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C. Sturges

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Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #25 on: April 12, 2011, 02:13:44 PM »
Has anyone played Sugar Bush?  Not in the same league as the others, but a solid course.  It was designed by Harold Paddock, who designed many courses in Northern Ohio.  I have liked all his courses that I have played.
Chris

Niall Hay

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Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #26 on: April 12, 2011, 03:12:43 PM »
Niall,

Here's a few Country photos for you....


Country looks is pretty great shape....

Any reason for so many Flynn designs in Cleveland? I thought he was a Philly guy.

PCCraig

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #27 on: April 12, 2011, 03:27:34 PM »
Niall,

Here's a few Country photos for you....


Country looks is pretty great shape....

Any reason for so many Flynn designs in Cleveland? I thought he was a Philly guy.

I would guess it's because at one point Cleveland was a very wealthy industrial town (think Standard Oil) with old line money and ties to the east coast.
H.P.S.

Niall Hay

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #28 on: April 12, 2011, 03:37:47 PM »
Could be right, just seems like a lot of his work in this area regardless. Also seems a long way from Indian Creek.

Carr Harris

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #29 on: April 12, 2011, 03:42:22 PM »
Could be right, just seems like a lot of his work in this area regardless. Also seems a long way from Indian Creek.

If you look at Flynn's portfolio Indian Creek seems to be the geographic outlier.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Flynn_(golfer)

Niall Hay

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #30 on: April 12, 2011, 03:43:16 PM »
Indian Creek is very good though. Greens perfect. Clubhouse and setting almost as good as the course.

Billsteele

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #31 on: April 12, 2011, 04:33:28 PM »
I believe Flynn had some connection to the Standard Oil folks in Cleveland. If memory serves, when that same group was looking for an architect for their winter retreat in Florida, they also retained Flynn. Thus, Cleveland Heights in Lakeland was created. It is now a muni run by the City of Lakeland. The original eighteen was eventually turned into 27 by the City but there is still some Flynn there...although it is hard to see in most spots. Some of the greensites on the original holes are pretty cool.


As for Cleveland courses, I can only echo what others have said. Sleepy Hollow and Manakiki are very good. Hawthorne Valley (Ross) is now public and well worth a play. Fowler's Mill, an early Pete Dye design for TRW Corporation, is also good and very much the low profile Dye that you find at places like Harbour Town and The Golf Club. Unfortunately, my understanding is that it will close after this year.

On the private side, I love Canterbury and Kirtland. The last four holes at Canterbury and the back nine at Kirtland are sublime. As most have said, Brookside is terrific but Canton is a good hour drive south of Cleveland. Sand Ridge in Chardon is a very good Fazio. I have not been to the Country Club yet but it is on my to do list.

If anyone does put together a day at Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow, let me know. It would be well worth the drive from Columbus.

Evan Fleisher

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #32 on: April 12, 2011, 04:55:13 PM »
Has anyone played Sugar Bush?  Not in the same league as the others, but a solid course.  It was designed by Harold Paddock, who designed many courses in Northern Ohio.  I have liked all his courses that I have played.
Chris

Chris,

Played it for the first time last summer, and absolutely loved it!  Easy walking course, a bunch of short half-par holes and a wonderful rolling, hilly, tree-lined old country course.
Born Rochester, MN. Grew up Miami, FL. Live Cleveland, OH. Handicap 13.2. Have 26 & 23 year old girls and wife of 29 years. I'm a Senior Supply Chain Business Analyst for Vitamix. Diehard walker, but tolerate cart riders! Love to travel, always have my sticks with me. Mollydooker for life!

Evan Fleisher

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #33 on: April 12, 2011, 04:57:22 PM »
I believe Flynn had some connection to the Standard Oil folks in Cleveland. If memory serves, when that same group was looking for an architect for their winter retreat in Florida, they also retained Flynn. Thus, Cleveland Heights in Lakeland was created. It is now a muni run by the City of Lakeland. The original eighteen was eventually turned into 27 by the City but there is still some Flynn there...although it is hard to see in most spots. Some of the greensites on the original holes are pretty cool.


As for Cleveland courses, I can only echo what others have said. Sleepy Hollow and Manakiki are very good. Hawthorne Valley (Ross) is now public and well worth a play. Fowler's Mill, an early Pete Dye design for TRW Corporation, is also good and very much the low profile Dye that you find at places like Harbour Town and The Golf Club. Unfortunately, my understanding is that it will close after this year.

