On the road to Belleville, Ontario

There was a time when Belleville was primarily thought of as a convenient stop along Highway 401 — somewhere between Toronto, Kingston and Ottawa. Golfers, however, have increasingly discovered a different reason to stop: Belleville and the surrounding Bay of Quinte region have quietly developed into one of Eastern Ontario’s most attractive golf destinations.

The appeal is not simply the number of courses. It is the combination of quality, variety, value and convenience. The Bay of Quinte tourism organization currently highlights 12 courses in its core golf destination program, while broader regional tourism material counts considerably more courses across the wider area. The result is an unusually concentrated collection of public golf, with several courses capable of standing on their own as destination attractions.

And Belleville makes an excellent base. The city sits on the Bay of Quinte, has a compact and walkable downtown, a growing food and beverage scene, waterfront parks and easy access to Prince Edward County, one of the province’s premier wine regions. Belleville is roughly a two-hour drive from Toronto.

For golfers looking for a long weekend rather than a single round, that combination is hard to beat.

The Courses

Black Bear Ridge
Corbyville, ON
18 Holes / Green fee: $106-116 walking

The headline attraction in the Belleville region is definitely Black Bear Ridge in Corbyville, just north of town. It’s the course that put the region on the national golf map. Opened in 2005, the 18-hole Magee Championship Course was designed by founder Brian Magee, who worked from the property’s rolling terrain and his own experience playing some of the world’s best courses. The result is a big, dramatic parkland course with substantial elevation changes and expansive views.

From the back tees it stretches to more than 7,000 yards, but six sets of tees make it playable for a much broader range of golfers. The course is currently ranked as Canada’s 19th-best public course and No. 1 in Eastern Ontario, based on its SCOREGolf ranking.

Black Bear Ridge is also increasingly a golf resort, rather than simply a golf course. Three luxury homes can accommodate groups ranging from couples to large golf parties, with the accommodations located close to the first tee. There is also a nine-hole Academy Short Course, making Black Bear Ridge an unusually complete golf destination for groups of different abilities.

Trillium Wood Golf Club
Corbyville, ON
18 Holes / Green fee: $84 walking

Trillium Wood has a distinctly different personality from Black Bear Ridge. It is a scenic, wooded course where rolling terrain, elevated tees, ponds and large greens create a series of individual golf holes. The course measures from about 4,900 to 6,700 yards and plays to a par 72 and was on our list of 2025 Best Value Courses in Ontario

One of its charms is the feeling of isolation. Although it is close to Belleville, many holes feel as though they are tucked away in their own piece of countryside. The layout makes particularly good use of elevation and natural vegetation, and the large greens can make putting and approach shots considerably more interesting than the scorecard might suggest.

Bay of Quinte Golf & Country Club
Belleville, ON
36 Holes / Green fee: South Course – $70-75 walking / North Course – $115-125 walking

Bay of Quinte has been part of the region’s golf story since 1921. In 2026, the club is transitioning to a 36-hole golf destination, combining its historic South Course with a new North Course. The new layout is a modern par 72 with six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s, and is intended to complement the character of the original course.

I haven’t played the new North Course yet, but a friend played it recently and was raved about it.

Timber Ridge Golf Course
Brighton, ON
18 Holes / Green fee: $85-95 walking

Timber Ridge is a public-access treasure that blends natural beauty with strategic design. Spanning 200 acres, the course features bent grass greens and tees, lush fairways and tall fescue that frames many holes. Designed by Steven Ward of Golfplan Associates, it opened for play in August 2001 and stretches up to 6,633 yards from the back tees, traversing heavily wooded terrain that emphasizes accuracy over power. The par-4 13th is the signature hole and features a dramatic 75-foot drop from tee to fairway.

Timber Ridge prides itself on delivering a private club atmosphere to public players, with top-tier conditioning, friendly staff, and a welcoming vibe. The course was included in our 2025 list of Best Value Courses in Ontario. It’s a must-play for anyone seeking quality golf in Eastern Ontario.

Oak Hills Golf Club
Stirling, ON
36 Holes / Green fee: $56-61 includes cart

Oak Hills adds another intriguing option. With two 18-hole courses, Oak Hills is particularly useful for a group that wants to play 36 holes in a day or simply wants a little more choice. The Highland and Glen courses offer different lengths and challenges, making this more of a golf-workhorse destination than a single signature-course experience.

Belleville Beyond the Golf Course

One of Belleville’s biggest advantages as a golf destination is that there is actually something to do when the clubs are put away. Belleville’s historic downtown follows the Moira River and offers restaurants, cafés, shops, patios and access to the waterfront. The city’s relationship with the water is one of its defining characteristics, and the waterfront is particularly appealing after a round.

Food and drink are increasingly important parts of the Bay of Quinte experience. The wider region has developed a strong farm-to-table culinary culture, along with wineries, cider producers and craft breweries. Prince Edward County, immediately east of Belleville, is the obvious extension to the trip, particularly for visitors who want to add wine tasting, restaurants and scenic country roads to their golf itinerary.

The region’s natural attractions also deserve attention. Boating, fishing, kayaking and cycling are all popular around the Bay of Quinte, while nearby conservation areas provide opportunities for walking and wildlife watching. Presqu’ile Provincial Park, near Brighton, is another worthwhile side trip, particularly for visitors who enjoy beaches and nature. Destination Ontario lists it among the region’s key attractions.

And don’t overlook Belleville’s farmers’ market. The city’s historic market in Market Square is a year-round gathering place for locally grown and locally made products and is an easy addition to a morning downtown.

The easiest way to approach Belleville is to think of it as a base rather than a single-course destination. A three-night stay could easily include Black Bear Ridge, Trillium Wood and Bay of Quinte, with Timber Ridge or Oak Hills added for a fourth round. Alternatively, a couple could play two or three rounds and devote the rest of the weekend to Belleville, the waterfront and Prince Edward County.

That flexibility is one of the region’s greatest strengths. The other advantage is value. Compared with some of Ontario’s better-known golf destinations, the Bay of Quinte has generally maintained a more accessible public-golf price point, while offering courses that can legitimately compete with more expensive destinations.

Belleville may not yet have the instant recognition of Muskoka, Niagara or Prince Edward County but that may actually be part of its charm. The city occupies a sweet spot: close enough to make the drive easy, far enough away to feel like a getaway, and surrounded by enough good golf to justify packing the clubs. Add a waterfront downtown, interesting history, good food, nearby wine country and plenty of outdoor recreation, and Belleville becomes more than a place to play golf. It becomes a place to spend a few days.

For more info on any of the courses mentioned here, click on course name or image.