*First Design* Southern Ohio C.C.
Apr 29, 2019 12:03:54 GMT -5
joegolferg, vladthemert, and 2 more like this
Post by andymac7 on Apr 29, 2019 12:03:54 GMT -5
Welcome to "Flyover Country"
You may just want to stay a while.
99% of you who read the name of this course will think "Cincinnati". Think further southeast. Technically up the Ohio River, you'll find slower talk, simpler life, and the gateway to Appalachia.
This is the Portsmouth Ohio (no, not New Hampshire) area. Once a booming industrial powerhouse, likened to the “Three C’s” (Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati), this economically challenged city is home to Shawnee State University, the amazing floodwall murals and is the birth place of Roy Rogers. With a recent resurgence of the Bonyfiddle District on 2nd Street, and new community beautification efforts such as Plant Portsmouth (which set a new Guinness World Record), those who live in and around town are regaining their sense of pride. Residents have a new dedication to a place that has often been a punchline for the rest of the state.
Just to the southwest is a naturalist's dream- Shawnee State Forest, nicknamed "The Little Smokies" for it's rugged beauty, biodiversity and similarities to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park which borders Tennessee and North Carolina. The Shawnee State Resort and Lodge is still a very popular tourist destination, with it’s blue ridges and shady coves, miles of backpacking trails and many lakes and campsites. And if you’re into a sweat, follow in the footsteps of the Shawnee, and try hiking up to Raven Rock for a breathtaking view of the river valley.
With the design simply called Southern Ohio C.C., my goal was to give an overall feel and representation of this special Appalachian landscape, and the convergence of the Scioto and Ohio rivers (If you happen to be from here, you’ll notice some things aren’t absolutely exact).
So make sure your short game is sharp, as well as your focus, and try not to take too much of the “scenic route” on your trip through the woods. And when you’re finished, sit down with a glass of Portsmouth Pilsner (if you’re into that) and take a minute to slow down. And who knows, maybe my very first course design for TGC will make you want to come and see the real place.
Hole-By-Hole Names and Breakdowns:
1. ‘Straight ‘N Narrow’
Accuracy is demanded from the get-go. Yes, if you pull it, you can use the steep hill to the left to kick back into the fairway on your drive, but not TOO much or you’ll be in a deep bunker. And yes, this is a walkers-only course. Maybe because we couldn’t afford carts, or maybe because we like to walk .
2. ‘Skippin’ Rocks’
Go ahead, try hitting the club that’s in your hand. Once again, you’ll have to be accurate. The smart play just might be to lay a bit back with an iron. But it’s just a video game right? Go for it! A backstopped green is provided for those feeling a bit frisky.
3. ‘The Naturalist’
Take a breath and view the rugged beauty through the haze. Then step up and hit a great shot over the rocky pond. You’ll need it. This green has just a tad bit of slope.
4. ‘Turkey Creek’
Another demanding tee shot IF you want to carry the creek (pronounced “crick” ‘round here) and have a chance to get on in two. Good luck!
5. ‘Raven Rock’
Notice the famous rock outcropping dead ahead, and breath a sigh of relief for an easy tee shot! But wait… is this green driveable?
6. ‘Little Smoky’
Now we’re in “them thar hills”. You would think with a wedge in your hand this green would be easy to hit, right? Trust me, that front bunker is NOT where you wanna be.
7. ‘Roosevelt Lake’
Get yourself out of the woods with a good drive that clears the water into a two-tiered green. How much of a shortcut do you wanna take?
8. ‘The Bottoms’
Take in the view as you try to clear another precarious creek for a shot at this green in two. The greenside bunker is shaped like a small Shawnee arrowhead, which can be found in these river bottoms. However, you probably don't want to find this one.
9. ‘The Viaduct’
Notice the statement of pride on the pond bank on the flyover as you try and place your drive just right. Have fun on another sloped green.
10. ‘Pigeon Holler’
Have you noticed that accuracy is important on this course? On the drive and the approach. Pay close attention to pin placement and the green’s slopes as well.
11. ‘P-Town’
Your first view of the city- and this is a tough hole. Account for the downhill shot. You do not want to be over the green swimming with the man-sized catfish rumored to swim in these parts of the Ohio. If you need to “talk to a man about a dog”, facilities are provided to the left.
