Cleveland Area Golf

[Evan Fleisher]

Sounds like we definitely have enough interest for a Cleveland Metroparks outing sometime this summer.  I'm thinking of starting another thread so as not to highjack this one where we can ask for participants and work on some dates.

It is located here... http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47949.0.html

[Evan Fleisher]

What about Mayfield?

Fun, fun, fun!  But you've got to like "quirk" to play there with all the half-par and blind holes.  Well worth the effort to get out and see it, IMO.

[Niall Hay]

Niall-

If you're planning a trip to check out any of these suggestions, let me know! Cleveland has some solid tracks...the city as a whole does not get enough credit for the quality of their golf courses. They may not have the headliners that Columbus does, but I think they may have a better overall body of work...especially on the public side.

B

Thanks Laurent...Go Bucks!

[David Kelly]

David,

Memorial is okay and I kind of like the overall atmosphere of the place, but to me the golf course itself isn't that great.  Much prefer Rec Park, Manikiki or Sleepy Hollow.  All there are much better properties and have more fun shots to play.

I haven't played Sleepy Hollow but of the other three I would agree with you that Memorial would be third.  I think Rec Park is the best of the three but I would rather play Manakiki which was quirkier.

Does Manakiki still have a par 3 where you tee off of  a mat on some sort of wooden structure?

[Evan Fleisher]

David,

Memorial is okay and I kind of like the overall atmosphere of the place, but to me the golf course itself isn't that great.  Much prefer Rec Park, Manikiki or Sleepy Hollow.  All there are much better properties and have more fun shots to play.

I haven't played Sleepy Hollow but of the other three I would agree with you that Memorial would be third.  I think Rec Park is the best of the three but I would rather play Manakiki which was quirkier.

Does Manakiki still have a par 3 where you tee off of  a mat on some sort of wooden structure?

Nope...all grass tees.

[David Kelly]

David,

Memorial is okay and I kind of like the overall atmosphere of the place, but to me the golf course itself isn't that great.  Much prefer Rec Park, Manikiki or Sleepy Hollow.  All there are much better properties and have more fun shots to play.

I haven't played Sleepy Hollow but of the other three I would agree with you that Memorial would be third.  I think Rec Park is the best of the three but I would rather play Manakiki which was quirkier.

Does Manakiki still have a par 3 where you tee off of  a mat on some sort of wooden structure?

Nope...all grass tees.

Did they take that thing down?  I guess you would call it a platform.

[Evan Fleisher]

David,

Memorial is okay and I kind of like the overall atmosphere of the place, but to me the golf course itself isn't that great.  Much prefer Rec Park, Manikiki or Sleepy Hollow.  All there are much better properties and have more fun shots to play.

I haven't played Sleepy Hollow but of the other three I would agree with you that Memorial would be third.  I think Rec Park is the best of the three but I would rather play Manakiki which was quirkier.

Does Manakiki still have a par 3 where you tee off of  a mat on some sort of wooden structure?

Nope...all grass tees.

Did they take that thing down?  I guess you would call it a platform.

They must have, because I've played there several times over the last 4 years here in Cleveland and cannot ever remember seeing it.

[Tom MacWood]

Speaking of public courses has anyone played Lost Nation? It is an old CH Alison course not far from Kirtland CC. I have not played it.

[Niall Hay]

Where does Mayfield Sand Ridge fit in the Cleveland golfing landscape? What is the story of the merger? Sounds unique? Was it strictly a financial decision or some other strategy? Both courses look pretty good and quite different. Nice options to have.

http://www.mayfieldsandridge.com

[Chris_Blakely]

Speaking of public courses has anyone played Lost Nation? It is an old CH Alison course not far from Kirtland CC. I have not played it.

Tom,

I played it several years ago.  It is a solid track with some unique bunkering on several holes.  However, the course / city must have sold off land recently and eliminate some of the better bunkering on what I believe is the 9th hole (due to the fact that housing now runs along the hole).

Chris

[C. Sturges]

Niall,
Mayfield Sandridge was merged for finacial reasons.  The two courses are very different and a great complament to each other because of that.  They also took on the members of Oakwood last year, because it closed.  Before that from everyone I knew, the members mainly played one course or the other, even though they can play both.  Some of that is because of the location of both courses, and the other is that many of Mayfields members are older and get beat up pretty bad at Sandridge.  I would play Mayfield more if I was a member.
Chris

[jonathan_becker]

You get beat up at Sand Ridge because they keep the rough at a healthy 3-4 inches.  It's thick and it's fairly tough to advance the ball.

