Golf in Welland

The story of Rose Brook Golf Course dates back to the late 1960s, when—according to course lore—a retired iron worker who had found success by inventing the popcorn machine set out to turn his lifelong dream of owning a golf course into a reality. In the process of achieving his goal, a course maintenance mishap culminated with the man driving a bulldozer over a 100-foot gorge. The man survived the plunge, the story goes, and drove the heavy machine 2 miles out of the creek before returning to sculpt the rugged earth and relentlessly remind the dozer that it owes him its life. Styling itself as “the working man’s country club” ever since, the course has retained the vision of its founder, as friendly, laid-back vibes resonate across 18 holes of rolling terrain in a diverse, 5,806-yard layout, providing guests a pressure-free respite from their vocations. During each round, players contend with 12 ponds as well as frequent encounters with the aforementioned gorge, which runs across multiple holes and sends shudders down the cybernetic spines of passing golf carts. After their birdie-hunting expedition, clubbers can enjoy succulent meats right off the grill or sudsy beverages to wash down inadvertently swallowed divot tools.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Length of 5,806 yards from the farthest tees
• Three tee options
• Link to scorecard

Nestled against the glistening shores of Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua Point’s nine-hole course stretches across 2,600 yards of century-old fairways. Club-wielding compatriots can loop the picturesque par 35 astride a nimble golf cart, which helps to track down golf balls and flashes its headlights angrily upon any mention of caddies looking for work. For an 18-hole round, golfers traverse the emerald links twice over, allowing them to atone for any misreads or errant approaches made during the first 9. Clients can divide each 18-hole round into two 9-hole outings played on separate occasions, and they may choose to complete their allotted rounds by themselves, with friends, or alongside their evil, argyle-clad alter ego.

Sculpted into the sprawling meadows of the Frederick Law Olmsted Parks, the nine-hole South Park Olmsted Golf Course rises and falls across 2,876 yards of immaculate greenery. The fairway chain wreathes South Park lake, which comes into play on four holes, including a forced-carry tee shot on hole four, which could prove perilous for any golf ball without an unrequited love for marine biology. Delaware Park Olmsted Golf Course's 5,359 yards features open fairways and very few hazards throughout the relatively short layout. Medium-size greens await players at the end of each short-grass corridor, challenging golfers with small target areas and tricky breaking putts.

Before each round, players can warm up their short game at the practice green, which facilitates practice for chipping, putting, and Maypole dancing around flagsticks. An onsite pro shop keeps clubbers equipped with the latest in fairway fashions and gear, and a golf house fuels powerful drives with course-side eats and refreshments.