Raccoon Hill Golf Club (Kent, OH)

In the past two years, five courses have closed in the Kent area. I'm not sure if it's because golf rounds are down or if the land has become too valuable, but one place that is going strong is Raccoon Hill on judson rd. 

(The view of the clubhouse and eighteenth green.)

Raccoon Hill was designed by Bill Steifin in 1970. Like most mom n pop courses, there are some good holes and some awkward holes. I think he did a nice job with the bunkering and I think he used the water hazards to good effect. 

My main concern is the conditioning. I mentioned the ruts in the fairway, and the guy told me that without carts, people won't play golf. They roll and reseed the fairways in the spring. 

Most people probably remember the "Z" hole at Raccoon Hills. It's better than the one at Brandywine, but still not an advisable design. There's a few "ninety degree" doglegs too, and you have to love a 225 yard par four whose green is tucked behind trees. 

(The lip is quite deep on this fairway bunker.)

There are a few good holes, but two in particular stood out. The 465 yard par four twelfth. 

The water hazard cuts across the fairway bout fifty yards short of the green. It will take two well struck shots to clear it. The other is the 218 yard par three eighteenth. 

It's almost all carry over water to reach the green. If the wind is blowing against, then bailing out left by that far bunker is an option. In fact, a ball in the sand is absolutely fine. For an average golf course, this is a darn good ending par three hole!

I wouldn't go out of my way to play Raccoon Hill, but for locals who live nearby, it's a nice place. I was partial to the clubhouse, a large barn that contributed to the rural atmosphere. I give it a 3 (average)(worth a 15 min drive).