(The contoured green at the short par four fifteenth rewards good shots with a birdie opportunity. 330/313)
I never realized Peak n Peek had this good a golf course. I knew the Web.com Tour played the Lake Erie Classic here, but no one ever talked about it, and to be honest, I only knew to be a ski resort. Shame on me!
Like Old Stonewall and Longaberger, two other courses that would be high on my "best within two hours" list, the Upper is routed atop a hill, and has marvelous views that accentuate the feeling of playing golf in a grand setting. John Exley designed it in 1996, and he routed it mainly on the apex of the hill with the most dramatic holes cascading down and providing the golfer with an exhilarating vista and challenge.
(The par five fourth plays downhill all the way to the green. Hitting across the deep gorge that crosses the fairway is one of the memorable shots. 563/550)
Usually on this type of terrain, the architect has some awkward holes that are shoehorned into the property, but the Upper never encounters that, and each hole fits into the routing beautifully. The variety of shots, shapes, and looks test the player. And more importantly, it has width!! It's playable! 
(The driveable twelfth is an interesting hole. Depending on pin position, you may want to layup, or take a rip at it...
...a front pin like in this pic is accessible from the sand short. Notice the back tier. A pin here must be nipped perfectly to get close to the hole. 345/312)
The conditioning of the Upper is great, and with the firm fairways, driver is not always needed. The greens have nice contours in them, and with the opportunity to have a short iron in your hands often, the challenge is hitting the ball to the correct level. 
(The par three third is slightly elevated above it's surrounds. Any ball off the edges will roll away from the putting surface. 201/190)
(The awesome sixth plays uphill over the gorge. It's longer than it's listed yardage, and when you think the tour players (492 yards) are actually teeing it up from the par three fifth tee box then you'll really appreciate just how far they hit the ball! 430/395)
(The ninth was originally the final hole before they switched the nines. Bubba Watson three putted the green in 2004 during a playoff to give the title to Kevin Stadler. 398/359)
(What a great view at the par three thirteenth!! Don't be long here otherwise it'll be a lost ball. I find it interesting how a front pin is barely visible due to Exley cutting it into the hillside. 190/158)
(The fifteenth caps off a very good set of par threes with a mid or long iron played over a ravine. A central ridge divides this green up into quadrants. 200/174)
(The last hole provides plenty of drama for the tournament since this par five is reachable with two big shots...
...players must weigh if they can carry the stream that fronts the green. For shorter players, a shallow green places a premium on laying up to a good yardage. 575/525)
The Upper deserves to be more well known. I highly recommend playing here. I give it a 7 (great)(worth driving 3-4 hours). It is the best course in the Erie/Western NY area. If you're looking for a great guys trip, then I would suggest a round here followed by a round at Whispering Woods in Erie. Both are John Exley designs, and are in excellent shape.
I was disappointed to learn that Peak n Peek closed the Lower course. I guess the area couldn't support both. The only upside is one can buy 5 rounds at the upper for $200. This was made primarily for the locals, but anyone can purchase the card. 
(Wish I had gotten to play the Lower. It was a Fred Garbin design. It had some nice natural features, including this great view of the lodge.)
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