Astorhurst CC (Walton Hills, OH)

Astorhurst is a Harold Paddock course designed in the '60s. It's the only golf course in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and it's the closest course to my house. Yes I can take turney road down to dunham and be golfing in ten minutes. No highway miles either! 

The pic above highlights one of the best shots at Astorhurst, the tee shot on eighteen from high up on the hill to the fairway in the valley. The course is divided between the valley holes and the hill holes. (Eighteen and eight both have dramatic tee shots) The property unfortunately is somewhat cramped. The valley holes (1,9,10) are all short par fours. Couple this with three more atop the hill, and Astorhurst is simply a fun members course. 

I'm a big fan of Harold Paddocks.  He's designed a few courses around here. His par threes are usually excellent, and at Astorhurst, one in particular stands out, the thirteenth. 

It's known as the ravine hole, where the player has two options. There's a green in the valley, and there's a green across on the other side. Usually the ladies play the short green and the men play the far one. It's a very cool concept, and really stands out. 

The ninth gets rave reviews too. It's about 300 yards, and from tee to green is probably only 270 yards. However, it's all carry over water if the player is trying to drive the green. It's a great matchplay hole! 

I like the back nine more than the front. It's a bit more dramatic playing alongside several ravines. 

The green above is from the fourteenth. The green is basically on a plateau surrounded by ravines. It's a short 320 par four, so it's just a wedge approach. 

This is the uphill approach on the sixteenth. That front right bunker gets a lot of play. 

Seventeen tightens up in the valley, and widens as the hole goes uphill. The green is well protected, so the decision is hit a longer shot from flat lie, or hit a shorter one from an uphill lie. 

Being close to the house, Astorhurst is a fun option for a game, and it's location makes it readily available to many people on the southeast side of the city. It's a 4 (above average) in my book, but the conditioning can sometimes be undesirable.