Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello G.C. - clubhouse
0 of 8
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello G.C. - clubhouse
The clubhouse at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club looks just like the famous log cabin hotel down the road. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 6
1 of 8
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 6
The sixth hole at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club falls off an elevated green. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - 8th
2 of 8
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - 8th
The 325-yard eighth hole at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club isn't long, but there's trouble everywhere. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 9
3 of 8
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 9
The epic ninth hole at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club plays as many as four clubs longer uphill. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 12
4 of 8
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 12
The 12th hole at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club plays simple from the white tees. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 13
5 of 8
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 13
Tee shots fly for a while before hitting the 13th green at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club in Quebec. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 17
6 of 8
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 17
The 17th hole at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club is called "all carry. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 18
7 of 8
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club - hole 18
The Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club ends on a 430-yard par 4. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
8 Images

Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club is short but sweet in Quebec

MONTEBELLO, Quebec, Canada -- At 6,308 yards, the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club appears ripe for a birdie blitz, right?

Not likely.

This historic par-70 design by the legendary Stanley Thompson has a way of humbling golfers, especially those who don't understand its subtleties. There are certainly longer courses in Quebec, but not many -- if any -- better.

The former private club dating to 1929 became a resort course in 1970. Trees close in like walls to pinch narrow canted fairways. Although there are fewer than 50 bunkers, the sand still tends to lurk one bad swing away. Flat lies feel like a concept as foreign as speaking English in this French-infused culture.

Creeks and streams regularly show up unannounced, except for the intimidating in-your-face water hazard that guards the 14th green. For every forgiving elevated tee -- like the fourth leading to a tricky par 5 and the sixth on fine par 3 called "Little Ski Hill" -- there seems to be two elevated greens that counterbalance any advantage gained. The treacherous par-3 ninth hole, nicknamed "Ravine," plays as many as four clubs longer up the rocky wall to the tiny sloping green.

Throughout a round at Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club, the scenery of the Outaouais region near the Ottawa River casts a magical spell. So does the beautiful clubhouse, a miniature mirror image of the famed Fairmont, the largest log cabin hotel in the world.

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
Now Reading
Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Golf Club is short but sweet in Quebec