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
Willoughby
2019-05-19
$31 (cart included), played on Tuesday, May 2019 at 12:30 PM
The rain had stopped at 11am so I decided to take advantage and get to this Gem of greater Cleveland Metroparks golf courses. This Donald Ross 1929 design that plays from 6,643yd / 71.8 / 129 down to 5,230yd / 69.4 / 115 Par 36/36 (4 tees) has a rich history of hosting three (3) USGA Amateur Championship Qualifiers. This came to no surprise to me as I stood on the first tee box to the narrow canyon fairway leading 390yds to the elevated and protected slick green. With the rain soaked fairways giving up no extra roll, this was going to be a long afternoon. This rolling layout has well placed hills/traps placed to keep those shorter drives from getting extra distance on the many 400yd Par 4's. With the yardage sticks down the middle giving targets to the rolling landscape. Even with the early rain, the firm greens were rolling 9-10 and not holding those long iron shots very well. Many of these elevated greens had very steep fronts ready to reject any shots coming up short. The #3 471yd Par 5 protects its yardage with one tough 2nd shot to a narrow area 150yds from the green with a pond covering the righthand side. The #8 443yd Par 4 is Hcp 1 and will reject any shot short of the green and throwing it 30yds down the hill for your next chip. This was the common trait of almost every hole on this course and to think it was built 90 years ago and still demanding your best to score. Conditions here will rival most Country Clubs and challenge the best golfers to bring their "A" game. I played from the Gold tees (3,094/3,079) and with the wet conditions had all that I could handle with my new full carry driver distances. This is a must play for the 1929 Donald Ross designed layout for $35 Senior price. Enjoyed working my way around this gorgeous layout shooting 41/41 w/33 putts, looking forward to returning on a drier day.
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, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area
Price, Pace of Play, Food/ Bar facilities, Difficulty, Ambiance, Staff, Layout, No Houses on Course, Clubhouse
$31 (cart included), played on Tuesday, May 2019 at 12:30 PM
The rain had stopped at 11am so I decided to take advantage and get to this Gem of greater Cleveland Metroparks golf courses. This Donald Ross 1929 design that plays from 6,643yd / 71.8 / 129 down to 5,230yd / 69.4 / 115 Par 36/36 (4 tees) has a rich history of hosting three (3) USGA Amateur Championship Qualifiers. This came to no surprise to me as I stood on the first tee box to the narrow canyon fairway leading 390yds to the elevated and protected slick green. With the rain soaked fairways giving up no extra roll, this was going to be a long afternoon. This rolling layout has well placed hills/traps placed to keep those shorter drives from getting extra distance on the many 400yd Par 4's. With the yardage sticks down the middle giving targets to the rolling landscape. Even with the early rain, the firm greens were rolling 9-10 and not holding those long iron shots very well. Many of these elevated greens had very steep fronts ready to reject any shots coming up short. The #3 471yd Par 5 protects its yardage with one tough 2nd shot to a narrow area 150yds from the green with a pond covering the righthand side. The #8 443yd Par 4 is Hcp 1 and will reject any shot short of the green and throwing it 30yds down the hill for your next chip. This was the common trait of almost every hole on this course and to think it was built 90 years ago and still demanding your best to score. Conditions here will rival most Country Clubs and challenge the best golfers to bring their "A" game. I played from the Gold tees (3,094/3,079) and with the wet conditions had all that I could handle with my new full carry driver distances. This is a must play for the 1929 Donald Ross designed layout for $35 Senior price. Enjoyed working my way around this gorgeous layout shooting 41/41 w/33 putts, looking forward to returning on a drier day.