There are only a couple of courses in Northern Ontario that offer truly world-class golf experiences. The one that leads the way is Tom McBroom's masterpiece in Thunder Bay on the northern shore of Lake Superior.

The Toronto-based golf course capitalized on the natural beauty of Whitewater's 550-acre site with a stunning mix of mountain vistas, river valley, cliffs and ravines. Here, in the palm of Mother Nature, he routed a walkable 18-hole design through corridors of massive Jack pine groves and down to the edge of the Kaministiquia River, where the fur traders and voyageurs once paddled. The course simply ebbs and flows like very few others with the dynamic diversity of the landscape and over time it should be considered as one of Canada's very best. Prime time green fees range from $53-$79.

It was actually McBroom who cracked through the northern divide when Golf Digest named Timberwolf Golf Club Best New Canadian Course in 2000. This burly 7,100-yard masterpiece on 300 acres in Sudbury was generally been considered the crown jewel of Northern Ontario, until Whitewater opened in 2005. It swoops artfully around the expansive and rugged property and through a number of environmentally protected wetlands that have been strategically designed into the challenging layout. Green fees range from $50-$80.

For years Elliott Lake has been promoting itself as the retirement capital of Ontario. Now it has a championship golf course that should keep residents and visitors active and enjoying the game of golf. Toronto-based architect Ted Baker took a worn-out nine-hole golf course and developed an entirely new layout in what he says is the most beautiful natural setting he has ever been given to work with. Stone Ridge at Elliott Lake is carved from forest and the rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield. The new 5,697 to 6,801-yard, par-72 opened in August 2005 with a brand new clubhouse in place. It can be easily walked and played for the bargain rate of under $50 prime time.

Sault Ste. Marie is home to Crimson Ridge GC, which debuted in 2002. Golf course architect, Kevin Holmes who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, designed the 6,827-yard, par-72 layout. The course cuts dramatically through dense maple, oak and pine forest and along side winding rivers and creeks that have been strategically woven throughout the picturesque routing.

"First and foremost this is a very playable golf course,'' says Holmes. "The owners envisioned a golf course to be enjoyed by the community, a course where families can learn to golf together and have fun, but at the same time if you want to step back to the back tees on any of these holes it's a very challenging golf course."