Name: Bloomington Downs Golf Club
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario (~40 minutes northeast of Toronto)
Type: Public
Holes: 18 (2x9)
Length and Par: 5463-6034 yards / 72
Tees: (Shortest to Longest): Red, White
Website:
http://www.millergroup.ca/golf_recreation/
Bloomington Downs is located on the southeast corner of Bayview Ave and
Bloomington Road in the Town of Richmond Hill. We offer a number of
activities for all members of your family, including an 18 hole par 72 golf course,
an 18 hole miniature golf course, a five station batting cage (set up
for both softball and hardball), a large floodlit driving range with a
combination of both artificial turf and grass tees, practice sand traps,
putting greens and a licensed snack bar with outside patio area. -www.millergroup.ca/golf_recreation/
Course Layout: 
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Overall Rating: 3.9 out of 5
Bloomington Downs is a course that I've played many times over the years, in all conditions, seasons, etc, and is one that I play when I "want to get back into the groove of golf". The course is medium length and designed for players of all skill level. Despite this though, it still does offer challenges at certain holes. Apart from the course, it also offers a great driving range with grass tees and mats, a reasonable but smaller clubhouse with good food, putting/chipping facilities, and even a batting cage. The staff are also very friendly and welcoming.
The course is made up of 18-holes, with each one close to the next. To reach the fairway requires a generally straight shot on most holes, as a slice or mis-hit shot could easily land you in forest or the adjacent hole's fairway. The 17th hole particularly, a 365-yard straight par 4, runs parallel to Bayview Ave., and is a mere 100 feet right of it. It does make you feel a bit worrisome, as the thought of a bad tee shot landing on the road or nearby houses always lingers in your head.
From my last outing, I noticed that parts of the course don't drain too well. Bunkers were full of water on some of the holes and the rough around the greens was muddy to say the least. This may have been due to the large amount of rainfall Toronto has been having recently, but I'll have to check again in my next review of this course. Other than that, the course is well maintained (i.e. trimmed fairway/greens, nice tee boxes, etc). The beverage cart also comes around often, which you don't find at too many courses now.
The course is also pretty busy at certain times, especially the weekends. It's not too common to arrive at the first tee on a Saturday afternoon only to find one or two other groups waiting at the tee, or having to wait to take your approach shot while the group ahead finishes putting out. This business may be due to the very reasonable price; $65 is the most you'll ever pay, which is for a weekend round of 18, with a power cart. They also offer very good specials; $38 for 18 after 3PM, $23 for 9 during the week, and much more.
There are also some very nice holes throughout the course, especially the par threes, two which play over water, and one that players over a valley. The best hole of the course, by far, is the 5th hole, a 512-yard slight dogleg right par 5. Personally, this is hands down one of the best par 5's I've ever played. The hole starts off open and plays uphill for about 280 yards. When you reach the top of the hill, the hole begins to play downhill with a curve to the right with the fairway becoming tree lined as you go down, all playing to a smaller green, partially covered by the right side of the tree-lined fairway. Going for the green in two requires a well placed tee shot to the top of the hill, then a daring second shot partially over the right side of the tree-lined fairway
Bloomington Downs Golf Club 5th hole - 512 yards - Par 5
Overall, Bloomington Downs is a good course for everyone to play and very good for the price, as long as you are weary of what time you play at and the weather conditions.
-Nick
