#2 Best New Public Golf Course Under $75 in America – Golf Digest
Let’s face it, while we appreciate how great the golf is in the Buckeye State, we also realize how rare the access is to much of it on private course. The new Blue Heron Golf Club in Medina is changing that perception.
Ranked #2 in Golf Digest’s “Best New Courses in America Under $75,”
Blue Heron will feature 27 distinctive holes designed by renowned
architect John Robinson with the opening of its third (River) nine this
spring. This quiet venue offers visitors a full day (and then some) of
fabulous golf, a gorgeous weekend stay-and-play getaway and an
outstanding outing facility, all within about a half-hour of the
Cleveland and Akron metro areas, and less than 90 minutes from Columbus.
Each nine is unique – the Highlands layout featuring stunning elevation changes with panoramic views of scenic Medina County from many locations. The Lakes design plays around natural lakes and streams on seven of the nine holes. And the new River routing with play over and around the spectacular Rocky River should be a new treat for firsttimers and another reason for those who’ve sampled Blue Heron since its opening in May of 2005 to return.
While the new River course hasn’t been rated yet, expectations are that each of the 18- hole combinations will be similar in difficulty to the current Highlands/Lakes duo that carries a 144 slope from its 6,932-yard back tees. But before you’re scared off by those daunting figures, there are four other sets of tees, each named after the different colors of herons in the world, which ensure a playability that will bring you back for more. You’ll likely hit different clubs on all the par-3s, the par-4s will test all facets of your iron game, and the par- 5s are all over 500 yards from the middle tees. And there’s a state-of-the-art GPS system on all the carts to keep you on track.
But the 27-hole challenge is just the beginning. Blue Heron’s distinctive amenities include an unrivaled 27,000 squarefoot clubhouse featuring the River Styx Grille with an intimate dining room, outdoor deck with views of the course, a bar with cathedral ceilings and a wall full of flat-screen televisions.
The Blue Heron Banquet and Conference Center offers fullservice event and catering facilities for weddings, corporate groups, private parties and charitable outings of up to 400 guests. The clubhouse also includes stylish and functional men’s and ladies’ locker rooms complete with lounges, shower facilities and even shoe service.
Special arrangements with the Hampton Inn Medina offer preferred rates and great stay-and-play packages throughout the year.
Blue Heron is the first Ohio course operated by Troon Golf, the nation’s most experienced golf management company. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon oversees more than 185 courses in 29 states and 22 countries.
Thirty-four of Troon’s facilities, such as The Classic Club in Palm Desert, the Ridge at Castle Pines North in Colorado, Monte Rei in Portugal, Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico and the Westin Turnberry Resort in Scotland, are ranked in the Top 100 of various national and international publications.