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.