alfreddupuy

I usually end up playing Yankee Trace a couple of times a year, but each time I play, there is always something that reminds me why I play just once or twice a year.
First, the good news - decent condition, good range and practice putting green, great beer options for the 19th hole.
Now, the questionable: no rangers to help keep play moving. I saw a drinks/ snacks cart once...on the tee of my 17th hole.
And the baffling: perhaps because it was a special (although I did decide to walk), I was routed from the Vintage (normally, just the 9-hole course) to the Vintage (normally, the front 9). So, of course, I ran right into the midst of others teeing off on the Vintage for their first nine! What?! I felt badly because I inserted myself ahead of a group that had a tee time, but they were understanding and let me play through.
Lesson learned: just be sure you are routed normally, i.e. Vintage to Legend. Oh, and I don't think it is worth full retail price ($60-65 with cart). But, if you can get a better deal ($40 with cart) and the normal routing, then I would be more amenable to recommending the course.

...is no longer. Luckily, we did not pay too much for the opportunity that I used to enjoy before I moved away in 2010. As I live in central Dayton, I never minded the 25-minute drive out to Clayton for a round at a course that was challenging and on a layout I enjoyed. Now, the course is a shell of its former self (tee boxes are overgrown and weedy as are the fairways; bunkers are just waste areas; greens are more dirt than grass) and if your ball is only slightly off the fairway, good luck in finding it.

The course should be closed and returned to land for farming or park development or, sold to an investor group that will invest back into the course and make it a worthwhile trip again.

Sorry that I cannot be more positive.

Enjoyed Bloomginton Downs very much on our first visit as it was a reasonable challenge for me (single digit handicapper), but more importantly, was not too beefy for my 9-year old son, who managed a 132 from the forward tees! Pace of play was good. We were a threesome and considering a couple of holes when we delayed ourselves (the gentleman who joined us was easily in the 110-120 range), were able to keep up with the group in front of us throughout the round. We actually waited a bit more on the back side due to a slower 4-ball.
Staff was super friendly and did not worry a bit as other courses do when I bring my son along.
I will return next year for sure.

Granted it was a mid-morning start, but the pace of play was the biggest thing. They were worried about my 9-year old son (who shot 126 by the way), but with my 77, we were able to keep up just fine (with an average-paced couple as our partners). Marshals seemed to be out and helped on a couple of holes since I was unfamiliar with the course.
Greens were banged up, so putts were a bit of an adventure.
There are some blind shots, so we got hit into a few times - no one's fault really, but just beware.
Cordial staff. Nice beer options at the 19th hole.
Not sure if I will head back anytime soon. I think there is better value out there...

Well, at least I received 24% off the full-fare price via GolfNow, but it still was not enough for what is normally an excellent layout at Pheasant Run. The greens had just recently been aerated and that on top of the fact that some of the greens are simply in awful condition (#6 on Uplands is the prime example). I spoke to a member after my round and he said the greens had been lost for much of the summer, which is unbelievable considering the darned near perfect summer weather we have had. I guess I missed the alert or did not see on the website that the greens had been punched; otherwise, no way I spend almost $100 (including the GST). At least give a further discount or a free dog and beer!

The only saving grace is I showed up a bit early (I was a single), got out ahead of all groups and played in 2.5 hours. Rest of the course in pretty good shape.

Also, why no discount for walkers?

I won't play on this course again this year and for the money, not sure how often I will be back in the future.