Medina County 2020 Golf Preview

Section

D

GOLF 2020

D2 Wednesday, May 20, 2020

MEDINA COUNTY PUBLIC/SEMI-PRIVATE Bunker Hill Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 3060 Pearl Road, Medina Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,711 yards from the black tees; 6,196 yards from the blue tees, 5,676 from the hybrid tees; 5,249 yards from the white tees; 4,907 yards from the gold tees. PAR: 72/71.

MANAGER: Chad Gibson. PHONE: (330) 722-4174. FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. bunkerhillgolf.com.

Coppertop Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 5740 Center Road, Brunswick. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,269 yards from the blue tees; 5,900 yards from the white tees; 5,582 yards from the gold tees; 4,980 yards from the red tees. PAR: 70. DIRECTOR OF GOLF: Alec Andrews. PHONE: (330) 2256122. FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials. WEBSITE: www.coppertopgolf.com

The Gazette

Cossett Creek

Ironwood Golf Course

Rawiga Country Club

WHERE IT IS: 4900 Center Road, Brunswick. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,615 yards from the black tees; 6,081 yards from the white tees; 4,774 yards from the green tees.

PAR: 72. HEAD PRO: Darren Butler. PHONE: (330) 2257370. FEES: (Cart included) 18 holes, $30 (Monday-Friday), $39 (Saturday, Sunday and holidays); 9 holes, $19 (Monday-Friday), $22 (Saturday, Sunday and holidays). Senior rate, 18 holes, $26 (Monday-Friday), 9 holes, $17 (Monday-Friday). WEBSITE: www.cossettcreek.com

WHERE IT IS: 445 State Road, Hinckley Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,364 yards from the black tees; 6,076 yards from the blue tees; 5,592 yards from the white tees; 4,923 yards from the green tees. PAR: 71/74.

MANAGERS: Bob and Diane Brown. PHONE: (330) 278-7171.

FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. ironwoodgolfcoursehinckleyohio. com.

WHERE IT IS: 10353 Rawiga Road, Guilford Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,711 yards from the black tees; 6,359 yards from the white tees; 5,610 yards from the gold tees; 4,941 yards from the red tees.

PAR: 72. MANAGER: Bill Colianni.

HEAD PRO: Bill Colianni.

PHONE: (330) 336-8809. FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials.

WEBSITE: www.rawigacc.com.

Pleasant Valley Country Club

WHERE IT IS: 7441 Tower Road, Montville Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,241 yards from the blue tees; 5,893 yards from the white tees; 4,968 yards from the gold tees.

PAR: 71. MANAGER: Jack Emery. PHONE: (330) 725-5500.

FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. ridgetopgolfcourse.net.

Hinckley Hills Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 300 State Road, Hinckley Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,509 yards from the blue tees; 5,845 yards from the white tees; 4,911 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72/71.

MANAGER: Sue Smith. HEAD PRO: Michael Smith. PHONE: (330) 278-4861. FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. hinckleyhillsgolf.com.

WHERE IT IS: 3830 Hamilton Road, Medina Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,912 yards from the blue tees; 6,429 yards from the white tees; 5,506 yards from the gold teams; 4,843 yards from the red tees.

PAR: 72. MANAGER: Kristin Ostmann. PHONE: (330) 7255770. FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials. WEBSITE: www.golfpleasantvalley.net.

Pine Hills Golf Club

Championship Golf Awaits Experience the Best Greens in NE Ohio!

WHERE IT IS: 433 West 130th, Hinckley Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,785 yards from the blue tees; 6,523 from the combo tees; 6,353 yards from the white tees; 5,860 yards from the gold tees; 5,347 yards from the green tees. PAR: 72/73.

MANAGER: David Kinnell. HEAD PRO: David Kinnell. PHONE: (330) 225-4477. FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials.

WEBSITE: www.golfpinehills.net.

Pine Valley Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 469 Reimer Road, Wadsworth Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,097 yards from the blue tees; 5,268 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72. PHONE: (330) 335-3375.

OWNERS: Michael and Lisa Reynolds. FEES: Call or check the website for daily, weekend, senior rates and specials. WEBSITE: www.pinevalleyohio.com.

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Ridge Top Golf Course

Shale Creek Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 5420 Wolff Road, York Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Semi-private.

