Mom and Pop Courses

[Brian Laurent]

As was intended by this site, we talk so much about the courses with high architectural value...most well known and some "hidden gems."  I'm interested to hear about some of your favorite "Mom and Pop" courses...courses that rely on local factory leagues and weekend outings.

While I grew up at a private facility, most of our high school matches and rounds with buddies growing up were played on some of the local mom and pop courses.  We played some serious "dog tracks" but also some very enjoyable public facilities.  What "hole in the wall" tracks do you love playing and why?

I'll start things off...Cross Creek Golf Club in Decatur, IN.  The original nine holes were designed by Robert Bruce Harris in the 40's and the back nine was added in the late 80's.  It's very special to me because not only is it literally my Mom and Pop's golf course, but it is where my dad got started in the business and it is where I spent many summers with my brother and grandpa playing in the senior game at noon.  Aside from the sentimental value, it has a few interesting holes that taught me about options on the golf course...

#7 - 185 par 3
At first glance, there really isn't much to this hole.  It's a straight away par three with a back to front slope and bunkers on both sides.  The more I learn about playing this game, the more I realize how good of a golf hole this really is...a miss long, left or right and you are in TROUBLE!  Harris gives you a fairway in front of the green to leave it short and chip and putt for your par, or if the shot fits your eye, you can hit a little runner up the gut.

#8 - 381 par 4
My favorite hole on the course, by far!  A valley cuts across the fairway from about 210-240yds forcing you to make a bit of a decision...lay up or try to carry it?  Most big hitters won't have a problem carrying the valley, but for those that end up at the bottom, they are left with a blind approach to a green guarded by a bunker front right.  This bunker schooled me in the art of deception.  From the fairway, it looks as if it is snuggled up right next to the green, but when you get up there, you find a good 10-15 yards of room separating the two. 

I'd love to hear about some others...

[Garland Bayley]

There is a mom and pop a few miles from my workplace called Sandelie. A group of us often get out for a lunch time 9. Unfortunately, the front 9 is fairly boring, and that is where we are usually put out to play. One time we got out on the back and it is a more interesting 9. And, its OB is all on the right! Hooray. One of the funniest stories from my playing occurred the one time we got out on the back. We played a game of snakes where the person last three putting pays a fee to all others for each three putt that occurred during the round. One player was often that payer as his putting is weak. On a short par 4, he hits his approach to the fringe and heaves a sigh of relief as he can approach putt from there without it counting against his putt count. I, and another player are about 50 yards out needing to play low runners under tree branches. I play mine. It runs in and knocks the poor putters almost all the way onto the green. At that point, the other player calls his shot saying he is going to knock that ball on the green, which he proceeds to do with another low running shot like mine. I swear the whole foursome could be heard for miles with all the whooping, hollering, and laughing.

[C. Sturges]

First off I love Mom and Pop courses and go out of my way to play them.  I really like 9 hole courses so I can play a couple different ones in a day.
One of my all time favorites is Agate Beach GC, on the Oregon coast.  It is also well know for letting you take your dog with you.  One of my most enjoyable days playing there, four groups on the course, 12 people total, and six dogs!  I am not sure who was having more fun, the people or their best friend.  The course also has some good holes and wonderful views of the Pacific at the start and end.

Long live the Mom and Pop courses!
Chris

[Matthew Petersen]

There is a course in Elizabeth, CO called Spring Valley that I used to enjoy quite a lot.

Elizabeth was, until the best 15 years or so, still quite removed from the Denver metro area and was more ranches than anything else. My family's original homestead ranch was out there and we were aware of one land owner in the area, just across the road from our place, who was building his own golf course. As far as I know he designed it himself, as well.

I was in high school when it first opened. It was a rough track, obviously, but overall had a routing I was really impressed with and I always liked to make the drive out there. As I recall the property was bisected by a creek, to the west the land was mostly flat, to the east there was a large hill. Many holes played around the creek or up in the hills.

I think I read somewhere that the course was bought out, or at least is now being operated by a professional group. In the early days, though, it was rugged as could be, and I loved it.

[Brian Laurent]

Good stuff...

I'll toss out another...Mill Creek in Ostrander, Ohio.  Built by a farmer and family run since the early 70's.  It's always fun playing on a Saturday or Sunday morning during the British Open because you can usually ask the nice woman behind the counter how her son is playing...Ben Curtis.  After playing it once, I can see how Ben is so accurate with his irons.  Tight fairways and small greens, but a lot of fun! 

