Golfing with ghosts

Author: Michele Lawson

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The hilly terrain at Settlers’ Ghost Golf Club provides some of the most challenging and picturesque golfing moments in the region. Here a tournament player makes her shot heading back into the clubhouse.

The land under Settlers’ Ghost Golf Club has been used for many purposes over centuries – by native communities, by settlers and by farmers. After only a few years, the current incarnation is coming into its own. “The topography is the same, the layout is the same, it’s just matured,” says general manager Lana Stoddart. “The grass on the fairways is a lot more lush. The rough areas are dense and more difficult to get out of, and the greens are a lot more receptive to the ball.” In newly built courses, she explains, the greens tend to be harder and, as a result, balls have a tendency to bounce and roll instead of stick. Just off course, the high grasses have thickened to create major challenges for golfers who wind up with a rogue ball. “When you hit into it, it’s like hitting into a bush,” she says. “It’s unlikely you’re going to find your ball in there. It’s where you shouldn’t be.” The antique farm equipment displayed in gardens around the property has also had the opportunity to settle into place and look like it really belongs. “These natural gardens speak to history,” Stoddart says of these final touches. “It’s not necessary to the game, but it all adds to the peripheral pleasantries.” Although it’s a relatively new course, the founders of Settlers’ Ghost seem to have gotten it right. In 2006 and 2007, it was chosen as a host site on the CN Woman’s Tour. To get chosen even once is an honour, says Stoddart. It was “a feather in our cap,” to have the tour return. “It speaks to the caliber of the golf course we have, because we met the (Royal Canadian Golf Association) RCGA’s tournament criteria,” she continues. “That’s the biggest (kind of event) because that one has spectators.” Since opening, the club has evolved from strictly public to a semi-private structure. Annual members can enjoy unlimited golf and cart use, property privileges, a club-champion tournament, and the value-added reciprocal program that has been set up with 32 other courses in Ontario. “Their members can come to our course and our members can play on theirs for a highly discounted rate,” Stoddart explains. “It’s out-of-the-box thinking for us. “We’re trying to be unique and offer value add-ons to our members. Sometimes they want to play other courses. Or, they’re on holiday and can stop by.” The public and private courses in the program are located as far north as Sudbury and right down to Lake Ontario. They also extend from London to Belleville, she adds. Members and day players can take advantage of the new fleet of carts this year that come with enhanced comfort and braking systems, as well as folding tinted windshields. In addition to the unlimited version, seven-day unlimited memberships (which don’t include carts) and junior memberships are also available. Not a championship length course, Settler Ghost is building its reputation for stunning views and some difficult shots instead. “Our challenge is the topography and the winds,” says the general manager. With league play that provides specific days for family and junior play, and evenings designated for singles and couples in addition to the men and women’s play, there is opportunity for everyone. The programs are expanding nicely, she reports. Every third Friday, couples can join radio personality Meg Whitton who hosts the festivities on behalf of sponsor The Dock. New at Settlers this year is a driving range with 13 grass hitting stations, and practice area that features a green and bunkers. Children will be spending time in this area (in addition to some on-course play), during this summer’s half-day children’s golf camps that are set to run for a couple of weeks. Inside the clubhouse, long-time chef Mary Lou Gill has changed up the 48-seat dining room’s casual fine dining menu to appeal to newcomers and veterans alike. With a renovated meeting space upstairs, and patio doors that lead from the dining room to a new tent (with windowed walls), the stage is set for tournaments and corporate groups of all kinds. Registered Massage Therapist Jennifer Bradley is available by appointment to add a spa element to a day or event, or to simply work out the muscles before or after a round. Always conscious of the natural beauty of this chosen area, Stoddart has applied to the Audubon Society to designate certain naturalized areas as green space. It’s a long process, but one that pays respect to the history and future of the region. For more information, visit www.settersghost.com.