12. ‘One Step Behind’
This beast may be controversial and a bit frustrating for some of you. That’s ok. As with the Portsmouth and the Scioto County area, it can feel like we’ll never quite “make it”. But we can make it our own way, and be content in all things. Namely, an easy birdie here.
13. ‘Dutch Ridge’
“Ridge” may apply more to the green itself than anything. You better have lazer-like accuracy into this little green, or you’ll wish you had.
14. ‘Pond Run’
Play the power fade to ensure a mid to short iron into this perched green over the run.
15. ‘Rocky Fork’
In contrast from the last drive, you’ll need a sweeping draw (really a precisely placed duck hook) with a driver around this sharp dogleg if you really want a nice approach to the green. Or, if you’re “skeerd”, just hit a hybrid or iron to straight in front of the large bunker.
16. ‘Wolf Den Lake’
Named after possibly the least known lake in Shawnee State Forest, but one of my favorites. Play a mid to short iron, avoiding the large horseshoe bunker on the left, and beware of the sneaky pot bunker to the right, which strangely seems to attract more balls.
17. ‘The Ohio’
The largest elevation drop from the tee on the course. Carry yet another creek, then just wade through it and hit your tough approach to a difficult green. This one’s really tough in the wind.
18. ‘Buckeye’
So, you have a choice. Shall you attempt the lower, least traveled path, or the safer high road? And can you interpret the special bunker shape around the green?
I hope you enjoy your trip around my very first TGC course. Who knows, it may be my last. I just don’t have much time to devote to gaming, honestly. I have a full time job, a wife and a child. But this was a LOT of fun!
See “you’ins” on the course! (that’s our version of “y'all”) And any type of feedback is welcome!
-Andy
Link to a nice short YouTube video by Part-Time Jaffa
of the course in action:
ALL PLAYERS PLEASE NOTE: Yes, of course I made the newbie mistake of assuming you can delete an already-published course. So, there are sadly two versions of the course now published. They are exactly the same, but the only difference is that the correct version is a par 72, due to me somehow making #4 a par 4 by rookie mistake. I do apologize.
REAL PHOTOS OF THE AREA
Shawnee State Forest and Park
Raven Rock
Portsmouth Ohio
COURSE PHOTOS
#5 'Raven Rock'
#8 'The Bottoms'
#11 'P-Town'
#17 'The Ohio'
#18 'Buckeye'
You may just want to stay a while.
99% of you who read the name of this course will think "Cincinnati". Think further southeast. Technically up the Ohio River, you'll find slower talk, simpler life, and the gateway to Appalachia.
This is the Portsmouth Ohio (no, not New Hampshire) area. Once a booming industrial powerhouse, likened to the “Three C’s” (Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati), this economically challenged city is home to Shawnee State University, the amazing floodwall murals and is the birth place of Roy Rogers. With a recent resurgence of the Bonyfiddle District on 2nd Street, and new community beautification efforts such as Plant Portsmouth (which set a new Guinness World Record), those who live in and around town are regaining their sense of pride. Residents have a new dedication to a place that has often been a punchline for the rest of the state.
Just to the southwest is a naturalist's dream- Shawnee State Forest, nicknamed "The Little Smokies" for it's rugged beauty, biodiversity and similarities to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park which borders Tennessee and North Carolina. The Shawnee State Resort and Lodge is still a very popular tourist destination, with it’s blue ridges and shady coves, miles of backpacking trails and many lakes and campsites. And if you’re into a sweat, follow in the footsteps of the Shawnee, and try hiking up to Raven Rock for a breathtaking view of the river valley.
With the design simply called Southern Ohio C.C., my goal was to give an overall feel and representation of this special Appalachian landscape, and the convergence of the Scioto and Ohio rivers (If you happen to be from here, you’ll notice some things aren’t absolutely exact).
So make sure your short game is sharp, as well as your focus, and try not to take too much of the “scenic route” on your trip through the woods. And when you’re finished, sit down with a glass of Portsmouth Pilsner (if you’re into that) and take a minute to slow down. And who knows, maybe my very first course design for TGC will make you want to come and see the real place.
Hole-By-Hole Names and Breakdowns:
1. ‘Straight ‘N Narrow’
Accuracy is demanded from the get-go. Yes, if you pull it, you can use the steep hill to the left to kick back into the fairway on your drive, but not TOO much or you’ll be in a deep bunker. And yes, this is a walkers-only course. Maybe because we couldn’t afford carts, or maybe because we like to walk .
