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| Reviewed by:
Dave Nord - St. Paul, MN. Dave shoots in the 80s |
| Review Summary:
Goodrich is a Ramsey Cty. course located in Maplewood. Par 70, plays just
over 6200 yds. from back tees. Traditional parkland style course built in
1965. Bunkers on most holes and water on some. The trees that were planted
on the course have matured nicely, so shots in the tree lines can cause
problems. The original greens are very small, placing a premium on
accuracy on your approaches. Several greens have been rebuilt in the more
modern large, undulating style. The signature hole is #6, a 520 yd. par
five that starts off with a drive over water that favors a fade to the
right side of the landing area for a second shot over a narrow saddle that
is guarded on both sides by huge oak trees with overhanging branches. Out
of bounds all the way up the right side adds to the challenge of this
hole. Course has a reputation for being too easy, but the winning score in
a MPGA tournament held there several years ago was over par. |
| Conditions:
Course maintenance has been
inconsistant in past years, with the greens playing ridiculously slow and
roughs mowed everywhere from 2" to not at all. New course manager came on
last year and things have started to improve. |
| Scenery:
The course
is pleasing to the eye in the way that parkland style courses tend to be.
Hole # 1 borders North St. Paul road and Hole # 9 borders the Aldrich
Arena parking lot. Otherwise, you really feel like you are in a park the
rest of the way around. You see a few residential buildings at the east
end of the course but they do not loom over you. The northern border of
the course parallels the Gateway Trail. The ponds are all man-made and are
not kept consistantly filled. |
| Layout: Considering
the relatively small piece of ground, the course does not just play back
and forth, but gives you a variety of angles to wind and sun. Most of the
OB trouble on this course is on the right, except for the first hole,
which is left. Has more elevation change than you might think driving by,
but is very walkable. However, the clubhouse is a long way from the ninth
green, making it difficult to get up there, make a purchase and make it
back to the tenth tee, which is right next to the ninth green, and keep
pace with the group ahead. Many people walk right across the 18th fairway
to get to the clubhouse and back, disrupting play on 18. |
| Services:
The clubhouse is managed by a long entrenched pro who does not stock a
pro-shop, give lessons, or ever even play the course. However, some of the
staff are welcoming and act like they care. The food is your basic hot
dogs, brats, frozen pizzas and chips. Beer is all american lager. Beverage
cart service is erratic and rarely on the course before 11:00AM even on
the weekends. The one outdoor pop machine near the ninth tee has not been
in service for over 2 years. Ranger service is erratic as well, so pace of
play can sometimes be agonizing. Green fees will be $30 for 2007, making
this course a questionable choice when other better run and maintained
facilities are available for similar money. |
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| Course Rating |
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| 1-5 Stars (5 stars being
the highest) |
| Overall Rating:
2 Stars |
| Value Rating:
2 Stars |
| Overall Difficulty:
3 Stars |
| Putting:
2 Stars |
| Balls Lost:
1-2 |
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