Ottawa Park Golf Course

$10 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2020 at 8:15 AM

Found this 121-year-old course designed by S.P Jermain (Updates in 1977 by Arthur Hills) 1.5hr drive from my house, so I decided to check it out this morning. A scramble event had the Front 9 (2,626yd Par 36) locked up, but they let me tee off on the wide open Back 9 at 2,453yds being a Par 35 rolling terrain layout. With the rich history of holding the First USGA National Public Links Championship in 1922 here, I had to bring my Hickory Sticks along for the challenge. With three (3) tee box selections you can play the Blues at 5,079 / 64.8 / 113 down to Reds at 4,014 / 62.9 / 103 on this Par 36/35 layout. I strapped on both sets of clubs and decided to have a "New vs. Old Equipment" test and see the difference.

The tee/ fairway conditions of this City run course I would put at average but the first 100yds off the tee were on the very rough side. The smaller size greens (Rolling 8-9) were in great shape and very tough to read the little breaks. The well placed green side sand traps (Heavy sand) were mostly on the front side, taking away those "Bump & Run" shots I'm famous for. With the shorter yardage, I decided to only tee off with my "New" 5 wood but use everything in my Hickory bag. The #10 is a 293yd dogleg left with an uphill tipped green awaiting your arrival and don't miss right or double bogey is a gift. The #11 is a short 242yd Par 4 with a small grassy ravine in your 200yd landing area, leaving a slight blind uphill shot to the green. Almost all the greens have a 3"-4" thick grass encompassing about 10' from the fringe out that adds to the excitement if you miss. The #12 is a 103-79yd Par 3 that is straight forward and no traps, which would have been nice. The #13 Par 4 at 233-204yds has the green tucked behind two (2) traps that will catch those making this an easy Birdie hole. The #14 Par 3 at 96-73yds is a downhill green protected by a large pine tree right side, front/left sand trap, and a steep downhill back runoff. You need to practice your 90yd "Cut Shot" to make a 2 putt par here. (I had two Bogeys) The #15 Par 5 at 512-409yds is the longest hole and pretty much straight away with some green side traps in front. The #16 Par 4 at 345-262yd has a high grass bunker guarding the green right front and traps on the left and back. The #17 Par 4 304-237yds Hcp 2 hole is your first real tee box test as the creek needs 200yd carry but a 235yd straight shot is O.B. Hitting a long fade off the tee would be ideal here, but not with Hickory sticks or a 5 wood. Finishing hole #18 is a nice 325-267yd Par 4 that has a deep creek directly in front of the green and thick brush behind it that gives it a Hcp 4 rating.

I enjoyed the 1.5hr easy pace and playing this historical course with two different types of equipment. Ended up shooting 37 w/18 putts with my Callaway clubs and 42 w/19putts on the Hickory sticks. Sticking the greens was the big difference. Looking forward to returning and playing the full 18 holes with my Hickory and posting a USGA National Public Links qualifying score.........or Not.

$21 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2014 at 4pm

The course is not maintained very well. Lots of dead trees on course. Lots of leaves and branches. The greens on some holes have bare spots. No rangers around to check on things. One nice thing is to see the deer hanging around the course.

$16 (cart included), played on Thursday, April 2011 at 8am

Much crab grass, ball marks on greens and rough areas un-kept.