Thunder Bay Golfing

July 18th, 2023

Golfing in Thunder Bay is bound to give you, your family, and friends a memorable experience that will be cherished for a lifetime. The city of Thunder Bay has many golf courses to choose from and all of them are vastly different from one another. They can range from municipally to publicly owned, 9 holes to 18 holes, or a view of the gorgeous Nor’Westor mountain range to a magical sight of the Sleeping Giant. Though it sounds like a lot to choose from, don’t worry, to help narrow down the perfect golfing location, here is the low-down on all the options for Thunder Bay Golfing.

9-Hole Courses

In total, Thunder Bay has six 9-hole courses for you to choose from. They are spread out all around the city at different locations, nestled among tranquil nature found only in Northern Ontario. Each course, though the same in the fact they are all 9 holes, vary in size and bring a different challenge to your game wherever you go. Whether it’s wide or narrow fairways, or sand bunkers following your shot as you come closer and closer to the green, these courses may be small, but they are mighty, providing an exciting challenge at every location you go to.

Among the 9-hole golf courses that you can find in Thunder Bay, some of them include Dragon Hills Golf Course, Thunder Bay Country Club, Northern Lights Golf Course, Centennial Golf Course, St. Urho’s Golf Course, and Emerald Greens Golf Course.

Each of these locations has their own unique features from their fairways to greens that will bring a little something to your game. Not to mention, many of these courses have a fully licensed clubhouse for you and your friends or family to relax after your game with a fully loaded meal and an ice-cold drink of your choice.

If you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon with amazing views of Thunder Bay’s extraordinary landscape and a game of golf that will playfully challenge you while you laugh and have a good time with your friends and family, then any of these 9-hole courses is the place for you.

18-Hole Courses

When it comes to the 18-hole golf courses of Thunder Bay, in total there are 4 located around the city. These courses are both Municipally and privately owned and offer wildly unique experiences at each one of them. Wondering what the differences are? Don’t worry about that, here are descriptions of each course and what they offer so that you are able to go into your game with the best possible knowledge to find the perfect fit for you.

Municipal Golf Courses

Chapples Golf Course is an 18-hole, 6207-yard, Par 71 course. It is suitable for all ages and skill levels and offers a practice range. Amenities include a driving range, putting green, 25 Yamaha gas golf carts, pull carts, full pro shop services, Clubhouse lounge is licensed and offers a light lunch and snack bar services.

Strathcona Golf Course on the other hand is a challenging 18-hole, 6509-yard, Par 72 course built on rolling wooded terrain in the northwest part of Thunder Bay. Amenities include putting green, one stall hitting net for practice, four sets of tee boxes, full pro shop services including club and cart rentals, clubhouse lounge is fully licensed and offers a light lunch and snack bar services.

Public Golf Courses

When it comes to publicly owned courses in Thunder Bay, Fort William Golf and Country Club and Whitewater Golf Club are the resident locations. Both courses are located on the outskirts of the city. Each of these clubs are situated right next to a Thunder Bay natural wonder, whether that is the gorgeous whitewater rapids of the Kaministiquia River (Whitewater Golf Club), or rested at the base of the majestic Nor’Westor mountains (Fort William Golf and Country Club), these two courses have a playing experience that you will not forget in a hurry and it will leave you with memories that you will retell guaranteed.

The Whitewater Golf Club can be found heading east out of the city and into the Thunder Bay countryside. This courses’ yardage is marked to the middle of the green and is anywhere between 5601 and 7293 depending on the tee you shoot from, with a total par of 72. The neatly cut fairways are narrow in width, which presents you with a challenge in and of itself. However, along with being narrow, these fairways come with a lot more surprises.

Bordering these fairways is the obviously thick forestry that you will find all over the area of Thunder Bay. However, Whitewater Golf Club also has the Kaministiquia River cascading beside the whole course. You will also have sand bunkers testing your skills all along the fairway and up to the green. Whitewater Golf Club will surely test your already profound skills and maybe teach you a thing or two!

For more detailed information on Whitewater Golf Club click here.

Fort William Golf and Country Club located going southeast out of the city and into the beautiful Northern Ontario mountains, is a total between 5271 and 6,665 yards and a par 72 course. The fairways are on the narrower side, but they are fairly wide leading up to the green, but the holes are equipped with sand bunkers scattered around the greens, with little lakes to accompany them, making your game at Fort William Golf and Country Club an exciting one to dare.

Since the Fort William Golf and Country Club has sights through each hole that are absolutely remarkable. The Nor Westor’s will soar above you, dressed in the neon colours of autumn or summer leaves. Not to mention the wildlife that can be spotted on the course and playing in the wind above. If the game itself doesn’t provide you with the relaxation and break from reality that it normally does, the environment that Fort William Golf and Country Club provides for each of their guests will do the trick.

For more detailed information on Fort William Golf and Country Club click here.

Both Whitewater Golf Club and Fort William Golf and Country Club have clubhouses and patios as well. Each one is fully licensed, and has a tremendous, delicious menu that will be a great end to your unforgettable game.