Turkeyfoot Golf Links (Lakes Nine)

Turkeyfoot was one of the first courses I blogged back in 2013. Like Fowler’s Mill in Chesterland, it possesses a third nine that gets overlooked by most players, and with the big push by the USGA to Play9, I thought it’d be fun to examine its qualities. 
(#4 265 yard par 4)

In many ways, the Lakes nine occupies the best portion of the property with dramatic rolling topography and beautiful views of the Portage Lakes. It’s a sporty loop with four par fours playing between 240-280 yards. Perfect for junior and lady golfers! 

(#2 120 yard par 3)

With five holes playing alongside the water, this is the ideal place to take a youngster or a beginner. There’s plenty of challenge to it, it’s fun, and visually, pretty inspiring. 

(Tee shot #3 400 yard par 5...
...approach on #3)

(#5 101 yard par 3)

In the locker room, there’s an article on the wall about a book of matches the course hand out back in the ‘30s and ‘40s. Inside the book was a scorecard for all 27 holes. There’s several interesting bits of information. First, the front used to be the back nine. The first hole was present day 14, and the ninth was present day 13. The third nine had two par fives at 495 yards.  They are much shorter now, and I wonder if 21st tee and 27th green were across the road where the 19th hole is presently located. Interesting stuff. 

It’s cool that this nine holes exist. If the course was being designed today, the big course would be playing significantly by the water. Turkeyfoot is definitely growing the game the right way. It clicks all the boxes a first timer would want.