Summary:   Value Rating = A

Stonebridge is a course that is near my home and I play about 6 to 8 rounds there per year – about 60 times since 2001. The course offers a good golf test in terms of playability and challenge.

The course is built in a growing community on what use to be rolling farmland / pasture.  The course is advertised as a parkland and links style course but it lacks a lot of parkland (treed) areas, so it is more of an open links style course.  In this setting you can get some varying conditions in terms of wet / dry, windy / calm and hot / cool.  These factors will affect how you play the course and, along with the condition of the fescue surrounding the course, how well you score.  The combination of a windy and hot day in July and August when the grass is at its thickest can make this course very challenging.  I have seen some very frustrated golfers at the end of a round.

For 2010 they have cut the fescue in many places around the course edges where they use to just let it grow.  I'm sure this will make the course easier to play and improve the pace of play. In the past many errant shots would be difficult, if not impossible to find in the sometimes waist high grass.  Now, these cut areas should allow golfers to find their ball and continue play without undue delay.

The greens have undulations and contours which can make putting a challenge.  I find I play this course well if I can get my approach shots to land near the front of the greens and then use my 7 iron for a chip and run shot to the pin.  If I start aiming for the pins on my approach shots I often end up in a green side bunker, or worse, in the longer grass around the edge of the greens.  The greens can be hard so expect some roll on approach shots.  On some greens, you can’t go long because of the long grass at the back or edges of the greens.

If I play within my capabilities and keep the ball out of the long grass, I can shoot in the mid 80’s – a good score for me at Stonebridge.  I have shot 79 twice (in 2009) on this course.

Stonebridge offers really good value, especially when you purchase the one of their ticket packages or you play during their off-peak or twilight time periods.  One factor to consider when playing this course is whether to walk or ride – it is a good walk given the distances between some of the holes.

Refer to the website for additional details (www.stonebridgegc.com).

Play and Value Evaluation Rating Table

Refer to my evaluation criteria.

Some Details:

From a scenery point of view, there isn’t a lot of beautiful vistas to take in, especially as more houses get built around the course, so Stonebridge gets a low rating for this criteria.  Each year the views change as more homes are built.  You do get to see some nice backyard landscaping so you can pick up some good ideas if you are planning on renovating your property in the future.

Stonebridge is located in south Ottawa in the Barrhaven area.  The course is readily accessible from all parts of the Ottawa area.

The practice green is large and provides a good feel for what you can expect on the course.  There is a separate green area where you can practice your bump and run, chipping and bunker shots.  I would advise that you take advantage of this because you will no doubt have to use those shots when playing Stonebridge.  As of 2009 the driving range has disappeared as the land will be used for more housing – unfortunate as it was a good spot to warm up near the first tee.

The par 3’s can be challenging on windy days.  On particular windy days you can end up using 3 more clubs than usual, especially on the 2nd hole where the wind always seems to be in your face.

The fairways roll gently around the course and you will have some uphill and downhill lies but these aren’t usually severe.  Some bunkers are deep and most are well placed – I typically end up in at least two bunkers on each round I play at Stonebridge.

My scoring average at Stonebridge since they opened is 89 but in 2009 I lowered my scoring average here to 87.  I'm pretty consistent at having at least one penalty stroke at Stonebridge for each round.  If you stay away from the edges of the course you can keep your score down.

Although I have talked about the fescue and long grass, the fairways are generous enough to allow you to spray the ball around a bit.  On some holes I have found that if I play to a certain spot I will increase my chances of getting a par – just more evidence that you need to play within your abilities at Stonebridge.

Water does come into play on many holes to varying extents – all but 2 holes on the front 9, and all but 3 holes on the back 9.

The clubhouse and patio, recent additions, are very nice and we often enjoy a beverage after a round.  The staff is friendly.

My Evaluation Details:

Scenery – Nothing spectacular about the scenery.

Mix of holes – The course has a great mix of long and short holes with many left and right dog legs.  You will use all the clubs in your bag playing from the middle tees (blue and white tees).

Consistency and condition – The course is in great shape.  Later in the year the greens can get a bit chewed up.

Character – the course has offers a nice change from the more traditional parkland courses (like Loch March) that I play in the Ottawa area.  Stonebridge offers a change of pace that we appreciate when we play the course.

Golf Challenge – the course did offer a good blend of decision making places…..

• tee shots – your tee shots are typically hit onto gently rolling fairways that can get narrow in a few of the landing zones on some holes.  Well placed shots will give you a good look at the green.
• fairway shots – typically you will have a good lie in the fairway, sometimes with a gentle uphill or downhill issue to deal with.
• pin placements – large greens offer many pin placement options as well as the undulations and contours on the green.  Some placements can be very tough, especially when the pins are at the back or edges of the green.
• putting – the putting is very consistent across all the greens.  You will find these greens fast, especially in dry conditions. Sometimes the greens can be marked up due to ball marks, either unrepaired or repaired.  The undulations and contours offer lots of putting challenge.
• greens – the condition of the greens vary depending upon the weather and the time of year.  In the spring and wetter times of the year they are softer and the grass is thicker.  During drier times of the year the greens are harder and the grass is thinner.  Given the undulations and contours on most greens you do need to be aware of the condition of the greens the day you are playing.  Wetter conditions will allow you to play high shots which won’t roll or bounce as much as you will see when the course is drier.
• a chance to recover – you can play out of some of the fescue / grass areas in the spring but typically once the grass has grown you will have difficulty even finding your ball.  The grass areas can be deep and thick in places.  If you are fortunate to have your ball rest high in the grass then you can play out, usually aiming to the closest part of the fairway is best.  A lot of the time you have a lost ball – stroke and distance.  If you can’t see your ball, you typically had to step on it to find it during your search.

Other Observations:

The look and feel of the course changes each year as more houses are built around the course.  This of course will stop when all the homes get built. There are a few places where you can strike a house with an errant shot but for the most part the houses are far enough away that you shouldn’t have any trouble.  A really wild slice or hook which might get a wind assist can end up in trouble.

When Stonebridge first opened the course really emphasized pace of play and playing the correct tees.  I have found that they don’t do this as much as they use to in the first 5 years of operation.  I did appreciate a more stringent application of those rules.

If you play smart, by that I mean keeping the ball in the fairway and playing to the front of the green then chipping or running the ball up to the pin, you can score well.  Play smart and within your capabilities and you will avoid the frustrations this course can offer up.  I have heard of players losing 10 balls while playing Stonebridge.

The course is very open with few forested areas – not much shade.  On a hot day walking this course can be somewhat demanding – where a hat and carry water with you.

Here are some photos – typical views of Stonebridge.

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Reach me at Lane@lifepast50.ca