Echo Valley Golf Club (Wellington, OH)

“I can’t believe that I never played here before!” That was the comment several of the guys repeated after our reconnaissance trip to see if Echo Valley was worth adding to the schedule next year. Everyone was super impressed. It was a delightful fall day, the leaves were taken care of so you didn’t have to worry about losing a ball, and the greens were as fast and smooth as any we’ve played. 

Echo Valley is your classic do-it-yourself mom n pop course. Like most of these type of courses, there is self expression when it comes to architecture. It’s not uncommon to see some out of box golf holes. The par three third is a classic example. It’s 170 yards thirty feet uphill to a wild green. Fail to hit the appropriate distance, and there’s a high possibility that the ball will roll sixty or so yards back down the hill. It’s these moments that sets the course apart. However, on the flip side, you often see quirky, or even unfair holes. Take the thirteenth and fifteenth where a ball not hit far enough, or straight enough, will be blocked out. Even the fifth, sixth, and eighteenth have dramatic doglegs that require length and accuracy to avoid being stymied by the trees. 

(The 375 yard par four fifth doglegs right from the tee before requiring a precise approach over water. This punchbowl green will funnel your ball towards the middle where a steep slope will demand your best putting stroke.) 

(My favorite hole on the course is the 425 yard par four seventh. It doglegs right with a reverse camber that’ll force a long second shot with the ball above your feet. Look at that view down the hill. It’s a classic looking hole!)

This is the fourth new course I’ve played this month,  all mom n pop designs, and Echo Valley is the quirkiest. Depending on what you enjoy, that could be a good thing or a bad thing. I personally don’t mind it, but it’s very easy to make big numbers. The greens are audacious. Granted we played the day they setup for the greenskeeper revenge, but I still believe three, and even four putting, will be common. 3,7,9,11,12,16 are all very good holes. I give it a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play). 

(The 330 yard par four eleventh has a creek cutting across the fairway that might take driver out of your hands. The bridge dominates the view as you hit your approach into the green. In the background is the 115 yard par three twelth with its green shored up by wooden timbers. These two holes are the highlight on the back nine.) 

(The 325 yard par four sixteenth has a gorgeous skyline green with a vicious grass hollow eating into the right side. Like the greens in Bermuda Triangle at Chippewa, the front half of the putting surface is unpinnable.) 

(Five circles on the card between the four of us. Pretty impressive considering the pins were in some crazy locations.) 

Paradise Lake Country Club (Mogadore, OH)

Short, quirky, and tight is the best way to describe Paradise Lake. The elevation changes and blind shots remind me of Salt Fork, a comparison that will make you smile if you like eccentric golf. How’s this for a first?! Both nines start off with a par three! 

(The 277 yard par four seventh swings around the corner and straight up the hill. Play this one close to the vest and refrain from cutting the dogleg. It’s just a short iron or pitch after the turn.) 

I’ve driven by this place a hundred times while driving to Seven Hills. It’s off state route 43 just past Mogadore Reservoir. It was designed by John Rainieri in 1975 and maxes out at 5,655 yards.  (Rainieri owns Raintree and Prestwick CC in Uniontown) Don’t dismiss it too quickly. The elevation change and par 70 designation play longer than the scorecard indicates. While four of the par fours are sub 300, four others are 390 yards or longer, the par threes are very good with some serious length to them, and the two par fives include the long 528 yard thirteenth. 

(The 333 yard par four fifth doglegs left with a beautiful tree guarding the inside line. A good drive leaves a short iron to this lovely green tucked in the corner of the property.) 

(The 390 yard par four ninth quickly topples over hill, creating a blind shot from the tee. Once you reach the valley, the approach is uphill to a green set beautifully in the trees and hillside. In my opinion, it’s the best hole on the course.) 

It’s difficult to advocate for Paradise Lake since it’s yardage carries that stigma of being executive length, especially for the longer hitters who might complain about hitting driver, or lack thereof. I personally enjoy it, and think it is very attractive. The greens are nice and roll smoothly. It could be a possibility for the CNCGA, and I believe JC commented that it was once on their schedule many years ago. The clubhouse and patio are A+. I give Paradise Lake a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play). 

(The144 yard par three tenth is a lovely hole over the water. Anything right of the green will kick down into the hazard. It reminds me Sugarbush’s tenth hole.) 

(The 178 yard par three fourth drops 40’ down to the green. It’s startling to see this much elevation change so close to Kent.) 

(Look at the scorecard and note the par 34 front nine that plays only 2,578 yards from the tips. The only awkward hole is the 340 yard sixth where the drive must get past the 150 marker and stay right to have an unimpeded shot to the green.) 

(Paradise Lake boasts one of the best clubhouse and patios in the area. I hear the sausage sandwich is stellar too. The view goes without saying. Props to Al and Michelle for the recommendation.)