Xena/Lakes at The Willows Golf and Country Club

The Willows Golf and Country Club sits in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where it offers two distinct eighteen-hole layouts. The Xena/Lakes combination draws from the club's 27-hole configuration, designed by Graham Cooke and Wayne Carleton. The facility occupies land characteristic of the Saskatchewan prairie landscape, with relatively modest elevation changes and open horizons typical of the region. The routing incorporates water features that give the Lakes nine its name, while the Xena nine presents a different character within the same property.

The course reflects the design sensibilities of its era and the practical considerations of golf in the Canadian prairies. Wind often plays a significant role in club selection and strategy, as the open terrain provides little natural shelter. The layout accommodates golfers across skill levels while maintaining enough challenge for competitive club events. Water hazards on the Lakes nine require careful navigation, and the design uses these features to define holes and create risk-reward decisions.

The Willows serves as a private club for the Saskatoon golf community, hosting member tournaments and social events throughout the prairie golf season, which typically runs from late spring through early fall. The club maintains traditions common to Canadian private clubs, with dining facilities and a calendar of member activities beyond golf. The course conditioning reflects the maintenance practices suited to the region's climate and growing season, with bent or poa greens and fairways adapted to prairie conditions.