South Toledo Golf Club (Toledo, OH)

From South Park to South Toledo, here is another example of a well respected greenskeeper designing a golf course. This time it’s William Rockefeller from Inverness. Before discussing the architecture, a quick history lesson. Originally, this was part of 36 hole Heather Downs Country Club. Rocky designed both courses in 1925. When the Great Depression hit, the membership couldn’t afford two courses so the South was auctioned off. 

If we were to look at both courses, I think everyone would agree that Heather Downs possesses the best topography. The northern part of their property has a beautiful valley with good elevation change. South Toledo has none of that. It’s flat as a pancake! If it wasn’t for the beautiful specimen trees and a narrow little crick, it would be completely devoid of character. It also doesn’t help that the back nine is totally encased by the local community with houses lining the left side on every hole except the par threes. Thankfully, the greens are very well done.  They’re pushed up with a strong back to front tilt with a rolling center that creates a variety of interesting and challenging pin positions. Putting across the middle, especially long putts, can be very difficult. 

(Look how steep the bunker is and the slope of green pitching forward! Cool architecture like this adds intrigue to a flat site.) 

The bunkering is very good too! You can tell Rocky took Donald Ross’ style, and flawlessly executed it here. Ross visited several times to prepare Inverness for a couple US Opens, and worked exclusively with Rockefeller who was the superintendent. The sweeping face bunkers guard the sides and really punishes the player who has missed his target left or right. Some of them have steep lips that require a shot get up quickly. Foreshortened bunkers are used too. 

(The 414/406 yard par four third doglegs left around a pond before playing to a green fronted by a creek. Playing safe off the tee can unintentionally leave a much longer than approach. Note the winter flag only three feet tall.) 

South Toledo tips out just over 6500 yards but don’t for a minute think it’s going to be a pushover. Seven of the par fours play over 400 yards. On the front, the dangerous third gets your attention with the creek crossing short of the green. Then the back nine finishes with four of the last six holes 420-453 yards. The flat terrain, especially when it hardens up from the summer sun, shortens the distance that they play, but the elevated greens tighten the mid to long iron shots needed for the approaches. Hitting to the front of the green will leave you below the hole but the aforementioned roll in the center is a vexing feature to putt or chip over. 

(The 140/133 yard par three seventh is the signature hole at South Toledo. The horseshoe shaped water hazard guards almost the entire green. It takes nerve to shoot at a flag anywhere in the edge.) 

William Rockefeller only designed a few courses and his work here proves that he learned a lot from Donald Ross. I personally love the backstory to Inverness. It’s a solid course that serves the golfers in Toledo well. I give it a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play). I give it a slight nod over its brethren across the street. 

[Toledo received two inches of rain a couple days before I arrived so I was only able to play the front nine. I could not believe the amount of water that was still sitting on the back. It makes me wonder if the housing that surrounds the course prevents it from draining as quickly. Hmmm. I shot 39]