Ottawa Valley Golf Trail: A Golfer's Guide to Ontario's River Country

Stretching from the banks of the Ottawa River at Sand Point Golf & Country Club in Braeside to the rolling terrain of Irish Hills Golf & Country Club near Carp, the Ottawa Valley Golf Trail offers a compact, rewarding circuit through some of Eastern Ontario's most scenic golfing country.

• Sand Point Golf & Country Club: One of the region's oldest layouts, this 18-hole public course has overlooked the Ottawa River since 1924, delivering classic parkland golf with an unbeatable riverside backdrop.
• Irish Hills Golf & Country Club: A 27-hole facility in Carp featuring an 18-hole championship course and a shorter 9-hole option — ideal for golfers of every ambition level.
• Manderley on the Green: A semi-private 27-hole championship venue in North Gower with roots going back to 1964, offering polished conditioning and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Riverside hospitality: Hotels in Arnprior — several with dedicated golf packages — put multiple Valley courses within easy striking distance, making multi-day trips straightforward to plan.

A logical place to begin the Ottawa Valley trail is Sand Point Golf & Country Club in Braeside, the oldest course on the circuit. Established in 1924, this par-70 layout stretches 6,160 yards along the Ottawa River, and the water views that frame so many of its holes give the round a character that newer courses rarely replicate. Its shorter overall length makes it approachable, but the river's proximity keeps even experienced players honest.

Heading southeast toward the Nation's Capital, Irish Hills Golf & Country Club in Carp offers a more expansive experience. Opened in 1989, the facility's 18-hole championship course plays to a par 70 at 6,637 yards, with a separate 9-hole layout available for those looking for a shorter outing or a warm-up round. The gently rolling terrain of Carp's countryside threads through the design, giving the round an unhurried, pastoral feel that contrasts pleasantly with the precision the championship layout demands.

Rounding out the trail is Manderley on the Green in North Gower, a semi-private club with one of the longer histories in the region, dating to 1964. Its 27-hole setup — anchored by an 18-hole championship course at par 72 and 6,611 yards — suits golfers who want a full-length test without sacrificing hospitality. The semi-private format means visitors are genuinely welcomed, and the course's mature tree lines and well-maintained fairways reward a patient, course-management approach.

Day 1 — Arrive in Arnprior, play Sand Point: Check in at the Ramada by Wyndham Arnprior or the Quality Inn Arnprior, then head directly to Sand Point Golf & Country Club in Braeside for an afternoon round on the Ottawa River. After 18 holes, make for downtown Arnprior and settle in at Urban Angus Steak and Wine for locally sourced cuts, or opt for the more casual energy of Lumbertown Ale House, where 20-plus local craft beers and live Saturday music make for an easy post-round debrief.

Day 2 — Almonte detour, then Manderley: A short drive east leads to the charming mill town of Almonte. Brunch or an early lunch at Joe's Italian Kitchen – Almonte — set inside a heritage woolen mill beside the Mississippi River waterfalls — sets the tone for a leisurely afternoon. From Almonte it's a short drive south to Manderley on the Green in North Gower, where the par-72 championship course offers a satisfying, full-length test. Overnight at the Almonte Riverside Inn (The Monte) for a boutique experience on the Mississippi River.

Day 3 — Irish Hills and the Carp countryside: The final morning brings a round at Irish Hills Golf & Country Club in Carp. Golfers looking to extend play can take on the 9-hole course before or after the main 18-hole layout. Base for the night at Wingate by Wyndham Kanata West Ottawa in Kanata — close to Irish Hills and well-positioned for an early departure. Carleton Place, just a short drive away, rewards an evening visit with acclaimed farm-to-table dining at Black Tartan Kitchen, a fitting close to the trail.

Arnprior serves as the practical hub for golfers targeting the western end of the trail, particularly those planning a round at Sand Point Golf & Country Club. The Ramada by Wyndham Arnprior is a natural anchor: its riverside setting mirrors the scenery golfers find on the course, and its golf packages cover Sand Point along with seven other Ottawa Valley layouts, simplifying the booking process considerably. The Quality Inn Arnprior offers a similar waterfront position with an on-site restaurant and its own golf packages, while the Knights Inn Arnprior provides a budget-friendly alternative just off the Trans-Canada Highway.

Golfers prioritising access to Irish Hills Golf & Country Club will find the Wingate by Wyndham Kanata West Ottawa in Kanata a convenient and comfortable base, with a pool and complimentary breakfast to ease the recovery between rounds. For something more intimate, the Almonte Riverside Inn (The Monte) in Mississippi Mills places guests in a six-room heritage boutique property on the Mississippi River — a memorable counterpoint to a day spent on the fairways.

The Ottawa Valley Golf Trail packs century-old river courses, championship layouts, and genuine small-town hospitality into a loop that rewards both the weekend golfer and the dedicated fairway traveller — all that's needed is a tee time and a route.