Hemlock Springs is one of the handful of Ben Zink courses in northeast Ohio. He was the superintendent at both Acacia and Kirkland Country Clubs. I’ve played all of his courses and Hemlock is a fair representation of his work. His ability to find compelling par fours has always been his strength and Hemlock Springs has several of them.
(The 398 yard par four eighth plays uphill to a green with a central rise in the middle. The left to right canted fairway adds to the difficulty of the approach.)
Zink’s style doesn’t require many bunkers. The fairways run into greens with the rough lining up with mounds or fall aways. Balls can be bounced in via the fairway, but if it’s not coming in on that line then mounds and humps must be carried to reach the putting surface. Hitting fairways is a distinct advantage since one can control the bounce and roll of the approach shot. It’s a very simple and effective defense.
(The 408 yard par four sixteenth is a perfect example of Ben Zink’s system. The short grass is available for the ground game but coming from the rough will change the angle and the amount of space available. It’s not flashy but being on the sides of the green is a delicate recovery.)
From my travels, Ben Zink’s par threes are usually mundane. They lack flair, and are usually long one shotters that take the player to the optimum land where Zink liked to rout a par four. The par threes at Hemlock fit this stereotype very well except for the eleventh which is the best one I’ve seen of his. It not only is long but it’s narrow entrance rewards only the best shot.
(The 193 yard par three eleventh occupies a lovely spot. It’s a long iron or hybrid to a smallish green...
...one can see the edge of the bunkers in picture and the narrow entrance to the putting surface. It has fair amount of slope to it, and being able to walk away with a three will win the hole more times than not.)
The par fives are the best chance to make birdie. There’s very little that stands in your way as you proceed to the green. In a way, the expectation of making four is the biggest challenge. That said, the superintendent is not afraid of sticking the flag in the corner of the green. Regardless, if one can eke a birdie or two from the this quartet, then you’ve done well.
(The 515 yard par five second plays downhill to the green. Note the wicked pin position. Only a well struck shot will make birdie.)
If there is one thing that really holds Hemlock back, it would be the cart paths. Besides being ugly dirt tracks, they are obtrusive, racing along the fairways, edging towards several greens and influencing play. It’s a shame because there’s plenty of room to keep them out of the way.
(The 551 yard par five eighteenth features this picturesque tee shot. The water is more intimidating than it really is. There’s plenty of room to make an aggressive swing...
...it takes three shots to reach the green in regulation. There’s no bunkers guarding the putting surface, but the cart path will catch a pulled shot.)
Hemlock Springs has plenty of length and definitely has several very good holes. There’s not a single home on it and the beautiful countryside makes it a nice getaway. The course however is tiresome and doesn’t engage the golfer with bold or interesting landforms. It’s saving grace is it’s location as the vineyards have multipled, making it one of the most visited areas in Ohio. I give Hemlock Springs a 3 (average)(worth driving 15-30 minutes to play).
(Kent State alumni Ben Curtis owns the course record. I’m curious if his wine is produced nearby.)
(A trip to Geneva should include the covered bridges tour. It’s an interesting and unique feature to the area of Ohio.)
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