[Evan Fleisher]

Niall,
Mayfield Sandridge was merged for finacial reasons.  The two courses are very different and a great complament to each other because of that.  They also took on the members of Oakwood last year, because it closed.  Before that from everyone I knew, the members mainly played one course or the other, even though they can play both.  Some of that is because of the location of both courses, and the other is that many of Mayfields members are older and get beat up pretty bad at Sandridge.  I would play Mayfield more if I was a member.
Chris

Chris pretty much nailed it ehre above.  Beside the obvious financial reasons, my take is that Mayfield is more of a "country club" for the odler set and familes, ans Dand Ridge is a "golf club" where you go there to do one thing.  But, as Chris also said above...if I were a member I'd play the majority of my golf at Mayfield because it is such a hoot!

[Andy Shulman]

I grew up in the Cleveland burbs (Shaker Hts), now live in DC, but dad and bro still live there, so add me to the list of those who'd be up for a visit to play Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow with the GCA crew.  Have played both, but it's been 10+ years, so I think I'm more than ready for a refresher.  On my drive in, I might hit Bedford Springs, a Ross-Tilly-Oldham gem that's really fun to play.

[Andy Shulman]

BTW, has anyone mentioned Little Mountain?  It's a pretty good layout, although it seems a bit constricted space-wise (it's a par-70) and was not in the best condition when I last played there about two years ago.

[Evan Fleisher]

BTW, has anyone mentioned Little Mountain?  It's a pretty good layout, although it seems a bit constricted space-wise (it's a par-70) and was not in the best condition when I last played there about two years ago.

Not a big fan, Andy.  Mostly because of said layout restrictions / issues which lead to a poor "flow" to the round.

BTW, I'm adding your name to the list located on a separate thread here... http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47949.0.html

[Niall Hay]

if I were a member I'd play the majority of my golf at Mayfield because it is such a hoot!
[/quote]

what makes it so? How does Mayfield rate with the other area courses in terms of quality?

[Evan Fleisher]

if I were a member I'd play the majority of my golf at Mayfield because it is such a hoot!

what makes it so? How does Mayfield rate with the other area courses in terms of quality?
[/quote]

Quirk and interest. Lots of blind / semi-blind shots to funky green complexes. Holes that bumble, tumble over the hillsides. Half-par holes.  I just think that is not your "typical" cookie-cutter course and offers some fun, fresh and interesting takes on golf holes.

In terms of other area (private) courses, I would think that most folks would probably not even consider Mayfield (with Country, Pepper Pike, Kirtland, Canterbury, Shaker Heights, etc.)...but those that have had the pleasure of playing it usually speak very highly of it.

[Tim_Weiman]

Jonathon Becker:

Several years ago I took a close friend out to play Sand Ridge. This friend has played extensively in the Uk & Ireland as well as the U.S.
In short, he has seen and played a large number of the top 100 type courses.

After about three holes he decided he hated the place and has never asked me to take him back. The blue grass just killed him.

It's funny. If you took a first time visitor around in a cart he might very well wonder why anyone could think the course was that difficult. But, for many golfers it really is, both for approach shots and shots around the greens.

All my best rounds came from hitting the ball straight.

[Niall Hay]

Sand Ridge is supposed to be good, yet difficult.  Is this considered a good/solid Fazio? "Top 100" type as seems many Fazio get the credit.

[Andy Shulman]

My brother suggested I mention Punderson as another good layout that's a good value.  He puts Kirtland #1 and is also a fan of Mayfield CC, Chagrin Valley CC, Sugar Bush, St. Denis and Firestone (South).  I guess that speaks to Tim's point about the number of top quality courses - private and public at all price points - in Cleveland area.

[Niall Hay]

So another vote for Kirtland # 1.

[Niall Hay]

How does Lakewood compare (to other area courses and to other Tillinghast)?

http://lakewoodcountryclub.memberstatements.com/tour/tours.cfm?tourid=85514

The Golf Course is our Legacy

Lakewood Country Club is the only golf course in the State of Ohio designed by one of the foremost designers of Championship golf courses – A.W. Tillinghast, one of the founders of the PGA of America and early organizers and enthusiastic supporters of the USGA Green Section.  

Fifty One (51) National and International Championships have been played on Tillinghast courses.

[Evan Fleisher]

How does Lakewood compare (to other area courses and to other Tillinghast)?

http://lakewoodcountryclub.memberstatements.com/tour/tours.cfm?tourid=85514

The Golf Course is our Legacy

Lakewood Country Club is the only golf course in the State of Ohio designed by one of the foremost designers of Championship golf courses – A.W. Tillinghast, one of the founders of the PGA of America and early organizers and enthusiastic supporters of the USGA Green Section.  

Fifty One (51) National and International Championships have been played on Tillinghast courses.

I was by no means blown away by it.  Sure, it's a Tilly...but overgrown trees run rampant and truly affect the play of the course.  The site is also a dead flat piece of land, making it difficult to provide much movement across the terrain.  There are a bunch of solid golf holes, but quite honestly not much there is very "memorable".

[Tim_Weiman]

Niall,

I agree with Evan that Lakewood may be a Tillinghast, but overall there really isn't anything special about the place.