LENGTH: 7,026 yards from the gold tees; 6,652 yards from the black tees; 6,338 yards from the blue tees; 5,913 yards from the white tees; 5,043 yards from the green tees. PAR: 71. MANAGER: Scott Schreck. HEAD PRO: Rob McArdle. PHONE: (330) 7238774. FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials. WEBSITE: www.shalecreekgolfclubggp.com.

Valleaire Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 6969 Boston Road, Hinckley Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,503 yards from the blue tees; 6,104 yards from the white tees; 5,599 yards from the gold tees; 5,410 yards from the red tees.

PAR: 72/74. MANAGER: Cindy Cole. PHONE: (440) 237-9191.

FEES: Call or check the website for daily and weekend rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. valleairegolf.com.

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MEDINA COUNTY PRIVATE COURSES Fox Meadow Country Club (Meadows Course) WHERE IT IS: 4260 Fox Meadow Drive, Montville Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Private. LENGTH: 6,917 yards from the black tees; 6,549 yards from the gold tees; 6,305 yards from the blue tees; 5,801 yards from the white tees; 4,988 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72.

MANAGER: Rob Smyser. HEAD PRO: Todd Ekstrand. PHONE: (330) 723-4653. MEMBERSHIPS: Call for rates. WEBSITE: www. foxmeadowcc.com.

Fox Meadow Country Club (Weymouth Course) WHERE IT IS: 3946 Weymouth Road, Medina Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Private. LENGTH: 7,007 yards from the black tees; 6,718 yards from the gold tees; 6,408 yards from the blue tees; 5,936 yards from the white tees; 5,243 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72/73. MANAGER: Autumn Keller.

HEAD PRO: Kevin Maust. PHONE: (330) 725-6297. MEMBERSHIPS: Call for rates WEBSITE: www. weymouthcc.com.

Westfield Group Country Club WHERE IT IS: One Park Circle, Westfield Center. TYPE OF COURSE: Private. LENGTH: South Course: 6,774 yards from the No. 1 tees; 6,280 yards from the No. 2 tees; 5,712 yards from the No. 3 tees; 5,066 yards from the No. 4 tees; 4,541 from the No. 5 tees; PAR: 71. MANAGER: Amy McNutt.

GOLF PROFESSIONAL: Chad Kitzmiller. SUPERINTENDENT: Kyle Smith. PHONE: (330) 887-0391. MEMBERSHIPS: Call for rates. WEBSITE: www.

Westfieldgroupcountryclub.com.

MEDINA COUNTY DRIVING RANGE Buzzard Cove WHERE: 1053 Bellus Road, Hinckley Township. PHONE: (330) 278-2384. FEATURES: 25 tee boxes with target areas to hone your game. HOURS: See website for details. PRICES: $7 for 30 balls; $9 for 75 balls; $10 for 120 balls.

MANAGER: Joe Gallo. OTHER SERVICES: Miniature golf and driving range with an arcade room as well as a snack bar. WEBSITE: www.buzzardcove.com.

GOLF 2020

The Gazette

Foxcreek Golf & Racquet WHERE IT IS: 5445 Beavercrest Drive in Lorain, off Rt. 2 and Rt. 58 exit. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,410 yards.

PAR: 71. PHONE: (440) 282-9106, ext. 1. FEES: Call for information and specials. WEBSITE: www. foxcreeksports.com

Aqua Marine Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 216 Miller Road, Avon Lake. TYPE OF COURSE: Public, nine-hole par-3. PAR: 27.

PHONE: (440) 933-7607. FEES: Call for rates.

Sweetbriar Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 750 Jaycox Road, east of Rt. 83 between Chester and Walker roads in Avon Lake. TYPE OF COURSE: Public (daily fee). LENGTH: (Legacy 18) 6,634 yards from the black tees; 6,064 yards from the blue tees, 5,540 yards from the white tees; 4,834 yards from the red tees; (Sweetbriar) 6,038 yards from the blue tees; 5,738 yards from the white tees; 4,908 yards from the red tees; (Cherry Ridge, 9 holes) 2,803 yards from the blue tees; 2,606 yards from the white tees; 2,286 yards from the red tees; PAR: 72 (Legacy 18); 70/71 (Sweetbriar); 35/36 (Cherry Ridge). PHONE: (440) 9339001. FEES: Call for pricing or see website. WEBSITE: www. sweetbriargolfclub.com

Avon Oaks Country Club WHERE IT IS: 32300 Detroit Road, Avon. TYPE OF COURSE: Private. LENGTH: 6,720 yards from the gold tees; 6,402 yards from the blue tees; 5,880 yards from the white tees; 5,671 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72/74. HEAD PRO: Matt Stroud. PHONE: (440) 892-0660.

