A Father–Son Session at The Dome – Turning Stone Resort

There’s something about returning to Turning Stone Resort that always feels familiar. Gus and I have played its courses in the sun, the rain, and everything in between — but this time, it was The Dome that called us back. On a cool morning, with a light mist outside, it just felt like the perfect place to shake off the rust and share a few swings together before we hit our round at Shenendoah.

Walking into The Dome is like stepping into a golfer’s playground. The sound of crisp iron shots echoing off the walls, the faint scent of fresh turf, and rows of golfers chasing that perfect strike — it all brings a smile. Gus and I grabbed a bay and settled in, alternating swings, teasing each other about old rounds and mis-hits that have become part of our family golf lore.

What I love most is how golf always finds a way to reconnect us. Between his military reserve schedule and grade 12 and my work, we don’t always get as much time together as we used to. But here, surrounded by the thump of golf balls and the soft glow of TrackMan screens, it felt like we were right back where we left off — just father and son, laughing, competing, and talking about which course we want to tackle next season.

After our session, we lingered for a bit, watching others work on their games and chatting about our favourite Turning Stone rounds — Shenendoah , Atunyote, and that tricky little Sandstone Hollow. The Dome might just be a practice facility on paper, but for us, it’s another chapter in a growing collection of memories that golf keeps writing for us.

Black Desert Resort: A Desert Golf Escape for Canadians

How can you not want to head to Utah to take in the golf at Black Desert Resort after watching the coverage on the Golf Channel, with golf winding down here in Canada it looks like a place I will be putting on my “must play” list.

For Canadian golfers dreaming of year-round play, Black Desert Resort in southern Utah feels like another planet — in the best way. Set among black lava rock and red sandstone cliffs, the contrast of emerald fairways against desert colors is absolutely striking.

The resort’s Tom Weiskopf–designed course — his final masterpiece — winds naturally through the landscape, offering both challenge and beauty in every swing. It’s the kind of course that makes you stop mid-round just to take in the view.

Off the course, Black Desert mixes modern luxury with rugged scenery: sleek rooms, a full spa, rooftop dining, and trails that lead right into the desert. You can golf in the morning, explore nearby Zion National Park in the afternoon, and unwind under a neon sunset at night.

For Canadians escaping the cold, it’s hard to beat — warm weather, world-class golf, and scenery that feels almost unreal. Black Desert isn’t just a resort; it’s a reminder that golf can still surprise you

Father-Son Golf & Baseball Adventures: A Stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame

On our latest father-son golf trip, Gus and I made a small detour that turned into one of the highlights of our journey — our very first visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. We’d talked about it for years, and finally walking through those doors felt like stepping into the heart of the game itself.

Cooperstown has this timeless charm that makes every baseball fan feel at home. The streets were filled with people in their favorite team jerseys — Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Cubs, and even a few Blue Jays like us. There’s something special about being surrounded by fans who all share the same love and respect for the game’s history.

Inside the Hall, it was almost overwhelming how much there was to see. From walls lined with bobbleheads to Shohei Ohtani’s Japanese exhibit showing how far baseball’s reach has grown, every corner told a story. Gus was drawn to the interactive displays and the legends he’s only seen on TV, while I couldn’t help but linger in front of the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos memorabilia. Seeing those familiar logos brought back memories of childhood summers, backyard games, and the moments that made me love baseball in the first place.

We ran out of time long before we were ready to leave. There were still rooms we hadn’t explored and stories we hadn’t read — but that just means we have the perfect excuse to come back.

After leaving the Hall, we headed to the Leatherstocking Golf Club, right on the shores of Otsego Lake. It turned out to be one of the most scenic and enjoyable rounds we’ve ever played together — the kind of round that feels less like a game and more like a memory in the making.

Baseball, golf, and time with my son — it doesn’t get much better than that. This stop in Cooperstown was another chapter in our Father-Son Golf & Baseball Adventures, and one we’ll be talking about for a long time. 

A Perfect Day at Leatherstocking Golf Club with My Son, Gus

 Every so often, a round of golf goes beyond just fairways and greens—it becomes a memory that sticks. That’s exactly what happened when my son Gus and I played Leatherstocking Golf Club in Cooperstown, New York.

From the moment we pulled up, there was something special in the air. The course, tucked along the edge of Otsego Lake, has that classic, old-school feel that makes you slow down and take it all in. Designed over a century ago, it’s the kind of place where every hole feels like it’s been part of the land forever—rolling hills, tall trees, and water views that sneak up on you at just the right moments.

Playing with Gus made it even better. There’s something about being on the course with your kid that hits differently—the quiet moments between shots, the friendly competition, the shared laughs when one of us hits a tree or drains a long putt we had no business making. Leatherstocking has that perfect mix of challenge and charm. The par-3s are beautifully designed, and the 18th hole, with its downhill approach toward the lake, is pure magic. Watching Gus hit his tee shot into that narrow fairway with the lake shimmering behind it is one of those golf moments I’ll never forget.

