Played here on the recommendation of a family member while we’re in the area for a family wedding. This is an interesting course in two parts – the front side is reclaimed open land that’s set up in a... Continue »

Played here on the recommendation of a family member while we’re in the area for a family wedding. This is an interesting course in two parts – the front side is reclaimed open land that’s set up in a links format, with no trees and holes separated by short scruffy rough and then knee/waist high grass; the back nine plays within an old limestone quarry, with holes playing across terraces and over ponds. The terrain is rolling but without severe elevation changes. Wind is more of a factor on the exposed front nine, but can also influence shots in the quarry by swirling off the walls. Not sure if it’s just winter conditions, but turf is firm and tight, and the courser plays shorter than the scorecard indicates.

Greens are fairly large and without significant tiering, although there are a number of false fronts and you are frequently hitting to downhill or uphill greens. Greens were fairly receptive, grass was somewhat thin, and putts rolled pretty well at medium-fast speed, although some bumpiness was noted. Tight turf around greens was more amenable to chip-and-run or putters from the green margins, as pitching was more chancy. There must have been a competition that day, as pins were pushed right to the edges of greens, or at the edge of false fronts, or in back corners(!).

Tees were generally OK, although par-3s were pretty torn up, and some tees needed levelling. Fairways and rough were both winter thin and firm, but generally provided good lies. Traps were dry and firm, with the “sand” looking more like coarse powdery cement. There were not that many unfixed ballmarks on the greens, but the course needs to put out additional seed refills, as there were many unfilled divots and gouges in fairways and rough, and we quickly ran out of mix on both sides.

Range balls are included, but the range was “irons only” – that may be the usual, or that may have been because of the brisk following wind – the “normal” wind is in your face on the range. The basic cart had a ball washer and cooler but no ice or water. There’s no GPS, no yardage book, but the course website has some instructive hole diagrams if you can look at it beforehand. Staff was friendly, starter was pleasant and on top of players and times, and we saw the cart girl several times. Price on a Friday morning was a little steep at $90, but senior rate dropped that to $75. I enjoyed the course and would play it again if available. Recommended.