In Photos: Niagara Falls' Whirlpool Golf Course is one of Canadian architect Stanley Thompson's most accessible designs

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario -- One of primary reasons I have Niagara Falls on my personal list of Top 10 value destinations in North America is because it represents an affordable and easily-accessible chance to play one of Stanley Thompson's parks courses.

Thompson is Canada's foremost golf course architect and during his tenure was one of the most prolific Golden Era designers. His works for the Canadian National Railway at national parks like Cape Breton Highlands, Banff Springs and Jasper Park are well publicized as jewels of destination golf.

The most spectacular visual at Whirlpool comes from aerial shots, where you can see the Niagara River's Whirlpool just on the other side of the parkway from the golf course. When walking the course itself, Whirlpool is generally a mellow but always pleasant and interesting round. Fairways are pretty generous and there is really no place where the course will beat you up, besides perhaps some long-ish par 3s, like the 3rd hole.

Click here for my review of Whirlpool, or read and see more about Whirlpool and the Niagara Parks courses in my Trip Dispatch: