Ellsworth Meadows (Hudson OH)

Ellsworth has everything a municipal course should have, a driving range with plenty of targets, a chipping green, a putting green, and finally a course that has five sets of tees to accommodate many different players. It's come a long ways since it was Big Springs. The city purchased it and hired Brian Huntley to remodel. 

Huntley has had success remodeling old golf courses. Eagle Creek and Sanctuary are both very well done. Ellsworth is a big improvement over what was there but it's not in the category of those two. There's four holes I'm not keen on, 3 8 13 15. Three is a long par four that has a double dogleg first right then left. If you drive it in left part of fairway then you're blocked out by the trees. I think it's silly that blowing it out to the right is the best angle to green. The approach is good as a lake behind green is a great view and encourages a low running shot. Eight is a long par four that doglegs left but cambers right. A draw is the only shot that works. Trees line entire left side and a fade is death. Next, Thirteen has a great green setting set into the hill with a rock bottomed creek on left. Unfortunately the drive is too damn narrow as you hit out of chute. I like to call it a "Big Springs" tee. Finally fifteen is a strong dogleg left that climbs up a hill but there is no reason for the addition to the green. It's just plain goofy. The left "green" is perfectly fine for the approach. 

The par five fifth is a fine hole but what is up with the tree in the middle of the fairway? It's not even a big beautiful tree. Stay left all the way down the hole. Even the rough is better than being behind the tree. Also, the green on eleven has a large hump in the rear making for an awkward back pin placement on this par five. Many shots hit the slope and shoot over the green into the brush. Coming up short is no good either since the putt is likely to roll off the green. Flatten it out!   Its good hole otherwise. 

The holes that do shine are the par threes. Varied and full of strong character they are a pleasure to play. The seventh is arguably the best hole on the course. The beauty of the hole belies it's challenge. The green has a hump in the middle which will spin offline shots away for the flag. A well played shot offers a chance at two. Nine plays along the road in view of the barn. Used to be a short par four but Huntley changed it. Good vision on his part. It's also fun watching your playing partners hit high slice off the barn too. 

The last two holes are a great way to finish. Seventeen is a great do or die par five. A big drive can be rewarded with a gambling long iron over the lake to the green. Those who can't reach still can play aggressive by hitting close to the lake edge and opening up the angle to the pin. It's a wonderful par five and possibly Huntley s best. Then eighteen is a good par four that doglegs right with a trap in the elbow and wetlands on the left. Put it in play and a well struck shot can lead to birdie. But a poor drive is punished quickly. 

Ellsworth has a strong local backing. Most of that is due to the aforementioned amenities. The course is kept in good shape and is fun to play. When I first saw Ellsworth, I was thinking it would be another Brookledge, but it doesn't compare to its neighbor just down the interstate. I would give it a 4 (above average) rating. 

Punderson (Newbury OH)

Jack Kidwell designed Punderson in 1970. Punderson is one the longest golf courses from the white tees I've played. It's 6600 yards and the majority of that is found in the par fives. Three of them are over 550 yards, and both the third and sixth play uphill. As a player, the par fives are the scoring holes but not so much here where I think a par on any of them is a good score. 

From tee to green there is not much trouble. Kidwell really let's you open your shoulders and let it fly. I've always thought that long players do well here for that reason. The greens are well protected with traps. The bunkers here are unusual because many of them are in mounds which makes them higher than the greens. They hide the putting surface and the mounds then slope into the edge of the green. I believe Kidwell did this so water wouldn't collect in the sand. 

Punderson opens up with a couple par fours. Both holes have greens hidden by sand traps fronting them. It makes it tricky to select a good club and fire at the pin. This design feature is used on many of the holes so it's important to hit your irons crisp and precise. At the aforementioned par five third, the green is  strongly protected by sand in the front, so much so that the front part of the green slopes away from the fairway. It s very difficult putting surface and hard to make birdie on.  

After a strong par four, the fifth is a dogleg right short two shotter. It's tempting to cut off the corner but the wise play is out to the elbow to obtain an unhindered approach to the green. At Punderson this is a good strategy for all the dogleg holes. All five of them. The green at five is very large so be cognizant of the flag and club accordingly. Six is the second aforementioned par five. This one is wide open off the tee before trees constrict it on the second shot. The second is uphill so it's a big hit to clear the hill. Then it's another third shot to a green strongly protected in the front. It's an easier green so birdie is possible. The eighth is an excellent par four. This long hole plays downhill with trees on both sides before it doglegs right over a lake. It  is the best hole on the front and the one that most people remember after the round. 

The back nine starts with a couple par fours like the front does. The eleventh has a picturesque approach shot over the water. Then the fun begins with long par threes on the twelfth and fourteenth. Both play over 200 yards long. Twelve has a bunker fronting the right side that must be carried. Fourteen has a three tier green. Two tough holes to make par on. The par five fifteenth is next and it is a brute playing over 570 yards! It is downhill so it's not quite as long as it's listed yardage but should it play into the wind, then three cracking shots are needed to reach it in regulation. 

The last three holes are all well designed. Sixteen has a large hill that slopes left,

enticing a draw off the tee that could run all the way down to wedge range. The rub is the ball will be above your feet if you fail to get the requires distance. Seventeen is a dogleg right. What's neat bout this hole is a big lake is basically straightaway but the hole doglegs right. Kidwell designed courses to be playable and enjoyable. And I don't think one water hazard at Punderson is really in play unless you hit a real stinker. Finally eighteen is a reachable par five. A couple traps short including one thirty yards short makes it a big gamble. But a good birdie opportunity. 

Punderson is a fine golf course and I wish  the state took better care of it. It could be such a great place. Nonetheless I think it's definitely above average. I give it a 4 rating. 

Signature of Solon (Solon OH)

Golf is on the decline and has been for several years. There are many reasons why, including it takes to long, too expensive, and too difficult. Signature of Solon is the definition of these reasons. Forced carries on over half the holes, water hazards or OB on every hole, lack of width and a lack of ability to accommodate a wide variety of playing ability makes me scratch my head as to why anyone would want to be a member here. It actually reminded me of Blue Huron in Medina which was a public course that went out of business because it was way over the top in difficulty. Yes these type of courses are beautiful, but when there is a potential to lose a half dozen balls or more, then the cost of a round just goes up with every bad swing. There are people who believe that is a sign of a good golf course, but I am not one of them, and I vehemently oppose that style. Recovery is the most fun shot in the game, a principle that romanticizes the fact that any bad shot can be salvaged into a par. OB and water hazards are the exact opposite of that principle. 

Playing Signature means, to me, knowing when to hit driver, and knowing when to club down to keep the ball in play. On many holes clubbing down is the smart decision especially since the greens are larger and can accommodate a longer club. Number four is a perfect example. It's a par five called "double carry". The drive must be perfect as you carry the cattails with OB both left and right, but not hit too far to go into the second marsh of cattails that will be needed to be carried on the second shot. (A high handicapper can lose a sleeve on this hole alone.) Pull off the first two shots and the third is just a short iron in. 

The par threes are the highlight in my opinion. Three is a solid hole where the left half of the green is protected by wetlands while the right side offers a chance to bailout. Eight is a long one-shotter that has a great green. There's several pinning locations that terrace up to the rear. This is my favorite hole on the front. Eleven is called "the knoll" and is very well designed classical hole. A large knoll with a trap in it dominates the view from the tee, and a shot that carries it can have a good chance for a birdie. As the pin gets closer to the front edge of the green, the difficulty of the tee shot increases. It might be the most fun shot on the course. Fifteen is the weakest hole in the quartet as it basically is all carry over the cattails to the green. There is room to miss short but not on the sides. 

Signature of Solon was designed in 2002 which makes it, I believe, the newest country club in northeast ohio. It's right across the street from Solon's municipal course Grantwood, and is the centerpiece of the upscale residential community. Someone should tell all the locals teeing off at the muni that they're playing the best course in Solon. I give Signature a 2 rating (below average). 

Eagle Creek (Norwalk OH)

Eagle Creek is one of the better courses in northwestern Ohio. It's located in Norwalk which is a small town that the nation converges on twice a year for the national drag racing championship  and night under fire exhibition. It's conveniently an hour away from Cleveland and Toledo. 

Eagle Creek is a Brian Huntley design. It used to be Norwalk Country Club, then it became the Elks Country Club. This is the second time Huntley took an old golf course and redesigned it. (The Sanctuary in Canton is the other one) Eagle Creek has two things that make it good. It has a great routing especially the back nine where each hole changes par going 4-5-3-4-3-4-3-4-5. Secondly, the course is in great shape. 

Players have a good opportunity to shoot  a low score at Eagle Creek. The wide fairways are very generous and the driver can be hit with impunity. There are four holes that a big number can be made, so the player must be careful on them. Eight is a 163 yard par three with water fronting and guarding the right side of the green. While a mishit can come up short in the water, the more likely scenario is leaving the shot out to the right. The drop zone is no picnic either so hitting it into the water for a second time is possible. The thirteenth is second hole that can lead to a big number. This is a long par four in the 430 range. A wetland fronts the green and into the wind, this is a very formidable and dangerous shot. It's a very good hole. Then fifteen is another par four but this one doglegs left with water in the elbow. Try to carry the hazard and fail, then a bogey or worse will be the result. The following hole sixteen is the last destructive hole to watch. This is a 180ish yard par three across water to green set at an angle. There is plenty of room to bail left but aggressive shots must be hit solidly to carry the hazard. 

Huntley designed a couple short par fours here, and unlike the trendy driveable par four, these are position ones. Four is a dogleg left with a creek guarding the left before fronting the green. The perfect drive is far and deep past the turn, which leaves a straightforward pitch. Lesser skilled players can hit whatever club they want out to the right and still have a short club in. For most that little pitch over the hazard is a testing shot. Ten is the other short par four. This one had two tall trees that make a goalpost effect on the drive. Once again, far and deep will leave the best angle in. Stray into the rough and the second shot will be difficult. 

