A new golf course designed by Doug Carrick has opened at the Friday Harbour resort – developed by Geranium Corporation and Constrada – on the shores of Lake Simcoe, just north of Toronto, Canada.

Formerly flat agricultural landscape has been transformed into the Nest course using two million cubic metres of earth excavated for the resort’s marina. “Dramatic elevation changes and natural landforms mimic a rolling moraine landscape,” said Carrick.

Carrick said his design incorporates a variety of design strategies, including two driveable par fours. There are also four par fives that play in different directions and offer risk and reward options, the longest of which is the undulating 572-yard eleventh. Par threes on the layout include the 145-yard Postage Stamp second and 243-yard Redan-style twelfth.

“The bunkering style was inspired by the closely mown green and bunker environs found on the great sandbelt courses in Australia,” said Carrick. “Greenside bunkers are surrounded by bentgrass and fairway cut extends to the leading edge of fairway bunkers.”

With four greens close to the clubhouse, the routing provides the option of playing three, six, nine, fifteen and eighteen-hole loops. The project also included the design of a driving range, chipping green, practice bunkers and a nine-hole pitch and putt course.