Grey Bruce Golf News

Cobble Beach

Cobble Beach Best New Course

By STEVE HARRON Grey-Bruce Golf

The accolades just keep on coming for Cobble Beach Golf Links near Owen Sound. Editors of Travel + Leisure Golf, published by American Express Publishing, have named the links-style course one of the top 10 new courses in 2007 in its November/December issue. Cobble Beach Golf Links is the only Canadian course on the list which also includes eight courses in the United States and one in New Zealand. "When you think of all the great courses that are being built around the world, it is an honor to be considered among the best," said Mike Doyle, Director of Operations. "Our goal is to establish Cobble Beach as a world-class golf destination. This latest recognition is further evidence that we are off to a positive start." Earlier this year, the par-72 Doug Carrick design was named best new course by both Ontario Golf (OG) and Fairways magazines. Fairways also chose Cobble's clubhouse, designed by Richard Wengle of Toronto, as the best new clubhouse in Ontario. The rankings are included in the fall editions of both magazines. OG, with total distribution of 55,000 copies, says Cobble Beach was the overwhelming favourite of its 13 panelists, garnering 9 first place votes. Some panelist comments are included in a story titled "Pound for Pound it's Owen Sound." "This is the best shoreline links course you'll find in the province," writes panelist Craig Loughry. "Carrick has fashioned a marvellous routing that twists, turns and plunges across a great piece of property. This is a no-brainer for any true golf enthusiast visiting the Owen Sound region," writes OG Editor and panelist Ted McIntyre. And this from panelist Kevin Corriveau: "The views of this course and the surrounding area are breathtaking at every turn. The conditioning is equally magnificient." Panelist Stephen Johnston was impressed with the picturesque par-3 17th, which has a lighthouse and Georgian Bay for a backdrop. "The 17th is stunning. It definitely will be sending people home with a memory," he states. The accolades come on the heels of Cobble Beach being rated by the nationally-distributed SCORE Golf magazine as the third best new golf course in Canada. The Raven at Lora Bay was ranked 5th, meaning two of the top-5 new courses in the country are in Grey-Bruce. Doyle said he was "extremely pleased" with the rankings. "It (best new course in Ontario) was a goal we set when we started this project. The team worked hard to make it a reality," he said. He said the awards recognize the excellent work of Carrick and project manager and vice-president John Anderson, who built the course. And although the course has received high ratings and positive reviews by golf writers, the work at Cobble Beach is far from done. Property "enhancements" yet to be completed include landscaping, road paving and work on the entrance.