Great Western Golf Tour, Day One

Kingston - Smuggler's Glen

I got into the Glen Resort, about 25 minutes east of Kingston in 1000 Island Park about 2:00pm. It was too late to play and the course was booked-up anyway, so I had a chance to look around. The resort is right on the St. Lawrence River, my room overlooked the islands and it was really impressive. The resort began as a Loyalist land grant in the mid-1800's, attracting vacationers from the state of New York almost immediately.

The golf course was not added to the complex until 2005 and was voted best new public course in 2006. I heard about it that summer and have planned to play it ever since.

It was a good thing I didn't get out to play, clouds moved in around 4:30pm and there was a tremendous downpour and electrical storm that lasted late into the night. I booked a tee time for 2:00pm the next day (Tuesday, Aug. 19).

The course was soaking wet from the previous night's storm. I was grouped with three other people, but they failed to show. So, I was on my own. This is scary; its better to play a course the first time with someone who knows the layout and can guide you around. Smuggler's Glen is known to be difficult -- a real target golf course, so I was wary.

It worked out not too bad, but I made a few "beginner" mistakes on the first three holes, parred the toughest hole#4 and was settling into my game when Mike and Judy caught up and joined me for the rest of the round.

Mike is a lawyer in Ottawa and Judy is his wife and legal secretary. They grew up in Manotick as childhood sweethearts -- a 44-year relationship, 35 years married (happy anniversary!) and 35-year golf partners. That is remarkable.

They were an awesome couple to play with. We had lots of fun. They are avid golfers, as crazy as I am. When they're between court cases, the often play 36-holes a day. Their cell phone rang constantly throughout the round with calls that sounded like court details, advice and family matters. They lived life intensely, playing as hard as they worked.

Smuggler's Glen

A new clubhouse is well-appointed with restaurant/bar and pro shop. There is a decent practice range for irons - driver. It has a grass area and mats sufficient to hold about a dozen golfers. The practice putting green is also small but provides the warm-up needed to get your juices flowing prior to the round.

What a golf course! Lots of forced carries over ravines and shots with elevation changes. Rock outcroppings abound and highlight the fairway edges all over the layout. Beautifully designed to take advantage of a fantastic piece of property.

The course is inland from the river, rising up from the St.Lawrence to weave amongst the trees and the ridges of the Canadian Shield. A golf cart is a good idea, though you can walk if you prefer. I usually walk but wisely chose to ride this round due to the long gaps between some holes.

The course was wet, so carts were restricted to cart paths only. We did not get much roll as both fairways and greens were soaked from the storm. Bunkers were mostly unplayable, the sand packed by run-off or covered by a pool of water. None of this detracted from the round. It cost $74.00 to play, which included the cart -- a very reasonable price by eastern Ontario standards.

The greens were a little thin, but rolled fast and true. They were consistent throughout the course.

Favorite Holes

Hole number one is a beauty. Right off you have to carry over a ravine to an uphill fairway guarded by rock outcroppings on both sides. Visually intimidating, just man-up and hit your three wood or driver up the middle. A great opener. Get used to this, there's more target golf coming up.

Number four is the first par 5 and the number one handicap hole. Surrounded by environmentally sensitive areas ( no-go zones for stray shots ) the elevated tee box calls for a 100 yard carry over waste area from the white tees. Bear to the left side of the fairway to open up your second shot; granite on your left, "enviro zone" on your right and a creek dead ahead. Watch your line and know your distances. I hit four iron up the middle to leave 130 yards in to an elevated green with a flag up front. Hit 9-iron to 8-feet and (darn it) missed the birdie putt coming back. Sigh.

Eighteen is luscious. A long, narrow chute from the tee box. Tree covered hill side with cart path on the right. Granite wall on the left with a peak at a pond running the length of the fairway just visible down the line. About 340 yards out, the fairway takes a dogleg left to a green protected by the pond and more hill side right. I hit a hooked driver out about 220 yards then a good five iron to about 140 yards. Then 8-iron to the green for a long two-putt par.

These are my highlights. It was tough to score well on this course, but first rounds usually aren't about scoring for me. I would love another crack at this layout. It is definitely a favorite; one I could play over and over and find a constant challenge. One I recommend highly to you.

Here are a few pictures of the round with Mike and Judy. Click on each picture for a description.

The Glen Resort

An established, well-regarded vacation spot. It combines old world charm with updated amenities and a complete range of services. The staff are friendly and professional. The location is exquisite. The dining room is renowned for its slow-cooked Prime Rib and its views of the river and Island cottages.

It is well-equipped as a family vacation spot. Boat rentals, fishing guides, outdoor/indoor swimming pools, barbecues, shuffle boards, lounge, dance floor, massage services, park, tours, swim classes. Check their website for details.

Garmin Navigation Device

The best road trip gizmo ever!

I have to recommend this device to anyone who takes a driving vacation anywhere.

From my visit to Toronto three days before this Golf Tour began, taxi drivers convinced me that a Garmin navigation device would be very useful.

You've seen them. Little screens stuck to taxi windshields and dashboards that map out directions to places and addresses. Street maps for the navigationally challenged. Perfect for me.

Well, I tried it and I am sold. So easy to setup. Mindlessly simple to use. You can enter an address via the touch-screen keyboard and a female voice guides you turn-by-turn to your destination. You can decide on settings for a male voice if you wish. The default on mine (a model 250w, cost $349.00 at Canadian Tire) was female and I stuck with it.

I call her Wanda. I love Wanda. She has saved me many hours of fruitless search in the wilderness of Canadian highways already. No kidding, this thing rocks. Honestly. Buy one, I promise you'll like or love it.

I get nothing from Garmin for this endorsement. I promise you. Tell anybody you love to get one. They'll love you back.

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