leaves (and the bunkers are rough).

You’re a little late; the Leafs usually start after the first round of playoffs.