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While enjoying a cocktail after a round at my home club the Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club my buddy Al asked me if I had been over to play his club, the Oslerbrook Golf and Country Club.

"I have not yet Al. Are you inviting me? I quickly responded. "If you give us a plug on your newsletter I will even treat you," replied Al.

"Are you strictly a private club, or is there an opportunity for people visiting the area to access the course through local stay and play packages?" I asked.

"Stay and Play is certainly an option," said Al, "We have members from all over southern Ontario and we would like to have more so we would like you to help us get the word out."

Fast forward one week and we are teeing up on the Niagara Escarpment overlooking the Town of Collingwood and Georgian Bay. As you make your way up the mile long (and 260 foot elevation change) drive to the clubhouse the excitement of playing this Graham Cooke designed course rises as well. The course is situated on 230 acres of what was once known as the Rock Bottom Farm. Cooke did a masterful job in working with the raw materials that mother-nature provided him. Many of the rocks on the site were used to create walls and rock features evident throughout the round.

However Superintendent Jay Honeyball has taken it to a whole new level. While strolling the fairways and greens you can't help but notice the abundance of natural vegetation, ponds, wetlands, wildlife habitats and environmental zones that have been maintained and undisturbed. Because of their concern for the environment, Oslerbrook has now been designated as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary."

The course was designed with every level of golfer in mind. Six sets of tees allow golfers to challenge the course from a distance and degree of difficulty that best suits their game. The course stretches out to just over 7,000 yards and for those brave enough to tee it up from back tips you are looking at a course rating of 74.4 and a slope of 147.

Very early in your round you will realize that the course is a thinking man's (or woman's) course. Positioning off the tee is essential to scoring well. The landing areas would be considered fairly generous however straying too far off the fairway will surely lead to big numbers. The greens are large and considering that the course is located on an escarpment Cooke did an excellent job at making them fair while shaping them to keep you thinking about the terrain while you eye down your put.

What makes this course stand out?
1) Beautiful vistas, both looking up the Escarpment and overlooking Georgian Bay
2) Great variety of holes including the risk reward variety.
3) Memorable par 3's.
4) Friendly staff
5) Practice Facility second to none!
6) Beautiful clubhouse with excellent food.
7) The course is walkable

Oslerbrook is a private club built, owned and operated by the members for the members, and the pride of membership shows from the moment you enter the property.

Looking to improve your game? The outstanding practice facility is also home to the Oslerbrook Golf Academy directed by one of Canada's most renowned instructor, Tom Jackson. The Academy delivers high quality instruction with cutting-edge technology on one of the most spectacular practice facilities in Canada. Tom himself brings nearly two decades of experience as a touring pro and premier golf instructor, having studied with legendary golfers and teachers such as David Leadbetter and George Knudson.

Oslerbrook currently has approximately 425 members and is looking to achieve a membership in the 650 range. If you live in southern Ontario and are looking for a special place to call your golf home this Oslerbrook Golf Club might just be worth checking out. Membership also provides limited playing privileges at outstanding Greater Toronto area courses such as York Downs Golf & Country Club, Weston Golf & Country Club, Thornhill Golf & Country Club, and Summit Golf & Country Club.

Visitors to the Collingwood and Blue Mountain area may have the opportunity to play the Oslerbrook Golf Club on a Stay and Play Package with the Westin Resort at Blue Mountain.

For more information on membership at the prestigious Oslerbrook Golf & Country Club visit www.oslerbrook.com or call Read Hilton at 1-800-616-4623.