gertzjb

This course was nearly run into the ground by the last management group, but the new management (Billy Casper Golf) has made great strides to bring it back. The greens while rather slow were rolled flat and rolled true. The course has a very interesting layout with 18 unique holes including the well protected 190 yard par three 11th and the 90 degree dogleg 12th hole which requires a accurate 220 yard shot off the tee to clear the corner which is well protected by 80 ft high oak trees. Some of the par 5's are reachable in two with a big drive. There is some forgiveness off the tees in that you can hit into parallel fairways with little or no disadvantage. Over all an enjoyable challenging course.

Course is in remarkably good condition considering all the issues lately (2013) with the management company. The greens were trimmed and sufficiently fast even for this time of year(fall). Fairways were adequate again for this time of year. Unfortunately, the sand traps were often found to be filled with hard wet sand or mud so it is suggested to play them by pre-raking with a lift clean and place.
Generally this course is a very challenging layout with several approach shots that require clearing actual quarry-like ravines. I have never been pleased with holes 2 & 3 since they have no realistic layup options to avoid strategically placed water hazards. Number 2 can be reached in two with a good tee shot (>250 yards) if followed by a 180 yard approach over 170 yards of water! Final three finishing holes are very challenging and require careful shot making skills. The par 4 16th involves clearing what seems like a nearly 100 yard marshy area which extends across the entire width of the hole (deep woods on left and right) and must be cleared to reach a narrow elevated green surrounded by sand traps. Depending on the tee location this marshy area can even be reached from the tee box so it is not even always possible to hit driver off the tee. Often a 180 to 200 yard approach to the green is required to clear all the hazards. Watch out for the bridge and cart path to the green to the right of the marsh. Approach shots can often end up in the woods even after clearing the marsh if they hit the end of the bridge or the cart path near the green. Part the par 5 17th green is actually over a stone bridge! If the flag-stick is placed over the bridge some very interesting and frustrating approach shots will result. The par 4 18th green is surrounded on three sides by water. Often play this hole as a par 5 with a layup to the left side of the fairway as the only way to safely avoid the water hazard.

I have played at Blackledge for over 30 years mostly for 9 holes on weekday afternoons during the season. There are two courses: the original 18, now called Anderson and the newer Gilead course. The Anderson course, which I played most recently has always been a moderately challenging and interesting layout with some water, some hills, and many tree-lined fairways. It is very walkable and well laid out with most tees not very far from the previous greens. The par 5's are of moderate length and can be reached in two by lower HCP golfers with some risk of course which adds to the fun and enjoyment of this course. On the Friday afternoon we most recently played in May the pace of play was a bit slow at just over 4 1/2 hours.

Blackledge (both courses) is well maintained for a public course of its type (non-premium) in the area. Although the greens are generally on the slow side especially later in the summer, they are kept healthy and green throughout the year.

I am not a great fan of the other 18 hole course, the Gilead course. The front nine is decent but somewhat on the short side (2860 yards). The back nine is a "links" style course with several diabolical holes that have no reward, just risk! For example the par 5 12th hole can successfully be played with a 4 iron and two wedge shots to reach the green, but either of those wedge shots can end up in one of the two large ponds, one to the right of the fairway and one in front of the green. AND, if you overshoot the green though a stand of trees you end up in another fairway and can be totally shut out with absolutely no recovery possible. The next hole, a short par 3 is equally diabolical with no safe lay up shot possible to avoid the marsh to the right of the green and the stand of trees to the left. If you are "lucky" you can score well on the second nine but if you are not you can have a very bad day. So the back nine of the Gilead course is not my idea of an enjoyable round of golf! In fact some golf leagues who play regularly at Blackledge try to avoid it completely.

In summary, the Anderson course is moderately challenging, and walkable. The Gilead course although walkable has a frustrating and not very enjoyable links style back nine!