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
Ottawa Lake
2023-02-17
Guest (cart not included), played on Monday, February 2023 at 9:00 AM
The snow is finally gone and the weather will be changing for the better, so we're Golfing!! The owner of this 72 hole layout has always left at least one (1) 18 hole track open throughout the winter for us diehearts for walking only. His only request is that "No Playing if Frost is Present" and "No motorized Carts". I've played the West course before but not the North, so today being sunny and 46 degrees its only fitting to play the North.
Having four (4) tees from Blues @ 6,339yds / 70.8 / 119 down to 4,930yds / 67.7 / 109 on this rolling, scattered treelined Par 36/36 layout. Even though the course hasn't been cleaned up since its Fall closing its very playable with the greens being a little fuzzy. The #2 hole a Par 5 at 477yds protects its Hcp 3 by a creek crossing at 180yds out from the uphill blind green with a front sand trap. The #4 is a shorter Par 5 at 465yds but the "S" shaped fairway makes you play "Course Management" not the normal "Grip and Rip" game plan. The #7 is a 358yd Par 4 with a creek crossing 80yds out from the green with a steep front. The #9 @ 364yds seems short for a Hcp 1 Par 4 but a tight driving chute, dogleg right to the uphill and into the wind green adds 30-40yds to this hole. The Back 9 starts out with a Par 3 that is a 184yd downhill shot with trees framing the green. The #13 is a 481yd Par 5 that sweeps left uphill but plays very friendly. The #16 Par 5 at 526yds has a creek crossing about 280yds out and then uphill to the green on this Hcp 4 hole. The #18 is a 404yd Par 4 that is their Hcp 2 hole and has a tough 2nd shot to a uphill green. Enjoyed the layout and the winter course conditions, were really not that bad for the snow just melting one (1) week ago. Now for the Bad part. This is a single 18 loop layout that has the 18th green about 600yds from the clubhouse so that was one long walk back to the parking lot. Ended up shoot ing 43/40 w/33putts for my first round of 2023.
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
Guest (cart not included), played on Monday, February 2023 at 9:00 AM
The snow is finally gone and the weather will be changing for the better, so we're Golfing!! The owner of this 72 hole layout has always left at least one (1) 18 hole track open throughout the winter for us diehearts for walking only. His only request is that "No Playing if Frost is Present" and "No motorized Carts". I've played the West course before but not the North, so today being sunny and 46 degrees its only fitting to play the North. Having four (4) tees from Blues @ 6,339yds / 70.8 / 119 down to 4,930yds / 67.7 / 109 on this rolling, scattered treelined Par 36/36 layout. Even though the course hasn't been cleaned up since its Fall closing its very playable with the greens being a little fuzzy. The #2 hole a Par 5 at 477yds protects its Hcp 3 by a creek crossing at 180yds out from the uphill blind green with a front sand trap. The #4 is a shorter Par 5 at 465yds but the "S" shaped fairway makes you play "Course Management" not the normal "Grip and Rip" game plan. The #7 is a 358yd Par 4 with a creek crossing 80yds out from the green with a steep front. The #9 @ 364yds seems short for a Hcp 1 Par 4 but a tight driving chute, dogleg right to the uphill and into the wind green adds 30-40yds to this hole. The Back 9 starts out with a Par 3 that is a 184yd downhill shot with trees framing the green. The #13 is a 481yd Par 5 that sweeps left uphill but plays very friendly. The #16 Par 5 at 526yds has a creek crossing about 280yds out and then uphill to the green on this Hcp 4 hole. The #18 is a 404yd Par 4 that is their Hcp 2 hole and has a tough 2nd shot to a uphill green. Enjoyed the layout and the winter course conditions, were really not that bad for the snow just melting one (1) week ago. Now for the Bad part. This is a single 18 loop layout that has the 18th green about 600yds from the clubhouse so that was one long walk back to the parking lot. Ended up shoot ing 43/40 w/33putts for my first round of 2023.