Ohio July-oh 2021: Springfield Country Club

[Ronald Montesano]

At some point, it was mentioned that Springfield Country Club in the eponymous Ohio town was a hidden gem. I'd say that is true, to a degree. I'd call it a Doak 5, one of those courses that you should play if you are in the area, but not make a trip just to play it. I'd bump it up to a six if any of the flat holes had interest, as in a centerline bunker or two.


I have some photos from Saturday, July 10th, 2021, to share. The clubhouse sits on a ridge, and it is this ridge that impacts 1, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 18. Those are the holes that elicit the most sighs. There is another ridge, a bit distant, that runs perpendicular, along the edge of the property (where 8 and 9 are.) That ridge allows 7 to climb up. So, you have 7 ridge holes and 11 holes that lie in the flatlands.


The course lists DJRJR as its architect of record on the scorecard. Two things struck me as atypical DJRJR: flat saucer fairway bunkers, and slim bunkers behind greens. The DJRJR Society lists it as a Ross, from 1921. I wonder who has done what to it since then.


Here are some photos.

[Dean DiBerardino]

Hey Ron:

I haven’t been to Springfield in some time, but the greens at Springfield are worth the trip for me. The greens seem to be original Ross (Walter B. Hatch) greens that the club has modified very little other than a few that they softened up due to too much back to front slope (holes 6 & 8 I think). The greens have some wonderful internal contours/ridges. The club has also consistently preserved the size of the greens with all of them stretched out to the edges of the fill pads. I’m curious to know your thoughts about the greens since they stand out to me as the best feature of the course.

I agree on the fairway bunkering. Given the well preserved the putting surfaces, it seems that the course would benefit greatly from some tree clearing to restore some of the fairway width along with a renovation/restoration of the bunkers from tee to green to bring back some of their original intent based on today’s game.

It’s well worth a look if in the area and would be a great addition to a trip if playing some of the best in nearby Dayton, Cincinnati or Columbus. Westbrook up in Mansfield has a similar feel and well worth a look as well.

[BHoover]

The reason the fairway bunkers are so different from the greenside bunkers is money. The club had a master plan in place (courtesy of Ron Forse and Jim Nagle) to renovate the fairway bunkers, restore fairway lines, and remove trees. But whether the money is there to actually do the work is another matter.

I am an unapologetic fan of Springfield. I love it and would always go out if my way to play there. Particularly in the fall, when the turf is running firm and fast, it is a real treat to play. For anyone so interested, here is a link to the photo tour I did back in 2014.


https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58639.0.html

[Ronald Montesano]

I know that the new golf director, Jake Houston, was tasked with augmenting an aging memberships, and he has done just that. With new and younger members, perhaps a time will come in the next decade when they are able to support that plan.