Public – Golf – Hamilton

“There is no reason why you should not have one of the finest golf courses in North America.”

—Harry Colt, 1914

27 Holes of Genius

That’s Hamilton Golf and Country Club, a timeless parkland design, with 18 holes designed by Harry Colt, one of the game’s most celebrated architects.

The 18 holes that make up the West and South courses were designed by Colt and opened in 1915. Charles Allison, Colt’s design partner, noted the club should purchase some adjacent land for an additional nine. Robbie Robinson, a Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and protégé of Canadian course architect Stanley Thompson, developed the East course, which opened in 1973.

Rolling Parkland

Hamilton is designed on land perfectly appointed for golf. Rolling with spectacular vistas, the course is readily walkable, but the dramatic valleys are the canvas for stunning holes that will remain indelibly etched on your memory. From the third hole on the West course, which plunges into a valley punctuated by a meandering stream, to the drama of the 9th hole on the South course, the closer on the original nine, Hamilton remains a memorable challenge.

Golf Course Restoration

Starting in the fall of 2019, Martin Ebert of the UK-based design firm Mackenzie & Ebert, International Golf Course Architects, guided an historic renovation of the club’s 27 holes.

The goal of the ambitious restoration was to include many of the classic features initially designed by Colt that were lost to time, and establish continuity with East course, initially crafted by Robbie Robinson.

The $11-million renovation, which took two years to complete, was awarded the “Best New Restoration” by Golf Digest for 2022. The result was a complete rebuild of all 27 greens, extensive bunker adjustments, while sympathetically returning many of the key design elements from the course’s past.

“Hamilton was already an exceptional course and the changes really put it over the top.”

—Golf Digest Course Ranking Panelist

West Course Tour

South Course Tour

East Course Tour

Course Designers

Harry Colt

One of the most celebrated designers in golf history, Colt was the long-time secretary at London’s Sunningdale Golf Club. While working at Sunningdale, he devised some of the best golf courses in the game, including British Open sites like Royal Portrush, Royal Liverpool, as well as work on Royal Country Down and Pine Valley, both considered two of the best in the world.

Robbie Robinson

A protégé of Stanley Thompson, and noted for his work on courses like Highlands Links, Robinson was hired by Hamilton to build its third nine, the East Course. Recognized for his use of the natural terrain, Robinson is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Martin Ebert

Having established his reputation working with celebrated architect Donald Steel, Martin partnered with Tom Mackenzie to create a firm based on classic golf design. Ebert and Mackenzie are entrusted with work on some of the most legendary courses in the world, including work on eight of ten Open Championship venues like Royal Troon, Royal Portrush, Carnoustie, and Turnberry. In 2019, Martin led the restoration of Hamilton, which was completed in 2022.

Caddies

Caddies are as essential a component to club culture today at Hamilton as they were more than a century ago. Today’s caddie program utilizes young people within the local community, offering them insights into the traditions and values golf instills, while making money from a valuable summer job. The club’s caddie program is open to teens from 12 to 17.

Short Course

Crafted as a tribute to Harry Colt, who created the original 18 holes at Hamilton, the club’s Short Course uses many of the designer’s concepts. Opened in 2011, the nine-hole course uses Colt’s international designs for inspiration, including Royal Portrush’s famed 16th hole, “Calamity,” as well as the short 10th hole at Pine Valley Golf Club, where Colt consulted.