THE VISION The Residences of Oak Bay Golf & Country Club is a four-season community surrounded by Mother Nature in Port Severn, Ontario and within close proximity to Honey Harbour, Midland, Coldwater and other great southern Muskoka communities. This master planned residential community, just 90 minutes north of Toronto, is designed to be a natural refuge of casual elegance featuring all the amenities that make Oak Bay the perfect family escape. Yesterday s traditions of a relaxed cottage lifestyle where golf, boating and enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends are a way of life can be found right here. Background Information The origins of the Residences of Oak Bay Golf & Country Club ( Oak Bay ) date back to 2005 when Founder and President, Bryan Coleman first discovered several pristine parcels of land located along the shores of Georgian Bay. Between 2005 and 2007, Coleman assembled 330 acres required to fulfill his vision of developing a unique, masterplanned lifestyle community that will feature a collection of rustic bungalows, two-storey homes, townhouses, and villas; an 18-hole championship golf course designed by architect Shawn Watters, nature trails, a 10,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, a boathouse, and a marina with 60 wet slips and 200 dry slips for boat storage, with direct access to Georgian Bay. Continued on page 2
THE VISION The Residences Designed and built by Mississauga-based Eden Oak, one of the GTA s premier homebuilders, the residences at Oak Bay feature a selection of bungalows, two storey layouts, townhouses and villas that blend naturally with the forested landscape of the golf community. The result is an exclusive arrangement of homes surrounded by large, mature trees offering unparalleled privacy and pride of ownership. As leading innovators in the new home industry, Eden Oak and Millhouse Group Inc. received seven Ontario building industry and land development awards for this family-friendly community including Project of the Year for the work at Oak Bay. Georgian Bay waterside living has never been better. Cedar shakes, board and batton, stone and traditional wood siding are a selection of materials used to give each home a rich Muskoka elegance. Inside, wood or gas fireplaces, great rooms, luxurious ensuites, abundant natural light and an array of fine appointments ensure the utmost in comfort and convenience. The Golf Course At centre stage of the Oak Bay community is the championship 18-hole, par 72, 6,600-yard golf course. Inspired by the exclusive Reynolds Plantation golf community in Georgia, USA, the Residences of Oak Bay Golf & Country Club was designed to capture the natural beauty of the Southern Muskoka area. Unspoiled woodland areas, rock outcroppings, and the tranquil sounds of neighbouring Georgian Bay are just several of the attributes that will make Oak Bay both unique and unforgettable. Complimenting the golf course will be a charming 10,000 sq. ft., Georgian Bay inspired clubhouse featuring full locker facilities, a health club, pro shop, and a dining room to accommodate 60 guests. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2010 and it will open for Oak Bay members and guests for the 2011 golf season. Continued on page 3
THE VISION The Boathouse and Marina Development of the Marina at Oak Bay is scheduled to start in July 2010. The existing marina will be redeveloped to feature 60 wet slips and 200 dry slips for dry land boat storage. Boaters will have direct access on to Georgian Bay and the Trent Severn Waterway. In a unique concept for Ontario, Oak Bay staff will lift boats into the water, remove them, clean the hulls and put them back into a storage warehouse. The Boathouse will feature a lounge, doublesided fireplace and snack bar. Leisure Activities Oak Bay living provides leisure opportunities for the entire family in winter, spring, summer and fall seasons as part of a 330-acre playground including four kilometers of Georgian Bay shoreline. With a marina, golf course, clubhouse, swimming pools, hiking and biking trails, and tennis courts at your door step, there will always be something new to be discovered and enjoyed at Oak Bay. 18-hole Championship Golf Course Clubhouse Oak Bay s Marina and Boathouse Fitness Studio Swimming Pools Tennis Courts Biking Hiking Trails & Boardwalks Beach Volleyball Fishing Boating Water Skiing Skating Cross Country Skiing Snow Shoeing Neighbouring Ski Resorts Continued on page 4
THE VISION Neighbouring Amenities The Oak Bay community is close to several small towns and villages further adding to the charm and appeal of the development. When away from the golf course, residents are a short drive away from the shops and restaurants in Midland, Coldwater and Honey Harbour. In the winter months, skiing enthusiasts are a mere 15 minutes away from Horseshoe Valley and Mount St. Louis Moonstone. Georgian Bay Land Trust The wetlands and habitat in Georgian Bay are a national treasure and owning a home at Oak Bay makes it part of your family treasure. To ensure that this spectacular environment is enjoyed by future generations, 95 acres have been transferred to the Georgian Bay Land Trust to be held in perpetuity to ensure its preservation. In 2004, UNESCO recognized these natural areas and designated the Eastern Georgian Bay coast as a World Biosphere Reserve. It represents one of the largest freshwater archipelagos in the world. Hundreds of plants, mammals, birds and fish including designated rare species inhabit the Oak Bay area.
