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Brian Clark
Shepherd
2023-10-05
$21 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2023 at 12:05pm
Been driving Up North on US 127 past Maple Creek GC (previous Winding Brook GC) for the last 50+ years and finally decided to stop. For a course that looks flat and straight forward from the road, is anything but that. The scattered tree lined fairways coupled with many slight doglegs and that meandering creek that really comes into play on "Blind" holes #12-#15 will get your attention. The starter said, the course is starting to prepare for winter so large shaggy greens is the first order. Fairways are good width for average landing areas, but grass is a little spotty in some places so, Winter Rules were needed. Having Four (4) tees from Back @ 6,867yd / 73.2 / 136 down to Front @ 4,513yd / 66.4 / 110 gave lots of yardage choices for this Par 36/36 rolling layout. Front 9 starts out with a straight friendly forward 474yd Par 5 that makes you feel good with a easy Par. The #2 Par 3 from the White tees has you either at 206yd or 171yds to a nice 2-tiered green that is tipped forward to hold those long Irons coming in. The #3 Par 4 at 434yds has a large willow tree 215yds out blocking the LH side, so stay right. The #4 is a 90degree 385yd LH dogleg that needs 200-240yd tee to see the green on this Par 4 and Hpc 4 hole. The #7 Par 4 at 347yds is another sharp RH dogleg so keep your tee shot to the LH side and avoid hidden water protecting green. The #9 Par 4 Hcp 2 is a 430yd up hill to a blind green with a deep hidden RH trap to catch those under club shots. The Back 9 starts out with a sweeping left 499yd Par 5 that is a narrow fairway. The #12 Par 4 Hpc 1 at 426yd has a narrow landing at 200-220yds out, longer drive is OB in the ravine/creek, bordered by trees. The #13 Par 4 plays either 478/418yds and is a blind uphill drive over that treelined creek that needs 190yd carry to find the fairway on this Hcp 3 hole. The #14 has you coming back across again and at 389yds with a blind draw drive 190yds+ to clear the creek and land in the fairway. The #15 Par 4 at 380yds that is another 190yd+ uphill drive to hit the fairway with a front trap. The #18 Par 5 is a easy 550-515yd hole if you hit a 200-230yd drive to the corner and then straight to the green. Enjoyed my 18 hole play in 2hrs (noon to 2pm) after paying $24 on this nice sunny Fall day, shooting 35/38 w/29putts. The sand traps needed a lot of work as 80% of them were unplayable.
Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, 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
Condition of Course, Price, Pace of Play, Food/ Bar facilities, Staff, Layout, No Houses on Course
$21 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2023 at 12:05pm
Been driving Up North on US 127 past Maple Creek GC (previous Winding Brook GC) for the last 50+ years and finally decided to stop. For a course that looks flat and straight forward from the road, is anything but that. The scattered tree lined fairways coupled with many slight doglegs and that meandering creek that really comes into play on "Blind" holes #12-#15 will get your attention. The starter said, the course is starting to prepare for winter so large shaggy greens is the first order. Fairways are good width for average landing areas, but grass is a little spotty in some places so, Winter Rules were needed. Having Four (4) tees from Back @ 6,867yd / 73.2 / 136 down to Front @ 4,513yd / 66.4 / 110 gave lots of yardage choices for this Par 36/36 rolling layout. Front 9 starts out with a straight friendly forward 474yd Par 5 that makes you feel good with a easy Par. The #2 Par 3 from the White tees has you either at 206yd or 171yds to a nice 2-tiered green that is tipped forward to hold those long Irons coming in. The #3 Par 4 at 434yds has a large willow tree 215yds out blocking the LH side, so stay right. The #4 is a 90degree 385yd LH dogleg that needs 200-240yd tee to see the green on this Par 4 and Hpc 4 hole. The #7 Par 4 at 347yds is another sharp RH dogleg so keep your tee shot to the LH side and avoid hidden water protecting green. The #9 Par 4 Hcp 2 is a 430yd up hill to a blind green with a deep hidden RH trap to catch those under club shots. The Back 9 starts out with a sweeping left 499yd Par 5 that is a narrow fairway. The #12 Par 4 Hpc 1 at 426yd has a narrow landing at 200-220yds out, longer drive is OB in the ravine/creek, bordered by trees. The #13 Par 4 plays either 478/418yds and is a blind uphill drive over that treelined creek that needs 190yd carry to find the fairway on this Hcp 3 hole. The #14 has you coming back across again and at 389yds with a blind draw drive 190yds+ to clear the creek and land in the fairway. The #15 Par 4 at 380yds that is another 190yd+ uphill drive to hit the fairway with a front trap. The #18 Par 5 is a easy 550-515yd hole if you hit a 200-230yd drive to the corner and then straight to the green. Enjoyed my 18 hole play in 2hrs (noon to 2pm) after paying $24 on this nice sunny Fall day, shooting 35/38 w/29putts. The sand traps needed a lot of work as 80% of them were unplayable.