Golf Course Review: Columbus Golf and Country Club via Kedron Dells Golf Club.

Kedron Dells Golf Club

Tuesday my friend Meg and I set off to a 3:00 pm. tee time at Kedron Dells. It is a course we enjoyed a couple of years ago and we wanted to reacquaint ourselves with it…… not to mention the timing afforded us a reduced rate. So how did we end up playing at Columbus instead? Let me tell you.

Best ball tournaments are loads of fun for the participants but not much fun for any seasoned golfer (and boy am I seasoned!) who is golfing behind them. If you play behind that tournament you better bring your lunch and possibly your supper as you are just asking for long waits on most shots.

When Meg booked she had been told that there was a “group” of 16 in front of us but they weren’t a tournament.  Turned out it was actually a group of 21 which was a “family” best ball tournament.  The marshal had allowed a group of 5 at the tail end of their tourney and then he left for the day. (He knew what he was doing.)  To make things worse there was another tournament in front of that one!

We were at the first tee when we discovered what lay ahead. In front of us stretched 3 sets of golfers. One on the green, and two on the fairway. The group of 5 which were directly ahead of us were giving a newbie instructions sooooooooo we retreated to the pro shop. Since  there was no problem to fill our spot they happily gave us a refund.

Disappointed that we couldn’t enjoy their course but vowing to return on a day when there were no tournaments we hopped in the car  and headed to Columbus.  Last year it struck me as a mini Bond Head as it has the same feel but only 18 holes, no lush club house and no huge green fees.   Since they too had an afternoon green fees special we were in business.  Best of all there wasn’t much traffic on the links.

The strong wind had the fescue blowing like wheat on the prairies.  The course was just as I had remembered. Terrific. The rolling fairways banked with fescue and bunkers weren’t hard to navigate.  We were hitting them long and straight and not too often.   (We had to wait on many shots as the men’s foursome in front was having trouble over and over and over. Which begs the question why would they not invite us to play through????? It’s a man thing!)

But oh those greens!  They  were in great shape and fast as lightening!  When was the last time you 4 putted and were thankful it wasn’t a 6 putt?  I couldn’t read the greens to save my soul and it was reflected in my shocking score which ended up slightly on the wrong side of 100. OY!

There are a few very memorable holes on this course. Hole #3 is a little par 3 with an island green.  With the wind a factor it was hard to hit and stick but oh so much fun. There is another par 3 on 17 which plays from an aerie across a deep, well treed ravine to a valley green. Although the yardage told me to use a 7 wood I learned my lesson from last year, and actually remembered it, so my driver landed the ball safely just over the back of the green and before the moat. Great. On in two and 4 putts!!!!!

The 18th hole is another unforgettable one. Again you are shooting over a ravine to the fairway where your next shot will be at right angles to the last one. So far my Callaway driver hasn’t failed me there but the dreaded second shot always makes me nervous. My ball lay on the side of the hill on the right of the fairway. And of course my stance ended up in the only dip in the fairway where the grass was struggling with the weeds and the weeds were winning. I thought oh what the heck my score is in the toilet so lets take that nasty 3 wood out of the bag where it has been jailed  for non performance. Well that club connected with the ball as if it impaled it with a homing device to the green! I have finally figured out the secret to hitting that 3 wood. My feet have to be much lower than the ball which should ideally rest on the side of a hill!

All in all it was a most enjoyable round.  It is a diamond in the rough and well worth the pleasant drive to play it. I sure hope you make it out there and let me know what you think. I love it, four putt and all.

Since Columbus has no dining room here is a little tip for a great meal afterward if you are heading back to Whitby. Go to Chatterpaul’s on Brock St. below Rossland.  The menu and ambiance are super. Great food, great staff and close to home. It was the perfect end to the round.

Hmmm maybe it’s time to try out one of the 4 new putters sitting around here or go back to my trusty STX. Nah, I’m sticking with my Bettinardi. It is by far the prettiest one and has a snazzy green grip!

Karon