Granite Hills Golf Club has five holes that run parallel to Lac du Bonnet, six that include a pond, while the others incorporate huge rocky outcrops from the Canadian Shield. There are plenty of elevation changes with well-defined tree-lined fairways and 35 bunkers to test your accuracy. The quarry sand is course but easy to hit out of.
The first two holes are both 400-yard par-4s so you need to bring out the driver right from the start. Architect Les Ferber admitted that he modeled the third hole after the 18th at Pebble Beach which has now been fondly nicknamed “Pebble Beach of the North”. This par-5 dogleg left around the shoreline that ends with a long slender green that juts out to a peninsula.
Hole #13 has a dramatic 40-foot rocky outcrop on the corner of this dogleg left. The tee blocks on 14 are the highest elevation on the course with the lake forming an impressive backdrop.
The finishing four holes maybe the strongest you will find anywhere. The 15th is a downhill par-5 dogleg right that shows off the lake and lodging. The 16th is a par-4 that doglegs left around the shoreline and the 18th is carved out of the granite face with water running down the entire left side.
In my opinion Granite Hills is underrated and should be seriously considered in the top 100 public golf courses in Canada. A definite must-play.