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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