Oaktree Golf Course (Mansfield, OH)

Oaktree is located just off state route 30 in the northern half of Mansfield. It has two traits that every successful course possesses. It’s in good condition and it’s very playable. 

(The 500/475 yard par five first hole is a good opportunity to start the round off with a birdie. It plays a shorter than the yardage. The author reached it in two shots and rolled it in for eagle.) 

Bill Guest designed Oaktree in 1997.  The par fives are the highlight of the course. They use the terrain well and are the best holes. One and ten play next to each other and go downhill before gently going back up. The ninth is very tight and has a very difficult green, and the twelfth has a pond guarding the green. Guest should be commended for putting together a solid collection of three shotters.  

(The 543/525 yard par five tenth plays longer than the first and the creek that cuts across comes into play. A bunker fronts the putting surface. A par is a good score.) 

(The 508/500 yard par five twelfth is just on the cusp on being reachable. The water will dissuade most from trying. A smart layup will leave a wedge approach.) 

Oaktree strings together several short par fours. By themselves, they’re fun engaging holes, but there’s a tad bit too many of them. On several occasions it feels like a shooting gallery. On the par three fourth, we had two balls land on the tee box. The absence of trees, while great for playability, leads to a lack of protection. It’s the only thing that I disliked. 

(The 176/160 yard par three second is a full shot across water. The bunker inside the mound on the left is the one spot that will be hard to save par.) 

Oaktree is one of a handful of public courses in Mansfield. It’s very popular and does a brisk amount of business. They did not charge us for my girlfriend’s grandson to play. That’s the type of place Oaktree is. I give it a 3 (average)(worth driving 15-30 minutes to play). 

(The 370/362 yard par four eighteenth hole is a strong finisher. It plays uphill and demands a long accurate drive...
...the elevated green is blind from the landing area. The pin in picture is in the front left corner, and the entire green slopes to that corner. Putting can be quick coming down the slope. Four is a fine score.)