VFW Country Club

$16 (cart included), played on Friday, July 2014 at 10am

Played 18 holes here 7-25-14 for $20, including cart. Playing 18 requires going around twice on this very basic 9-holer. The course is open for public play, despite being labelled a "Private country-club." It is also slated to close sometime in the indeterminate future, with some new housing going in (the pro shop guy professed not to know when this would happen, but another player told me "the end of the year.). This will be a loss, since this course is absolutely ideal for youngsters (or anyone else) learning the game, or for a fun family day without pressure, and at a modest price. I would encourage anyone who can, to get get out there and enjoy the layout while still possible.

The design is pretty basic, with four straight holes, three doglegs, and two par 3's. White tees are at 3080/6060 yards (I'm not sure about that math, but that's what the scorecard says!), and is rated/sloped at 68.7/126. Fairways are pretty receptive, although some have a serious side slope to be considered. Greens are smallish, and most had no serious contour, just gently tilted. A few forced carries over a creek/gully, but nothing too serious. Bunkers are few and today all were marked as GUR. Tee boxes are small, and generally flat.

Conditions today were not very good, which is understandable, given the future of the course. Tee boxes were rough, with dandelions mowed into the surface. Fairways had many bare spots, and were quite bumpy. Greens were actually in pretty nice shape, althgough several had bare spots, some quite large, but mostly on the edges and avoidable. Bunkers were totally unplayable, and clearly were not being maintained. Cart paths, where they exist, are real kidney-busters, with lots of root impingement, frost heaves and plain old potholes.

Overall, this course is a bargain at these rates, even considering the conditions. It does not get much play, as I think folks are turned off by the "Private course" label, and then there is the generic aversion to 9 holes. Nevertheless, I reccommend it, for as long as it's open.