Oakland University R&S Sharf Course (Rochester, MI)

Located north of Detroit, Oakland University possesses two very fine golf courses, the Katke-Cousins and R&S Sharf.  The Sharf is the newer one and was designed in 2000 by Warren Henderson and Rick Smith. It plays around the Katke and stays at the south end of the property until the eighteenth hole. It is strictly for cart ballers as there are long transitions between greens and the next tee. 

I have to imagine that Henderson and Smith were chomping at the bit with this project. It is a huge piece of property and it has all the rolling features and hardwood trees that one would associated with a course up north. Each hole is isolated from the next and has a beautiful view devoid of any signs of civilization. A golfer would be forgiven if he forgot how close he was to the hustle and bustle of the big city. 

(The 195/175 yard par three third is played over a saddled valley to a green spread across the hill. A fronting bunker places pressure for a well struck shot as misses left or right will be the most difficult to up n down.) 

(The 413/383 yard par four fourth plays to this green tucked behind the hillside. Note how only a fraction of the putting surface is visible. There is more room right of the pin for the approach.) 

(The 522/472 yard par five sixth has a pronounced high right to low left slope which forces the golfer to decide on his shot shape off the tee. A drive that finishes in line with the bunker in the distance opens up the second shot. Any drive that starts up the left risks finding the hazard that guards that side. It’s a definite birdie hole if you can safely get off the tee.) 

(This picture shows the wonderful driving lines presented at Sharf. The proper play is up the left side but the long hitter can shoot his ball over inside trap and sneak a short iron in his hand. At 421/394 yards, the par four eighth is one of the toughest holes on the front.) 

While there is plenty of width off the tee, the knee high fescue that lies on the outer edges of each hole can only be described as a spirit breaker for the long hitter who has lost control. I have to question the decision to go this route. It’s possible the property is so large that cutting it is difficult. The course doesn’t need it to protect par that is for sure.

(The 278/265 yard par four twelth is a gritty driveable two shotter that forces you to attempt the heroic shot. There’s plenty of room to carry the marsh and leave yourself a little spinning wedge but the play must be on the left. Laying up to the right leaves a poor angle…

…this view shows how much the trap is in play. Worse yet is the shoulder that comes off of it. There’s little chance you can stop the ball close to the hole. Certain pin positions will make par a good score.) 

Henderson and Smith designed the greens to be particularly deceiving. The way they tie-in with the surrounding features block out much of the putting surface. Many times I didn’t know how much room was behind a bunker or ridge. The bunkers, besides being deep and forbidding, have broad shoulders that push deep into the greens. Many of the putting surfaces slope away from the player. I noticed on several holes that feeding the ball to back locations was the play. It takes a solid strike to control the ball and keep it from going too far.

(The 369/321 yard par four thirteenth is another gorgeous driving hole. The left bunker is the perfect aiming point from the tee…
…the approach is semi blind and one is hitting his second based on the color of the flag. Note the short grass in front of the green. I thought it was terrific and it was my favorite hole of the day.)

(The 165/139 yard par three fourteenth is a semi dell hole with the right side hidden behind the hill. You can just see the top of the flag to the right of the bunker. It’s a super fun hole when the flag is there and the anticipation to see how close you are is cool!) 

(The 193/177 yard par three sixteenth is a solid hole. Note how the green is cut in half by the ridge. Club selection is critical to avoid putting over it.)

The Sharf is a very strong golf course. It’s probably the toughest course I’ve played in greater Detroit area so far. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not because I’m always sympathetic to weaker players but when you’re a Division 1 school, having a course like this goes a long way to developing a first rate program. Those who do play well here can rest assure their games will travel well. I find that to be a ringing endorsement. I give Sharf a 7 (great)(worth driving 3-4 hours to play). 

(The 397/370 yard par four seventeenth plays downhill to a green that slopes to the back left. In the background is one of a historic landmarks left from the Dodge family days…
…this is the view looking back to the tee. Note the long grass to the right.)



[we played the Bear combo which is a combination of the Grizzlies and Champion tees at 6328 yards. This round was the perfect example of being patient. I bogeyed the first six holes before making a birdie at the par three seventh. Something clicked on that shot and I proceeded to play the final ten holes in one under par. I mention this because I know so many golfers who give up on the round when the start doesn’t go the way they envisioned.]

(Here is one last view!)