Top 10 GTA Public Golf Courses

Toronto Star's Bogeyman Disappoints with "Top 10" List

Rain destroyed any chance of playing golf this weekend, so instead of the usual post-game account, I decided to discuss something that's been on my mind for a few weeks.

Not long ago, the Toronto Star published the most recent version of its annual golf magazine. Like versions of years past, Golf 2008 offers fantastic listings of golf courses, both public and private, covering all of Southern Ontario. It's an indispensable resource, especially for public course players like me, who enjoy playing a wide variety of courses.

Aside from the course listings and accompanying maps, I was very interested in one of the feature articles - a ranking of the Top 10 Greater Toronto Area public golf courses by the Bogeyman (a.k.a Bob Marshall). Here's his list:

BOGEYMAN'S TOP 10: GTA PUBLIC COURSES

1. Bond Head North
2. Eagles Nest
3. Copper Creek
4. Wooden Sticks
5. Glen Abbey
6. Lionhead Legends
7. Angus Glen South
8. Woodington Lake
9. Osprey Valley
10.Royal Ontario

Just for comparison, consider the next list - a ranking of the GTA public courses with the most expensive green fees (2008 prime rates, excluding taxes):

PARCHASER'S MOST EXPENSIVE: GTA PUBLIC COURSES

1. Glen Abbey - $235
2. Wooden Sticks - $220
3. Eagles Nest - $185
4. Angus Glen - $175
5. Lionhead - $175
6. Bond Head - $165
7. Copper Creek - $165
8. Royal Ontario - $109
9. Nobleton Lakes - $100
10.Royal Woodbine - $100
11.Osprey Valley - $95
12.Woodington Lake - $94.28

Did you notice anything? The Bogeyman's Top 10 are among the twelve most expensive courses in the GTA. If "top" meant "priciest" then the Bogeyman would be right on the money. However, I think most people equate "top" with "best". By this definition, Mr. Marshall's list is troubling.

It seems highly coincidental that the priciest courses make up the entire Top 10. Wouldn't you expect more moderately priced courses to occupy at least a spot or two on the list? Wouldn't you expect at least one highly priced course to miss the cut?

I would, and I'm not alone. Rob Thompson writes a golf column for the National Post and has contributed to various other publications. In an article at OntGolf.ca, he describes the Bogeyman's list as "gag-inducing". He also suggests that the Bogeyman should go back into retirement.

I'm not sure that "gag-inducing" is accurate, but I know one thing. If the Bogeyman intends to golf at his Top 10 during retirement, he better have a sizable nest-egg set aside. Then again, maybe the courses will be kind enough to waive his green fees as a show of thanks for his endorsement.