For Immediate Release March 5th, 2010 PRESS RELEASE Oak Bay Golf & Country Club Set To Open In July PORT SEVERN, ON The Residences of Oak Bay Golf & Country Club is set to establish itself as one of Ontario s premier residential golf communities in 2010. This promises to be an exciting year as the development prepares for significant growth including the partial opening of its championship golf course in July. Construction will also commence on the golf clubhouse and marina this summer, while the remainder of the golf course is scheduled to open this fall. The community is really starting to take shape. We have 26 homes built and occupied with families who are enjoying life at Oak Bay and we have made significant progress on the golf course, says Bryan Coleman, Oak Bay s founder and president. We re pleased with the way the housing market has picked up over the last few months in the GTA, and we re confident this will extend into cottage country for 2010. The front nine holes at Oak Bay Golf & Country Club are set to open in July. The golf course will take centre stage of a master-planned lifestyle community that encompasses 330 acres along the eastern shores of scenic Georgian Bay. Cut from the southern Muskoka woodlands, the golf course will measure about 6,600 yards, par-72 from the back tees and highlights the surrounding natural landscapes. Spectacular rock outcroppings, unspoiled forests and crystal clear waterways have seamlessly been incorporated into the golf course s design. Oak Bay is the most recent addition to Canadian golf course architect Shawn Watters portfolio, which includes the Wildwinds Golf Club in Fergus, the Quarry Golf Club outside Peterborough, and the second nine at the Highlands Course at Horseshoe Valley Resort near Barrie. Accompanying the golf course will be a charming, Georgian Bay-inspired clubhouse. Construction of the clubhouse is scheduled to begin in June and to be completed for the start of the 2011 golf season. The 10,000 square-foot clubhouse will feature an ambiance indicative of its Georgian Bay surroundings and will include dining facilities for 60 guests, a pro shop, locker rooms and a fitness facility.
PRESS RELEASE What makes the Residences of Oak Bay Golf & Country Club community unique is the long list of other lifestyle amenities available for its residents. In addition to the golf course, residents of Oak Bay will have access to a maze of hiking trails and boardwalks, swimming pools, tennis courts and a marina and boathouse, complete with 60 wet slips, 200 dry slips and full dry-land storage. For winter sport enthusiasts, excellent skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed at neighbouring Mount St. Louis Moonstone, located a mere 15 minutes away. Imagine beginning your day with an early round of golf, followed by an afternoon of boating and hiking with your family, concluded by a cocktail on your back porch while you watch the sun set, Coleman says. This is the lifestyle we envision here and think we have developed something special for active individuals with discriminating tastes. Encompassing the development will be a collection of rustic, four-season residences comprised of a variety of town homes, villas, bungalows, and two-storey homes. Prices range from the mid $300,000 s to the high $400,000 s. Eden Oak, the awardwinning Mississauga-based builder, will oversee all of the home construction at Oak Bay. Since 1985, Eden Oak has established a reputation for being one of Ontario s top homebuilders, having developed over 30 communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area. For more information about the community and golf course, visit www.oakbayliving.com or www.edenoak.com, call 1-800-339-4987 or Email: oakbay@edenoak.com. Media Contacts: Bryan Coleman, President Millhouse Group Inc. 1100 Central Parkway West Unit 30 (Ground Floor) Mississauga, ON, L5C 4E5 905-277-3355 Romas Kartavicius, President Eden Oak 1443 Hurontario Street Mississauga, ON, L5G 3H5 905-274-5500 oakbay@edenoak.com Shawn Watters, Principal Shawn P. Watters & Associates 73 Metcalfe Street, Elora, ON, N0B 1S0 519-846-2685 swatters@wattersgolfdesign.com Brent Long / Grant Fraser Better Golf Communications 520 Hillfair Place, Burlington, ON, L7N 2W5 905-681-1252 / 905-844-7666 brentlong@cogeco.ca / gfraser@golf-management.org www.bettergolfcommunications.com
TIMELINE 2005 Land purchase & Approvals: 2005 to 2007 Land Assembly/Rezoning/Draft Plan Approval Shawn Watters hired as golf course architect: 2005 2006 Partnership with Eden Oak formed: 2006 2007 Oak Bay Community is launched: July 2007 First home sold: July 2007 2008 Convey 90 acres of Wetlands to Georgian Bay Land Trust: February 2008 First homes under construction: Fall 2008 Golf course construction begins: Fall 2008 2009 First residents move in: Summer 2009 2010 Front nine holes open for play: Summer 2010 Golf Clubhouse construction begins Summer 2010 Marina Development starts Summer of 2010 Completion and Grow-in of Back Nine Holes of Golf Course Spring/Summer of 2010 2011 Grand Opening 18-hole Golf Course & Clubhouse Spring 2011
