Located just south of Columbus, Cooks Creek Golf Club is among the top public courses in Ohio

ASHVILLE, Ohio -- Cook's Creek Golf Club is located just 25 minutes south of Columbus, neighbored by Little Walnut Creek and the Scioto River. The course's namesake, John Cook, is an Ohio native who teamed up with Michael Hurzdan and Dana Fry to create a tour-quality course.

Both Cook's father and grandfather farmed the patch of land on which the golf course sits. Since opening in 1993, Cook's Creek has become one of the top public courses in the state. The 72 carefully preserved acres of the course are not only certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, they also serve as a Blue Heron rookery. It is nearly impossible to discern that the terrain was formerly just a floodplain and a cornfield.

Beginners may find the course too intimidating but those looking for a formidable round are in the right place. Wetlands come into play frequently throughout and there is also contoured mounding to contend with. The final hole, the layout's longest par-4, leaves a lasting impression with water on both sides of the fairway and an uphill approach.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - 6th tee

Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio was designed by architects Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, with co-designer John Cook. The sixth tee is shown here.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - 10th hole

The 10th hole at Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - 10th green

The 10th green at Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - 14th green

PGA Tour player John Cook contributed significantly in the shaping of bunkers, placement of tees the course flow at Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio. The 14th green is shown here.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - 15th green

The 15th green at Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek G.C. - 16th green

Located just 25 minutes south of Columbus, Cooks Creek G.C. in Ashville is one of the state's top upscale daily-fee golf courses. The 16th green is show here.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - 1st tee

Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio features bentgrass tees, greens and fairways.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek golf course - holes 1 and 2

Golf Digest has awarded Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio four and a half stars. Here is a view of the first and second holes.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - 2nd tee

A view of the second tee at Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - 5th tee

The fifth tee at Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio.

Courtesy at Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club - pro shop

Cooks Creek Golf Club's pro shop has everything you need to look and play your best.

Courtesy of Cooks Creek G.C.

Cooks Creek Golf Club

Although it's located less than a half hour from Columbus, Cooks Creek Golf Club (formerly known as Raintree South Golf Club) feels much further thanks to its beautiful natural surroundings. The course is next to a Blue Heron rookery and it is also frequently visited by a variety of other wildlife.

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