After the round, we wandered into Cooperstown, which feels like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting. Baseball fans know it for the Hall of Fame, but even if you’ve never picked up a bat, it’s impossible not to fall for the place. The small-town charm, the old buildings, the friendly locals—it all adds to the feeling that you’ve found something timeless. We grabbed a coffee in town at Stagecoach Coffee Shop, talked about our favorite shots, and just enjoyed that easy father-son rhythm that comes after a day well spent.

Leatherstocking isn’t just a great golf course—it’s an experience that feels personal. It’s golf the way it’s meant to be played: scenic, relaxed, and shared with someone you care about.

If I had the chance, I’d play it again in an instant

Revisiting Turning Stone Resort - Father-Son Golf Trip - Oneida County

Father and Son Return to Turning Stone: A Golf Trip Seven Years in the Making

Seven Years can pass in the blink of an eye. The last time my son, Gus, and I teed it up at Turning Stone Resort, he was just 10 years old — more focused on hitting the cart horn and chasing golf balls than keeping score. This fall, we came back, now with Gus in his late teens, ready to take on the big courses for real. What we found was the same world-class golf destination we remembered, but with a whole new sense of fun, challenge, and connection.

The Return to Turning Stone

Turning Stone Resort, in Verona, New York, remains one of the best golf destinations in the Northeast — a mix of championship-calibre courses, top-notch facilities, and the kind of hospitality that makes every visit feel special. For us, it was the perfect setting for a father-and-son golf reunion.

We planned three rounds: the mighty Atunyote, the scenic Shenandoah, and a relaxed late afternoon spin around the par-3 Sandstone Hollow.

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Atunyote – The Big Stage

Our trip started at Atunyote, the crown jewel of Turning Stone and former host of the PGA Tour’s Turning Stone Championship. The moment you turn onto that private entrance road, you know you’re somewhere special.

The course was immaculate(even though it had been recently aerated) — wide fairways framed by pristine bunkering, still fast greens, and flawless conditioning from tee to green. Gus couldn’t get over how “tour-ready” it looked, and I couldn’t help but think how far his game (and patience!) had come since our first visit.

It’s a course that demands respect but rewards good golf shots. We didn’t light up the scoreboard, but we had our moments — a beautiful chip in birdie on the 2nd hole, a clutch par save from the rough on 18. It was golf at its purest — challenging, beautiful, and shared between father and son.

 Hollow – The Perfect Finish

After Atunyote, we decided we needed more golf and shuttled over to play Sandstone Hollow, the resort’s fun and underrated par-3 course designed by Rick Smith. It’s short, scenic, and ideal for winding down the day.

We made a friendly match out of it — no pressure, just some good-natured competition. Gus edged me out by one stroke, earning bragging rights and proving that the student may have finally passed the teacher.

Sandstone Hollow was the perfect closing note for the day— a reminder of how golf brings generations together, from first swings to full-grown games.

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Shenandoah – Rain, Laughs, and Memories

The next day brought steady rain and gray skies, but that didn’t stop us. Shenandoah may not have the tournament pedigree of Atunyote, but it’s every bit as enjoyable. The course twists through wooded terrain and wetlands, offering a mix of strategy and scenery.

Despite the soggy weather, the course held up impressively. The greens rolled true, the fairways drained well, and the staff made sure everyone still felt welcome. Gus and I laughed our way through the puddles — the kind of round that reminds you that golf isn’t just about scores; it’s about stories.

Walking off that final green, I couldn’t help but think back to our first trip — Gus barely tall enough to see over the steering wheel of the golf cart, now driving it like a pro and outdriving me on half the holes. Turning Stone hadn’t changed much: still beautifully maintained, still welcoming, still first-class in every detail. But what had changed was us — and that made the return all the more meaningful.

Turning Stone gave us more than just great golf. It gave us a chance to reconnect, to laugh, and to measure time not in years, but in fairways walked and memories made.

Review of Old Tom Morris at Cullen Links – A Canadian Perspective

Review of Cullen Links – Old Tom Morris - A Canadian Perspective

As a Canadian golf enthusiast accustomed to wide fairways, lush parkland courses, and modern layouts, playing Cullen Links in northeast Scotland was a refreshingly unique experience. This is links golf in its rawest, most traditional form — quirky, historic, and charmingly rugged.

Designed in part by Old Tom Morris, Cullen is short by modern standards (barely 4,600 yards), but don’t let the yardage fool you. The course is carved through dramatic red sandstone cliffs with blind shots, towering rock formations, and fairways that twist and tumble unpredictably. It forces creativity, precision, and a sense of humour — especially when sharing fairways or dodging coastal winds.

From a Canadian lens, it’s like stepping back in time. No GPS, no fancy clubhouse — just pure golf with breathtaking North Sea views. It’s not for everyone, but if you value heritage, challenge, and storytelling over scorecards, Cullen is a hidden gem worth the pilgrimage.

Verdict: A quirky, unforgettable links experience that contrasts beautifully with North American golf sensibilities. Bring your imagination and leave your ego at the first.