Ian Andrew, a 59-year-old Canadian golf course architect, has become the leading expert for PGA-level renovations in Canada, having revamped three of the last four Canadian Open venues. His recent work on TPC Toronto’s North Course, part of Osprey Valley, aimed to challenge professional golfers like Rory McIlroy and Nick Taylor by narrowing fairways and strategically placing bunkers to reward bold play. The renovation, completed in 2023, was commissioned by Osprey Valley president Chris Humeniuk to transform the course into a championship-level venue accessible to the public, adapting it to modern professional golf distances.
Canada’s go-to guy for PGA-level golf course renovations likes to reward boldness
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Ian Andrew, a 59-year-old Canadian golf course architect, has become the leading expert for PGA-level renovations in Canada, having revamped three of the last four Canadian Open venues. His recent work on TPC Toronto’s North Course, part of Osprey Valley, aimed to challenge professional golfers like Rory McIlroy and Nick Taylor by narrowing fairways and strategically placing bunkers to reward bold play. The renovation, completed in 2023, was commissioned by Osprey Valley president Chris Humeniuk to transform the course into a championship-level venue accessible to the public, adapting it to modern professional golf distances.
- 1 1989: Ian Andrew joined Doug Carrick's firm.
- 2 2001: The North Course opened.
- 3 2005: Ian Andrew went solo.
- 4 2023: Renovation of TPC Toronto’s North Course was completed.
- 5 Wednesday: Taylor Pendrith played a pro-am round on the renovated course.
- The North Course is now a more challenging test for professional golfers, validated by player feedback.
- The course is suitable for hosting the Canadian Open.
- The design rewards boldness and strategic play.
What: Ian Andrew, a golf course architect, renovated TPC Toronto’s North Course to make it a PGA-level championship course that challenges professional golfers and rewards bold play.
When: The renovation was completed two years ago (2023); the North Course originally opened in 2001; Andrew joined Carrick’s firm in 1989 and went solo in 2005; Taylor Pendrith played a pro-am round on Wednesday.
Where: TPC Toronto’s North Course, Osprey Valley, Caledon, Ontario, Canada.
Why: The renovation was undertaken to adapt the course to modern professional golf distances (as pros now average 300 yards off the tee, up from 280 yards in 2001), to create a championship-level course that the public can also play, and to provide an adequate test for world-class golfers.
How: Andrew narrowed fairways, strategically placed bunkers (e.g., just past the 300-yard mark), and designed holes like the 15th to force players into strategic decisions, rewarding aggressive and precise shots while penalizing passive play.