John Daly's Thundering Waters Golf Club disappoints in Niagara Falls
By Chris Baldwin,
Senior Writer
PGA Tour star John Daly's Thundering Waters Golf Club in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is the newest and best golf in this ever-expanding casino region. But in reality, the young golf course is not ready to live up to all the hype yet.
NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario - Thundering Waters Golf Club plays up its ties to Niagara Falls so much that you could be excused for thinking you're going to be bombing drives over the tourists on those Maid of the Mist boat.
Golf course designer John Daly tried to clear The Falls in a big-splash (this one literal) opening ceremony (though he wasn't close to course property while doing it, or close to making it). Thundering Waters Web site touts that it's "only 1,500 yards from The Falls." It also includes pictures that make it seem like you can see Niagara Falls from the course (not happening without a helicopter).
Even the golf course's logo is one tall waterfall.
This all might work for marketing. But it tends to leave golfers who actually pay to play Thundering Waters disappointed.
"Where are The Falls?" golfer Pak Chung asked as he putted out on 16. "I think it's geographically impossible to see them from here."
Nothing like waiting and waiting for a sighting that's never going to come. But this isn't Thundering Waters biggest downfall.
You could play a golf course called Thundering Waters that doesn't have any thundering water in sight and still leave happy. In the end, it's not about The Falls. It's about the course.
Thundering Waters does not get golfers excited just because they think they might swing through some Falls mist (fat chance). It intrigues golfers because it's the first John Daly "signature" design in Canada - and one of his few designs anywhere. Few pro athletes have captured the public's attention like Daly and recreational golfers just expect his courses to be good.
 Why? That's a good question. It's not like Daly is known for his architectural mind or his attention to detail, even in the often absentee world of celebrity golf architects.
Everyone thinks they'll be grip it and rip it holes where the ordinary hacker can play bomber.
Thundering Waters has a few of these crowd pleasers, like No. 7, a par 4 that's only 261 yards from the blue tees, where most golfers will play the course from. This hole begs you to go for it with more fervor than a nerd pleads for a prom date.
Of course, the "easy reach" green happens to be tucked back behind a little pond. Miss hit even a little and your shot is bound to sail, roll or trickle right into the water.
Golfers love it all the same.
"This is the kind of hole you come to a John Daly course to play," vacationing golfer Paul Dimos said.
Unfortunately, Thundering Waters does not have nearly enough of these holes. Or enough holes where the average golfer holds a real fighting chance in general. Turns out that John Daly - that larger than life character you'd expect to pat you on the back in a bar - mostly smashes you over the head at Thundering Waters.
 This course is full of sloping fairways, devilish bunkers, rolling hills, fescue grass, tall trees, hard-to-read greens and awkward lies. Mr. Grip It & Rip It gives you few big driving openings and fewer chances to recover if you do go wild.
Thundering Waters is bound to kick the vacation fun right out of you. Bogey by bogey. Lost ball by lost ball. That 149 slope rating from the tips is no misprint.
The pain would be fine if the course was a little more interesting. Instead the holes tend to start blending together. Sure No. 2, the 637-yard par 5 that adds a ravine drop right in front of the green to its ridiculous length, jolts you to attention.
But by the time you get to the 442-yard 12th, you're just wondering when you can stop trying to play hero.
It doesn't help that Thundering Waters is in anything but perfect condition. Parts of the ground are rock hard. Others are squishy soft. There are streaks of brown and then nice perfect green. You'll never forget that Thundering Waters is a course that's only three years old.
It often adds up to tough shots made tougher.
You won't see Niagara Falls at Thundering Waters, but when the round's done you may feel like you threw yourself over it in a barrel.
Thundering Waters Golf Club: The verdict
Thundering Waters is often touted as the newest and best course in the expanding Niagara Falls casino region. In reality, it's a young course that's not ready to live up to all the hype yet.
 Which doesn't necessarily mean you should automatically cross it off your list. It is in a very peaceful woodsy setting with no houses anywhere around and plenty of small creeks. It's also one of the closest golf courses to the casino Falls area. In around five minutes, you can go from your hotel parking lot to the Thundering Waters bag drop.
And while Thundering Waters is expensive for this part of Ontario - $89 U.S. in the high summer season - it's hardly a daunting price for those used to resort destinations like Scottsdale and Las Vegas. You can play for about $70 U.S. in twilight times.
For that, a course with potential and serene setting may be enough.
Go to Thundering Waters aware of its flaws, knowing that you're going to be beat up a little, and you won't leave cursing Daly. Or those MIA waterfalls.
Niagara Falls hotels
Fallsview Casino features the best hotel in the area, but the Marriott Renaissance right across the street is a nice option too. Just don't feel the need to splurge on a Falls' view room. The views are not that great and you'll likely find a lot more enjoyable ways to spend the extra $100 per night you save by going city view.
Niagara Falls restaurants
You'll never mistake this town for Toronto. Distinctive dining is not its thing. Instead you'll chose from many of the usual chain restaurants. For a better chain choice, go with Wolfgang Puck's Grand Café.
It's not a Vegas Wolfgang. But the service is friendly and everything's relaxed.
Fast Fact
While Daly is credited as the course designer, Bo Danoff is listed as the golf course architect and he did most of the day-to-day work on this 7,208-yard monster.
December 31, 2007
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
|
COURSE REVIEWS
