Points upward 
Truth.
It’s fine but it’s not even close to a destination spot and the state’s complete lack of those type of courses has elevated it well beyond where it should be.
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I am a very firm believer that if someone, anyone, could build an 18 hole public course half as fun as Sweetens it would print money in Ohio.
Red Hawk Run in Findlay tried to be the greatest course in Ohio when it was built in the late 90’s and it’s now closed due to poor management. Just a laundry list of “stuff” that goes on in this state that makes no sense golf wise. Constant people looking for a deal in NW Ohio has kept prices down (good for the consumer) but hasn’t spurred any action on anyone coming in and trying to create an amazing experience.
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I think the same thing every time I drive past the old Deer Park property at the 71/76 interchange outside Lodi.
Is a big challenge in Ohio the land? It boggles my mind that there’s nothing of note on Lake Erie like they have in Michigan. I know nothing about land and soil, but I’m pretty sure nowhere along Erie has dunes and as much sand as Michigan.
Does Ohio have anywhere close to the soil and land types that they have at Sweetens? Agreed it could probably do gangbusters. Gotta build it down state in hopes of a slightly longer season.
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Never? This kind of surprises me.
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I’ve been barking up this tree with golf writers and architecture geeks for such a long time. Unfortunately, sand is king right now, and Ohio has next to none of that. A quick Google Earth perusal of Lake Erie shoreline shows there’s little to no opportunity there (although there’s an interesting site just north of Cleveland, looks like it may have been a superfund cleanup or something - anyone know deets on that?)
What I’d love is to see a Diamond Springs style treatment at a golf course in the southern or northeastern part of the state. That model doesn’t necessarily require a ton of sand, it just requires very durable grasses (and an architect who’s willing to think outside the box and design something interesting). Single-line irrigation, single-height cut, plenty of sparse native, interesting contours, greens at 9 or 10 on the stimp… gets me going.
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If anyone’s interested, I’m in the process of a full-scale renovation plan for my home course, Indian Ridge. I’m certainly biased because I play there so much, but the property is open, hilltop, used-to-be dairy farmland, with part of it down the side of a hill that gives some potential heathland vibes. If it wasn’t built by Brian Huntley in the 90s, it could have actually been a fun faux-links opportunity.
So, if any of you degenerates have enough money laying around to buy a golf course, blow it up and redo it, I’m your architect.
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Correct, i got REALLY close to being mixed up in a bar fight in my post-college years but when the other guys, saw how many guys we had, it got de-escalated quickly. something like 10 of us and 3 of them.
Fun fact: Michigan has more coastline than any other state in the USA.
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You mean dogleg right with a forced carry off the tee hole after hole doesn’t make for a stimulating/enjoyable golf course?
Best is a bit much, but I do enjoy it. The lodges are also priced well for a couple days there playing it on repeat with a group.
My mom and step dad have a ton of land in rural west central Ohio that I’ve told them several times would make for a great golf course. Hills and contours, but nothing massive. Minimal tree removal necessary. Just big plots of farmland that was never really farmed. But being farmers who don’t like golf, they just can’t see it and think I’m insane.
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Is it for sale? Feels like the current owners bought it maybe 5-7 yrs ago and did quite a bit of reno?
I had not played it before then but word was it was kind of a goat track before they bought it. Now, I’d say its one of my 3-4 favorite places to play in SW Ohio.
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No, it’s not for sale, it’s just a daydream/passion project for me.
You’re correct, though, the current owners bought it back in '16 or '17. It had fallen into disrepair at that point, and they’ve spent the past few years doing some restorative work - not that it has a great architectural heritage, they’ve just replaced the sand in the bunkers and fixed a lot of irrigation problems, essentially.
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You should send me the plot information. I’d love to design something on it, and you can use my drawings to convince them… or just dream.
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I can’t wait for the renovation at Medina country club. The land is some of the best in the area I’ve played on and the new ownership is investing tons.
I do feel like it’s very odd that Ohio has such great private golf and not a ton of great public golf.
I do feel like the predominantly clay soils make it difficult for public courses to manage conditions without having budgetary issues. Combined with the short seasons here it just really takes a talented group to be successful.
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This Reid Park chatter on here made me go play the North course for the first time on Friday. What a nice surprise. 25 bucks to walk too. Will definitely be back.
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Hello Ohio friends. I will be in Cincinnati for the Rams/Bengals MNF game on September 25 however I am not flying home until late on Tuesday the 26th so I’ll be bringing the sticks and looking to get a round in Tuesday morning/early afternoon. Any recommendations for public courses for a single in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area would be greatly appreciated and of course if any of you fine folks are able to join or need one for that day please don’t hesitate to reach out
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Going to Cincinnati for the first time next week. Staying at the Hilton netherland hotel downtown.
Where should I eat for dinner? A good coffee spot I should hit up?
Losanti is a fantastic place for dinner, near Washington Park
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