On the private side, I love Canterbury and Kirtland. The last four holes at Canterbury and the back nine at Kirtland are sublime. As most have said, Brookside is terrific but Canton is a good hour drive south of Cleveland. Sand Ridge in Chardon is a very good Fazio. I have not been to the Country Club yet but it is on my to do list.

If anyone does put together a day at Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow, let me know. It would be well worth the drive from Columbus.

Sounds like someone (maybe me! me! me!) needs to set-up an unofficial GCA outing to Sleepy Hollow (and possibly Manakiki)?  As we progress through the Spring/ early Summer I can look at some dates and try to get a gathering established.

Thoughts?  Sounds like so far we'd have me, Bill Steele, and Jonathan Becker.  Anyone else interested in this architectural romp through public golf in The Clev?
Born Rochester, MN. Grew up Miami, FL. Live Cleveland, OH. Handicap 13.2. Have 26 & 23 year old girls and wife of 29 years. I'm a Senior Supply Chain Business Analyst for Vitamix. Diehard walker, but tolerate cart riders! Love to travel, always have my sticks with me. Mollydooker for life!

Carr Harris

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #34 on: April 12, 2011, 05:28:25 PM »
Evan,

If I can make it work with my schedule count me in.

I have long wanted to play Sleepy Hollow.

Paul Stephenson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #35 on: April 12, 2011, 06:30:07 PM »
For a GCA outing at a Thompson course in Cleveland I'd consider making the drive from Toronto.

Ryan Taylor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #36 on: April 12, 2011, 07:55:04 PM »
Evan,

Count me in. I have a short drive up from Pgh.

RT
"Bandon is like Chamonix for skiers or the North Shore of Oahu for surfers,” Rogers said. “It is where those who really care end up."

Niall Hay

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #37 on: April 12, 2011, 07:56:53 PM »
I believe Flynn had some connection to the Standard Oil folks in Cleveland. If memory serves, when that same group was looking for an architect for their winter retreat in Florida, they also retained Flynn. Thus, Cleveland Heights in Lakeland was created. It is now a muni run by the City of Lakeland. The original eighteen was eventually turned into 27 by the City but there is still some Flynn there...although it is hard to see in most spots. Some of the greensites on the original holes are pretty cool.


As for Cleveland courses, I can only echo what others have said. Sleepy Hollow and Manakiki are very good. Hawthorne Valley (Ross) is now public and well worth a play. Fowler's Mill, an early Pete Dye design for TRW Corporation, is also good and very much the low profile Dye that you find at places like Harbour Town and The Golf Club. Unfortunately, my understanding is that it will close after this year.

On the private side, I love Canterbury and Kirtland. The last four holes at Canterbury and the back nine at Kirtland are sublime. As most have
said, Brookside is terrific but Canton is a good hour drive south of Cleveland. Sand Ridge in Chardon is a very good Fazio. I have not been to the Country Club yet but it is on my to do list.

If anyone does put together a day at Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow, let me know. It would be well worth the drive from Columbus.

Great insight. Where do you rate "Country"?

Criss Titschinger

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #38 on: April 12, 2011, 09:01:56 PM »
If anyone does put together a day at Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow, let me know. It would be well worth the drive from Columbus.

If my schedule aligned, I would come up from Cincinnati. I may do this anyway by myself, because I want to play Fowler's Mill this summer as well, in case it shuts down after this season.

Glad someone mentioned Hawthorne which recently went public/semi-private.

Haven't played any of the privates, but consensus matches what's already been posted (Country Club, Kirtland, Canterbury, Sand Ridge).

Always difficult when you merge the Cleveland and Akron/Canton area together. On the Akron/Canton public side, I've heard Quarry is pretty good, but haven't had a chance to play it yet.

Billsteele

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #39 on: April 12, 2011, 09:18:27 PM »
Niall-I have not yet made it to "Country. Maybe this is the year. Have only heard good things about it.

Chris-The Quarry is a good public option. Brian Huntley designed it and did a very good job. He has several solid designs in the Buckeye State. Fowler's MIll is worth the effort. The last time I heard anything, it seemed a certainty that this will be the last year that it is open. Hopefully, that will change.