MEMBERSHIPS: Call for rates.

WEBSITE: www.avonoakscc.com

Hilliard Lakes Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 31665 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 5,611 yards from the red tees; 5,915 from the gold tees; 6,389 from the white tees; 6,985 from the blue tees. PAR: 72. OWNER: Zaleski family. PHONE: (440) 871-9578. FEES: Call for pricing or see website. WEBSITE: www. hilliardlakesgc.com

Red Tail Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 4400 Lear Nagle Road, Avon. TYPE OF COURSE: Private. LENGTH: 67,007 yards from the black tees; 6,590 yards from the blue tees; 6,081 yards from the white tees; 5,238 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72. HEAD PRO: Todd Company. PHONE: (440) 9376018 (clubhouse), (440) 937-6286 (pro shop). MEMBERSHIP FEES: Call for rates. WEBSITE: www. redtailgolfclub.com

Bob-O-Link WHERE IT IS: 4141 Center Road, 3 miles north of Rt. 20 in Avon. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: (White and Red Courses) 6,341 yards from the

back tees; 5,978 yards from the forward tees; 4,618 yards from the front tees; (Gold and Blue Courses) 6,310 yards from the back tees; 5,944 yards from the middle tees; 4,350 yards from the red tees. PARS: (White and Red Courses) 71; (Gold and Blue Courses) 72. MANAGER: Bill Fitch. PRO: Vicki Harshberger.

SUPERINTENDENT: Brian Fitch. PHONE: (440) 934-6217.

FEES: Call for pricing or see website. WEBSITE: www. bobolinkgolfcourse.com

Cherry Ridge Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 1211 West River Road off the end of Country Club Drive just south of Midway Mall in Elyria. TYPE OF COURSE: Public, 9 holes. LENGTH: 2,803 yards from the blue tees; 2,606 yards from the white tees; 2,286 yards from the red tees. PAR: 35.

PHONE: (440) 324-3713. FEES: Call for rates.

Valley of the Eagles Club WHERE IT IS: 1100 Gulf Road, Elyria. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,941 yards from the black tees; 6,375 yards from the blue tees; 5,885 yards from the white tees; 5,315 yards from the gold tees; 4,654 yards from the green tees. PAR: 72.

GENERAL MANAGER: Ray Metz.

HEAD PRO: Barry Friedman.

SUPERINTENDENT: John Gold. PHONE: (440) 365-1411.

FEES: Call for pricing or see the website. WEBSITE: www. valleyoftheeaglesnational.com

Royal Crest Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 23310 Royalton

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Road (Rt. 82), Columbia Station.

TYPE OF COURSE: Public.

LENGTH: 6,763 yards from the blue tees; 6,205 yards from the white tees; 5,509 from the yellow tees; 5,071 yards from the red tees. PAR: 71. MANAGERS: The Madak family. PHONE: (440) 236-5644. FEES: Call for rates.

WEBSITE: www.golfroyalcrest. com

River Road (Rt. 252) in Columbia Station. TYPE OF COURSE: Private. LENGTH: 6,632 yards from the blue tees; 6,045 yards from the white tees; 5,471 yards from the red tees. PAR: 71. HEAD PRO: Michael Jaeger. GENERAL MANAGER: Mark Hennie.

PHONE: (440) 236-5051. FEES: Call for rates. WEBSITE: www. columbiahillsgolf.com

Hickory Nut Golf Course

Mallard Creek Golf Club

WHERE IT IS: 23601 Royalton Road (Rt. 82), east of Rt. 252 in Columbia Station (half mile from Strongsville). TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,369 yards from the blue tees; 6,055 yards from the white tees; 5,486 yards from the gold tees; 5,266 yards from the red tees. PAR: 71. CHIEF OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Julia Osborne. SUPERINTENDENT: Geof Kazmierczak. PHONE: (440) 236-8008. FEES: Call for rates or check the website for specials. WEBSITE: www. hickorynutgolfcourse.com

Columbia Hills Country Club WHERE IT IS: 16200 East

WHERE IT IS: 34500 Royalton Road (Rt. 82), 2 miles east of Rt. 83. TYPE OF COURSE: Public, 36 holes. LENGTH: The Woods Course — 6,229 yards from the blues tees; 5,901 yards from the gold tees; 5,342 yards from the red; The Lakes Course — 6,307 yards from the blue tees, 5,729 from the gold tees; 4,829 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72. HEAD PRO: Jim Wise. GENERAL MANAGER: Jonathan Palmer.

