May 28, 2024

OZZY’S IS BEST GOLF RANGE IN MUSKOKA — PAR NONE — TEES OFF ON SECOND SEASON

BALA — Harry Bentley was a bedrock of the Bala community. A stonemason, he laid the foundation for much of Muskoka Lakes.

His son Harry Jr. (a.k.a. “Doug”) — like father, like son — is as rock solid.

You’d know that if you lived in or cottaged in west Muskoka.

Or have ever swung a golf club or aspired to hit the local links.

Visit Ozzy’s Golf Range and you’ll see the vivid connection and understand how at least three Bentley generations is now carrying on the tradition of giving back to their community.

**The Bentley family, Halle, Doug and Kelly and dog Jo Jo, are excited to start their second season of Ozzy’s Golf Range next to the Bala Sports Park on Hwy. 169 west of town.**

The driving range, now starting its second year of operation this month, is nestled between the family’s large storage unit business and the Bala Sports Park on Hwy. 169 west side of Bala just past the OPP detachment.

Slabs of granite hop-scotch in a pink walkway across the seeded courtyard, behind the 19 green tee boxes where Muskoka chairs look out over one of the most incredible golf vistas in Muskoka.

Stand with driver in hand and dream of teeing one off and shooting for the rocky ridge 400 yards away aiming for the water over yonder at Walls Cut.

It’s the best golf range in Muskoka — par none — with four dog legs.

Ozzy’s (named after the family’s late Border collie “and original owner”) is Bentley’s give-back to the community, said his wife Kelly, who works there with him sunup to sundown with their daughter Halle and their staff.

It’s a labour of love. It has to be scooping 12,000 balls up off the range encaged by towering fence posts. Many of them balls headed for the hill or that are errantly sliced left and right beyond the netting.

Combing the rock outcrop retrieving long balls is a job in itself.

What was once a wasteland excess property is now a picture of beauty. Something the Bentleys and Bala can be proud of.

And “that would make his dad proud,” said Kelly on Sunday, as Jo Jo “the new owner” ran around wagging his tail while a dozen golfers from teens to seniors hit buckets of range balls.

The cabin pro shop lets you rent a bucket of balls using cash or, below, you can use your credit card or phone in the vending machine if an staff member isn’t available. They also have complemtary clubs you can borrow while perfecting your shots.

The new business with a pro shop and café under construction is already doing brisk business its second season after an opening day last year when golfers were lined up clubs in hand as the Bentleys were laying down the green carpets and tees.

Open 8 a.m. till sunset, the range is a great way to entertain the whole family, including keeping kids occupied for an hour or two when at the cottage. Or before work.

Seniors Rob Randall and friend Bill Heibein are already converts after trying it out last year.

“We’re both locals,” said Randall. “He lives in Gravenhurst and I’m in Walker’s Point.

“We love it — particularly the targets. And (Kelly) is really friendly.”

Prices are cheap at $11 for 40 balls, $16 for 70 balls and $21 for 110 balls. Ten-bucket passes are $93.45 for the 40 balls, $136 for the 70 balls and $178 for the 110 balls.

Complimentary clubs are available for loan.

If staff aren’t on site, no problem. A vending machine offers buckets of balls using your credit card or cellphone.

Golf lessons are also available and discounted men’s and women’s nights are Monday and Wednesdays.

A junior clinic July 8-10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. is scheduled at a cost of $80. Register at [email protected]