Course Review: Forest City National Golf Club, by Jeffrey Reed (July 2005)

Copyright 2005 London Ontario Golf

Famous for its six scenic holes along Fanshawe Lake, dense areas of mature trees, perfectly manicured fairways and greens, and extensive practice facility, Forest City National Golf Club is a London gem. The Holmes family ownership group welcomes the opportunity to advertise FCN as ranked at 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest, and rightfully so. It’s one of the most beautiful – and challenging – golf courses in all of Ontario.

No surprise, FCN has hosted more than its share of big-name golf tournaments in recent years, including the 1994 and ‘95 Ontario Open, 1998 CPGA Championship, 2000 OUAA Championship, 2002 Canadian Amputee National Open Championship, and recent Great Lakes Tour events. It is also home to about 70 charity golf tournaments per season, thanks to its golfer-friendly atmosphere and gorgeous conditions.

Established in 1993, FCN opened 18 holes during the spring of 1994 at a cost of close to $5 million. Michael Hurdzan and the Gateman Milloy Construction company, who helped build Devil’s Pulpit, also had a hand in creating FCN. Resting on 200 rural acres, FCN boasts bent grass tees, fairways and greens along with bluegrass rough areas and high growing fescues in natural areas. Golfers are often delighted to spot foxes, white-tailed deer and migrating birds while challenging this track.

I wanted FCN to flex its muscles and show its truest challenge, so I played the par-72 championship tees, one of five sets of tees measuring from 5,119 yards to 7,200 yards. Conditions were ideal, yet the course lived up to its reputation as perhaps the toughest track in London.

One highlight of my round was a near eagle at hole No. 15, FCN’s signature hole. I birdied the par-5, 525-yard hole thanks to a gamble on my tee shot, but it could have been a round-breaking risk. From the tee, you are offered two distinct fairways to play to, separated by a bunker and a ribbon of rough. The safe play calls for a short layup on your second shot, then an easy wedge into a green sloping from back to front. The risk-reward gamble offers a tee shot well to the right onto a narrow landing area guarded by a lake. What’s left is a 200-yard shot to the green which is now very shallow and well guarded by front bunkers. Thanks to a perfect 2-iron approach, I was able to birdie this adventurous hole.

Fast, undulating greens are the norm at FCN, and the fairways are some of the best you will find anywhere – perfectly maintained by a solid grounds crew. The staff and management at FCN are also first-class, making your round an enjoyable one. A driving range and teaching centre are also top-notch, as is the clubhouse with 100-seat lounge overlooking Fanshawe Lake.

Included with your green fee is a golf cart uniquely equipped with a GPS system which provides accurate yardage on each and every shot, adding even more fun to your day at FCN.

If you’re visiting London, or if you play just a few rounds of golf in London each summer, treat yourself to a round at Forest City National Golf Club. It’s a big reason why local golf has a lot of which to be proud. 

Forest City National GC
London, Ont.
519-451-0994
Guest Fees:
A variety of rates from $41.55 Early Bird (6 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. weekdays) to $64.64 Sunday & Holidays. Prices include range balls, plus power cart with GPS.
www.forestcitynational.com