Vassar, KS

Pomona Lake - Wolf Creek

2.55(based on 5 reviews)
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Pomona Lake - Wolf Creek reviews

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8 0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.9 years 550 played 429 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Wolf Creek is a Howl of a Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 21, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

An 18 hole course that will allow scores way under par if you go by what is posted on the signs. Par for Wolf Creek is set at 71, but that is inflated for the distance of this layout in my opinion. I'll list this under pros, since being 11 under is not something I get to do on a regular basis.

I like the course map posted right next to the parking lot and the first tee, but it was not necessary to find my way around the course. It might come in handy if you lose your way though. The tee signs are pretty good quality. There are concrete tees on every hole.

The landscape does have some elevation change, and you will get the best of it on the first hole. It is downhill, but nothing that is very steep. Mid range in length, there are trees to the right mid fairway, and to the left of the pin. A really fun flex shot with a steady descent from the tee.

There is tall grass that lines the fairways on many of the holes, but it was not very tall when I played in late May. It will be more of a challenge by the end of summer I'm sure. Maybe this is part of the reason for higher par, as short controlled shots would be the best way to avoid trudging around in waist high rough when it is at its peak.

Fairways were mowed nicely, though fairly narrow on a couple of holes. The tee shot on 6 played onto a very skinny fairway, but it did open up much wider to create a landing zone for the second throw. I nailed the drive, but sent my second shot directly into the center of a huge evergreen in the middle of the fairway. That poor throw contributed to one of my two bogies of the round.

There are not a ton of trees on the grounds of Wolf Creek, but they're often near the tees and baskets on many holes. This is nice in creating a bit of shade along the way, as well as shaping shots on fairways that are mostly open much of the time.

Cons:

The tee pads are shorter than I would like. A couple of the tee signs that catch the most sun were blistered and close to unreadable. 6 and 8 are in bad shape.

The tall grass could eat a lot of plastic when it is fully grown, so get a good mark when it lands outside the fairway. Playing in the spring might be the best way to not waste time searching the rough.

In some places the holes are side by side, and leaving the fairway might put you on the adjacent hole. I was the only player there on a Monday afternoon, but it would be a concern if there was a tourney or a really busy day.

Other Thoughts:

The links style holes that are very prevalent at Wolf Creek are a nice way to add challenge to a space that is wide open in large areas. Some of the fairways here are pretty narrow, and I can see how frustration would build quickly if you're spending a lot of time in rough that is thick and tall. The par is set so you can throw shorter control shots and still make a decent score. Or just play early in the season and go for it all.

It is kind of similar to the course at Eisenhower State Park. Less hilly and fewer trees, but much tighter fairways. There is no charge to play Wolf Creek unless you are staying on the campgrounds, which looked very nice.

I shot a 60, which is -11. There are only 3 par threes, and I scored two on all of them. I got an eagle on hole 2, a par five that is only 525'. Ideally I think par for this course should be in the upper 50's, but it does allow for more conservative play if the rough it at its worst. Who doesn't like to be under par? A lot of chances for green numbers on this scorecard.
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14 0
scarpfish
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.9 years 360 played 100 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Hidden country gem you'll likely have to yourself 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 18, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

At almost 7000', Wolf Creek is very challenging despite its open terrain. Located is a US Army Corps park on the east side of Pomona Lake, it is mostly mowed in a "links" style with unmowed, sometimes tall grass warning you on either side of the fairway (holes 9-12 are the exceptions and are mowed park style). I can't state what the degree of maintainence is all year here, but I've been here once in the summer and once in the winter and both times the course was in good shape. Combined with the links fairways, the elevation is used well here on the uphill and downhill holes where your depth perception can be thrown off. Probably my favorite hole was #8 with a narrow fairway with an evergreen tree right in the middle. The dogleg on #4 is cool too which will provide righties with a challenge on how exactly to cut it.

Cons:

Will provide for a frustrating round if you're not a sharpshooter. Prepare to look for a few errant throws into the "rough" here (some of which was rougher than other parts). I would in fact suggest only throwing disc colors that contrast well against the grass. While I like the links fairways, I think they could be mowed a bit more generously. Hole #6 esspecially which according to the course map is supposed to have a tree in the fairway like #8. One danger spot on Hole #5 where a children's play area and campground are kind of in the line of fire. The fairway suggesting you lean in that direction doesn't help. 17 and 18 feel sort of redundant as they play a lot like 1 and 2.

Other Thoughts:

Kind of in an isolated area, so like me, you may quite possibly have this beauty to yourself, but its well worth the detour if you're passing through Kansas on I-35 or I-70. It won't be a walk in the park, so bring plenty of water, and maybe some bug spray. A buddy to spot would be well advised too.
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