Fifth hole, 594 yards: Applewood Creek runs directly through the property, meandering in the north alongside the par 5 16th, all the way down past the 17th, cutting across the 18th and first tee before passing by the fifth green and exiting the property in the south as it bisects the eighth hole. In doing so the creek creates a natural hazard that acutely sits on your mind throughout the round. At the par 5 fifth, the winding stream sits parallel to the green and plays an important role in the strategic considerations. From the tee, the golfer must hit through the narrow alleyway, condensed by the tree’d canopy that line each side. On approach the creek comes into play with the green sitting directly against the hazard. Two, deep, green side bunkers pinching this long, and rather narrow looking surface. Internally the green has a strong back-to-front, right-to-left slope which adds to the anxiety of shots coming into and around the green. A small knoll in the rear creates one of the only flat locations on the entire surface, and thus, is a popular pin position, amplifying all of the risky elements to make this one of the most difficult holes on the course.

Sixth hole, 441 yards: Upon walking off the fifth hole, players often turn to face directly into the headwind on this brutish par 4 — delivering the toughest duo of holes back to back, which juxtaposed against the easier duo of the seventh and eighth holes is a well balanced approach to the rhythm of the course. From the tee, the wider corridor allows for a more aggressive strike, although players must avoid the lone fairway bunker up the left — a rarity around Lakeview with most of the bunkers coming into closer to and around the greens. The green is particularly interesting, with internal contouring favouring a distinct front and back tier, coupled with the knoll and false front, dictating much of the play. Players who attempt to run the ball into the open front edge may find themselves staring down an aggressively pitched putt from back to front, or need to elevate the ball around the perimeter to get back on. It’s a precarious hole even if the only daunting visual element is the pure distance from tee to green.

11th hole, 414 yards: At the 11th, the golf course abuts Dixie Road, for which is out of bounds. From the tee, a tall apartment building, deep in the distance, serves as a primary aiming point towards the semi-blind landing zone. There are two bunkers that sit well short of the green — there intention to obscure those who play from the right side close to the road. The green complex rests on the edge of a hillside above the 17th tee where a steep embankment curls across the front and left-rear sides. The internal contouring of this surface exhibiting a right-to-left and back-to-front tilt. While the movement mimics a Redan's ability to pull balls across the green, current tree encroachment and a narrowed fairway neutralizes the strategic intent. A helpful reminder that while the renovation work has restored numerous features and delivered a better experience, further work to improve strategic intent would be welcome.

12th hole, 327 yards: The 12th hole is frequently criticized by visitors, primarily due to a blind tee shot toward a fairway positioned perpendicular to the teeing ground. Unlike typical uphill blind shots, the downhill nature of this design creates a disorienting visual profile. Yet, its tenants mirror that of the eighth hole at Cypress Point; whereby the large shoulder obstructs the fairway from view off the tee which similarly sits perpendicular and downhill to the line of play. The approach requires a short, uphill (and blind!) strike to a small defended green.

Few architects would have the bold courage to build a hole like the 12th (or eighth at CPC), as such, the hole lends itself to be one that is largely uncelebrated. While such quirky geometry is rarity in golf architecture this particular design prioritizes positional discipline over visual comfort. Rewarding players who understand the specific topography of the valley and can control shot distances.

16th hole, 477 yards: With Lakeview being a hair under 6300 yards from the back tees, it often opens the door for golfers to get a stroke back. But it’s never an easy task — the course demands execution. Take the par 5 16th hole for example — while not a three shot hole on paper the natural curvature of the creek, combined with the overhanging woodland that covers the adjoining hillside, requires proper placement and certain length from the tee to have chance at going for it in two. However, this landing area is largely blind from the tee, and the cascading land gently trundles shots ever closer to the confluence of the valley, creek, and trajectory of the extended canopy. Upon navigating all of this the green is similarly constructed to that of the fifth hole. Placement against the creek, bunker composition, and internally contouring mimic the adept demands.

17th hole, 95 yards: Sometimes the hardest holes are the shortest ones. Even though the 17th’s green is rather large in its composition, its position above the surrounds, and safely guarded by a bunker in the front, one in the rear, and one off its back-right side all make it appear smaller. For a majority of players today, a shot of less than 100 yards is often less than a full wedge strike, making this little one a particularly tricky endeavour. During the remediation work for the creek, architect Cam Tyers worked diligently to rebuild the green, bunkers, and surrounds to historical accuracy. And by doing so also removed the dreaded alternate hole, 17B, that was used occasionally, and covering over the large pond that it played over. Improving the overall aesthetic and experience of the golf course.

18th hole, 370 yards: It could be said that every great Championship test requires a strong closing hole. Something that plays stout, and has one or two features that could put a title on the line. To build such, Strong added a back tee up above 17th green alongside the second fairway — measuring at some 440 yards from this position made this was one of the longest par fours in Canada during its formative years. Cam Tyers similarly reintroduced this teeing ground, which sits adjacent to the second fairway, during the renovation. Even though this feature has been allowed to grow over in subsequent years, the finishing hole still provides that mighty assessment on players key abilities. The drive must carry and avoid the creek which cuts across and then runs parallel to the line of play. Set well above the fairway, the green is precariously perched right along a steep embankment which rejects those shots hit with a faint heart. A thumb print like indentation up front, accompanied by the blind intricacies of the pin positions beyond and unseen internal contours puts further emphasis on hitting distances. It's an appropriate end to a round that featured such detailed variety requiring all aspects of the game to be in alignment for those who wish to score well.

Through it all, Lakeview stands as a shinning example of what municipalities can offer, and ultimately do to improve their golf courses. While not perfect or complete, the work carried out has impressively improved the on course product, elevating the stature into one that should rank on Top 100 lists in this country.