Englewood MetroPark - South Dam reviews
5
0
Pretty Nice Dam Temp! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:May 5, 2013
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
The South Dam Challenge finished up today with 87 relatively happy customers having enjoyed a little bit of all kinds of weather along the south side of the dam in Englewood, Ohio. This temp course (to be an annual event) takes full advantage of the rolling to massive elevations available on the sunny side of this street, yet still manages to have at least eight holes that incorporate some of the park-like woods.
Ranging from 190 to 580 feet, the holes demand a little bit of everything: left, right, wooded control shots, and the need to avoiding going OB over the wire fence that borders the first four holes, as well as the dam spillway coming in range of errant shots on 16 & 17. Holes 9 and 10 play up (over 100 vertical feet), and back down off the dam wall itself. Hole ten is probably the most pleasantly memorable hole here, depending on the wind. We had a couple of guys on our Rec cards throw their first 600 foot drives off this top-of-the-world shot (they might have been happier if the basket wasn't 'only' 482 feet away!) Holes 12-14 angle up, along, and then back down the side of the dam, utilizing one of its narrow terraces.
In all, the 6000 foot 18 hole layout will be a stretch for most recreational arms, yet still has enough tricks in its bag to separate out the open players (today's open winner shot under 90 for the two rounds, while it took a 113 to win the Rec division).
Ranging from 190 to 580 feet, the holes demand a little bit of everything: left, right, wooded control shots, and the need to avoiding going OB over the wire fence that borders the first four holes, as well as the dam spillway coming in range of errant shots on 16 & 17. Holes 9 and 10 play up (over 100 vertical feet), and back down off the dam wall itself. Hole ten is probably the most pleasantly memorable hole here, depending on the wind. We had a couple of guys on our Rec cards throw their first 600 foot drives off this top-of-the-world shot (they might have been happier if the basket wasn't 'only' 482 feet away!) Holes 12-14 angle up, along, and then back down the side of the dam, utilizing one of its narrow terraces.
In all, the 6000 foot 18 hole layout will be a stretch for most recreational arms, yet still has enough tricks in its bag to separate out the open players (today's open winner shot under 90 for the two rounds, while it took a 113 to win the Rec division).
Cons:
As a temp course, there are grass tees (and a little rough), and of course no benches or trash cans. The tees for the dam shots (both up and down) needed a little more level run-up room.
Players do need to keep an eye out for other park patrons only on hole 17, as the spillway is a popular fishing spot...and there is a nature conservancy and honey bees across the road from hole one, so errant shots that cross into the woods were warned to avoid disturbing that area.
Hole 6 is the only awkward/ unusual one in today's layout: a 264 foot U-turn to the right around a line of thick rough and trees was not declared a mando, so a lot of folks tried to brute force their way through, and it seemed to pay off just as often as not. Next year, it could be deemed a mando, or perhaps there might be a volunteer who might help spot there for lost discs and to notify groups when the basket is clear.
The grass could've used a cut (groups spent some time searching in the open field a bit today), but the TD (Sean Meier) mentioned the park had hoped to get that done before our event. I'm sure they'll time it out better next year!
Players do need to keep an eye out for other park patrons only on hole 17, as the spillway is a popular fishing spot...and there is a nature conservancy and honey bees across the road from hole one, so errant shots that cross into the woods were warned to avoid disturbing that area.
Hole 6 is the only awkward/ unusual one in today's layout: a 264 foot U-turn to the right around a line of thick rough and trees was not declared a mando, so a lot of folks tried to brute force their way through, and it seemed to pay off just as often as not. Next year, it could be deemed a mando, or perhaps there might be a volunteer who might help spot there for lost discs and to notify groups when the basket is clear.
The grass could've used a cut (groups spent some time searching in the open field a bit today), but the TD (Sean Meier) mentioned the park had hoped to get that done before our event. I'm sure they'll time it out better next year!
Other Thoughts:
This is a very fun temp course, with some very memorable shots and wide open vistas. I highly recommend considering the South Dam Challenge if you're going to be in the area next May.
