EdinTampa

My group plays a lot of golf and this course has always been in our normal rotation ... not anymore. Reason:

1. The tee boxes are rarely level and finding a patch of grass to hit off of is difficult

2. The fairways are extremely sandy and many sport large clumps of crab grass amongst dried out fairway. Disappointing

3. Our last 2 times visiting we have gotten some attitude from the bar service inside. Once for sitting on the back porch to cool off after our round and not ordering right away so asked to not sit there. Then yesterday, after our round, I requested a small bag of ice to go after we ate our lunch and paid for a round of golf. Our server was happy to until the older bartender told her no because we weren't ordering beer from them to put in it. Seriously??? It's just ice from their ice machine and we just patronized them with a round of golf and buying a post-covid lunch in their empty restaurant. Mis-guided and pretty much done with this place. I'm easy to please normally.

It had been about 25 years since I had played this course in my 20's when I would do so fairly consistently. My take:

The Good Established trees / landscape
Challenging layout
Nice staff
Greens in good shape

The Bad Nothing's changed in forever
Tired clubhouse inside and out
Location a bit challenging from
interstate
Fairways dry and hard
The community is a bit tired as well
with many yards facing course
overrun and some windows
boarded up. Eye sores.

I have played this course occasionally over the past few years...

The Good: Nice greens
Nice price
Challenging layout
Convenient location

The bad Fairways super hard, dry, lack grass
No cart girl
Clubhouse closes at 5:00 (actually locked
at 4:30 on Sunday when we played).
Seriously??? What club does that???
We now know. Horrible management.
Overall felt like they were doing us a favor
letting us play instead of catering to us

Have played here maybe 30 times over the years. Current observations:

* Nice greens, patchy fairways and tee boxes
* Bunkers have new white sand … nice
* Floater ball driving range
* Drink cart was consistent but why no club soda ???
* Direct booking vs. Golfnow fees a plus
* I consider a nice value for what you get overall

The quarry holes were the draw for my foursome. When you pull up to the clubhouse it looks like a tired municipal course anywhere USA. Disorganized parking lot and below average clubhouse in appearance and amenities. We all also laughed at the decent looking Yamaha golf carts all lined up with each one having a bright silver duct tape patch on the corner of each driver's seat ( we were told to prevent wear ). We laughed. Pretty tacky. Anyway … all of that aside. We LOVED the course! Great elevation changes, great grass conditions, very picturesque on most holes, and the quarry holes did not disappoint. We all agreed we wanted to return very soon. Play the course! Just look past the book cover.

Foursome played between raindrops this time. Course appears in good shape but overall maintenance is lacking. In many places the first cut of rough is above your ankles and not mowed for quite some time. Most of the bunkers have been neglected and noticed many fairway bunkers with clumps of grass growing in them. A little more pride is needed but the course is a fun challenge.

I received a sweet "Hot deal" to play the course. The track is always a nice challenge and never over priced. My only complaint is unraked bunkers and poor quality sand along with 50% containing major standing water. I get it with the rain and all but other courses are bunker clear. Put two teenagers out there with squeegies.and rakes and tell them to start at number 1.

I have played this course a lot through the years but it has been some time since I was last at Cheval. The course has always been very challenging with water in play on most holes and errant drives will not be found typically. My beef is the condition of the fairways and greens which were really poor. To be fair, many courses are hurting as of late but this trip to Cheval did no justice to my memories of rounds past. Golf carts were also sputtering for our foursome with governors that were completely obnoxious.

Thoughtfully placed bunkers, greens in great shape, fairways a bit spotty in places but otherwise great. Loved the rolling hills and the very nice staff. Definitely recommend. Get a hot deal to make more reasonable.

For less than $20 pp I'm not going to complain. Greens in good condition. Fairways kinda muddy in locations but average in quality. A good choice for value. Distance between holes can be horribly long. Do not walk unless training for walkathon.