COURSE
REVIEWS
Golf Club of Dublin
Shows Signs of Greatness
By Kiel T. Christianson,
Senior Writer
DUBLIN, Ohio (Oct. 25, 2002) -- In a recent interview, golf course architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan described how certain topographical features pose problems for course designers: “The most difficult site on which to build a golf course are dead-flat sites,” admitted Hurdzan. “It’s an artistic challenge to turn a featureless corn field into an enjoyable, memorable golf course.”
“That’s why,” continued Hurdzan, “we count The Golf Club of Dublin as one of our best accomplishments. We moved a modest amount of dirt, and turned a flat corn field into what we think is a very fun course to play.”
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This is a remarkable level of recognition for such a young course, whose turf has just begun to fully grow in. Even Head Pro Sean Sicilian and course architect Hurdzan admit that the layout needs to mature. But they also point out – with appropriate portions of pride and modesty – that from tee to green, conditions and playability can only get better with age.
A Bit of Ireland
Michael Hurdzan and his partner Dana Fry succeeded in overcoming the uninspiring level landscape largely by creating strategic golf holes that allow for multiple paths to par. “Our goal,” according to Hurdzan, “was [to recreate] a bit of Ireland in central Ohio.”
To
this admirable end, the braintrust at Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course
Design resisted the temptation to build a tricked-up, shamrock-themed
knock-off of an Irish course – the sort of goofy-golf many
untraveled Americans unfortunately associate with links play.
Instead, The Golf Club of Dublin contains just enough Old World
flair to make it memorable.
Most evident among the Irish accents are the 78 sod-walled bunkers and hundreds of yards of hand-built stone walls. The bunkers – devilish and endearing all at once – not only guard the classic, four-corner greens and punctuate the otherwise forgiving fairways. They also serve to add an understated visual drama to the one-time cornfield. When the sun is low in the sky, the stacked walls (some of which rise above head-level) cast illusory shadows that can make the bunkers seem either twice as deep or half as shallow as they really are, depending on the angle of the light.
“Hurdzan and Fry really strove for authenticity,” says Director of Sales Kimberley Meegan. “And in the last four to five weeks, the course has made the turn with respect to conditions and business.” As word gets out about this chip off the Emerald Isle, golfers are finding that the atmosphere and level of golf combine for a unique Ohio experience.
Authentic Service and Design
From the moment you step out of your car, the goal of Dublin’s staff is to immerse you in the golfing tradition. Each course employee is dressed in plus-fours, white shirt, and tie. And each plays the part of an historic golf personality. From James Braid to Allan Robertson, the crew will be more than happy to share with you the career achievements of their characters.
Even
though the large wood-trimmed clubhouse is not quite finished,
the peaked ceilings, high fireplace, and dark wood interior offer
the perfect atmosphere for drinks and food pre- or post-round.
The pro shop and practice facilities are spacious and well thought
out, and service – above and beyond the slightly gimmicky
role-playing – is the equal of most private clubs.
Out on the course, design features also mirror those often encountered on Old World links, except for one thing: the proximity of housing surrounding the course. Although the actual structures will (usually) be set far enough back from the fairways to keep them out of play, with 750 planned home sites, it is inevitable that some will interfere with both aesthetics and players’ scores. OB is seemingly everywhere throughout some portions of the track.
At 408-yards, the par-4 first hole is a relatively gentle opener, except for the white stakes and stone walls lining both sides of the fairway. Facing OB right and left on the first hole tends to start a round off on a sour note for most duffers.
Nos. 5 (500 yards) and 6 (534 yards) are two classic back-to-back par 5s, offering birdie or better chances for big hitters. The 6th, with its rock walls, ever-present bunkering, and meandering rivulet along the right side evokes images of Carnoustie – except of the executive homes lining the fairway.
No. 7 highlights one design flaw: At 413 yards from the back tees, it’s a solid driving hole. At just 310 from the regular men’s tees, however, it requires no more than a 5-wood or 3-iron. The hole is a microcosm of the course with respect to yardage. With back tees measuring 7,021 yards and the regular tees at 6,363 yards, the layout lacks an option for the large number of players who feel comfortable in the 6,500-6,700 yard range.
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The 404-yard 18th is not the most intimidating closer in the area, but it is nevertheless a strong feel-good finishing hole. The wide fairway here, as on many of the other holes, is defined on the right by a pond and on the left by the ever-present stacked-sod bunkers. In order to get a good angle into the slightly elevated green, tee shots should favor the left-hand side of the fairway. Behind the green, the inviting clubhouse rises like Brigadoon above the one-time cornfield, and the promise of a cool draught stout ale might make it hard to maintain your concentration as you putt out.
A
Welcome New Addition to Central Ohio
The Golf Club of Dublin is still just a baby, and it has plenty of room to mature. The root systems on the greens need to thicken some yet, and the turf in the fairways could use some toughening up. Housing construction will, unfortunately, continue for quite a while, as only about 30% of the planned development has begun.
These blemishes not withstanding, the new Hurdzan/Fry design is a very welcome addition to the Columbus area, which is developing into a bit of an unlikely golf destination, complete with several highly-rated golf courses and a variety of accommodation and entertainment options. If the winter stays mild, hearty duffers can even play The Golf Club of Dublin year-round at substantially reduced green fees. Not only a fine deal, but also true to the course’s Irish inspiration. In fact, aside from the residential development and the rich loamy soil, there is little here to detract from the overall Irish atmosphere. From the wide fairways and strategic shot-making to the personable staff, you might just forget that you’re in Dublin, Ohio, instead of Dublin, Ireland.
Golf Club of Dublin
5805 Eiterman Road
Dublin, OH 43016
Tel: 614-792-DUBLIN (3825)
Web: www.golfclubofdublin.com
Course Vitals
Yardages: 7021 (back), 6363 (original), 5975 (forward), 4969 (ladies’)
Rating/Slope: Not yet rated
Green fees: Mon-Tues: $65; Wed-Thurs: $75; Fri-Sun: $85 (cart
included); Seasonal, Twilight, Junior, and Senior rates available
Misc: The BEST golf-course Bloody Marys served in the bar and
on the beverage cart; walking allowed any time; no metal spikes;
real estate information available through www.ballantrae-dublin.com
