Road trip to Parry Sound
This week we’re highlighting Parry Sound, Ontario, a quaint town about 2 hours north of Toronto, known mostly as a tourist destination and a jumping off point for cottages on one of the coastal islands in Georgian Bay.
Parry Sound has a population of about 8,000 year-round residents but swells to more than 50,000 during the summer months. Whether arriving by road, water or seaplane, the town and particularly the harbour are always a beehive of activity.
The 30,000 Islands are the main attraction for cottagers, boaters and day-trippers but golf shouldn’t be forgotten. There are three excellent courses close by that are definitely worth a visit and some unique stay-and-play options to consider too.
Parry Sound Golf & Country Club ($77)
One of Tom McBroom’s earliest designs, it defines the themes you see at his other Muskoka projects – lots of exposed rock, dramatic elevation changes and excellent use of ponds and wetlands to guide or amplify the routing which takes you into and out of dense woods where narrow corridors require all the accuracy you can muster. On other holes, the course opens into what at one time was farmland where you skirt water hazards and waste bunkers and rock.
Parry Sound tops out at just under 6,000 yards but it’s quite demanding for a relatively short course. If you enjoy a beverage after your round, the patio overlooking the finishing holes on each nine is a wonderful place to relax. You couldn’t ask for a nicer setting.
Manitou Ridge ($189)
A recent name change – it used to be The Ridge at Manitou – and a new owner haven’t changed the fact that this is an exceptional golf course. Another brilliant Tom McBroom design, Manitou Ridge features all the attributes of a rollicking Canadian Shield course, from plenty of exposed rock to dramatic elevation changes to wetlands, forest and more.
Off the tee, the course is fairly generous, but the raised slick greens, deep bunkers and runoff areas can thwart your attempts at a course record. The par three holes here are particularly strong – the 17th was on my list of Best Par 3 Holes in Muskoka – and there’s no shortage of challenge on the others.
The iconic finishing hole at Manitou Ridge (pictured at top) features one of the most awe-inspiring views in Canadian golf. As you make the turn on the par five and look down the fairway to the final green, take in the gorgeous clubhouse and Manitouwabing Lake glistening in the background. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Manitou Ridge is approximately 30 minutes east of Parry Sound.
Seguin Valley Golf Club ($135)
Seguin Valley may be best known for its iconic 7th hole – a hero shot across the water adjacent to a long causeway. That is a great hole, but there are 17 others that could be Muskoka postcards too, with incredible elevation changes, rumpled fairways with rock outcroppings and no end of surprising twists and turns through the boreal forest.
Through it all, Seguin Valley is player friendly. Bunkers are minimal and wide corridors give way to large sloping greens that have just enough contour to make putting fun. Elevated tees provide majestic views and make you feel like a Long Drive competitor. This is an exciting course to play. Don’t forget your camera.
The rustic 15,000 square foot log clubhouse with its bright red roof has a unique story too. It was built offsite by Mennonites, then disassembled and transported to Seguin Valley where it was re-constructed. Definitely a fun spot to hang out. Seguin Valley is 12 minutes south of Parry Sound.
Places to Eat
The food at all three golf courses is very good and highly recommended. Parry Sound and Seguin Valley present typical clubhouse fare while Manitou Ridge offers more upscale dining with unique menu specials and quite a decent wine selection.
If you’re looking for something beyond the golf course, the Trestle Brewing Company in Parry Sound sits high above town with a spectacular view of the harbour. As its name implies, it’s a craft brewery with its own brands of beer and a delightful menu. https://trestlebrewing.com/
Every good road trip deserves a pizza and I’m happy to recommend Maurizio’s Pizzeria. You can get the usual, but you can also enjoy something completely different like Brother Basil, Cousin Frankie or Sola Salsiccia. https://www.maurizios.ca/
If seaplanes are your thing, Tailwinds Bar & Grill is right on the water, and you can watch planes take off and land right in front of you while you eat. https://www.tailwindsgrill.ca/
No road trip to Parry Sound would be complete without a fresh fish dinner. The most famous spot in the area is Henry’s but it’s at Sans Souci on Frying Pan Island and requires a boat or water taxi. Definitely worth the trip if you can get there but Henry’s has opened a new restaurant right in town called Henry’s Harbour Georgian Bay. I haven’t tried it yet but am looking forward to another great Pickerel dinner. https://henrysharbourgeorgianbay.com/
Places to Stay
Given that it’s a tourist destination, Parry Sound has a wide selection of chain hotels, boutique hostelries and camping areas. Seguin Valley is noted for its stay-and-play accommodations featuring cabins suited for groups from 4 to 24. Manitou Ridge also offers stay-and-play options utilizing local cottages. Friends with cottages work well too.
Other things to do
Getting out on the water is a must if you’re in the area. If you don’t have your own boat, the best way to do that is on the Island Queen, a 550-passenger cruise ship that departs the town dock every day at 1pm for a three-hour adventure through the 30,000 Islands. Stunning scenery in the world’s largest fresh-water archipelago. https://islandqueencruise.com/
Enjoy your travels!