KEY FACT SHEET Mr. Bryan Coleman, Millhouse Group Inc. - (Developer / Founder) Mr. Romas Kartavicius, Eden Oak - (Builder) Mr. Shawn Watters, Shawn P. Watters & Associates - (Golf Course Architect) Lands assembled 2005 to 2007, situated on 330 acres, along the shores of Georgian Bay. The Residences of Oak Bay Golf & Country Club is located in Port Severn, Ontario, just 90 minutes north of Toronto and 30 minutes north of Barrie. Year-round lifestyle community featuring a championship 18-hole, par 72, 6,600-yard golf course designed by Shawn Watters. Marina with 60 wet slips and 200 dry slips for dry-land boat storage. Boathouse featuring double-sided fireplace, lounge, and recreation room. Construction of the 10,000 sq. ft. clubhouse to commence in June 2010 and will include dining facilities for 60 guests, a pro shop, locker rooms and a fitness facility. The Residences of Oak Bay Golf & Country Club will feature a collection of bungalows, two-storey homes, townhouses, and villas - built by award winning, Mississauga-based Eden Oak. Including; Nature Trails, Bike Trails, Boardwalks, Fitness Studio, Swimming Pools, Tennis Courts, Beach Volleyball, Fishing and Boating. Prices range from the mid $300,000 s to the high $400,000 s. 95 acres of land transferred to the Georgian Bay Land Trust to be held in perpetuity. In 2004, UNESCO recognized these areas and designated the eastern Georgian Bay coast as a World Biosphere Reserve.
THE DEVELOPER Millhouse Group Inc. Bryan G. Coleman, President Bryan Coleman has been involved in the residential land development business since 1991 and is President of Millhouse Group Inc. He is also President of Oak Bay Developments Inc. Until 1991, Mr. Coleman was a Partner with a national law firm in Canada, specializing in corporate commercial and land development matters. He was appointed a Queen s Counsel (QC) in 1982-1983. Mr. Coleman was elected Chairman of the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation in 1991 and previously served as a Director of the Board of Directors and a Governor of the Foundation. Mr. Coleman is also a Past-President of Credit Valley Golf and Country Club Limited, having served as a Director for six years. He was President during a successful $8 million, two-year renovation of the clubhouse facilities. The Company Bryan G. Coleman Millhouse Group Inc. is a residential land development company, which acquires sites for redevelopment as residential upscale housing communities. The company coordinates the services of all its consultants to create the highest and best use for such sites and typically enters into joint-ventures with builder-partners to build out the sites and market the residential housing units. The company has expertise in all areas of land redevelopment including; Official Plan Amendments, rezoning, financing and marketing. Bryan Coleman, President Millhouse Group Inc. 1100 Central Parkway West Unit 30 (Ground Floor) Mississauga, ON, L5C 4E5 905-277-3355
BUILDER PROFILE Eden Oak Romas Kartavicius, President Since being founded in 1985, Eden Oak has evolved into one of the GTA s premier homebuilder s. Led by President, Romas Kartavicius, the company has built thousands of homes and successfully completed other land developments and industrial/commercial construction projects within Southern Ontario. With its flagship projects Vellore Park, Blue Willow and Valley Park in Woodbridge of nearly 2,000 homes, the company established its reputation as a high-quality builder with superior value and excellent customer service and support. Eden Oak has been involved in the building of over 30 key communities across the GTA in: Hamilton, Waterdown, Oakville, Brampton, Etobicoke, Newmarket, Scarborough, Unionville and Woodbridge, as well as four-season developments in Collingwood, Craigleith and now the Residences of Oak Bay Golf & Country Club. Eden Oak currently constructs between 500-700 homes annually with an estimated value of between $125 and $150 million in sales. The company also operates a successful Custom Home Division and is proud to have achieved an excellence rating with Tarion home warranty program year-after-year. Romas Kartavicius As a leading innovator in the new home industry, Eden Oak and Millhouse Group Inc. received seven Ontario building industry and land development awards for this family-friendly community including Project of the Year for its work at Oak Bay. For more information visit the company website: www.edenoak.com or contact: Adriana Mendanha, Sales & Marketing Coordinator 1443 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, ON, L5G 3H5 Tel: 905-274-5500 ext. 249 Fax: 905-274-5050 Adriana@edenoak.com
GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT PROFILE Shawn P. Watters & Associates Shawn Watters, Principal Shawn P. Watters & Associates is an Elora, Ontario based golf course architecture firm providing full-service design consultation for the golf development industry. Founded in 1996, Watters vision is to embrace golf course architecture traditions, while building modern designs that fit into today s landscapes. He first worked at Mississaugua G&CC as a teen helping to rebuild a couple of green sites as a summer job. He had another taste of the golf business during his second degree working construction at Devil s Pulpit and Paintbrush in Caledon for contractors Gateman-Milloy Inc. The married father of two children has degrees in Political Science and Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph. He also represents Elora on the local municipal council as a Counsellor. Instead of following the traditional path of working for a big-name architect for several years to earn his stripes, Watters charted his own path by going into business for himself. The 49-year-old looks back and laughs about it now, but in the early days, working out of a back bedroom in his home he took on anything from residential to commercial projects to make ends meet. I think I wrote the book on how not to do it, but in a lot of ways it has been very rewarding and I wouldn t change it, Watters says. His first golf course design was nine holes in association with Doug Black for the Waterloo Golf Academy; then came nine new holes at Pike Lake G&CC Resort and the second nine of the Highlands Course at Horseshoe Valley Resort. Watters designed his first 18-hole layout, Wildwinds Golf Course near Fergus in 2001 interestingly he notched his first hole-in-one playing Wildwinds for the first time with a good buddy! He unveiled Quarry GC near Peterborough in 2007 and is currently working on a nine-hole expansion and course upgrade at Doon Valley GC in Kitchener. Continued on page 2
ARCHITECT PROFILE Oak Bay is our first foray into Muskoka and we re looking forward to showcasing what we can do with a great piece of land, says Watters, who plays to a six handicap and carries his clubs in the trunk of his car just in case he has time to fit in a quick nine here and there. At Oak Bay, Watters and associate Roger Stacey are designing a championship 18-hole layout along the eastern shores of breathtaking Georgian Bay as part of this new community. Overlooking the historic Trent-Severn Waterway, the spectacular routing takes golfers through an eye-popping visual journey highlighted by splashes of the craggy Canadian Shield. It meanders across flat plains, rolls through forested hills and valleys with a scenic closing finish that brings Oak Bay into view and play over the last five holes. Watters first toured the 300-plus acre property in 2005. He immediately fell in love with the site s natural character and potential for a playable 6,600-yard, par-72 layout that will be fun to play and enjoyable to walk. To keep the project affordable to build, Watters didn t blast the rocky Canadian Shield to make way for the golf course, but instead routed the golf course to work harmoniously with the rock outcroppings and avoid the immense cost of using dynamite. For more information visit the company website at www.wattersgolfdesign.com or contact the office directly. Shawn Watters Principal Shawn P. Watters & Associates 73 Metcalfe Street Elora, ON, N0B 1S0 519-846-2685 swatters@wattersgolfdesign.com
HOLE-BY-HOLE By: Shawn Watters, Golf Course Architect Hole #1, Par 5, 487 yards Hole #2, Par 3, 209 yards Hole #3, Par 4, 402 yards Running east-west in direction, this opening hole will provide you with a friendly introduction to the Oak Bay Golf and Country Club. Four sets of elevated tees direct you to a generous, bent-grass landing area surrounded by Ohio sand bunkers. Your second shot provides you with the option of laying up or going for the green. The elevated green is well protected by a number of bunkers. The green is designed to receive a well-hit approach shot and is gently sloping. This is a strong par 3 with a forced carry over a ravine. Muskoka pines, Canadian Shield rock outcroppings and fauna help frame this slightly elevated green site. Strategically placed bunkers guard a generous green site that provides a variety of different pin placements. This tree-lined par 4 requires some thought off the tee as it is imperative your drive reach the elevated fairway. The approach shot is to a suppressed green nestled below in the Muskoka landscape. The green is receptive to accurate approach shots. Anything long of the green will prove to be hazardous, making par a good score on this hole.
