Maumee Bay State Park GC (Oregon, OH)

Maumee Bay is located on the western shores of Lake Erie. It was the last course built for the state park system and Toledo native Art Hills was selected to design it. 
(High grass faced bunkers guard each hole, dishing out punishment for misguided drives.)

Many people mistakenly think that Maumee is a links styled golf course. It has all the tell tale signs ranging from the lack of trees, to the high wispy grasses, to the constant blowing of the wind. However, if you take state route 2,  you’ll pass all the marshes and wildlife sanctuaries that inhabit this part of the state, and realize the golf course sits on marshland that filters water before it drains to the lake. This explains why water is in play on 14 holes including every hole on the back nine. 

(The 422/402 yard par four ninth curves around one of the many water hazards that protects the course.) 

My biggest pet peeve concerning Maumee are the elevated greens. You cannot run the ball onto them. Many of them also have bunkers guarding the front. This is a windy site, and I believe the ground game should’ve been more available. If you’ve ever been to the Catawba Island Club, another Hills course on the lake, it’s designed the same way. While CIC is private, here at Maumee, the clientele are average golfers staying at the lodge or players from the area. 

(The double dogleg par five fourteenth is 525/511 yards. Water is in play on the right from the tee and then on the left for the second and third shots. Don be fooled by the lack of length. More double bogeys and “others” are written down than birdies.) 

Maumee Bay is used as a qualifying site for many of the national and regional tournaments. It’s a very difficult golf course, and they actually had to soften it up and trim back the high grass to make it more playable. The high grass though gives Maumee a distinct look that most midwestern players are unfamiliar to seeing. 

Maumee Bay opened in 1991, and I can recall we used to come out here at least once a year. Fast forward to 2019, and last week was the first time I’ve seen the course in nearly twenty years. I’m a better player now than I was back then, and I still think it’s too difficult. Regardless, it’s a busy golf course and is the state park system’s crown jewel. I give Maumee Bay a 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play). 

(The eighteenth is 520/499 yard par five. It’s reachable in two shots but it’s all carry to the green. Two bunkers prevent any ball from bouncing past their reach. It’s a good chance for a closing birdie.)