2. ‘Skippin’ Rocks’
Go ahead, try hitting the club that’s in your hand. Once again, you’ll have to be accurate. The smart play just might be to lay a bit back with an iron. But it’s just a video game right? Go for it! A backstopped green is provided for those feeling a bit frisky.
3. ‘The Naturalist’
Take a breath and view the rugged beauty through the haze. Then step up and hit a great shot over the rocky pond. You’ll need it. This green has just a tad bit of slope.
4. ‘Turkey Creek’
Another demanding tee shot IF you want to carry the creek (pronounced “crick” ‘round here) and have a chance to get on in two. Good luck!
5. ‘Raven Rock’
Notice the famous rock outcropping dead ahead, and breath a sigh of relief for an easy tee shot! But wait… is this green driveable?
6. ‘Little Smoky’
Now we’re in “them thar hills”. You would think with a wedge in your hand this green would be easy to hit, right? Trust me, that front bunker is NOT where you wanna be.
7. ‘Roosevelt Lake’
Get yourself out of the woods with a good drive that clears the water into a two-tiered green. How much of a shortcut do you wanna take?
8. ‘The Bottoms’
Take in the view as you try to clear another precarious creek for a shot at this green in two. The greenside bunker is shaped like a small Shawnee arrowhead, which can be found in these river bottoms. However, you probably don't want to find this one.
9. ‘The Viaduct’
Notice the statement of pride on the pond bank on the flyover as you try and place your drive just right. Have fun on another sloped green.
10. ‘Pigeon Holler’
Have you noticed that accuracy is important on this course? On the drive and the approach. Pay close attention to pin placement and the green’s slopes as well.
11. ‘P-Town’
Your first view of the city- and this is a tough hole. Account for the downhill shot. You do not want to be over the green swimming with the man-sized catfish rumored to swim in these parts of the Ohio. If you need to “talk to a man about a dog”, facilities are provided to the left.
12. ‘One Step Behind’
This beast may be controversial and a bit frustrating for some of you. That’s ok. As with the Portsmouth and the Scioto County area, it can feel like we’ll never quite “make it”. But we can make it our own way, and be content in all things. Namely, an easy birdie here.
13. ‘Dutch Ridge’
“Ridge” may apply more to the green itself than anything. You better have lazer-like accuracy into this little green, or you’ll wish you had.
14. ‘Pond Run’
Play the power fade to ensure a mid to short iron into this perched green over the run.
15. ‘Rocky Fork’
In contrast from the last drive, you’ll need a sweeping draw (really a precisely placed duck hook) with a driver around this sharp dogleg if you really want a nice approach to the green. Or, if you’re “skeerd”, just hit a hybrid or iron to straight in front of the large bunker.
16. ‘Wolf Den Lake’
Named after possibly the least known lake in Shawnee State Forest, but one of my favorites. Play a mid to short iron, avoiding the large horseshoe bunker on the left, and beware of the sneaky pot bunker to the right, which strangely seems to attract more balls.
17. ‘The Ohio’
The largest elevation drop from the tee on the course. Carry yet another creek, then just wade through it and hit your tough approach to a difficult green. This one’s really tough in the wind.
18. ‘Buckeye’
So, you have a choice. Shall you attempt the lower, least traveled path, or the safer high road? And can you interpret the special bunker shape around the green?
I hope you enjoy your trip around my very first TGC course. Who knows, it may be my last. I just don’t have much time to devote to gaming, honestly. I have a full time job, a wife and a child. But this was a LOT of fun!
See “you’ins” on the course! (that’s our version of “y'all”) And any type of feedback is welcome!
-Andy
Link to a nice short YouTube video by Part-Time Jaffa
of the course in action:
ALL PLAYERS PLEASE NOTE: Yes, of course I made the newbie mistake of assuming you can delete an already-published course. So, there are sadly two versions of the course now published. They are exactly the same, but the only difference is that the correct version is a par 72, due to me somehow making #4 a par 4 by rookie mistake. I do apologize.
REAL PHOTOS OF THE AREA
Shawnee State Forest and Park
Raven Rock
Portsmouth Ohio
COURSE PHOTOS
#5 'Raven Rock'
#8 'The Bottoms'
#11 'P-Town'
#17 'The Ohio'
#18 'Buckeye'