Legend Lake Golf Club (Chardon, OH)

I had never heard of Legend Lake until I made a wrong turn going to Chardon and found myself gawking at this mysterious course in the middle of nowhere. It was a private club at the time that flew well under the radar. Unfortunately for its membership, the economic decision to go public last year gave northeast Ohio golfers another option for their weekly game. It’s slowly starting to gain attention as a public course. 

Legend Lake was designed in 1968 by owner Reece Alexander. He did an admirable job with the routing, placing the first five holes on the large section of property across the street before crossing over the road and finishing the last four behind the clubhouse. The back nine on the other hand is completely across the street. It rolls over the hills and incorporates the creek and lake. It’s very picturesque. 

(The 420/408 yard par four second doglegs left Tina well protected green. Long hitters can get to position in picture but most will be coming in from the left and have the green side bunker to carry…
…this view shows how much the hole turns. The tee box is not in view.) 

Legend Lake strives to challenge good players while letting average golfers enjoy their day. Management is shooting for 3:45 minutes to play. I love this goal! The course is not overloaded with difficulty and bunkers are used sparingly. Trees are probably the biggest hazards. This simplistic approach hopefully allows players to keep a brisk pace and play in the desired time. 

(The 395/383 yard par four tenth has a creek well short of the green, however a poor drive quickly brings it into play.) 

(The 515/503 yard par five eleventh doglegs left before finishing at this crowned green. A false front and bunkers makes the approach a precise one.) 

(The 375/360 yard par four twelth is the best hole on the course. The drive crests over the hill and the approach is from a downhill lie.) 

Architecturally, Legend Lake misses out on all the nuances an experienced architect would have designed. Most of the recovery shots around the green require simple chipping and pitching technique. The cerebral challenge of playing off slopes is muted. The par threes are mainly forgettable except for the short fifteenth which plays over the lake. It’s the focal point of the course and the only true hole that plays on the water. The par fives are all birdie holes and are reachable in two. While they aren’t very interesting, they can definitely provide fireworks with plenty of birdie and eagle opportunities. The par fours are the best holes and my favorites are 2,3,10,12,17. I love the simplicity of two and texture of all the trees combined with the creek’s presence. Three sorta has the lake in play but the drive over the valley is fun. Ten is a solid hole but the view looking back from the green with clubhouse in sight is inspiring. Twelve is a classic hole with a great green location. Finally seventeen climbs uphill with a terrific tee box in a great setting. The second shot over the bunker is a fun one. 

(The 340/337 yard par four fourteenth is downhill to a well bunkered green. The putting surface slopes from back right to front left.) 

(The 145/135 yard par three fifteenth is the highlight of the round with an all carry shot over the lake. It’s just a mid to short iron so birdie is in play) 

My biggest criticism are the last four holes on the front nine. (The ninth is actually a strong par four) Both six and seven are too raw. (They remind me a bit of the NLE Wicked Woods that was located nearby) The width on both are too narrow, especially seven which is 400 yards with a ravine crossing the fairway. There’s simply not enough room to play the hole consistently. The eighth follows with a nonchalant uphill par three. 

(The final hole plays uphill to the clubhouse. The 410/382 yard par four doglegs left slightly with sand guarding the inside corner…

…the green is well defended with a narrow entrance in the front.) 

The CNCGA has been looking for a course to fill the state rout 422 corridor for a few years now. Chardon Lakes has run out of favor with the guys, and it’s been years since we played Punderson. Even the reliable Sugarbush is slowly seeing its star fade. Legend Lake could be the course to fill this need to play on the east side. I think it’s good enough and playable enough to be a group favorite and the patio will have more than its fair share of supporters. I give it a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play).  

(The view of three from the fifteenth tee box.)