Black Brook Country Club (Mentor, OH)

Black Brook made my winter list of places to see solely based on Bertie Way being the architect. I'm a big fan of both Goodpark and Chardon Lakes, two of his public courses that annually make Golfstyle's 100 Best Ohio Courses You Can Play.

(When it comes to ending holes, not many can beat the difficulty of Black Brook's 447 yard eighteenth.) 

Black Brook was designed in 1929, one year after Goodpark, and two years before Chardon Lakes. The main feature is the creek that cuts across the property at it's skinniest point, allowing Way to incorporate it in a few holes. 

(The first plays straightaway slightly uphill. The creek was dammed to make a small pond. It shouldn't come into play here, but does add to setting, especially one's opening tee shot.)

(At the 383 yard par four second, long hitters must take care not to drive it into the creek. The green is beautifully placed just above the valley atop the ridge. The internal contours adds to the challenges making this the best hole on the front nine.)

Black Brook is on a rectangular parcel of land, the northern half bisected by Lakeshore Blvd. This might explain the unusual routing of the front nine which has six par fours in the first seven holes, with both eight and nine being par threes. The third hole has a green that rests just a few paces from the boundary line. This old fashion architecture strategy makes players think twice bout firing at a flag. 

(The view from five tee shows a carry over a valley and scrub. Mentor Marsh backdrops the green, a reminder that the terrain slopes to north.) 

(The 376 yard sixth has this large bunker guarding the left side of the fairway. It's a birdie opportunity if one can avoid it. The green is very receptive.) 

(The eighth is 183 yards. Which is more difficult a recovery? The sand bunker or the grass bunker?) 

The back nine is more memorable than the front, it uses the aforementioned creekbed very well, and it plays between thick stands of trees on nearly every hole. There are some good birdie chances early on, but the final five holes are quite challenging. Fourteen and fifteen are 407 and 403 yards respectively, and the final two holes are a 200 yard par three followed by the 447 yard par four many consider one of the best in northeast Ohio. 

(The 298 yard tenth is driveable but the player will need to drive the ball perfectly thru a shoot of trees the last seventy yards. The prudent play is a layup to hundred yard marker, and attacking with a wedge. It's a true 2-7 hole, where eagle or triple bogey is possible.)

(The 198 yard eleventh is a bruiser of a par three. The tee shot is all carry over the creek and valley.) 

(The sixteenth is the only birdie opportunity in the last five holes. It's a 474 yard par five, but just like the par five fourth on the front, it has a large bunker crossing the front of the green. A good drive is a must for those going for it in two.)

(The view of eighteenth green from the fairway. It's a long iron, possibly even a fairway wood, to the elevated green. A par is an excellent score.) 

The city of Mentor acquired Black Brook in 2005, adding to the list of municipal courses in northeast Ohio. It's in good shape and is very playable for all levels of golfers. If the CGA was looking for an east side course to put on the schedule, then Black Brook would be a fine choice, especially in the beginning months of the golf season. I give it a solid 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 mins).