Course Review: Echo Valley Golf Club, by Jeffrey Reed (May 2005)

Copyright 2005 London Ontario Golf

If you like to walk the course, make no mistake about it: Echo Valley Golf Club, just west of London, is not for the faint of heart. Gorgeous rolling terrain is seductive, yet it provides a challenging test of golf at this semi-private club established in 1971.

In 2004, I purchased a membership at Echo Valley for three reasons. It offers a challenging layout, much-improved since Brian Ublansky purchased the club in 2001. It boasts one of only 22 CPGA Master Professionals – head pro Bruce Atkins, a 28-year club member. And it provides an ultra fitness challenge, making a 6,450-yard round from tips seem more like 7,000 yards.

One of the top semi-private clubs in all of Ontario, Echo Valley has a true private-club feel, thanks to its amenities, save for the cozy clubhouse and banquet facilities. However, the staff are always friendly and courteous, and superintendent Scott Gardner and crew do an incredible job keeping the course in immaculate condition.

Sadly, Strathroy golf course architect and friend, Rene Muylaert, passed away earlier this month. He recommended many of the upgrades come to fruition. There are new bunkers of Ohio white sand, new championship tees at the par-4, 386-yard 15th hole, and an irrigation pond bordering the 15th and 16th holes. The tough opening hole, a par-4, 440-yard test, is now without a swamp but still provides a round-opening challenge. And despite the deletion of its dogleg right, the uphill 332-yard 4th hole requires a long, accurate tee shot for a chance at birdie.

Measuring from 5,519 to 6,450 yards, this par-71 course is one of the hilliest you will ever encounter in your travels, but it’s worth the challenge, thanks to the beauty and brawn of the upper section, and the valley portion of the former farmland. You can argue, the only negatives about the layout are the relatively easy birdie opportunities at the 395-yard 6th hole, and 407-yard 7th hole, both featuring generous fairways. However, newly-planted trees and upgrades to bunker placements will change that scenario. And besides, once you have climbed holes 2 and 4, and descended No. 3, those generous fairways aren’t so forgiving. The same can be said for No. 17, a 141-yard slightly uphill par-3 listed as Echo Valley’s easiest hole but following a winding, uphill path from the No. 16 green. No surprise, there’s a bench halfway up the hill. What is surprising is that I aced No. 17 last year for my first hole-in-one.

You would think No. 17 would be my favourite hole, but I really enjoy No. 3, a 492-yard par-5 dogleg right offering a good opportunity for birdie with a strong drive; and No. 15, a dogleg left over the large irrigation pond. Both of these downhill holes offer breathtaking views. The signature hole at Echo Valley is the 171-yard 12th, a pretty hole requiring pinpoint accuracy off the tee to a green fronted by an unforgiving ravine.

Echo Valley GC sees about 30,000 rounds per season. I, for one, intend to contribute to that number upon every opportunity. Beautiful, idyllic, serene – yet challenging – Echo Valley is the perfect place for me to hang my hat.

Echo Valley GC
Lambeth, Ont.
519-472-2760
Guest Fees:
$33 weekday, $38 Friday-Sunday, cart $32
www.echovalleygolfclub.com