Cumberland Trail Golf Club

The Affordable Ohio Option

By Glen Turk

I may be a few double bogeys away from a clean scorecard, but I'm starting to sense a pattern here. If a course has the name Hurdzan/Fry attached to it, there's a good bet it's a quality property. Bully Pulpit in North Dakota certainly fits the bill as does Erin Hills and Wild Rock a bit closer to home in Wisconsin. You can now add Cumberland Trail GC in Pataskala, Ohio to that list of Hurdzan/Fry winners.

Mike Pickett, Cumberland Trail's Head Golf Professional, believes the Hurdzan/Fry duo carries a lot of weight in the industry. "Cumberland Trail was built in 2000 and was designed by the Hurdzan/Fry Design Team. That alone separates us from the competition by design. In terms of day-to-day operations, I have yet to play better greens anywhere in Columbus, public or private. The atmosphere is also different than most courses around. Anything from high definition TVs, to trendy music playing everywhere, to even the staff being young and trendy; when you play Cumberland, it is definitely a different golf experience than anywhere in Columbus," explained Pickett.

What you'll most likely take with you after playing Cumberland Trail for the first time is the different dichotomy between nines. The outward nine plays primarily as a links style course with the lone exception you'll find water lurking on two-thirds of the holes. Then once you make the turn you'll be enveloped by tree-lined holes and alluring vistas from tee to green. Although the back nine plays about 100 yards shorter than the front, expect to score slightly higher on the inward nine.

Pickett expands on the contrasts from there. "There is definitely a difference between the two nines. The front nine is more of a links style with some water hazards but few trees. It can be described as an upscale modern layout weaving between houses. The back nine however is cut between marshlands and woods. You get your practice with the driver on the front and the hybrid or 3-wood on the back off the tee."

Finally, when telling the story of Cumberland Trail you have to mention the cost, or lack there of to play this wonderful course. At the very most you'll never pay more than $49 to ride and most often green fees are $38 or lower. And after Labor Day, they are practically paying you to play. Starting the day after Labor Day, you can play Cumberland Trail Monday through Friday for only $29 for 18 Holes with a cart. Saturday and Sunday after noon, you can play CT for only $29 with a cart. For more information, visit their website at www.cumberlandtrailgc.com or by phone at (740) 964-9336.

Article Tags: Cumberland Trail Golf Club

Revised: 12/03/2010 - Article Viewed 32,709 Times

About: Glen Turk

Glen Turk is a Wisconsin native and is the Senior Writer/Editor of Midwest Golfing Magazine. Midwest Golfing Magazine was formerly known as Pub-Links Golfer's Magazine and is a free publication distributed four times per year throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio.

His duties at MGM include writing course features, facilitating product testing, and overseeing the overall content and look of the magazine. But clearly his most important task is playing as much golf as his wife allows. Fortunately for him, she plays also and loves out-driving him even with a 60 yard head start.

Glen plays to a 6 handicap but once set a record by having his ball retriever regripped 15 times in one calendar year. It was a December trip to Guam that ultimately did him in. Finally, if you haven't caught on by now, the two most worthy weapons in Glen's writing arsenal are self-deprecating humor and pithy one-liners.

My signature line, "Be A Force on The Course" and now more recently, "Hit 'Em Where They Mow!" can be reused at no charge.