Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Brian Clark
Fenton
2021-07-22
$36 (cart included), played on Sunday, July 2021 at 1:00 PM
I have been driving by this course since 1976 and finally decided to make plans to play. The course was originally built in 1930 by local farmer Ralph Crane on his property and called "Long Lake GC" because that's what nearby Fenton Lake was called. The ownership changed many times until around 2005 when Jack Bolt secured ownership and made it a family-run business.
We made a tee time for 1:00 pm and for the $38 18/cart we took off on this sunny Sunday afternoon. We found conditions excellent from full grass tee boxes, sculptured fairways, to the soft holding and fast greens. Well-conditioned sand traps were scattered between landing areas to green side areas. Having four (4) tee boxes you can play from Blue 6,596 / 72.2 / 131 down to Red 5,111 / 69.1 / 116 on this mostly treelined Par 36/36 layout.
Starting out on #1 a dogleg 369yd Par 4 Hcp 8 gets things going. Follow this up with a 531yd dogleg Par 5 Hcp 2 with advice on not hitting through the fairway or over the green. Having two (2) Par 3's over 188yds (#3 & #7) are very challenging with being elevated and sand trap protected. Finishing dogleg holes #8 a 577yd Par 5 and #9 a 428yd Par 4 are a real test with tee shot placement and management. Back 9 #10 start out with a friendly 133yd Par 3 to get things off to a good start. The #11 is a short 485yd Par 5 that has sand traps positioned on both sides in your average landing areas. Back to back 186/184yd Par 3's on #12/#13 have full water carries that can make the average golfer change their swing and mental focus. Finnish hole #18 is a sweeping left 528 yds Par 5 and their Hcp 3 challenge that puts a challenge in your putting skills. (We both 3 putted)
Enjoyed playing here today, not only for the conditions but the challenge as well. We both ended up shooting 84's but my six (6) one-putts tell volumes of my troubles getting to the greens.
Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
Condition of Course, Price, Pace of Play, Ambiance, Staff, Layout, No Houses on Course
$36 (cart included), played on Sunday, July 2021 at 1:00 PM
I have been driving by this course since 1976 and finally decided to make plans to play. The course was originally built in 1930 by local farmer Ralph Crane on his property and called "Long Lake GC" because that's what nearby Fenton Lake was called. The ownership changed many times until around 2005 when Jack Bolt secured ownership and made it a family-run business.
We made a tee time for 1:00 pm and for the $38 18/cart we took off on this sunny Sunday afternoon. We found conditions excellent from full grass tee boxes, sculptured fairways, to the soft holding and fast greens. Well-conditioned sand traps were scattered between landing areas to green side areas. Having four (4) tee boxes you can play from Blue 6,596 / 72.2 / 131 down to Red 5,111 / 69.1 / 116 on this mostly treelined Par 36/36 layout.
Starting out on #1 a dogleg 369yd Par 4 Hcp 8 gets things going. Follow this up with a 531yd dogleg Par 5 Hcp 2 with advice on not hitting through the fairway or over the green. Having two (2) Par 3's over 188yds (#3 & #7) are very challenging with being elevated and sand trap protected. Finishing dogleg holes #8 a 577yd Par 5 and #9 a 428yd Par 4 are a real test with tee shot placement and management. Back 9 #10 start out with a friendly 133yd Par 3 to get things off to a good start. The #11 is a short 485yd Par 5 that has sand traps positioned on both sides in your average landing areas. Back to back 186/184yd Par 3's on #12/#13 have full water carries that can make the average golfer change their swing and mental focus. Finnish hole #18 is a sweeping left 528 yds Par 5 and their Hcp 3 challenge that puts a challenge in your putting skills. (We both 3 putted)
Enjoyed playing here today, not only for the conditions but the challenge as well. We both ended up shooting 84's but my six (6) one-putts tell volumes of my troubles getting to the greens.