Bend's 2022-2024 Golf Log

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

We were never able to get a room at the resort for the first night so we stayed in Wisconsin Rapids about 15-20 minutes away. Sand Valley is located in a pretty remote area. Mammoth Dunes was up first. I liked Mammoth Dunes more than the Sand Valley course. Staying out of the waste areas is key here. Fescue grass is much different to hit off of as well. 

[me05501]

18 minutes ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

We were never able to get a room at the resort for the first night so we stayed in Wisconsin Rapids about 15-20 minutes away. Sand Valley is located in a pretty remote area. Mammoth Dunes was up first. I liked Mammoth Dunes more than the Sand Valley course. Staying out of the waste areas is key here. Fescue grass is much different to hit off of as well. 

 

 

Are the fairways fescue or just the rough?

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Fairways are fescue on all of the courses at Sand Valley Resort. We didn't get to play all of Sand Valkey as we got nailed on the 3rd hole with rain and lightning. Was a super long delay before we could head out. I liked Mammoth Better than Sand Valley, but I was also beat up from carrying my own bag in the humidity as well. Sand Valley is a tough golf course. These courses are pretty hilly, so getting a caddy is worth the money. 

Edited August 5, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Second day at Sand Valley we were scheduled to play both Sedge Valley and The Lido. I liked Sedge Valley better than both Mammoth Dunes and Sand Valley. It's 5800 yards, par 68 and an awesome course. It officially opened about 4 weeks ago. Plays longer than it looks. Designed by Tom Doak. I really, really enjoyed this course. It was so miserable after our round we cancelled our round on The Lido, it was just too humid after walking 18. I'll play Lido with my wife next summer in June. On a side note, the food here is awesome. Even the tacos at SV course were awesome as well. The place was packed with golfers when we were there. 

Edited August 5, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

After leaving Sand Valley, I drove to Madison, WI to my hotel. I was supposed to play University Ridge GC, but the weather looked rainy so I cancelled my tee time and left a bit earlier than planned and drove to Rockford, IL and played Sinissippi GC. It's the second oldest golf course in Rockford and opened in 1912. Designed by the Johnny Appleseed of golf, Tom Bendelow. This was a fun, 9 hole course and it was in great shape as well. $23 with a cart. My 614th golf course played. All in all, a good trip, but would have been more fun without all the humidity. 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Have not played all that much the last few weeks. Here is what I am looking at for the Fall through December:

 

Chariot Run GC (IN)

Champion Pointe GC (IN)

Wasioto Winds GC (KY)

Middlesboro CC (KY)

 

Youngstown CC (OH)

Trumbull CC (OH)

Chippewa GC (OH)

Links at Firestone Farms (OH)

Boulder Creek (OH)

Ellsworth Meadows (OH)

 

Bedford Springs (PA)

Oglebay Palmer (WV)

Donegal Highlands (PA)

 

Aiken GC (SC)

Fort Mill GC (SC)

Mount Vintage GC (SC)

 

Osprey Point (FL)

Delray Beach GC (FL)

Pinecrest GC (FL)

MacDill AFB (FL) 36 holes

Panther Run (FL)

Streamsong Red (FL)

Streamsong Black (FL)

Old South Golf Links (SC)

 

February 2025:

Eglin AFB (FL) 36 holes

Gator Lakes GC (FL)

 

 

 

 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Went up to Cleveland for the weekend. I was very fortunate to be invited to play Canterbury Golf Club. This place is awesome, tons of golf history and a special golf course. Greens were awesome, only a few tough tee shots, and a really tough 16,17,18 finishing stretch. Shot a 95. Rough took me out to the woodshed a few times. Easily a top 10 course in Ohio, it might even be my favorite. And Arg, no golf carts here unless the caddy drives it. It was a very nice walk!

[TLEH]

I just played Eglin AFB two weekends ago. Interesting spot.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Was able to get out of work a little bit early today so I took a little drive and played a new course (Woodland Golf Club) located in Ohio farmland. I was pleasantly surprised by this golf course. Considering that it is almost a drought here, the course played fast and firm. Greens and surrounds were in great shape as were the tee boxes. I only played the front nine which had a nice routing on some land with some good topography. Typically these farmland courses are pretty flat and boring. 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I drove up to Newark, Ohio the other day to play Moundbuilders CC. Interesting private course, it was built in 1910 and was designed by Tom Bendelow. The course is routed through and amongst 2000+ year old Native American Mounds. Unfortunately, the course will revert to being a park at the end of the golf season. The course lost it's lease via Ohio Supreme Court decision. The Ohio Historical Society sued the club to break the lease, and they won. Moundbuilders CC has some fun and unique golf holes, and the mounds were pretty cool. With some tree removal and a renovation this place could have been very special. Most parts of Ohio are really suffering with drought conditions right now. Course number 618. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[ode1]

☝️Nice punchbowl green.....like #10 at Tuscumbia!

 

Curious....why not use a rickshaw at SV vs. carry?

 

Edited September 14, 2024 by ode1

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I prefer to carry my bag when walking, have just always played that way. Having carried some heavy s*** in the Army, a golf bag is not a bother for me. For the first 20 years I played golf I rarely ever took a cart of any kind, always just carried. That being said, I am 57 now, still in pretty good shape and I did give in (was very humid) after 13 holes and I used a rickshaw on Mammoth Dunes, and then the rest of the time I was at Sand Valley and Sedge Valley.

Edited September 16, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

On 9/3/2024 at 3:57 PM, TLEH said:

I just played Eglin AFB two weekends ago. Interesting spot.

How are the courses there?

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Have not played much golf lately,  my twins are pretty busy with varsity soccer and marching band. Took my wife to see the Falling Water House in Southeast Pennsylvania this weekend. The Frank Lloyd Wright house tour was pretty awesome. We also played Uniontown CC, which is an old school course dates back to 1908. Not long by today's standards, but fun. Very fast greens here too. Many postage stamp greens. The course has a nice sit down restaurant; the food is great!

Edited October 14, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I was off work today so I went down to the University of Cincinnati, grabbed my oldest son and we played nine holes at Pendleton Hills CC in Kentucky. Course number 620. Pretty average course, but they are building a new clubhouse and fixing it up. Worth playing once anyway.

 

Anyone know how I can post more pictures? It seems like I have used up all my space here!

Edited October 14, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[Pepetito]

Youngstown CC (OH)

Trumbull CC (OH)

Chippewa GC (OH)

Links at Firestone Farms (OH)

Boulder Creek (OH)

Ellsworth Meadows (OH)

 

Did you ever get out to these yet?  I had a trip mapped out with a few of these on the Penn Ohio Golf Trail for a future trip.  Love to hear your thoughts on them.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

1 hour ago, Pepetito said:

Youngstown CC (OH)

Trumbull CC (OH)

Chippewa GC (OH)

Links at Firestone Farms (OH)

Boulder Creek (OH)

Ellsworth Meadows (OH)

 

Did you ever get out to these yet?  I had a trip mapped out with a few of these on the Penn Ohio Golf Trail for a future trip.  Love to hear your thoughts on them.

No, the rain came in that weekend from the hurricane, so I decided not to go up there. If the weather is cooperative the first weekend of November I'll probably go up and play Chippewa and Ellsworth Meadows.  The others I will play next season!

[TLEH]

On 10/14/2024 at 5:54 PM, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

How are the courses there?

Eglin was just okay. Interesting layout but not in the best shape. Indian Bayou is also a really fun course and in great shape down there.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Last week I went up to Springfield, Ohio and played a really nice private club, Springfield CC (Donald Ross, 1898). It's an older club, but it's a really fun golf course. This week I am playing Cambridge CC (OH) and Bedford Springs in Pennsylvania. Next week I am going to try and get down to the Louisville, KY area and play Chariot Run GC in Indiana.