HOLE-BY-HOLE By: Shawn Watters, Golf Course Architect Hole #4, Par 3, 206 yards Hole # 5, Par 4, 383 yards Hole # 6, Par 4, 418 yards This is the second of the two par 3 s you will encounter on the front side. There are no bunkers on this hole. Proper positioning of your tee shot to a large green is a pre-requisite for obtaining a good score. This is a classic par 4 with all the elements of a parkland-style golf hole. Your first shot from an elevated tee is to slightly raised fairway. The second shot is to a green which is surrounded by majestic oak trees. Avoid at all costs the bunker located in front of this deep green. You will likely have a difficult time holding the green on your return sand shot if you end up in this hazard. This might be the prettiest hole on the golf course. The hole starts with a slight carry over a naturalized area. This is a great driving hole to a generous fairway. If your drive ends up short and left, a large bunker awaits you. If you carry the bunker you can take advantage of a slight downhill slope. Your second shot is to a slightly elevated green. The entire back side of the green is surrounded by a large rock outcropping, which was once the old shoreline of Georgian Bay. Bunkers have been incorporated into the rock outcropping of this stadium green in order to collect long shots. The green is fairly large and gently undulating.
HOLE-BY-HOLE By: Shawn Watters, Golf Course Architect Hole #7, Par 4, 349 yards Hole #8, Par 4, 322 yards Hole #9, Par 5, 494 yards This is the highest point on the property, with a westerly view of Georgian Bay. The elevated tees provide a view of the entire hole where golfers can plan their strategy of attack from this elevated perch. Using a driver on this short par 4 will be tempting but may not be the best approach to scoring well on this hole. Plenty of real estate awaits you around the green as you prepare to play your second shot. Beware of the two massive bunkers to the right of the green site. An intimidating series of bunkers line the left side of the fairway. A slight draw off the tee is the recommended shot on this hole. Managing to avoid the bunkers will leave you in an ideal position to play your second shot to the green. Few problems lie in and around the green provided you are not long with your approach. The back of the green drops off and depending on where you are, you could be playing a return shot back to an elevated green. Pull out your driver on the final hole of the front nine as little trouble awaits off the tee. A lone fairway bunker provides the desired target from the tee area. With proper positioning on the fairway you provide yourself with several options to approach the green depending on what side of the fairway your drive lands on. This is a riskreward hole that requires a tour-calibre second shot to reach the green in two. The other alternative is to play more conservatively by playing a shorter approach shot and avoiding the bunkers that guard the elevated green.
MEDIA CONTACTS Bryan Coleman President Millhouse Group Inc. 1100 Central Parkway West, Unit 30 (Ground Floor) Mississauga, ON, L5C 4E5 905-277-3355 bcoleman@millhousegroup.ca www.oakbayliving.com Romas Kartavicius President Eden Oak 1443 Hurontario Street Mississauga, ON, L5G 3H5 905-274-5500 romas@edenoak.com www.edenoak.com Shawn Watters Principal Shawn P. Watters & Associates 73 Metcalfe Street Elora, ON, N0B 1S0 519-846-2685 swatters@wattersgolfdesign.com www.wattersgolfdesign.com