The remnants of human refuse can make for interesting golf courses. Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka in southern Ontario was laid on top of an old sand and gravel pit; most of the mounds you see along the course were old gravel dumps. "One of the first elements that struck me at Fire Rock was the nature of the disturbed land - it had a really fascinating feel to it for us to explore," architect Tom McBroom said about the site.
It's true that you don't necessarily need pristine nature to build an interesting golf course. McBroom did it here by following the natural lay of the old pit in the Oxbow River Valley and leaving the natural savannah grasses and trees, mainly spruce and poplars. Small creeks flow through the layout, which shows off some moderate elevation changes, and there are plenty of "environmentally sensitive" areas - don't want to disturb that old gravel.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club outside London, Ontario, was built on the site of an old sand and gravel pit.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club is located in the Oxbow River valley.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Tom McBroom designed Ontario's Fire Rock Golf Club.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club is marked by moderate elevation changes that follow the contours of old gravel dumps.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada, where Indian artifacts lay alongside of the 10th fairway.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club plays 7,098 yards from the back tees witha a slope rating of 137.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
The closing three holes are among the toughest at Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald / GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Fire Rock Golf Club in Ontario, Canada.
Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com