Washington Park (Newburg Heights, OH)

Washington Park was the last course to be built in Northeast Ohio. Brit Stenson designed it in 2006 for the FirstTee program. It’s location off I-77 in Newburgh Heights makes it a convenient stop for those driving downtown or coming home from work. A grass driving range, a practice putting green, and a superb short game facility greets those looking to get some work in. 

(30-50 yard pitches plus a sand trap makes this worth the $8 practice fee.)

Being the site of the FirstTee, one would think it would be player friendly yet every hole has a bunker guarding the green. Young kids learning to play the game, generally, have a nonexistent sand game. In my mind, it would’ve been better to have only a few. I learned to play the game at Little Met, and there’s not a single one to be found there. If the goal is to grow the game, then the difficulty of sand traps can be a deterrent. Of course the counterpoint is giving young players a full spectrum of golf shots. 

(The opening hole is a long par three but is realistically a par four for the kids. Note the shorter right bunker opens up the angle from that side. A lot of brush and middling trees.) 

(The short par three ninth has two bunkers guarding the front of the small green. Missing right or long with result in a penalty stroke.) 

I previously mentioned learning the game at Little Met. Mastick Woods is another executive course that caters to young people. Closer to home, the par three course at Shawnee Hills is a good place to learn the game. All three are run by the Metroparks. This tells me that Washington Park is more about being centrally located and easily accessible. It’s location also gives adult golfers a quick opportunity to get nine holes in. Of course, I would be inclined to say the practice range gets more use than anything. It’s only a couple miles from work, which is perfect for practicing before or after my shift. It is always full of golfers when I stop to practice. Mission accomplished! 

(Washington Park is surrounded by an older neighborhood.)