$10 (cart not included), played on Thursday, May 2019 at 5:30 PM
After playing 9 holes at nearby Briarwood GC , I stopped in to see how the new 9 here was coming along. Was told they are hoping it will be ready for play this September as the grass is already looking pretty good. When they open the new 9 they will be closing the "Back A" course (3,095yds) and have a total of 27 holes to choose from. I have played the "Chippewa" nine holes (3,438yds) earlier, the "Furnace" layout (3,536yds) had league play, but open for walking ($9.50)on the "A".....so away I went. This is a straight forward, back and forth rolling layout by having a slight hill running through the middle of the course. With the four (4) tees you can choose from 3,095yds - 1,4396yds on this Par 35 layout. The #11 hole 402yd Par 4 / Hcp 4 is the first of three (3) 400yd par 4's that will test your accuracy to the small/soft but true putting greens. Fairways had good width on landing areas and were cut close with full coverage on green grass wherever you landed. The #16 483yd Dogleg is the only Par 5 and hitting a 200yd drive over the corner pine tree leaves 220yd shot to the downhill green. The #17 210yd uphill Par 3 Hcp 2 with front traps will test your full carry to the promise land. I was glad to have played one of the original 9's before being plowed under, but the new 9 will make this a healthier/playable destination. Enjoyed shooting 38 w/13 putts as the soft (rain soaked) greens made parking chips tight easy......I like easy. Looking forward and playing a 18 hole loop this fall on my return trip.
$10 (cart not included), played on Tuesday, October 2018 at 5:00 PM
In the area for the week and was told that Sleepy Hollow GC or Seneca GC were the best Cleveland Metroparks tracks you could play. Having only time for 9 holes and with three (3) separate at Seneca GC looked like the easier to get out on. I chose the "Chippewa" course that plays from the tips (Purple) 3,438yds / Par 36 down to "Family" (Orange) tees at 1,183yd that was a basic, Par 3 setup. Having the five (5) tee box selection gives everybody a chance to feel good about playing. I believe this was the old "B" course front 9 layout as #3 571yd Par 5 from the Black tees is similar to the original write-up. The "Furnace Run" course is 3,536yd / Par 36 from the tips to 1,134yd at the Family tees. This was the old Front 9 for the "A" course as #8 603yd Par 5 is still listed as such. The third 9 hole track "Back A" plays 3,095yd down to 1,496yd Par 35 and looks to be a more "Side by Side" hole layout than the other two. They currently have construction on the 4th nine hole layout but looks a long way from being open for play.
The Chippewa layout starts out being very open and friendly and then narrows up with the treelined fairways that separates itself from the Furnace Run track it intertwines with. The #2 364yd Par 4 is an uphill 2nd shot to an elevated green that deserves a 2 club respect to a middle flag position. Greens are fairly straightforward in reads, soft but roll smooth and hold all shots coming in. The #3 613yd Par 5 was playing straightaway downwind but your 3rd shot is all carry over a pond to the green. That's the reason for the #1 hcp rating and missing the green to the right is a good bailout as opposed to landing short. They have the standard colored sticks down the middle and seemed to be accurate for distances. The last five (5) holes are Par 4's with three of them 390 - 450yds, into the wind and mostly tree line narrow. Finishing hole #9 360yd Dogleg left, with the wind in your face, green tucked into the hill is a memory to finish on.
Paid $9.50 ($18 for 18) and ended up shooting 41 w/16 putts as the walk/carrying my bag took its toll on the last 4 holes. This is one stretched out, compacted layout for 36 holes, but doesn't really feel like you're on top of the other layouts that are here. Worth your time to stop and play this demanding yardage layout, great conditions, and well-seasoned course.