The Marshes Golf Course
Closed For The Season
The land on which The Marshes now stands presented course designers Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and Sr. with an equally unusual and remarkable site. Featuring an abundance of natural beauty in the form of wetlands, meadows, and hardwood forests, the aim was to preserve the area’s innate charms, while also adding the qualities that would make it a visually and strategically outstanding golf course.
The Marshes has been carefully routed around the land’s natural features, offering players of all calibers a chance to marvel at both the natural and technical ingenuity of its design. Not only has the course qualified as an Audubon Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary Course, but it’s a championship style golf course that has hosted five PGA of Canada Senior Championships in addition to many local and provincial amateur championships.
Play-by-Play
The first six holes at The Marshes wind through hardwood forest and meadow. Creating this rolling terrain among the rocky, tree-studded landscape required considerable sculpting. The design philosophy called for many bent grass chipping areas around generously contoured greens. The ninth and eighteenth greens share a putting surface that occupies 30,000 sq. ft, an apt metaphor for the entire golf course design, which is big by any standard, including standards of innovation.
With as many as five tee decks per hole, The Marshes will challenge, reward and accommodate golfers of every caliber. The course design recognized that the landscape presented a number of nooks and crannies ideally suited for par 3's. As a result, The Marshes features a somewhat unusual balance of six par-three, six par-four and six par-five holes.
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TOUR THE MARSHES
A stunning view of the 18-holes from our Championship Marshes Golf Course!
HOLE 1
We start off with a tame dog-leg right. Try to favour the left side of the fairway from the tee box. For your approach, the centre of the green is where you want to be, but placing it short of the putting surface is better than shooting long or to the right.
HOLE 2
Bring all that you’ve got in the bag because this is the longest hole in Ottawa. The right side is wet all the way to the green so favour the left and use the banks to help navigate. You’re wise to take three shots to get home; par here is an accomplishment.
HOLE 3
If you miss the green from the tee, miss it short and you’ll still have a good chance to save par. Overshooting or missing to the left or right are all nasty outcomes.
HOLE 4
On this par 5, be sure to choose a target carefully as the tee naturally aligns you down the right side and makes out of bounds a factor. Because this hole usually plays down wind you can reach the green in two shots, but note that there’s a bail out area to the right across a meandering stream. The green is elevated so consider a lofted club for your third shot.
HOLE 5
Multiple tee boxes and centennial oaks make this one of our most spectacular locations. Distance control and confidence will be rewarded here—particularly because a long spine runs diagonally across the green.
HOLE 6
Guided through a shoot of oaks and maples, a right-to-left tee shot will improve your lie as you approach a green that is surrounded by mounds and plenty of bunkers.
HOLE 7
Risk reward is the name of the game here. Be bold and hit straight at the Brookstreet Hotel to better your chances for birdie. To play it safe, a shot to left side of the fairway is preferred.
HOLE 8
This is a straightforward hole with no tricks so try to go close for a birdie. Placing it below the flag is preferred. Keep in mind that the wind can swirl between the buildings.
HOLE 9
Position is everything on this par 5. Aim a little left of centre off the tee to where the fairway offers up a generous landing area. On your second shot, favour the right side of the fairway. Prepare for the shared green on a 30,000-square-foot putting surface.
HOLE 10
This par 5 isn’t the longest but is bordered by water all the way on the left. There is more room than you might think for your second shot – the fairway slopes towards the water. Do take all three shots to be on the green in regulation.
HOLE 11
Control and precision are required to make the most this short but skill-testing hole. Keep the ball in play; the smallest green on the course will reward good wedge accuracy.
HOLE 12
This is one of our most variable par 3 holes, where six tee box locations mean you can play it long (230 yards) or short (99 yards). Do your best to get close to the hole, however, because the green has many levels to it.
HOLE 13
Caution: the water is closer than it may appear. A well-struck tee shot will clear this hazard, however, and a left-of-centre line will allow for a straight shot to the flag. Be wary of the bunker complexes on the right.
HOLE 14
This par 5 can be reached with two good shots. Off the tee, hit the middle of the fairway and then determine wind direction. Keep in mind that the marshy area is just in front of the putting surface. Typically, three to get on and one putt is the safest route to a birdie.
HOLE 15
HOLE 16
From the tee box, take aim at the building in the distance. This par 5 has a stream that flows through the fairway, so stay dry. Left of the fairway is no man’s land for the entire length of the hole. Shoot right of the first set of bunkers and left of the second set. The putting surface is longer than it is wide so accuracy here will be rewarded.
HOLE 17
The final par 3 features a kidney-shaped green with several possible flag positions. There is no “good” location for missing the green on this hole and the bunkers are deep so be sure to determine your yardage.
HOLE 18
Your final challenge of the day will require both control and distance for a finish in style. A well-struck drive should carry the centre fairway bunker. This long par 4 will generally play against the wind and the wetlands are very much in play so to end your round on a high be crafty and take a four any way you can.