My full review for this course can be located on Canadian Golf Magazine. With an opportunity to play Angus Glen South Course one week before the start of the Pan Am Games this was a unique chance to see a championship course ready for some of the world’s best. The results are impressive.
The renovation work – for those familiar with the course – reduced the number of bunkers, reshaped greens, added vistas off the tee and strengthened ongoing water management making the course even more environmentally friendly than before. Jeff Brooke features the environmental stewardship very well in his recent article for SCOREGolf. 
The facilities are world class and the layout is impressive with the course meandering north and south of Major Mackenzie Drive in Markham, Ontario. With excellent conditioning, subtle elevation changes and generous landing areas the course is uniquely positioned to provide an appropriate challenge for the championship player while remaining playable for the public player. Four tee boxes provide an appropriate test for all golfers.
The greens are the best I have experienced in some time. While generous in size, they are fair in their slope and definitely were rolling at a championship speed. Most holes have a very generous landing but require thought off the tee with trouble lurking on one side on many holes.
Each hole has strong visual appeal and provides opportunity for scoring but is quick to penalize errant shots with rough, environmental areas and bunkering which will challenge.
Aura – 9 out of 10 – Playing a course which has hosted the Canadian Open and was prepared to host many of the world’s best following a massive and aggressive renovation effort creates excitement.
Value (cost / experience) – 7 out of 10. It is a public course, but not inexpensive. But the experience was sensational and for those seeking a bucket list experience that combines quality golf with a top quality experience this is worthy of consideration.
Course Condition (fairways/greens, layout) – 9 out of 10 – The greens were the best I had played all year. The course was in championship condition and the detail around bunkering and fairway conditioning was superb.
Overall Experience (how did the round make me feel; would I return) – Angus Glen is a quality, championship golf facility. The south course renovations will afford a playable experience for the public player and a strong test of golf for the championship golfer. I love the opportunity to play where the pros play. – 8.5 out of 10
Highlight (what is great about the course) – I really enjoyed the far stretches of the course on the back nine. Personal favourites of mine were the par 4, 13th hole and the par 5 14th hole which play at the northwest portion of the property. Both holes provide an exceptional look off the tee and well played tee shots can offer scoring opportunities. Once away from Major Mackenzie Drive and set along rural fields, the feeling of isolation and solitude set alongside a championship course was a treat.
Recommendation (magic wand…what would I change) – I acknowledge this is not a muni seeking to cram players onto its courses but one idea I have is The Canadian Open Experience Pass. Basically, it would be a day-long experience with play on both courses, lunch, swag and course materials which outline their history and highlights. The marketing department can thank me.
So You Know – The South Course hosted the Canadian Open in 2002. Not to be outdone, the North Course hosted the Open in 2007.