Three and seventeen are both long par fours. Both have very generous fairways but difficult green complexes. At three, the green has water and sand left and a large mound front right. When the pin is anywhere by the mound, then it's tricky to get close. Seventeen has an upside down "L" shaped green. I've only seen the pin is in the back right one time. Usually it's in the front or middle. Either way, the approach should come from the fairway for a heads on angle to the green. 

The final hole is a great par five. I'd almost say it's the best par five ending hole I've played. It's reachable in two shots but for those who can't hit that far or those who choose to lay up, the creek that crosses the fairway poses several options. Lay up, carry the water, or carry to the green!! 

Eagle Creek is the top course in this part of Ohio. Besides Sawmill, there's really nothing else worth playing. I'm giving it a 5 (good) rating. It's fun, in great shape, and a chance to make a good score. 

Millcreek Park North (Boardman OH)

Millcreek North is my favorite public Donald Ross course in northeast ohio, and I would say it is the best one too. It's sited on a rumpled piece of land in Boardman with large hardwoods lining many of the holes. The architecture is so fascinating as Ross incorporated different types of bunkers to fool the player into hitting the wrong club or shot to the green. 

Millcreek starts off with a benign par four which I find interesting because every Donald Ross course I've played starts off with a stern opener. Then the second hole is a longish par four that plays straightaway. The real fun begins on the third, a 155 yard par three. A large bunker fronts the green, and the only thing visible is the top of the flagstick. This is old school architect at its best. Club selection and depth perception are both challenged and the usual result is an indifferent shot that requires buckling down just to make a three. 

The next three holes are all very good par fours and the key to good score on the front. Four is 419 yards and plays slightly uphill. It takes two strong shots to reach it in regulation, and with sand right and a ditch left, it can toss a six on the card real quick. Five is then a mid length par four that is framed beautifully by three large oaks and a couple cross bunkers. The green is a beast as the back right is a tier with the left and front sides being steep slopes to it. It's a great hole. Six is a short par four with a cross bunker blocking the head-on attack from the tee. Longer player can carry it and have just a pitch to the green but short player may just lay up to it and trust the yardage.  

Seven and eight are good birdie opportunities, seven being a short par five and eight being a short par three. Then nine concludes with a very difficult par four that doglegs left with a creek crossing the fairway 230-240 yards out. This usually means laying up and hitting a two hundred yard  plus shot into the green. Thankfully there's room short to run it on, but most will still need to exercise some short game savvy to up n down for par. 

Millcreek changed the back nine a little bit to build a driving range and a practice facility. To do this, they moved 10 tee over and rebuilt the entire 18th fairway. I had some reservations when I first read about it, but I think a facility that has 36 holes should have these type of amenities. 

The tenth hole is still a mid length par four. The tee being moved over makes it more of a dogleg but the challenge is the same. The small green is well bunkered and has a false side on the left where the ball will spin off. It's a very good hole. Eleven is a strong hole with trees lining the fairway and traps protecting the green. It also starts a series of five holes that play back and forth on the same rumpled parcel of land. 

Twelve is the short par four in this sequence. The green is cool as it sits in an open field but it's pushed up and demands a precise short iron. I love that a huge oak tree backdrops the green and  frames the second shot beautifully. Thirteen is a long par four that turns slightly right to left. A draw is absolutely perfect if it starts off the bunker on the right. Two strong shots are needed to reach it in regulation. Then fourteen is a 198 yard par three with traps just short, and on the sides of the green. Fifteen is a great par five that goes up and over all the way to the green. It's possible to reach it with two powerful shots. This is the type of hole where three or seven can be written down in the scorecard. It's a real momentum changer. 

The last three holes end the round very nicely at millcreek north. Sixteen is a fine par three that plays in the shadow of the tenth green. I have seen players mistakenly shoot at the wrong flagstick before. The hole sets up for a baby draw and demands a well struck shot. Seventeen is then another short par four that doglegs left. It's probably the most bland hole on the course and that's a shame since the penultimate hole should be one worth remembering. A creek crosses the fairway and I really don't see a reason to try to carry it. It's a short iron second and a good birdie opportunity. Eighteen is a long par four. Originally it was a sharp dogleg right out of a chute that needed to challenge the bunker. The new changes opened up the wooded area and made it a straightaway par four with traps left and a creek right. It also lengthened it to 475 yards. I think it's a better hole. It's a nerve wracking drive and a long iron shot second. It's a wonderful ending.  

Millcreek comes with one caveat that  prevents it from being great. It's a municipal golf course, and they treat it like one. The conditions are average, it takes time to play, and there's a wide variety in the skill level of those playing.  Overlook those three, and it's a great day of golf ahead. Unfortunately, I can't overlook it in my rating. I give it a 5 (good).