[John Moore II]

I can name a few. One, closed down in Raleigh, Cheviot Hills. The land was just worth way more than the golf course was. Another in Raleigh is Wil-Mar Golf Club. They are still going, better after the close of Cheviot Hills. Fun course to play with guys in the mornings, if nothing special architecturally. By and large though, these courses are being run out of business by the bigger courses. I play them whenever I can.

[Zack Molnar]

One time I was out on the olympic peninsula in washington state in Olympic national park when i came across a course that a guy made on his land there. I cant remember the name of it, but there was no starter, no tee times, and an honesty box for you to pay. you could even rent clubs and pay for them. The course was mowed with a regular lawn mower, and the greens were just cut a little shorter. nothing fancy, except for the one bunker next to the 8th green.
It was one of the greatest times i have ever had playing though. It was just me and my dad out playing on a beautiful evening, and you couldnt have asked for more. I hope that i can get back to that gem once again in my life. It truly holds a special place in my heart.

[Ulrich Mayring]

To come up with a different perspective, we don't have these in Germany. In fact, I don't think any country on the European continent has them. I would even suggest that the UK doesn't have them (or I might be mistaken about the definition of "Mom and Pop course").

Land is so expensive in most parts of the world that only bigger courses can survive.

Ulrich

[Jon Wiggett]

To come up with a different perspective, we don't have these in Germany. In fact, I don't think any country on the European continent has them. I would even suggest that the UK doesn't have them (or I might be mistaken about the definition of "Mom and Pop course").

Land is so expensive in most parts of the world that only bigger courses can survive.

Ulrich

Ulrich,

what do you understand by the phrase "Mom and Pop course"?

I would suggest that it is a low budget, basic, cheap greenfee facility run as or like a family business. Where I used to be in in Switzerland had one which was Rastenmoos just outside Luzern. In the UK there are many muni's that provide low greenfee rounds but there are some about. The cost of land is dependant on where you are but leasing is not overly expensive.

Jon

[Pat Burke]

In the early 70's, I had the chance to go up the Adams, MA (NW corner).  My grandfather was the head pro, and ran Forrest Park CC.
A little nine holer, with a bunch of fun stuff.  My grandparents lived upstairs in the clubhouse.  My grandfather had a little shop, gave some lessons, and tended bar . 
When I visited, it was the first place, that I could play at any time of the day!  I went around that place so many times, it was dizzying!
I can still smell what the course smelled like when you walked out of the clubhouse!

[JC Jones]

Most of my favorite golfing memories are at "mom and pop" courses.  Like Anthony Gray's recent thread reveals, generally these courses were built with little to no earth moving and therefore, although they dont conform to our general notions of course set up, they are quirky and filled with character.  Almost all of the time I'd rather play one of these courses than Housing Development X or Carts Only Course from 1990s Course.

For you mid-Michigan folks, I'm thinking of Brookshire Steak and Rib in Williamston, El Dorado in Mason/Holt and Indian Hills in Okemos.

[Ulrich Mayring]

I would suggest that it is a low budget, basic, cheap greenfee facility run as or like a family business.

Good definition, that's about what I thought. Well, we don't have that here in Germany and the course you mentioned in Switzerland charges $4600 to join and then yearly dues of $2300. Green fee is $88.

Nice try, next please

I do realise that many low budget courses exist in the UK, but wouldn't see most of them as a "family business" or "greenfee facility". Especially those in remote areas operate on a non-profit, local community basis.

Ulrich

[Jon Wiggett]

I would suggest that it is a low budget, basic, cheap greenfee facility run as or like a family business.

Good definition, that's about what I thought. Well, we don't have that here in Germany and the course you mentioned in Switzerland charges $4600 to join and then yearly dues of $2300. Green fee is $88.

Nice try, next please

I do realise that many low budget courses exist in the UK, but wouldn't see most of them as a "family business" or "greenfee facility". Especially those in remote areas operate on a non-profit, local community basis.

Ulrich

Ulrich,

don't know what the greenfee is this year at Rastenmoos but last year it was CHF.45.- or about 30 euros. If you want to become a member although it might say there is a joining fee on the website you can get in without one (let me know if you want to join ). I also think that you need to compare apples with apples. In Switzerland most lowland courses have greenfees in excess of CHF.100.- and joiniong fees of CHF.10'000.- to CHF.30'000.-  Rastenmoos is owned by one family and run as a low cost facility hence my usung it as an example.

