Thames Valley Golf Club's Hickory course, designed by John Innes, occupies land along the Thames River valley in London, Ontario. The routing takes advantage of the natural topography characteristic of southwestern Ontario's river corridors, where the terrain transitions between flatter agricultural land and the more pronounced elevation changes near the waterway. The course sits within a region known for its deciduous forests and rolling landscape, features that typically influence hole corridors and strategic options throughout a round. John Innes worked primarily in Ontario during the early-to-mid twentieth century, designing and renovating courses across the province during an era when golf architecture emphasized playability for a range of skill levels while incorporating natural land features. His designs generally reflect the principles common to that period: routing that follows existing contours, greens that relate to approach angles, and hazard placement that rewards accuracy without excessive penal character. Thames Valley serves the London golf community as an established club with traditional member play. The Hickory name suggests either a nod to the tree species present in the area or a connection to the club's heritage, though the specific origin of the designation relates to the club's own history. The course provides a standard test of golf within the context of southwestern Ontario's relatively temperate climate and growing season, which supports the maintenance of bentgrass greens and fairways typical of the region's better-conditioned layouts.