The Sunday Morning Dewsweepers played a real nice public golf course this week that has been one of our favs over the past few years in Huron. Thunderbird Hills North Course. Beef, Joe Red, Tex, and I were all geeked up and ready to get the 2012 season started off right.
Thunderbird Hills North is part of a two 18 hole complex where the North Course is open all year round, and the South Course which is newer does close in the fall. T-bird Hills is very easy to get to, and well worth the drive for many reasons. It's about an hour from Akron/Medina. 45 minutes from Brunswick/Strongsville and about 30 minutes from Cleveland. Your GPS will take you on Route 2 or the Turnpike, and it's right on the highway. Very easy.
When we played the North this week, we found it in great shape, and very challenging. It's a traditional course, lot's of trees and rolling hills, the definiton of Ohio golf. The North has no sand traps, but don't let that fool you. The rough is the story here. Most holes have generous driving lanes, but you are penalized for hitting into the rough. Especially in the morning while we are sweeping the dew. The wet rough can be brutal. We found the greens fast and true which was impressive for this time of year. Joe Red proves positive of this, buy 1 putting 7 of the first 10 holes.
We have played this course a dozen times or so, and it always seems to go the same way. Generally, the front is the place to make your hay, because the back plays far tougher. My 42 on the front was punctuated by my birdie on the par 4 number 4, and I was feeling pretty good. But my three doubles on the back, five total and overall getting slapped around gave me, and us all...a reality check.
Holes 9 -13 are really the teeth of this course. Hole 10 could possibly be the toughest par 4 we play all year on any course, checking in at number one handicap. Proceeded by number 9 a brutal par 5, 2 handicap where Beefs really nice front 9 took a hit when he got a triple number 9. In a five hole stretch you play 2, 1, 17, 3 ,and 7 handicaps. Pretty tough. There's your round.
We always seem to hack up the 10th. 440 yards down the hill, up the hill, over water, thick side hill rough to a raised and turtle backed, slick green. A par 4, in which 5 is a great score. It can kill a round. Ask anyone of us as we have all taken our turn in the triple bogey barrel here. We always are glad to see that hole go and hopefully without too much damage to the card. Tex's 9 there, was a reminder that this can happen quickly.
GOLF SOCIAL NETWORKING -OOBGOLF
Truth be told, T-Bird Hills is always in great shape, and the rates are always fair for the kind of course you're getting. Great people too. The clubhouse on the North Course is great, with a new wine bar called Bar North that is new the past year or so with good food too. Good hot dogs that are always ready even for the early tee times at the turn. A sure sign that you're at a course run by golf course people. And a real nice patio to sit and watch those come up the 18th fairway with a brew while you're adding them up.
They also have a really slick website that where you can take the virtual tour of the course. Plus great information about the rates, and facilities in addition to just golf. Links to Facebook and all of their social networking too.
In short, for golfers that don't mind a little drive for a good golf course, this is one. Thunderbird Hills North/South. Always is a good time, always challenging and always invites us back.
Scores:
Beef - 90
Joe Red - 88
Tex - 100
Wynn - 88
