Pine Valley Golf Club (Wadsworth, OH)

There are two types of golfers, dew sweepers and sun chasers, and I was the first one the morning I stopped by Pine Valley. This is a mom and pop course out in the beautiful countryside of Medina county. It was established in 1962 by Chris Deming.

(The 353/341 yard par four eleventh plays along the boundary line to a green fronted by sand. A crease extends through the putting surface, separating the front from the back.)

(The 121/105 yard par three twelth is a fun little hole. It’s just a short pitch with a gaping front bunker.)

This is a course I never knew existed until my friend Al showed it to me after our round at The Pines in Orville. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised because this area off Rt 21 used to have multiple courses that are NLE. (Barberton Brookside and Western Reserve are the first two that come to mind) Pine Valley is a fine mom n pop course. It is in nice shape and the greens are way better than what you’d expect. The land by the clubhouse is relatively open, but the further the holes venture into the property, the denser and tighter the trees get. Some people like this, and I’m not totally opposed, but it can get old quickly if you’re having a bad day. I only played the back, but 14-17 were really tight, and these were the holes I lost all of my strokes.

(The 388/376 yard par four fourteenth is the beginning of four tight holes in a row. This green is elevated on a slight plateau.)

(The 223/212 yard par three seventeenth is shockingly long for a course of this stock. The tees are back in a chute of trees and a low running fairway metal can scamper onto the putting surface. A par here is like a birdie.)

I’m trying to see every course in northeast Ohio, the public ones at least, and in the process, learn if any are worth a visit from the CNCGA. Pine Valley is an interesting candidate. Its central location makes it optimal for us and its price point would help alleviate the higher priced rounds at other venues. Its architectural quality is the only thing in question. I have a feeling it might have too much mom n pop to it. I give it a 3 (average)(worth driving 30 minutes to play).

(Pine Valley’s claim to fame is its connection to American Blind Golf. They’ve been supporting disabled golfers, particularly those with vision frailties, and this summer will host the 32 Phoenix Cup, an international matchplay competition.)

(The 498/471 yard par five eighteenth doglegs left around the driving range. Aggressive players can try to cut across the OB stakes. If one is content playing as a three shot hole, then it should take away the pressure of driving it past the corner. The fairway drops the last fifty yards and reveals a green benched into the upslope. The backdrop of the clubhouse makes it a fitting finish.)

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Madison Country Club (Madison, OH)

I’m a big fan of a Madison Country Club. If it was in a little bit better shape, it’d get more recognition statewide. It was designed in 1923 by Ross construction foreman, Sandy Alves. His vision to take a singular feature, a valley that cuts through the northern portion of the property, generated ten holes (1,2,3,6,7,8, 11,12,13,14,18). The valley is grassed in at spots, has a crick that meanders through, and holds a couple ponds. To par these holes, one needs a cache of shots.

(The 408/363 yard par four first hole drops into the valley before gently climbing out and finishing at a well bunkered green. One will find misery driving it left, so favor the right side. Par is a fine start.)

(Many will find the 509/480 yard par five sixth to be a good birdie opportunity. While conservative players are laying back to a good yardage, aggressive players can utilize the fairway right of the green to access all the pin positions. The back to front sloping putting surface will hold a long shot for the courageous golfer.)

(The 422/397 yard par four seventh requires a long accurate drive from the tee. The forward tee ahead is slightly elevated and frames the driving lines from the back. It’s a strong hole.)

Keeping the focus on the valley, Alves routed the course to interact with it in multiple ways. I love that you drive through it, sometimes over it, that tees are placed behind it, greens are backdropped by it, or second shots have to clear it. It such a plethora of looks that one doesn’t even realize it’s the same feature cutting across the land. That’s good architecture!

(The 512/497 yard par five eighth has the valley and crick cutting across with cool landforms demanding one can clear this with their second shot. The longer hitter can get to this area with their drive but risk being out of position if they miss the fairway. The green is saddled so balls typically funnel to the middle. This is a really fun golf hole.)

(One of my favorites and possibly the best hole on the course is the 353/345 yard par four twelfth. A drive down the right side opens up the angle to a green that sits on a ridge. Long grass left, sand right, and a deep fall off long makes this an interesting approach.)

(The 267/244 yard par four thirteenth plays over the valley before turning left behind large hardwoods. Long hitters can take the challenge and try to drive it. Besides trees, bunkers also guard the tiger line. It’s another cool hole.)

Madison’s location in the far eastern side of the state by Lake Erie keeps it off most people’s radar. Even from Cleveland it’s a solid hour away, and it’s more if you’re coming from the west side suburbs. Public golf greatly benefited when it decided not to be private. I think $64 with a cart is a fair price for a Saturday morning, and I believe it should be an annual stop on the CNCGA schedule. It’s a solid 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play).