Edited October 23, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[Dancin]

Springfield CC is great. Lots of good and tough Ross greens. I wish I had a club like that near me at the prices they charge for membership

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

12 hours ago, Dancin said:

Springfield CC is great. Lots of good and tough Ross greens. I wish I had a club like that near me at the prices they charge for membership

Me too. Loved the place! 

[TBone0576]

Longtime golf buddy moved from Chicagoland down to Louisville about 18 months ago.   I was able to go down end of October last year and we played Chariot Run.   We had the course to ourselves and it was a blast.   Wide open out there so if windy I am sure it will be challenging, but nice conditions and a fun layout.   We played another local course in the afternoon which I would skip.  Next day we drove to Lexington and played 36 at the UK golf courses and they also were pretty nice.   It was a fun trip.  

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I might be playing Chariot Run next week! 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I was able to get out and play Walnut Grove CC in Dayton, Ohio. The course dates back to 1935 and this club has a really nice laid back vibe to it. A bit narrow in spots, the greens were nice and quick considering it's late October. This weekend I am playing Cambridge CC (OH) and Bedford Springs Old Course as well in Pennsylvania. Update on Monday.

 

Edited October 24, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Was invited to play a round at Cambridge CC on my way to play Bedford Springs. Cambridge CC is a fun golf course and it dates back to 1903. Somewhat hilly course, pretty challenging overall, although not long by today's standards; for me that's great! 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I played Bedford Springs Old Course in Bedford, PA on Saturday. I have been wanting to play here for quite a while now. Could never get my schedule to line up with their early Spring or late Fall rates ($89). Course is over $225 in the summer months; it's good, but not that good.  Course was designed by both AW Tillinghast and Donald Ross. This is a super fun golf course, and it was in really great shape. Greens were punched 7-10 days ago and rolled pretty fast considering. Play here if you are passing through Pennsylvania on the PA Turnpike if you can. I also wanted to play Donegal Highlands for a 36 hole day, but the earliest that I could get out at Bedford was 11:00 am. Pace of play was great too, ~4 hours, maybe 3:50. Course total is up to 624 now. This was my 31st golf course played in Pennsylvania. 

Edited October 29, 2024 by BEND OF THE RIVER GC

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Took a personal day for Veteran's Day yesterday. Drove approximately 2 hours 15 minutes one way to play Chariot Run GC in Laconia, Indiana. Chariot Run is about 20-25 minutes from downtown Louisville, KY. Awesome golf course, great weather today, about 68 degrees and sunny. Suoer forgiving off the tee, lots of sand traps as well. Had a $59 Veteran's Day special that included a really nice Folds of Honor travel mug. Probably the best public golf course around the Louisville area. 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

My round at Chariot Run only took slightly more than 4 hours, so I decided to play another 9 holes at Old Capitol Golf Club before heading home to pad the courses played numbers a little bit. Old Capitol is an Interesting little golf course, with some quirk to it.  Obviously not as good and as new as Chariot Run, but still very fun. $29 with cart for logo ball and 9 holes. Played in about a little over an hour before heading back to Cincinnati. I am hoping to get another round in this weekend, weather permitting as well as 5 days in Augusta, GA over Thanksgiving. I am going to play Aiken GC (SC), Fort Mill GC (SC), Mount Vintage (SC) and the University of Georgia GC (GA). Old Capitol GC was my 40th new golf course played for 2024. My 626th overall. 

[Dancin]

wow. pretty rare to catch one of the snappers walking out on the grass, especially this time of year

[TBone0576]

As mentioned above my buddy and I did Chariot Run and Old Capitol in the same day last fall.   Chariot Run was a fun grip and rip course where you had quite a bit of room to be aggressive but if you got too wild you could definitely lose a few balls.   Fun layout and if the wind is whipping out there it could be problematic.   Old Capitol was just ok, definitely a few steps down from Chariot but we still had a pretty good time out there.  The back had a few interesting holes that you missed out on.