Grizzly Course at The Golf Center at Kings Island in Mason is a real bear
MASON, Ohio -- Only Ohio's most venerable private clubs -- like Muirfield Village and Inverness -- boast storied histories as colorful as the Grizzly Course at the Golf Center at Kings Island.
The Grizzly Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Desmond Muirhead in 1972, has hosted golf's grand princes and princesses from four tours over the years: The PGA Tour (1973-77), LPGA Tour (1978-89), Senior PGA Tour (1980-2001) and the Symetra Futures Tour (2009-11). Only the Nationwide Tour is missing from the roster, but that likely will never happen now that the course has been shortened to 6,504 yards.
A portion of the Grizzly was sold in a real estate project about about eight years ago. The Grizzly lost five holes -- shrinking from 27 to 22 (the four extra holes are now called the "Academy Course" and regularly used for playing lessons) -- but there are still plenty of teeth left in the revamped layout.
The two par 3s on the North nine require water carries. The finishing par 5s on both the North and West nines do, too.
"It is challenging with the rough. They keep it in great shape," said Bruce Holiday, a league member at the course.
Kings Island also features a teaching academy and the Bruin Course, an over-sized executive course with four par 4s.
- Review: Follow in the footsteps of legends on the Grizzly Course at the Golf Center at Kings Island
- Book tee times in the Cincinnati/Dayton area
- Destination Guide: Great golf and more in Cincinnati
