Course Review: Thames Valley Golf Club, by Jeffrey Reed (September 2005)

Copyright 2005 London Ontario Golf

Opened in 1924 as one of Eastern Canada’s first public golf courses, Thames Valley Golf Club is an anchor of the local golf scene. Boasting 27 holes – the 18-hole Classic layout, and the shorter Hickory nine-hole course – Thames Valley rests idyllically along the banks of the Thames River, and across the river from the popular Springbank Park, and Storybook Gardens. The facility is more than just historic: Thames Valley is a pleasure to play, thanks to thousands of mature trees and top-notch maintenance from tee to green.

Despite hosting nearly 70,000 rounds this season, Thames Valley was in fantastic shape during my round – no wonder it remains ranked as one of Canada’s top public links. There have been 11 major renovations to the course, most recently in the form of a new automated irrigation system in 2003. Thames Valley was originally a nine-hole course, but expanded to 18 in 1927. During the Roaring Twenties, golf legends Gene Sarazen and Sandy Somerville played at least one historic match here. Mike Weir, too, played at Thames Valley – as a junior, during a Tyson Tour event. During WW II, the grounds served as a military base for five years before once again serving the golf-mad population of London. Today, 1,500 members – half of them juniors – enjoy the popular urban-based course, easily accessible by public transit, or mom’s car pool.

Remarkably, Thames Valley has had only three head professionals: John Innes; John Moffat, Sr. (whose son, John Jr. is currently at The Bluffs of Port Stanley); and Fred Kern, who operated the Tyson Tour from 1974 until 2002, and has held the reins as head pro for 35 years.

Back in 1924, golfers would take an electric streetcar to Springbank Park, change into their golf shoes in a pumphouse, cross the Thames on a floating bridge, and pay a green fee of two bits. Today’s Thames Valley patrons pay a little more, but they get their money’s worth – and more. A charming old-school course with tree-hugged fairways and a variety of doglegs, this is a very enjoyable golf course for both beginners and low-handicap golfers.

The par-70 Classic layout measures 5,650, 5,902 and 6,219 yards, and from the tips a number of overhanging trees demand accurate tee shots. Making the turn at 3,248 yards, I had already been delighted with this scenic golf course – and its challenges. Hole No. 4 is a tough 183-yard par-3, uphill to a slick green. At No. 5 it doesn’t get any easier; here you’ll challenge a 411-yard par-4 dogleg right with a green sloping from back to front. No rest at No. 6, a 205-yard par-3 with a two-tiered green sloping to the front.

The back nine of the Classic course measures just 2,971 yards from the tips, thanks to two short par-3s: the 121-yard 12th; and the 141-yard 14th. Don’t underestimate these holes, though: there are well-placed traps ready to grab errant tee shots to two tricky greens. Overall, the greens aren’t super quick at Thames Valley, but all holes demand good course management, and many feature gorgeous but challenging rolling terrain. Finding proper landing areas with your tee shots is paramount to scoring well here.

The real beauty of Thames Valley’s Classic course reveals itself at holes 16, 17 and 18, each resting quietly along the Thames River and across from Springbank Park’s hiking and biking trails. No. 16 is generally considered the course’s signature hole. It’s a par-4 slight dogleg left, with a contoured green bordered by trees on the left and the river on the right – a real beauty.

If you prefer a gentle stroll through the park, interrupted by a relaxed game of golf in a charming old-style setting, then tackle the par-32 Hickory nine at Thames Valley. It measures just 2,270 yards and is a great place for a family to enjoy a round of golf together on a Sunday afternoon. 

History, scenic surroundings and challenging holes from tee to green – what else can you ask from any golf course, let alone one of Canada’s busiest? If you visit London and want a very affordable round of golf but don’t want to compromise quality, then visit Thames Valley GC – a heavily-treed course that seems miles away from the hustle and bustle of city living, yet rests in the heart of London. 

Thames Valley GC
London, Ont. 
519-661-4441
Green Fees:
$31 weekdays, $35 weekends and holidays; Hickory nine $20
www.london.ca/recreation/golf/thamesvalley