(The 441 yard ninth plays into the prevailing wind, and demands two fine shots to reach the large putting surface in regulation. The creek at the bottom of the hill will force a poor drive to be laid well back for the third shot. A four will be hard earned.)
Most people are not aware that Ohio is the sixth largest wine producing state in the country. It produces a lot of tourism and revenue, and more importantly, doesn’t need a city center to sustain it. And that is good for Powderhorn!
(The 422 yard opening hole welcomes visitors with a firm introduction.)
Powderhorn is just over 6,000 yards, but don’t be misled. It’s just a par 70 and has four par fours that play over 420 yards. Pars on these holes will be hard to come by.
(The 460 yard par four tenth is more likely to produce a six than a four. Water short requires two big shots to cover the distance. By keeping the par at four, Powderhorn has made what would be a birdie opportunity as a five into the toughest hole on the course.)
(The 365 yard sixth plays downhill but has water short of the green. The fairway slopes right with the right dropping down towards the wetlands. It’s a bit awkward, but if one can draw it down the left, then it’s a straightforward shot.)
Powderhorn’s lack of yardage is a direct result of five par fours that play under 300 yards. For the most part, this group is ho-hum, but the thirteenth is one of the coolest driveable par fours I’ve seen in awhile. It’s basically has long par three yardage at 248 yards, but a crevasse crosses the fairway 225 yards off the tee, and begs for the golfer to take a rip.
(The 178 yard par three fourteenth plays over a corner of the lake. The large green has several good pin positions, specifically the rear left, where trouble guards left and long.)
Two things that Powderhorn needs to improve upon is getting a drainage system and extending their mowing lines on a few holes. The course doesn’t drain well, and there was a lot of wet spots throughout. Both par fives had the fairways abruptly end when I felt both times it should’ve been expanded to the wetlands in the valley. This issue also occurred on a few of the par fours, usually whenever water was in play. Again, this could be a drainage problem.
(The 165 yard seventeenth concludes a fine set of par three with a shot over a scrub filled valley to another large green.)
I’d like to play every public course in Northeast Ohio, and there are just a handful that I haven’t seen. This was my first time at Powderhorn, and I think it fills a void here in Madison. At one time, Thunder Hill was the golf destination out this way, but it went out of business. (Not a shock considering it was rated as one of the ten toughest courses in America. Golf is hard enough and expensive enough) Well Powderhorn remains and is in nice condition. Add in some nice greens too. I give it a 4 (very good)(worth driving 30-45 mins to play).
(Powderhorn finishes with a great chance for birdie. It’s a 278 yard par four. It’s reachable off the tee, and even a layup leaves a small pitch. A couple shoulders extending from the traps will keep the putting honest.)
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