Please reread my first post and then think about what you have written in your last sentence. You know most four legged dogs have four legs if you get my drift
I thought Germany had the Euro and not the Dollar or maybe I am mistaken here too 

Jon

[Sean_A]

To come up with a different perspective, we don't have these in Germany. In fact, I don't think any country on the European continent has them. I would even suggest that the UK doesn't have them (or I might be mistaken about the definition of "Mom and Pop course").

Land is so expensive in most parts of the world that only bigger courses can survive.

Ulrich

Ulrich

In my experience I would agree that M&Ps don't exist in Europe.  The closest I have gotten to it are the munis in England.  The courses have the same feel of cheap and cheerful, but the houses are very different.  M&Ps are often essentially bars (well, the best ones I have seen) with a course attached and for many seen as an extension of the bar.  That atmosphere is nowhere near duplicated in England by the munis or small local clubs. 

I used to play at a great M&P south of Ann Arbor.  It never closed and one could shoot pool until a game turned up.  I forget the name because I always called it the Blue Collar Country Club.

Ciao

[Ulrich Mayring]

Jon,

they say on the website that the greenfee is CHF 95, which translates to about $88.

Ulrich

[Jon Wiggett]

Ulrich,

does it not say Day Greenfee including LUNCH?

[JC Jones]

I used to play at a great M&P south of Ann Arbor.  It never closed and one could shoot pool until a game turned up.  I forget the name because I always called it the Blue Collar Country Club.

Ciao

Brookside in Saline off of Ann Arbor/Saline road?

[Ulrich Mayring]

Jon, I haven't found any other greenfee price on their webiste. I'll ask a Swiss friend of mine, maybe he knows something.

Ulrich

[Ed Oden]

I'm thinking of Brookshire Steak and Rib in Williamston

Let me guess, surf and turf is the club specialty?  No doubt they have a four course menu. 

[John Chilver-Stainer]

Ulrich

In Switzerland I’ve built 7 golf courses for family run businesses which have all started out as “low cost” public golf centres and I’m about to build an 8th.

All began as Driving Ranges in the field at the back of the farmhouse, some of them picking balls up by hand before milking the cows!!!
Thanks to the swiss golfers, who are fanatical, they could reinvest their takings and improve the facilities into state of the art Driving Ranges.
5 of them then adding a 6-Hole Course to test the golf markets.

Dad would run the business and the farm, mum would run the snack bar and feed the sons and daughters, who helped out with the greenkeeping and reception.

Eventually the cows were relegated to hamburgers in the restaurant and the tractors swopped for excavaters and the 9-Holes constructed and memberships sold.

In the meantime two of the courses have been expanded into 18-Hole prestige golf courses with full memberships and the other 5 are running very successfully as 9-Hole Golf Clubs.

The “mom and pop’s” are my absolute favourite clients - as I become part of the family and join them in their very personal "up and down" adventure into the great unknown of golfdom.

By the way you can believe Jon Wiggett as he worked at Rastenmoos G.C. last year ...... and even moreso as Jon is at present constructing his very own “mom and pop” or at least “husband and wife” 9-Hole REVERSIBLE golf course - if you’re anywhere near Dingwall in Scotland (that’s not far from Inverness) go and check him out at the Branan Golf Course.

[JC Jones]

I'm thinking of Brookshire Steak and Rib in Williamston

Let me guess, surf and turf is the club specialty?  No doubt they have a four course menu. 

I'm not good enough to make these things up, check out the coupons:

http://www.brookshiregolfclub.com/

[Jon Wiggett]

Jon, I haven't found any other greenfee price on their webiste. I'll ask a Swiss friend of mine, maybe he knows something.

Ulrich

Ulrich,

go to the website choose Golfanlage/Mitgliedschaften subsection Tarife and read

Ganzes Jahr
Tageskarte inkl. Menü Fr. 95.- ! (Mo-Fr)

So you see you don't have to trouble anyone else 

Jon

[Ulrich Mayring]

Yes, that's the only price they publish. My Swiss friend said he played there and that was the price he had to pay for 18 holes as well. He didn't know anything about 45 CHF, but said it could be the 9 hole price.

Ulrich