Springfield CC (Ohio)

[BHoover]

Does any out there have any photos of this Ross course west of Columbus? I know that it's been discussed from time-to-time on here, but I haven't found any photo tours. I was supposed to go out there to see it earlier this year, but I never had a chance to make it out there.

Thanks in advanc to anyone who does have any photos to share.

[Parker Reeves]

I don't have any pictures, but I look forward to seeing some.  I've played it a few times and it has one of, if the most, severe collection of green complexes I've ever played. 

[Jeff_Stettner]

Springfield CC was my happy accidental play this year. My tire valve broke while I was filling a tire in Springfield and ended up stuck there for a day while a sensor was delivered. I will try and post a few photos. Texted a picture of the ninth hole to a friend who works in architecture and he thought I was playing Scioto.
It's an extremely enjoyable golf course that traverses some hilly terrain. From what I know, it is very authentic to the original Ross work, although you can see how the fairways have shrunk over time (there are little bumps and mounds that are in rough and/or blocked by trees that would add character if they were more in play). There are some neat features, like a small berm in front of a shorter par 5 to slow running approaches and some false fronts that are just plain devious. One of the more hidden gems that I had heard little of.

[Parker Reeves]

I agree, Jeff.  It really is a hidden gem.  The golf course is lots of fun to play and is well-kept.  The practice facility is very nice as well!

[Will Lozier]

Brian,

You and I have talked a lot about SCC.  It is the course I have played more than any other having worked there while in HS and played with numerous buddies who are members while my mother lives just a hundred or so yards away in a house my father built.  It is also my favorite everyday course anywhere.  I have long wanted to do a photo tour and while I was home for my mom's 70th just a month or so ago, I was unable to play with a bad back.  I promise to do one when I am home for Christmas.  The highlights for me are:

#1 - One of the greatest opening tee shots I know of and a fantastic hole to boot...you learn right away not to be above the hole!

#4 - A great long two-shotter that would greatly benefit from more width.  The new green is interesting but...not sure that mowing the old 4, 8 & 18th greens just a little higher would have made for a better solution.

#7-9 - Just a great stretch of holes PERFECTLY routed along the boundary with the 8th green one of the best skyline greens anywhere.

#10 - Wonderful ground with a one-of-a-kind green!

#12 - Would be better if the tee were pushed up and played as a LONG 4-par with a treacherous low-profile green that looks pretty innocuous.

#13 - CRAZY HUGE  SLOPING green...a lovely and difficult medium length one-shotter.

#15-18 - World-class finish for me with the punchbowl (but severely sloping) green, a tough long par-3, a 600-yard par-5 with a great tee shot from back in the trees over the hill...and blind, and a 420-yard uphill finisher with another new green.  

The bunker renovation work looks great but a ton of trees need to be taken out and fairway lines reclaimed with a number of old fairway bunkers look totally out of place well off the short grass and some even in the trees.  Many of the holes on flatter ground have fantastic greensites that add great interest and the use of the hillier portions of the property are top notch!

There is a great old aerial in the locker room that you should check out if ever there that I will snap a pic of as well.

Cheers

[BHoover]

I'm looking forward to your photo tour, Will.  My wife recently told me that she'd like me to look into a non-resident membership at another club.  She is hoping that I won't play as much golf after the baby arrives in February, and so she is trying to "suggest" that I consider dropping my membership at my current club.  I'm not really interested in that option, but I told her that I would at least consider it.  The public options in Columbus don't particularly interest me, so I thought that Springfield might be worth checking out.  

[Tom Allen]

Very nice course Brian.  I might have a few photos from a few years ago.  I doubt it, but I will look, and post them if I do.  As noted above, it had some very severe greens when I played it a few years ago, but at the end of that year they were going to soften some of the slopes to make them (more?) playable.  I quite enjoyed the course, despite putting right off of two greens (don't ever get above the hole).