Thursday, 28 August 2014 10:13

LOCAL GOLF - Dewsweeper Golf Course Review - Manakiki

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Course:  Manikiki  (MetroParks)

Location: Willoughby

Directions:  Off of I-90, easy access from 90 and I-271.   30 Min from Cleveland, 45 from Akron

Dewsweepers Tee Time Was:  7AM

Manikiki Website

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One of the really nice stops we have on the Dewsweeper Tour is this amazing, historical golf course now in the MetroParks, Manikiki.   This is terrific, beautiful golf.  And make no mistake, this is tough golf as well.  Manakiki is an old course that at one time was a private course designed by the incredible andn legendary golf course designer Donald Ross. Professional events were once played here, and so did some of the games great players in the 50's and 60's.  This is not a long course,  about 6,200 yards but very tough.



This is nestled in hills and trees and winds its way around and flows nicely from first hole to last.  Manakiki is not a long golf course but do not let that fool you.  This is tree lined, with plenty of protective sand traps, some water, and tons of sloping fairways that make second shots very challenging. There are few flat lies on many fairways.  The greens are fantastic with great speed, and true rolls.  As where they are mostly flat as compared to the fairways, the greens are tough.  And today the pin placements were difficult. 

Great entrance to the course - Clubhouse

Joe Red continued to do what he has been doing. Getting off to slower starts, but finding it more and more as the round wears on.  Red shot a 48 on the front, but rebounded very well by tossing in a birdie on 12, (of which we were treated to hard to watch celebration dance)  and a bunch of pars to steady the ship shooting a nice 42 on the back.  His play got better and better the further we got into the round.  Good recovery.

Tex had a tough time off the tee today, and that has not been a problem lately, but we all have those rounds.  Here, you must drive the ball well as the second shots are tough enough, as this is a second shot course.  We've all been there, and today was his turn.  But he putted the ball well, and that's not small feat here either.  He hung in there posting and even 100.  He won't be the only one that shoots that here. This is a tough course.

Beef blistered that front mixing in a nice bunch of pars, along with a birdie on 5, and shot a 39 on the front.  Well done.  The back caught up to Beef though. After a great par on the brutal number 10, a couple of doubles found their way on the card and string of bogeys too, giving him 45 on the back, 84 on the day.  Pretty good on this course, although he was in a place to shoot a bit better, but it's tough out there.

Beef, Tex, And Joe Red on #14 Tee

I birdied the first hole for the second straight week, and that was fun. Then took a ridiculous double on 2, and a even sillier triple on 8 giving me 44 on the front.  5 over on just 2 holes!  Then the back was better as I played a bit more consistently firing a 41 giving me 85 total.  I too could have shot better, but let a low number slip away.  2, 3-putts, and those two uncalled for goofs on the front.  But this is tough and these thing happen.

Patio next to #1 Tee Box

Course highlights?  Number 2, nice uphill par 4, 350 yards.   Numbers 6 through 10.  Great holes that can destroy your round if you're not careful.  Especially number 10, brutal par 4, thin, uphill, tree lined, very difficult.  8 is no bargain either, 375, par 4, thin, tough fairway, brutal driving hole, professional difficulty, both holes.  And the fantastic number 18, one of the most beautiful holes you will ever play.  Downhill, uphill par 4 going back to the clubhouse.

View to #18 green from fairway - beautiful!

Manakiki is tough, but fair.  This is not beginners golf, so this may not be the best place to be introduced to the game. But if your game is fairly good, and you don't mind a drive to a wonderful golf destination, this is totally worth it.  This is one the best courses we play all year.

Scores

Beef  -  84
Wynn  -  85
Joe Red  -  90
Tex  -  100

Next week we tee it up and make our Dewsweeper debut at The Dales Course at Tam O' Shanter in Canton!

Here are some other courses we have played are reviewed recently.

Thunderbird Hills - North

Mallard Creek (Ye Old Course)

Valleaire

Maplecrest

Cossett Creek (Brunswick Hills)

Ironwood

Springvale

Hickory Nut

Thunderbird Hills- South

Sugarbush

Creekwood

Big Met

Shale Creek

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