Rain or shine, Deerhurst Resort delivers a great Muskoka golf vacation in Huntsville, Ontario

HUNTSVILLE, Ont. – It’s too bad the rain washed away my round after nine holes on the Highland Course at Deerhurst Resort.

The course, designed by Bob Cupp and Thomas McBroom in 1990, rates as one of the best golf courses in Canada. ScoreGolf ranks it No. 58 among the country’s top 100 courses, public or private. Check out the beautiful par-3 eighth hole above.

Washouts are always a bummer for golfers, but they don’t have to be at Deerhurst, one of Canada’s best golf resorts. Deerhurst, bought by Skyline Hotels & Resorts last year, is an iconic destination that hosted the 2010 G8 Summit attended by Barack Obama and other world leaders. I’m certainly not a VIP on that level, but Deerhurst still made me feel that way.

After a wet nine holes, I retreated to the clubhouse to enjoy a fine spinach salad for lunch at Steamers Restaurant & Bar, while sitting by the fireplace. Later this afternoon, I washed away my stress at the Shizen Spa. I was the guinea pig on a new treatment called “Improve Your Back Nine.” It had never been done on a spa customer before. I’m convinced it should be a prerequisite for golfers like me who swing too much.

Designed to erase muscle tension, the treatment starts with a stimulating back exfoliation followed by a soothing back massage. Then the therapist massaged and stretched my legs. Spa Manager Anne Brobyn said the treatment was brought from St. Andrews in Scotland.

It was a great way to prepare for the spectacular golf I’m scheduled to see the rest of the week at Bigwin Island, Taboo Golf Resort & Spa and Muskoka Bay, three more courses ranked among the top 100 in Canada.

I just finished a great meal at Steamers back inside the same clubhouse, which transforms into a classy steakhouse at night. It was my second straight world-class dinner at the resort. I splurged on the “Land and Sea” entree at Eclipse the night before, followed by the creme brulee cheesecake.

As a nightcap, I’m going to the live show “Decades,” a high-energy blast of music and fun. This Deerhurst entertainment venue is where Shania Twain, Canada’s beautiful country singer, got her big break in the industry back in 1990. I had a crush on Shania when I was growing up. Sorry, Shania, but my new crush is Deerhurst.

Rain tried to dampen my enthusiasm about Muskoka, but it just reinforced the notion that this place rocks, no matter the weather. It has been a perfect day the Deerhurst way.