If anyone from Ohio is within an hour of Cuyahoga Falls, (just north of Akron) give Brookledge Golf Club a try. This is my home league course. Over the past 5 years, they have made serious upgrades/improvements to the course. All bunkers have been redone with the long blade shaggy grass around them, new sand and placement on some. It's a treat to actually be IN one, rather than in the deep stuff that surrounds them.
Full irrigation system installed. Fairways are lush, (bent grass tees, fairways and greens) well mowed and cut down to green fringe height. They over seed roughs and although not deep, all rough areas are extremely dense making it difficult to get out of. Greens are always top-notch but a tad on the long side for my tastes. They always hold a good shot and many have several challenging pin placements.
Layout is nice and is an Arthur Hills redesign. Par 71 with 3 par 3s on the front side. Some forced carries on par 3s and off a couple of par 4 tees. Birdie opportunities definitely exist. We play from the blue tees. The black tees (tips) are a different ball game. I don't think I'd break 90 from back there. Nice 'naturalized' areas on the course as well. We call those areas 'happy grass' because you ain't happy to be there!
My partner and I were invited to play an outing at Firestone North late last season. We played Brookledge Thursday evening during our league then played in the Firestone outing the following day. Brookledge was in better shape than Firestone North.
On weekends, you can call Brookledge for the Par-71 special. Two golfers, 18 holes with cart for $71. Compared to some of the nicer courses in NE Ohio, this is a bargain. You'll enjoy the track, feel it's a fair test that doesn't trick you or beat you up and agree that course conditions are at LEAST an 8 out of 10.
Put it on your list. It was on the STO show called Tee It Up Ohio and got rave reviews.
dave