PHONE: (330) 748-8231. FEES: Call or check the website for specials. WEBSITE: www. themallardcreek.com See COURSES, D6

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©The Chronicle-Telegram

LORAIN COUNTY COURSES

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 D3

D4

GOLF 2020

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

The Gazette

RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE

The view from the clubhouse overlooking the 18th green of Westfield Group Country Club’s South Course.

Tasteful, modern redesign

Westfield’s iconic South Course gets updates with new tee boxes, greens Brad Bournival The Gazette

WESTFIELD CENTER — For the brass at Westfield Group Country Club, everything just made cents.

With improvements needed on both the South and North courses, the powers that be looked at the big picture and found exactly what they were looking for.

“We had some infrastructure needs, so instead of piecemealing it, we looked over an extended

period of time,” Westfield Group Country Club natural resources leader Mark Jordan said. “We looked at the 10- to 15-year plan and saw that there was so much to do and we didn’t want to be continuously under construction. We bit the bullet and came up with this master plan to get this done in a three- to four-year period.”

After 135,000 cubic yards of dirt were moved and 185,000 man hours were put in, what Westfield

has now are two uniquely different golf courses.

Redesigned by Hurdzan Golf, the South Course, which has been the staple of the country club, underwent some incredible overhauls. All the bunkers have been redone with six greens rebuilt, sod put down and new tee boxes added.

“With five sets of tees it creates more options,” Jordan said. “The adjustments to playing yardage is the key. Before they weren’t really

playing to yardage, it was playing this set of tees. Now, if they play to yardage and it was too easy, they can adjust.”

Closed Aug. 8, 2017 and reopened June 8, 2019, the South Course is much different than the one you remember from the Westfield Junior PGA and Ohio Open days.

The front and back nines have been flipped, with a state-of-theart driving range moved across Greenwich Road. A 30,000-square-

foot putting green now sits adjacent to the pavilion and the clubhouse can be seen from anywhere on the course.

It’s much more than that, though, as every hole was carefully planned out to not only adhere to the landscape but challenge those who play it.

The first tee, which was the old No. 10, is now a par 4, while No. 2 has added length with fairway extended to the left.

See SOUTH, D5

The Gazette

GOLF 2020

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 D5

SOUTH From B1

No. 8 is a par 5 with an interesting shot in, as part of the creek has been filled in, leaving a narrow fairway in front of the green. No. 9 lost its oil well with some trees taken out on the left.

“From a corporate perspective, with agents in mind, they’ve been coming in for many years and have the same experience,” Jordan said.

“We took a look at this master plan and saw this was going to give Westfield Insurance an opportunity to create new and innovative ways to entertain agents on the golf course.”

There’s more, and this is where things get fun because the original front nine is much different.

While the first two holes look similar, it gets wacky on No. 12. The old par 5 is now a straightaway par 4 that plays 401 yards to what used to be where a golfer’s second shot was aimed.

Behind that now is a 151-yard, RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE par-3 13th that hits into the Blair The 13th hole on Westfield Group Country Club’s South Course is next to the clubhouse.

Center.

The monster blind shot into No. 14 is still there off the tee but is eliminated on your second shot. The drastic hill has been filled in from about a 60-degree slope to 40 degrees and the green has been pushed back.

The par-4 15th is now a par 5 with incredible risk/reward.

Then things get crazy as nothing looks the same coming in.

The bunkers out in front are gone on the 391-yard 16th hole, with water added in front of a green that has been pushed back.

No. 17, which used to be No. 7, has water all the way along the right side with the big hill shaved down. While it’s still a par 3, the 221-yard hole isn’t quite the monster it used to be and is much more pleasing to the eye.

The old No. 8 is gone and the tee box for nine is gone, too. In their place is a finishing hole that doglegs to the right much like the original layout.

The course is pretty wide open, leaving faster pace of play and less time searching for wayward shots.

“We want them to say they had a lot of fun today,” Westfield golf professional Chad Kitzmiller said. “That was important in both design concepts. We want them to say they shot a good score. The South Course is a RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE very fair test of golf. Pretty much all Above, the 18th hole at Westfield Group Country Club’s the blind shots are eliminated. If you South Course. Above left, the Westfield Companies play well, you can score well there. If clock remains standing on the 10th hole. Left, the you play bad, it’s really on yourself. It’s second green. a traditional test of golf that is pretty fun.”

