FoxCreek Golf and Racquet Club (Lorain, OH)

When I was writing about Findlay CC, I was perusing the courses Tom Bendelow designed in Ohio. One stood out because I always wondered who the architect was. Lorain CC 9 holes. It got me thinking because FoxCreek, formerly known as LCCC (Lorain County Country Club) is eighteen holes, so if Bendelow did do nine holes, which ones are his. (The course changed it's name to FoxCreek about ten years ago. I don't know the reasoning behind it.)

(The long par four third plays to an uphill green.) 

Pulling up Google Maps, I studied the property and the routing, and I think I know which holes are the original nine. The round probably started on ten, (10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 1, & 9) and finished with back to back par fives. Coincidentally, these are also the best holes on the course, with nine, eleven, and seventeen being my favorites. 

(The uphill par five ninth is just short enough to tempt the player to go for it in two shots.)

The original nine holes play along the creek, out to the marina, and around the wetlands. It hits every interesting aspect of the property. The greens start at fairway level and rise towards the back. They're very similar to Findlay CC. 

(The short par three fifteenth plays next to the marina. It's tricky when the wind is blowing.) 

(The seventeenth hole is only 343 yards, but one must position the tee shot perfectly before hitting a short iron uphill to a green with a severe falloff short right.)

(The eighteenth is a good par three at 175 yards. The front is covered by sand so it's all carry to green. It's not exactly an ideal ending hole, but it was originally intended to be seven IMO. Regardless, how many times does one have an opportunity to finish with a duece?) 

The other nine holes are nicely placed although three par threes are needed to to connect them. (2,5,8) 

(The 183 yard fifth plays over the creek.) 

All in all, FoxCreek is a fine course. It has a couple drawbacks that keeps it off most Cleveland golfers radar. The conditions are not always the best, and it doesn't have a true clubhouse. The shopping plaza it's connected to makes this one of the most awkward places to get a green fee. When it was LCCC, the course was one of the best in the county. It'd be nice to see it get back to that standard. I give it a 4 (above average)(worth 40-45 min drive).