Ontario Golf's top 50 courses 2009 released

The biannual ratings of the top courses in the province of Ontario has been released from Ontario Golf magazine.

To nobody's surprise the glorious St. George's Golf and Country Club in Etobicoke has defended its title as the top course in the province. This is no surprise as the course is poised to host it first Canadian Open since the sixties in 2010, and challenge the world's top professional golfers.

The National Golf Club of Canada was rated second and the Hamilton Golf and Country Club rounded out the top 3.

For some interesting perspective on the list, check out Robert Thompson's thoughts on the top 50 courses list and his selections. Here is a preview:

So what caught my eye?

• The split between the National and St. George’s — essentially both courses are practically tied for first place.
• Oviinbyrd moving into the Top 10. A pretty quiet club that hasn’t made most lists simply because raters aren’t exactly welcomed with wide open arms. Note there are three Muskoka courses in the Top 10 and five in the Top 20. Are 25% of the best courses actually located in Muskoka? Really?
• Is Mississaugua, even with new greens, the 15th best course in the province? To my mind I don’t think it is better than Scarboro, which is more than 10 spots lower.
• Essex at 20? I really liked the course, but it would slot 20 spots lower on my list. I think you’d be hard pressed to argue it is better than Rosedale, which is WAY too low at 37. Essex was ranked #1 in the province by a judge — again (same judge as last time.)