Bunker Hill Golf Club (Medina,OH) [Updated]

I love that the owner of Bunker Hill is always looking to improve the golf course. My original post commented on the purchase of additional land where they designed the third and fourth holes. This time, they took the seventh, a mediocre drive and pitch par four, and extended it into what will be a fine par five. Unfortunately, in order to keep the course at par 72, they chopped the driveable par four second into a difficult par three. If they can elevate the tee box and expand the green then it’ll look more natural than what it is now. 

(The opening hole starts below the clubhouse and plays uphill to this plateau green.) 

The heart of the course is still the property by the clubhouse. The rolling land makes 1,9,18 all very attractive golf holes. While the new third, fourth, and seventh holes are huge improvements, they still need to tackle the two 90 degree dogleg left holes at six and fifteen. (Fifteen is an absolute dog) Bunker Hill has definitely shedded its mom n pop image, and it should be noted that they have taken two of their drive n pitch par fours, and made them into a legitimate length par three and par five. 

(The tough par four fourth hole was added ten years ago and has become one of the featured holes.) 

Bunker Hill has consistently improved every year, and the conditioning is first rate. This gives it a loyal following, and it seems to have adopted its cousin down the street, Shale Creek, and piggybacks on their high end green fees. I used to think it was a good bargain, but it slowly has become expensive. I guess someone has to pay for the new holes. I still feel the same about the place but it’s not far off being bumped up one. I give it a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play).

(The eighteenth is still my favorite hole. There’s a definitive advantage being over the creek in two shots and hitting a short iron third.) 

Signature of Solon (Solon, OH) [Updated]

Signature is a private course designed by Craig Schreiner in 2002. The fairways are broken by wetlands and low grass crossings at various points. While there is plenty of room to lay back, the skilled golfer who judges his distances properly can place it closer while the longer hitter tries to overpower the obstacles with his length. Unfortunately, this isn’t the only hazard one has to worry about. Red or white stakes line every hole with wild mishits quickly adding strokes to the card. Having a bad day means shooting a 100 plus losing a half dozen balls.

(The final hole of the day plays 405/385 yards  to a peninsula green. Two quality shots are needed to secure a par.)

Signature has excellent greens with good interior contouring. The mounding on the outer edges dictate the hole locations and is a good indicator where the approach should land. Most of the movement is here too. It has a very modern look to it, and I feel the greens are like a catchers mitt so the ball gathers towards the middle. Many of the front edges are tipped   It’s hard to see the bottom of the cup when the pin in in this location. 

(The 376/362 yard sixteenth is the epitome of the course. Off the tee, you’re trying to hit it far enough to get a good look, yet not long enough to find the gunk or get stymied by the tree. The pin in pictured is hidden by the slope. This is much of the strategy found at Signature.) 

The area has always been known for its wet conditions, and when you realize both Geauga Lake and Aurora Lake are very close by, then you’ll understand the difficulty Schreiner dealt with when he was designing the course. It also explains the abrupt transitions you encounter on the course. In my original post, I gave it a very harsh review, but I’ve soften that stance and I am willing to bump it up a couple. I give Signature a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play). 

(The massive clubhouse frames the last hole with the round rotunda a bar where folks can watch you finish the round. It’s a very exciting atmosphere!) 

Turkeyfoot Golf Links (Akron, OH) [Updated]

Turkeyfoot has not been immune to the rash of closings seen in the region the past several years. The third nine, also known as the Lake nine, was sold to developers late last season. The main course is still intact and will be celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2025. For area golfers, this is a wonderful place to learn the game. The lack of water hazards, except for the par three thirteenth, allow players to hit the ball without the fear of losing it to a poor shot. The sandy soil keeps the turf in fine shape and is always dry even at the beginning of the year. 

(Looking from the twelth green, the severe pitch of the thirteenth is boldly evident. Players know to keep below the hole to have an easy two putt par, but when the pin is in the front, like today’s, all hell breaks loose as you oscillate between being too precise, like the pin shot next to the hole, or ultra conservative to the middle of the green where a heavy hand can scurry the ball past the cup and down the fairway.) 

For me, Turkeyfoot represents a bygone era full of quirk and charm. It consistently challenges the single handicap player despite its short stature of 6300 yards. How is this possible? First, the par threes are all long. Two of the five play well over 200 yards. Second, the handful of short par fours, including a few driveable ones, have the most difficult greens. Birdies are not on the menu unless you execute a very good shot. Thirdly, OB makes its appearance, specifically on 10,11, and 18, in bold fashion. The white stakes are literally just a few yards from the action, all on the right. A mistimed slice is a legitimate fear. Finally, the par fives, which everyone views as birdie holes, are very long with a couple clocking in at 570+. Only a select few are reaching these in two shots. The rest of us must string three shots together. 

(The fourth hole plays as a par five from the regular markers but a par four from the back. It enjoys a great view of the Portage Lakes. The green is a simple one but the nuance breaks are difficult to read.)

Turkeyfoot also has my favorite drive. I love cruising through the Portage Lakes, peering at the canals and the homes that line them. There’s a seaside town vibe that permeates the air. The Upper Deck is directly across the street and is the perfect place to recap the round. The scenery isn’t too shabby either if you know what I mean. Everything about Turkeyfoot makes for a fun day. It’s an easy walk, the greens rival any in the area, and a good score is available for those playing well. I’d put it on the short list of best public courses in Akron. I give it a solid 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play). 

(View of nine green from the first tee.)