It’s been 17 days, 4,500 miles, 17 courses, 108 lost balls, and we are at our final stop on the MN, SD, ND, +4: The Final Frontier – 50 in 75 Golf Adventure. My apologies to Sunny Hill Golf and Recreation as this was an unplanned stop along the way while driving through Ohio. Originally the trip was going to be a +3, however as the saying goes…There’s Always Time for 9.
At this point of the trip, we were both physically and mentally drained. So after watching the miles and miles of striped lines on I-80 pass by our windshield, it was time to stretch our legs and try to finish the trip strong! After spending time in the Akron/Canton area on the trip west, we thought we would travel south to I-76 and this route took us to Kent, OH and Sunny Hill Golf Course.
My original thought when visiting this course was not to write about our experience, but just to enjoy the walk, along with hitting the little white sphere around this track. As we slashed our way around The Third 9, my brain-dead mind began to clear and I said to myself, “Self, that is why you play 9-hole courses, you idiot!” So as I tried to recover from my first few holes coma, I decided to give you a “birds-eye” view of the facility.
Shot Value: The first 5 holes of this course are “ho-hum” out and back, straight, par 4,4,4,3,4 holes. But it gets interesting at Hole #6 (or #24). There are three 9-hole tracks that are marked holes #1 to #27.
Design Variety: You get into the “meat” of the course at #6/#24 as the brook that meanders through the courses starts to attract your tee shots. Hole #6 is a par 3 over water. Hole #7/#25 reverts back to ho-hum, but Holes #8/#26 and #9/#27 are fun, challenging par 4’s that have the brook to clear and they both curve sharply to the right. A good finishing stretch!
Memorability: On The Third 9 it was the finishing four holes.
Aesthetics: From their website, “The original ‘Sunny Brook’ nine (North 9) is situated in a natural wooded area with brooks and marshland surrounding the scenic setting”. The Third 9 is more open and forgiving for beginners, juniors, and seniors (us).
Conditioning: On this 9, the fairways had some sandy patches, but the greens were in good shape and rolled well.
Ambience: The staff was very friendly, and correctly steered us toward the easier Third 9 course. The clubhouse offers a full service bar with both indoor and outdoor seating. A small snack bar provides the only food available.
Rating – Par (39 out of 60): The facility comprises of 27 holes: The North 9 (the original); The South 9; and The Third 9. When playing 18-holes, most golfers choose the North and South courses. Our rating was entirely based on The Third course.
3734 Sunny Brook Road, Kent, OH 44240; 330-673-1785; www.sunnyhillgolfcourse.com
