onekooldad

My first round of golf in Ohio. It was a gorgeous October day after the fog burned off.

Course was a bit soggy from recent rains, and pace of play was slowed by that fog delay. But that didn't hinder enjoyment of the course as it has intriguing holes, some near-diabolical greens (#2), and is in lush condition.

From the tips, it'd be an entertaining challenge for almost any amateur.

I booked this course via GolfNow.com as the last day of a "5-courses-in-5-days-in-4-states" driving trip to participate in the 25th anniversary Fantasy Football League draft; primarily because it was conveniently on the way from Texarkana, TX to Nashville, TN.

GolfNow *should* be more aware and upfront about the condition of courses they list, but it's not my intent to whine or blame - simply to educate and encourage improvement.

Turtle Pointe Golf Club (formerly Arkadelphia CC) is not truly in what most golfers would consider playable shape ; however, I am glad I got the opportunity to experience it. It's one of those places that has seen much better days and you can still see the potential.

I don't know details of the history, though my very brief Google search indicates it's heyday was likely in 50's & 60's and fell on hard times after economic changes in the area - eventually being held by bank - before being purchased a decade or so ago. There's still relatively little money to be spent on normal course care & maintenance so it's quite rough; i.e. just plan on automatic two-putt rule and don't stress if you don't make a single putt.

You can still see the character, imagination, and quality of each individual hole's design and will wish you were playing it in prime condition. The front and back nines have distinctly different feels and it can still be a fun experience *if* you have the right expectations - right now, it is unfortunately NOT up to usual standards of courses I would usually play.

That said, the staff there were beyond courteous & accomodating. Perhaps they can get an influx of money, some concessions from local utilities, and/or even assistance (including sweat-equity) from local high school service orgs or college staff/students to bring things back to a more acceptable level.

I wish them the best!

Course was in really good shape. Always a fun time as the design allows / encourages several ways to play many of the holes. Not always a bomb & wedge. Greens are rolling really well.

2nd or 3rd time playing here while on vacation, and have always enjoyed the course. Design diversity allows/encourages you to play every shot.

Greens are generous and hold shots very well.

Biggest challenge is the longish & thick rough that can swallow a golf ball in the blink of an eye. Had more than one the rolled off or through a fairway and took a bit to find.

That said... I recommend this course without reservation to those who want the challenge.

3rd or 4th time playing here while on vacation, and it seems to continue improving. Plenty of variation in length on tees to provide challenge for different handicaps. Most of the trouble is visible though the tufts and clumps of sea grass devour more golf balls than you might think. :)

Always an enjoyable day, even when game isn't "on". This course has such a variety of hole shapes & distances that all levels of golfers can enjoy. Few forced carries on any shot.

Several tee boxes are rough, fairways aren't great, and greens aren't smooth, but it's a tight and thought-provoking tracks that works your game pretty well. :)

I've played this course off and on since the early 80's. Have always like the layout, but have always thought it could be better maintained.

I'm glad it's still open and hope it gets enough play and support to allow for better maintenance and some upgrades to visual components.

Booked this course via GolfNow for first time. Have planned a few times previously; mostly just front nine as after work outing.

A bit of a snafu at the start as someone else had booked the other 2some slot online, but brought 4. Luckily I noticed and pro shop sent me out ahead of them. Played with / through several groups (all gracious) before finally finishing back 9 with a threesome I caught at the turn.

Course was quite wet but still very playable. It's a good balance of risk/reward with enough water to make shot placement key. Not particularly long even from blue tees. Greens putted well.

I do wish yardage markers were more present and/or visible.

Look forward to playing again soon.

I always enjoy Windtree. Course is consistently in good (not always great) condition, and it offers an interesting mix of difficulty & playability. Only 6100 yds from white tees and pretty open on some holes, there are plenty of places you can't just "smash & dash".

Cedar Crest is a good, fair challenge. Looks deceptively open, but it's much more critical to hit it down the middle than to bomb it. A number of good risk to reward value holes. Course was in good shape.

This is a great course design with details rarely seen on a public course with affordable green fees; e.g. rock features, multiple walking bridges on 18, elevation changes, etc.

Though not a significant problem on previous visits, the pace of play was horrible and personnel/staff were unresponsive when it was brought to their attention. It was well over 4 1/2 hours for first nine and several times there were three groups on par fours. We mentioned it to course staff at the turn and were told, "there's nothing we can do about it". Slow play prevented us from finishing 18 holes before dark.

Additionally, greens had been recently aerated/sanded but this was not mentioned at check-in.

We'll return, but not many more times if this doesn't improve.

I'd like to like Forrest Crossing more. It's conveniently located to my church and to several of my friends, and there's no other 18-hole public course within 20-25 minutes.

I've played off and on at this course for many years and it just seems to have stagnated. Generally in mediocre to good condition, but rarely horrible or great.

It's overpriced not to see some periodic improvement.

And too many 4 1/2 - 5+ hour rounds.

I've played Pine Creek several times, and though it's not always in *great* shape, it's never bad. Greens are consistent, fairways generous, enough length from tips to stretch you, and holes with some character that require some thought off the tee.