Contact Brad Bournival at bournival929@gmail.com.

GOLF 2020

D6 Wednesday, May 20, 2020

COURSES From D3

Creekwood Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 9691 Reed Road, North Eaton. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,154 yards from the white tees; 5,158 yards from the gold tees; 4,693 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72. PHONE: (440) 748-3188. FEES: Call for rates.

WEBSITE: www.creekwoodgolf. com

Pine Brook Golf Links WHERE IT IS: 11043 Durkee

Road, just south of Rt. 10 in Eaton Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,062 yards from the blue tees; 5,741 from the white tees; 5,225 yards from the red tees. PAR: 70. GENERAL MANAGER: Matt Scullin. DIRECTOR OF GOLF: Sean Moennich. PHONE: (440) 748-2939. FEES: Call for rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. golfpinebrook.com

Elyria Country Club WHERE IT IS: 41625 Oberlin Road, Elyria. TYPE OF COURSE: Private. LENGTH: 6,736 yards from the blue tees;

IRONWOOD Golf Course 445 State Road • Hinckley, Ohio 44233

6,326 from the white tees; 6,005 from the green tees; 5,812 yards from the gold tees; 5,610 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72.

HEAD PRO: Anthony Hoover.

PHONE: (440) 322-6391. FEES: Call for fees. WEBSITE: www. elyriacc.com

Forest Hills Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 41971 Oberlin Road, Elyria. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,316 from the blue tees; 5,802 yards from the white tees; 5,038 yards from the red tees. PAR: 70. OWNER: Lorain County Metro Parks. PRO: Tom Porter.

LESSONS: Call or check the website for specials and rates.

PHONE: (440) 322-2632. FEES: Check website for rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. golftheforest.com

Brentwood Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 12415 Rt. 57, one-third of a mile south of Rt. 82 or a half-mile from Rt. 10 in Eaton Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH:

The Gazette 5,178 yards from the blue tees; 4,695 yards from the white tees; 4,507 yards from the gold tees; 4,223 yarsd from the red tees.

PAR: 70. DIRECTOR OF GOLF: Rick Montgomery. PHONE: (440) 322-9254. FEES: Call or check the website for rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. playbrentwood.com

Carlisle Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 39709 Slife Road between Indian Hollow and Rt. 301 in Carlisle Township.

TYPE OF COURSE: Public.

LENGTH: 5,860 yards. PAR: 71. OWNER: Jeffrey Mullins.

PHONE: (440) 458-8011. FEES: Call for rates and specials.

WEBSITE: www.facebook. com/pages/Carlisle-GolfClub/108117999230248

Indian Hollow Lake Golf Course WHERE IT IS: 16525 Indian Hollow Road at Rt. 303 in LaGrange Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,065 yards from blue tees; 5,855 yards from the white tees;

(330) 278-7171

4,865 yards from the red tees; PAR: 72. OWNER: Gardner family. PHONE: (440) 355-5344.

FEES: Call for fees and specials.

WEBSITE: www.facebook. com/Indian-Hollow-Lake-GolfCourse-Inc-386795044695164/

Grey Hawk Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 665 U.S Grant St., LaGrange. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 7,079 yards from the grey tees; 6,687 yards from the blue tees; 6,240 yards from the white tees; 5,091 yards from the red tees.

PAR: 72. HEAD PRO: Scott Wesemeyer. PHONE: (440) 3554844. FEES: Visit the website for specials and rates. WEBSITE: www.greyhawkgolf.com

Pheasant Run Golf Course WHERE IT IS: Diagonal Road south of Rt. 303 in LaGrange Township. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,592 yards from the blue tees; 6,174 yards from the white, 5,466 yards from the gold tees; 5,024 from the red tees. PAR: 72. PHONE: (440) 355-5035. FEES: Call or check the website for rates and specials. WEBSITE: www. pheasantrunohio.com

Oberlin Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 200 Pyle Road, Oberlin. TYPE OF COURSE: Private. LENGTH: 6,691 yards from the blue tees; 6,280 yards from the white tees; 5,622 yards from the gold tees; 5,166 yards from the red tees. PAR: 72.

PRO: Cliff Purtilo. PHONE: (440) 774-3923. MEMBERSHIP FEES: Call for information. WEBSITE: www.oberlingc.com

Echo Valley Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 21056 Quarry Road, west of Wellington. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,100 yards from the white tees; 5,281 yards from the red tees.

