Royal Ashburn Golfer

Stay, Play and Explore in York Durham Headwaters

Posted : May 16, 2023

Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.

So, you’re finally able to book that first tee time of the season that you’ve been dreaming of all winter. Summer golf is here in York Durham Headwaters. With our network of courses for all skill levels and desired experiences—from public courses to executive to world renowned—we invite you to get out there and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine on the green. These YDH golf courses offer accommodations, and are located close to some of the best attractions and eats around. Stay, play and explore this summer in York Durham Headwaters!

Hockley Valley

93522 3rd Line EHS, Mono

Hockley Valley Resort Golfer

This well-loved destination in Headwaters is an 18-hole championship golf course that is both challenging and gorgeously scenic. Headwaters region, of which Hockley Valley sits right in the middle, is famous for its rolling hills and dramatic landscapes. Its emerald-bent grass fairways were designed by Canadian course architect Thomas McBroom, who skillfully incorporated them into the natural landscape. So, whether you’re putting like a pro or learning the basics of your swing, you will enjoy your day on this golf course no matter how your game went.

Your stay at Hockley Valley Resort and Spa will be a luxurious experience. With its modern amenities (such as a gym, full-service spa, sauna, and both an indoor and outdoor pool) and fabulous valley views, you can choose from rooms that are more value-focused to decadent, multilevel suites. It all depends on what suits your needs and desires. Hockley also boasts three dining options with a distinct farm-to-fork and local artisan tradition: Babbo lounge, Restaurant 85 and the Cabin. Book your stay and play package for the ultimate experience in rejuvenation.

Hockley Valley is also close to some wonderful attractions that you can enjoy in between your rounds:

  • Adamo Estate Winery – This premier winery and vineyard adjacent to the resort has turned more than a few heads in the international wine lovers’ community. The estate is comprised of 18 beautiful acres of cultivated vineyard, with winemaking facilities located on the grounds in a visually stunning building. Stay for a meal or stop in for a tasting. These award-winning wines will tickle your tastebuds.
  • Island Lake Conservation Area – Escaping urban life to revel in nature’s glory gives us the chance to reconnect with our natural world, with ourselves, and to celebrate the majesty of Ontario’s rugged, raw beauty. The Island Lake Conservation Area in Orangeville provides the perfect spot for an unforgettable day trip to rejuvenate the mind and soul, get active, and be dazzled by scenic views.
  • Town of Orangeville – Celebrate a strong sense of community spirit as you browse the many wonderful shops and stops of Orangeville. From live theatre to heritage walking tours to renowned tree sculptures, this picturesque town is full of charm. You’ll love the endless stores with unique finds, locally-made goods, and exceptional cultural appeal.
  • Museum of Dufferin – This gorgeous local museum features four galleries and four historic buildings that host permanent, long-term and short-term exhibitions and art shows. Here, you will find the largest collection in the world of cornflower glass, which manufacture is connected to the area. At MoD, local history comes to life.
  • Schitts Creek Motel – Stop in here for a cool photo op on the set of the beloved television series starring Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. There is no better way to commemorate your Stay, Play and Explore experience than with a picture of this iconic piece of Canadian pop culture, located at 308399 Hockley Rd. in Orangeville.

When you’re hungry, be sure to stop in at one of these fabulous eateries for a taste of something unique:

  • Greystones Restaurant and Lounge – a place where you can be in the warm company of friends and family, surrounded by authentic Georgian heritage ambience (and maybe even a resident ghost or two!)
  • Rustik – serving up local dishes and farm-fresh fare in the heart of historic downtown Broadway
  • Bluebird Café and Grill – discover the Bluebird difference with this eatery’s long tradition of using only the freshest quality ingredients. All items are prepared in-house for a culinary experience you are not likely to forget.
  • Revival 1863 – this authentic speakeasy is sure to impress. Upscale, elegant, and equally eclectic, this prohibition-inspired lounge is where the cocktails flow and the music is lively.

Royal Ashburn Golf Club

995 Myrtle Rd. W., Whitby

Royal Ashburn Golf Club

In the spring of 1962, The Royal Ashburn Golf Club opened as an 18-hole facility, and has since developed into a world-class destination, ranked among the Top 50 public golf courses in Canada. With five sets of tees ranging from 4,896 to 7,104 yards, it is perfect for avid golf players. You will find an enjoyable, well-conditioned course that flows naturally over gently rolling terrain, with fairway corridors embraced by mature trees, ponds and a meandering creek. This is a truly wonderful parkland golfing experience.