C. Sturges

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #40 on: April 12, 2011, 09:25:10 PM »
Evan,
I would be in and happy to help set up a play day!  The only thing is these courses can get very slow on weekend afternoons. 
Chris

Charlie Visconsi

Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #41 on: April 12, 2011, 09:42:36 PM »
As a member at Canterbury and former Clevelander, Canterbury is really a great track.  Fun layout;great condition and great caddy program.  Other good courses are Shaker Hts CC (about 2 mins from Canterbury), Sand Ridge (almost one hour east of downtown), Kirtland (unbelievable back 9 through the Chagrin River) and Country.  For public courses (15 years ago), Fowlers Mill was an early Pete Dye course with a lot of his trademarks and Sleepy Hollow south of the City.  I cant speak of anything after 1998 as I moved 13 yrs ago.  ALso, check out Firestone especially the North course (they just started a caddy program last year). 

Tim_Weiman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #42 on: April 12, 2011, 11:13:55 PM »
Niall,

Believe it or not, Cleveland is one of the very best cities in America when it comes to golf, but not because of any of the courses mentioned here.

What makes Cleveland so nice is the volume of decent courses you can play for $20-30. They are all over the place.

Golfers want to play more, not pay more. They can do it in Cleveland.

As a present to myself following a divorce, I joined Sand Ridge when it opened. The vista's around the wetlands make it a beautiful place that I treasure when I am able to visit. But, the private courses - good as many are - aren't the real Cleveland story.

John K:

I probably enjoy Rec Park in Long Beach, CA more, but Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow are tough to top when it comes to munis. Wish Houston - my current home - had courses like them.
Tim Weiman

David Kelly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #43 on: April 12, 2011, 11:40:06 PM »
I probably enjoy Rec Park in Long Beach, CA more, but Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow are tough to top when it comes to munis. Wish Houston - my current home - had courses like them.

You wouldn't put Memorial Park in Houston with Rec Park or Manikiki? 
"Whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent." - Judge Holden, Blood Meridian.

Niall Hay

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #44 on: April 12, 2011, 11:52:59 PM »
Niall,

Believe it or not, Cleveland is one of the very best cities in America when it comes to golf, but not because of any of the courses mentioned here.

What makes Cleveland so nice is the volume of decent courses you can play for $20-30. They are all over the place.

Golfers want to play more, not pay more. They can do it in Cleveland.

As a present to myself following a divorce, I joined Sand Ridge when it opened. The vista's around the wetlands make it a beautiful place that I treasure when I am able to visit. But, the private courses - good as many are - aren't the real story.

But the classics (private or otherwise) are great!

John K:

I probably enjoy Rec Park in Long Beach, CA more, but Manakiki and Sleepy Hollow are tough to top when it comes to munis. Wish Houston - my current home - had courses like them.

Tim_Weiman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #45 on: April 13, 2011, 12:58:59 AM »
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 three are much better properties and have more fun shots to play.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2011, 09:34:42 PM by Tim_Weiman »
Tim Weiman

Tom MacWood

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #46 on: April 13, 2011, 07:09:52 AM »
Country Club is a good solid course, but there something about it that makes it less interesting than others IMO. I think it may be the topography, or less interesting topography to be more specific. That is one of the great things about Cleveland golf, a lot of very interesting rolling land. If given a choice of only one course to play in the area I'd choose Mayfield. It is the most fun.

Robert Thompson

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Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #47 on: April 13, 2011, 08:05:26 AM »
I've long wanted to see Thompson's work in and around Cleveland. Ian Andrew and I have been threatening to make a trip for some time.
Terrorizing Toronto Since 1997

Read me at Canadiangolfer.com

Brian Laurent

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #48 on: April 13, 2011, 08:27:27 AM »
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
"You know the two easiest jobs in the world? College basketball coach or golf course superintendent, because everybody knows how to do your job better than you do." - Roy Williams | @brianjlaurent | @OHSuperNetwork

Jason Connor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Cleveland Area Golf
« Reply #49 on: April 13, 2011, 09:03:11 AM »
I'm a huge fan of both Manakiki & Sleepy Hollow. I'm not from Cleveland and didn't really have connections while living there, so I didn't play any of the privates, even though I lived right by Shaker CC.

Can anyone who's played both Shaker (Ross) & Manakiki (Ross) compare the two.  Manakiki seems more interesting because it has far more elevation change and more land.

Shaker -- though I've only seen it from the road, albeit every day during the 5 years I lived there -- seems very short, very narrow, and for Cleveland surprisingly flat.

Manakiki could use a few hundred trees cut down, though I'm told there have been some changes since I left. 

Definitely Manakiki & Sleepy Hollow are worth checking out.  Not only will you find two find courses, chances are you'll meet up with some good guys to play with.  I've met many great guys on those two courses.

We discovered that in good company there is no such thing as a bad golf course.  - James Dodson