PAR: 71. MANAGER: Bonnie Snyder. PHONE: (440) 6472065. FEES: Call for rates and specials.

A beautiful public course located on 155 rolling acres, featuring gullies, trees, water and sloped greens to add to the challenge.

Passes Available

www.ironwoodgolfcoursehinckleyohio.com ©The Gazette

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Rolling Acres Golf Club WHERE IT IS: 63 State Rt. 511, 13 miles southwest of Wellington. TYPE OF COURSE: Public. LENGTH: 6,554 yards from the blue tees; 6,304 yards from the white tees; 5,710 yards from the gold tees. PAR: 72.

PHONE: (419) 652-3160. FEES: Call or check the website for specials and rates. WEBSITE: www.rollingacresgolfcourseclub. com

GOLF 2020

The Gazette

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 D7

The across-the-pond feeling Rebuilt North will present challenges Brad Bournival The Gazette

WESTFIELD CENTER — At first glance, the North Course at Westfield Group Country Club looks like it may be easier.

Par has been lowered from 72 to 70 and trees, which was what the course was known for, are almost non-existent.

Don’t be fooled. When the North opens later this year, the Midwestern Links course will be anything but easy.

“We want the wow factor,” said Mark Jordan, the natural resource leader at Westfield Group Country Club. “I know that is kind of cliché, but we’ll have wooden bunker rakes over there. The flagsticks will be a more traditional, shorter stick. They’ll be more pronounced white and orange

RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE

Among the many new features on Westfield Group Country Club’s North Course are deep bunkers. sticks. They’ll be a double pennant.”

Originally built in 1975, the redesign by Hurdzan Golf will feature open fairways with water haz-

ards and long heather to challenge even the best shot.

Holes 1 and 18 on the previous layout are now practice holes for

those that want it, as everything has been moved across the street.

That includes a driving range with a tee box the size of a football field.

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Much like courses across the pond, golfers won’t just grip it and rip it. In fact, grabbing a driver may be the worst decision some will make.

Stacked stonewalls have been added, and it’s not just for the look because some come into play.

There are five new greens to help fit the layout, as well as sod wall and timber wall bunkers.

“The biggest difference is how you attack or play the golf course from a mental standpoint or club selection standpoint,” Westfield Country Club golf professional Chad Kitzmiller said. “The South Course is typical, American golf. It’s a lot of what you see on the PGA Tour right now. You pound it. If you’re in the rough, you’ll gouge it out.

“On the North, a lot of thought goes into each shot. There are some holes where you can take out the driver, but the risk/reward is heightened if you take out that driver because of the yardage.

See NORTH, D8

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GOLF 2020

D8 Wednesday, May 20, 2020

NORTH From B1

I remember one of the (British) Opens that Tiger Woods won, I think it was only a handful of times in the four days where he hit a driver. He was hitting these low 3-iron stingers to take out the bunkers that we’re causing trouble further out.

“We have some of those bunkers here. They might not be as severe as overseas, but it makes you think when you’re on the tee. Sometimes it’s positioning. These holes have closely mowed greens, so it will roll off if you go long. It’s thinking about club selection and playing the ball on ground more.”

While it can’t be a true links course because there’s no ocean to deal with, the North will be as close to a links course as you can get. When the project is finished, the 18-plus-month overhaul will be incredible.

“We’ve taken the features and feel of the links look,” Jordan said. “We’ll have the fescue and the higher grass in the rough. We have the free-flowing stone walls. We have timbers in some of the bunkers and that cre-

The Gazette

“We want them to walk off this course and say, ‘I’ve never played anything like this in Ohio.”’

Westfield’s Chad Kitzmiller

ates a really cool look.”

The thinking behind the overhaul of the North Course was to give players a completely different style of golf. It goes deeper than that, however, as the old course had character, but didn’t give a defining experience, according to Kitzmiller.

When it opens, the North will stick in the minds of all that golf there.

“We want them to walk off this course and say, ‘I’ve never played anything like this in Ohio,”’ Kitzmiller said. “I only hit two drivers all day off the tee. I hit a hybrid off the tee. I’ve never done that.’ I want them to say, ‘I got in a bunker 6 feet high and I got out on the first try. I was 20 feet off the green and I putted. I’ve never played anything like this and I can’t wait to play it again.’”

RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE

Contact Brad Bournival at bournival929@gmail.com.

Westfield Group Country Club’s North Course has a new driving range.

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