Royal Ashburn Golf Club is proud to offer modern cabin rentals to guests as accommodations with their stay and play golf packages. A staycation like no other, Royal Ashburn provides an experience that will bring you and your group back, creating lasting memories year after year. For those avid golf fans, you can book a Stay and Play package directly with Royal Ashburn so that you’re as close to the action as you can get. Royal Ashburn will work with you to create the perfect packages to fit your specific needs and goals.

When your round is done, check out what’s nearby:

  • Slabtown Cider Co. – This family owned and operated orchard and cidery in Uxbridge is authentic to the core, and is dedicated to preserving Canada’s cider heritage with the largest collection of unique heirloom apple cider varieties. Come for a taste, stay for a delicious meal, and take the harvest back to your room with you to enjoy in the evening.
  • Heber Downs Conservation Area – Awaiting you in between rounds is 284 hectares of groomed trails and natural spaces that offer a variety of activities for the recreation-minded. Explore the ponds, experience the floating docks, go fishing, and have a picnic. These are all great ways to wind down after your day on the green.
  • Village of Brooklin – This quaint village in North Whitby boasts fabulous dining opportunities like Corrado’s Restaurant and Bar which serves authentic Italian fare, and The Brooklin Pub where you will find all of your favourite pub classics. There’s lots more to find in Brooklin, so make sure you check out all the options. You’ve worked up an appetite on the golf course, now reward yourself with an evening in the village.
  • Ocala Winery and Orchards – Of course we recommend the wine at Ocala, but this vineyard—which has been operating since 1912 and happens to be the only one of its kind in Durham Region—is also a great photo opportunity to commemorate your stay and play experience. In May, the apple and plum blossoms are breathtaking!

Wooden Sticks

40 Elgin Park Dr., Uxbridge

Woodensticks

Perched atop the undulating acres of Uxbridge, Wooden Sticks is a golf course built for golfers with high expectations. The course is a wonderful blend of original holes and eight replicas of those featured regularly in pro tournaments around the world. The rolling landscape provides golfers with a layout that blends a little taste of Scotland, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Southern Ontario all in one locale. Wooden Sticks is a little bit Augusta, a little bit St. Andrews and many places in between.

Wooden Sticks offers six on-site luxury cabins, each of which features two bedrooms with two beds each, two bathrooms, and a comfortable common area and wet bar. If you want to stay and play, consider Wooden Stick’s 36 hole “Stay and Play” package which includes two 18-hole rounds of golf, shared power carts, and full use of the practice facilities.

Satiate your golfer’s post-game appetite with fare from one of Uxbridge’s fantastic eateries:

  • Urban Pantry – a contemporary Canadian, farm to table, full-service restaurant that will please any palate.
  • Tin Restaurant – Take a seat on the patio or inside this quaint euro-style establishment in the heart of downtown Uxbridge.  Offering a broad menu selection, many visit for the authentic Italian-style pastas and artisan pizza! 
  • Jurgen’s Deli – A great lunch spot where you can get the most authentic smoked meat on rye this side of Montreal, and it always comes with the traditional creamy coleslaw or try some delicious homemade soup.  Looking to grab a lunch to go, or enjoy a quick bite on the patio, this is the perfect stop.

After you’ve taken care of those pesky little hunger pangs, stay and explore all that Uxbridge has to offer:

  • The Second Wedge Brewing Company – What’s a day of golf without drinks on the patio afterwards? Located in the heart of Downtown Uxbridge, this amazing craft brewery is a local favourite that combines a love of the Oak Ridges Moraine, its fresh water sources and a desire to bring the best beer to the downtown area. Second Wedge Brewery offers a tasting room with a selection of brews on tap, and has a stunning, cycle-friendly patio.
  • Uxbridge Historical Centre – Established in 1972, the Uxbridge Historical Centre preserves the history and heritage of the Township of Uxbridge.  Located on a 5-acre site that overlooks the beautiful Uxbridge Valley and Oak Ridges Moraine, the UHC consists of 10 buildings and more than 10,000 artifacts and 6,000 archives. 
  • Trails Galore! – Did you know that Uxbridge holds the official designation of Trail Capital of Canada? With over 330 kilometres of groomed and ungroomed trails, this network is a collaboration of several different authorities and features a series of high quality maps for users to plan their trail routes ahead of time.
  • Uxbridge Public Art Tour – Uxbridge is home to over 25 indoor and outdoor art installations, many created by internationally renowned artists who reside in Uxbridge. Choose from a self-guided downtown walking tour, or follow a tour through the countryside by bike or car. Don’t forget those photos, too! You’ll want to remember your day of staying, playing and exploring in this quintessential small town.

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