Timberwolf Golf Club: Golf on a Grand Northern Scale

Course at a Glance

Location: Garson, Greater Sudbury, Ontario
Architect: Thomas McBroom
Opened: 1998
Type: Public Golf Course
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yardage: Black: 7,083 / Gold: 6,535 / Green: 6,054 / Silver: 5,427 / Red: 5,123 / White: 4,710
The Course: Relatively flat with wetlands, streams and white birch forest. Generous fairways and large greens fit and flow naturally in the rugged Canadian Shield landscape.
Rates: M-T $65 walking / FSS $77 Walking
Date Played: August 2026

My Review

There are golf courses that happen to be located in the North, and then there are courses that feel as though they couldn’t exist anywhere else. Timberwolf Golf Club in Garson, just outside Sudbury, belongs firmly in the second category.

Designed by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom and opened in the late 1990s, Timberwolf was built on an enormous tract of Northern Ontario landscape. The scale is immediately apparent. The course occupies roughly three times the land area of other courses in the Sudbury region, creating something that has become increasingly rare in modern golf: genuine separation between holes and a feeling of being alone in the landscape.

The setting is quintessentially Northern Ontario. White birch, wetlands, streams, exposed rock and native vegetation are fundamental to its character. Accordingly, McBroom used the existing landscape to create a layout in which the natural environment is constantly part of the golfer’s decision-making.

That sense of space is one of Timberwolf’s defining characteristics. Each hole has room to breathe, and the next fairway is often hidden from view. The result is a round that feels more like a journey through the wilderness than a conventional suburban golf experience.

Generous landing areas encourage players to swing confidently from the tee, but the challenge becomes evident on approach shots. Massive greens—some exceeding 9,000 square feet—feature subtle ridges and multiple levels that demand precision. Miss on the wrong side of the hole and three-putts are a distinct possibility.

The layout possesses a combination of length, conditioning and strategic interest required of a true championship venue. The course never feels overly penal. Wide fairways offer room to recover, and many holes reward thoughtful course management more than brute strength.

Timberwolf Golf Club is part of the Golf Sudbury family of courses, which includes five distinct properties in the region. The club is owned and operated by Sam Yawney, a passionate advocate for golf in Northern Ontario. Under Yawney’s leadership, Timberwolf has become a flagship destination for both local players and visitors willing to make the trek north.

Yawney has been candid about the challenges of attracting golfers from southern Ontario, noting that many players are hesitant to travel north despite Timberwolf’s quality. “It’s obviously a great golf course,” he said, “but when you mention Sudbury to most Toronto people, they think you’re talking about the Arctic Circle”.

Nevertheless, Timberwolf continually draws praise from those who make the journey, and its reputation as a must-play course is a constant.

My Favourite Holes

No. 1 – Par 5

The opening hole immediately introduces McBroom’s philosophy. Reachable for long hitters, it tempts players to attack in two, but wetlands and deep bunkers punish poor decisions. The enormous green leaves a memorable first impression.

No. 5 – Par 4

Often considered one of the most photographed holes on the property, the elevated tee provides sweeping views across forests, exposed Canadian Shield and an adjacent lake. The drive on this short hole must find a generous fairway before an approach to a well-protected green. Many visitors will have their cameras out on this hole.

No. 7 – Par 4

Considered one of the toughest holes on the course, the tee shot is framed by a lake on the left and trees on the right. The approach is uphill to another massive green guarded in front by a huge gaping bunker and falling away on both sides.

No. 11 – Par 5

The distinctive feature on this par 5 is large patches of exposed rock, especially the one that frames a bunker close to the green. This will be a three-shotter for all but the longest hitters. One of the prettiest holes on the course.

No. 15 – Par 3

Perhaps the course’s most distinctive green, this mammoth putting surface approaches 9,000 square feet. Club selection is only the first challenge – finding the correct section of the green is equally important. Long putts of 60 feet or more are common.

No. 18 – Par 5

A fitting conclusion, the finishing hole demands one final accurate drive before crossing a wetland and climbing toward the clubhouse. The patio overlooking the green provides an appreciative audience for dramatic finishes.

Final Thoughts

Perhaps the greatest pleasure at Timberwolf, however, is not any single signature hole. It is the variety created by the routing. One moment the golfer is surrounded by forest and birch; the next, the landscape opens around a wetland or rock formation. Wildlife and the absence of residential development reinforce the feeling that the golf course is part of the wilderness rather than imposed upon it.

The course is a bold expression of Northern Ontario’s natural beauty and golfing potential. Through McBroom’s visionary design, the course offers a rare combination of solitude, scale, and strategic challenge. Whether you’re a seasoned player seeking a new challenge or a nature lover looking to experience golf in its most immersive form, Timberwolf delivers an unforgettable journey.

For more information about Timberwolf, click HERE.