Olde Stonewall Golf Club (Ellwood City, PA)

                    Golf Digest 2007/2008

America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses

                    #50 Olde Stonewall 

Arriving at Olde Stonewall, one is greeted by an imposing castle and massive quarried limestone rocks. It is quite the scene  to say the least, and the lush green fairways beyond instantly quickens the pulse. One can be forgiven if a visceral feeling overcomes them. It is a surreal preface for the upcoming round. 

(The par four second drops downhill to a green that slopes away. A single ledge on the front left houses today’s pin. Behind it is a bowl that really tests the short game should one go long. The right side also gathers balls into a bowl. It is a treacherous short par four. 426/365/332) [yardages are tips/white/gold]

(The par four third sweeps uphill with two colossal bunkers pinching the fairway. The giant tree on the right entices one to carry the left trap but it is much longer than it looks. The fairway bunkers are very deep and reaching the green from them is unlikely. A par is a good score. 399/344/307) 

Olde Stonewall was designed by Hurdzan and Fry in 1999. The course is a tale of two nines. The front goes down the hill and plays mostly in the valley next to the river. The back side climbs and climbs and climbs terrace style until one reaches the pinnacle of the sixteenth tee. In an unusual twist, there are no par fives on this side and the back to back par threes are absolute stunners. The course is kept in impeccable shape and greens routinely roll 10+ on the stimpmeter.

(Possibly 12 in the summer) It is on the short list of most difficult golf courses you can play.

(The par three eighth is a solid hole but the view glancing upward of the stonewall tee boxes and the clubhouse atop the hill is cool…

…this view from the ninth fairway shows a ridge that separates the left from the right. Note the castle maintenance shed in the background. 174/150/123)

The 12-16 is a perfect example of modern golf course architecture. The way Hurdzan and Fry attacked the hill is amazing! It’s dramatic, bold, and exciting! The reward for heavy earthmoving is beautiful views, expanded playability, and exacting shot values. The downside unfortunately is a missed shot will result in a lost ball and big number. This style of architecture has a specific following and if you read the golf publications, Olde Stonewall flip flops between #2 and #3 as best public course in Pennsylvania depending on who is rating it. Just sixteen years ago, it was easily a top fifty course, and nowadays it’s outside the top 100. It’s all a preference. 

(The par four twelth plays straightaway to a fairway interrupted by a ravine. The player will layup to a good yardage…

…the green is tucked into a little notch in the hillside. The middle of the putting surface is raised so it slopes towards the golfer but also away from him in the rear. Back pin positions are very difficult to get close. Try to avoid putting over the ridge. It can easily get away from you quickly. 436/387/336)

(The short par four thirteenth is lined in bunkers all down the right side. It’s a downhill tee shot to a fairway that’s climbing the hill. The green has a ridge that makes the right half a treacherous section to attack. 400/334/311)

(The fourteenth is the first of back to back par threes. It’s downhill to a green nestled between water, sand, and rock. Club selection is the biggest challenge 202/164/137…

…the fifteenth offers no such graces. It’s an all out carry to a green that hangs off the hill. Mercifully there’s a smidgen of fairway. It’s a long iron or hybrid shot that demands nerves of steel. Try playing this dual in six strokes! 241/190/170) 

(The golf course climaxes with the stunning downhill par four sixteenth. The view is spectacular especially from the tips. The drive must carry a deep valley before hitting a mid or short iron approach. It plays much shorter than it’s listed yardage. 474/387/379) 

Olde Stonewall is one of a handful of best courses within a couple hours of Cleveland. It’s hard to believe that such an experience is only ninety minutes away. In the fall, few can top its kaleidoscope of colors. Of course the reason why I love this place is the same reason why I hate it. It’s a very difficult golf course that dishes out double bogeys as quick as one can three putt from five feet. The greens can be incredibly fast! A few years ago;the fastest I’ve ever played. I give Olde Stonewall a 7 (great)(worth driving 3-4 hours to play). 

(The finishing hole plays to a well bunkered green with the clubhouse overlooking the action. From this view, you can make out the Hurdzan/Fry template where a ridge in the middle slopes away for the rear pins. It is no slouch; par is a good score. 481/429/411) 

(The eleventh offers no respite for the approach shot. Anything not on target can find the hazard. Most golfers are better off laying up and chipping. 436/384/343) 

[I played the white tees at 6200 and my friend played the gold at 5708. The slope rating for both tees is 143 and 132 respectively. In full disclosure, I’ve never broken 80 in the half dozen times I’ve played here. That said, I made a big mistake thinking that the $125 twilight rate would be too expensive for the average recreational golfer. We had two foursomes and a threesome in front of us. I can remember when Olde Stonewall advertised Steeler Sunday for $75 on Pittsburgh home games. It was still easy to get a tee time. Those days are over! Golf is back and popular than ever!!