(I first blogged Madison in 2014. This is an update with better pictures. The above diagram illustrates the routing well. Note the course rating from the blue tees, a full stroke over par. A good score at Madison is well earned.)

(I have to comment on the seventeenth and what I think is one of the coolest greens. It’s the old pushed up style with a large lion’s mouth bunker guarding the front. Notice how high the lip is compared to the green. The pitch from that shoulder will shoot balls long off the back. The rear third is tipped towards the fairway so long is an instant bogey. The hole is only 325/309 yards so demanding a precise wedge is completely within reason.)

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Erie Shores Golf Course (Madison, OH)

Lake Erie is in view as you approach the entrance to Erie Shores. It’s owned by the Lake County Metroparks and maxes out at 6,100 yards but to a par 70. As you can well expect, the course is in nice shape and is very playable.

(The 339/322 yard par four opening hole starts off with a diagonal carry over water. For the entry level player, it’s quite the beginning to the round.)

Erie Shores was designed in 1958 by a man named Al Brotzman. The course meanders through trees and has three large ponds to keep things interesting. Most players should have no problem navigating the generous playing corridors although it does tighten up on the back at thirteen and fourteen. There’s a smattering of sand traps protecting a few greens but most are unguarded with little earth movement to impinge on short game shots.

(The 343/333 yard par four ninth plays along the water next to the first hole. While a slice is playable, a hook is most certainly not.)

(The 346/339 yard par four eleventh plays slightly right with trees protecting the inside line. For the beginner, a single tree left of the tee box stymies the preordained slice…

…the approach is just a short iron but a solo front bunker can make the right hand pin positions tougher to get close.)

The flat terrain at Erie Shores promotes walking and players will find it a nice jaunt. The course prides itself on being a backyard wildlife habitat, and is a good neighbor to those who live nearby. Its position as an entry level course makes it good for those learning the game and/or is enjoyable for those who want to spend time with family and friends. Madison is a small town that draws people coming out for the wineries or who have a summer cottages. Erie Shores is meant to be a local asset to the community and does a fine job achieving that objective. I give Erie Shores a 3 (average)(worth driving 15-30 minutes to play).

(This is the view from seventeen green looking across the course.)

(I stopped and played nine holes (10-18) recently before I went to the country club down the street. It cost $30 to walk nine holes, and the walk to the tenth tee was further than I was expecting. I shot 37 with 1 birdie, 2 bogeys, and 6 pars. I imagine most good players will have little problem getting around under their handicap.)

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Vermillion Country Club (Vermillion, OH)

Unless you live in the immediate area, you wouldn’t know this course exists. Obscure is pretty much a good adjective for it. I call it golf on a budget with the greens being the only thing watered. The fairways are a hodgepodge of different grasses and lengths. Vermilion has been around since 1914 and while the architect is unknown, it has enough qualities to anticipate it being designed by a well educated person in golf.

On a course like this, there’s usually one or two holes that are very different then what one normally sees. Number one qualifies right off the bat. The fairway is literally the edge of a hill, making an upper and lower level. A choice must be made from the tee, and anything down the middle will take a huge jump to the left and go into the trees. It’s a really cool start to the day.

(The first drive of the day is a fun one. A peeler fade down the middle could take the slope and roll out to the end of the hill. Overall, the upper level is probably the best choice…

…the approach is to an open green with a trap short right. I like the view of the par three eighth in the background.)

(Speaking of the eighth, the green sits at the edge of the hill. Two grassed in bunkers cover the entrance twenty yards short. It doesn’t quite play as intended when balls bounced on. Look how quickly one runs out of room right of the putting surface.)

(As the par five fourth can attest, there are bunkers in play. Both the sand and greens are in good condition.)

Like a local dive bar, Vermillion is a place where most folks know each other. It provides what it’s supposed to, a pleasant golf experience at an affordable cost. Outsiders wouldn’t understand unless they value the basic necessities of hitting a white ball around some obstacles out in nature. If pristine conditions are a prerequisite, then you should avoid. I give it a 3 (average)(worth driving 15-30 minutes to play).

(I like the twelve hole concept employed here. My only gripe is twelve is the original ninth hole and should be used as such. This would mean 10-12 are all add-ons. The ninth in particular is a dog of a hole. It has very little room to land a drive (somewhat blind) and has a short pitch to a green that ripples away. Note the nine putts I had to shoot even par. This is the least amount I’ve ever had for nine holes. I chipped in twice.)

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