Sand RidgeGolf Club, was designed by Tom Fazio and is located in Munson Township, Geauga County, Ohio, near Chardon. Construction on the course started in late 1995 and opened for its private members on May 18, 1998. The course was built on of woods, pastures and wetlands located next to the Fairmount Minerals sandstone quarry in Chardon. It also contains the headwaters of both the Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers. Sand Ridge is recognized as a top-caliber golf course and ranked as high as 52nd best course in the U.S for 2005-2006 by Golf Digest. Sand Ridge was the first course in Ohio, and one of a select few in the world, to be designated as a Certified Audubon International Signature Wildlife Sanctuary. Sand Ridge merged with The Mayfield Country Club in 2006, and is now half of The Mayfield Sand Ridge Club. Having two courses available to the members has made the combination especially desirable in the Eastern Cleveland Private Club market.
The opening hole is a short par 4 with a right dog leg. The most important shot on this hole is the first.
Hole #2: Plateau Par 4, Handicap 7
Championship Tee: 421
Members Tee: 383
Seniors Tee: 351
Ladies Tee: 310
A patch of wetlands to the right of the tee is a harbinger. This hole has a generous landing zone for the drive, but the second shot is challenged by a two-tiered elevated green.
The course's #1 handicap hole is a long, uphill par 5, protected by 24 bunkers. Only two small bunkers are visible from the tee-box, all are visible from the second and third shot, and NONE are seen from the green when looking back at the tee-box.
Hole #4: Vista Par 3, Handicap 13
Championship Tee: 223
Members Tee: 186
Seniors Tee: 157
Ladies Tee: 121
A long par 3 at from the tip. Requires a carry over tall fescue and bunkers onto a narrow green. This one plays long.
Hole #5: Twin Par 4, Handicap 3
Championship Tee: 438
Members Tee: 407
Seniors Tee: 376
Ladies Tee: 333
With two separate greens, this hole features a fascinating strategy contrast. When the pin is on the left green, a monster bunker protects the hole and the player will need to fight through dense rough. The right green is open, but has a long right dog leg.
Hole #6: Ledge Par 5, Handicap 11
Championship Tee: 527
Members Tee: 485
Seniors Tee: 450
Ladies Tee: 407
This is a medium Par 5, requiring a drive between flanking bunkers. The player has to account for a prevailing headwind on the difficult third shot to a plateau green.
Hole #7: Draw Par 4, Handicap 5
Championship Tee: 444
Members Tee: 419
Seniors Tee: 386
Ladies Tee: 339
A downhill Par 4 that will reward a sweeping draw from the tee.
Hole #8: Orphan Par 3, Handicap 17
Championship Tee: 168
Members Tee: 142
Seniors Tee: 122
Ladies Tee: 103
The hole of this picturesque par 3 is protected by a front-facing pond and wetlands behind. A steep face bunker is located in front of the green.
Hole #9: Snake Par 4, Handicap 9
Championship Tee: 406
Members Tee: 374
Seniors Tee: 343
Ladies Tee: 300
This hole has a generous landing zone for a tee shot. The green is defended by a pond to the left and multiple traps to the right, making for a daunting second shot.
Hole #10: Pulpit Par 4, Handicap 10
Championship Tee: 401
Members Tee: 370
Seniors Tee: 340
Ladies Tee: 294
Blind, uphill tee shot. The second shot requires a long carry over water to a narrow green.
Hole #11: Redan Par 4, Handicap 4
Championship Tee: 483
Members Tee: 433
Seniors Tee: 376
Ladies Tee: 301
A fade is favored from the tee. However, too much is punished by trees.
Hole #12: Rockside Par 3, Handicap 18
Championship Tee: 177
Members Tee: 150
Seniors Tee: 121
Ladies Tee: 110
The green is heavily tiered. Involves high punishment for errant tee shots and high reward for accuracy.
Hole #13: Falls Par 4, Handicap 2
Championship Tee: 466
Members Tee: 444
Seniors Tee: 424
Ladies Tee: 325
One of many visually impressive holes on the course. A waterfall adjacent to the tee sets the stage for the long par 4. Length and accuracy are required from the tee and into the well-protected green. Par is an excellent score.
Hole #14: Dilemma Par 5, Handicap 8
Championship Tee: 540
Members Tee: 511
Seniors Tee: 480
Ladies Tee: 441
The dilemma is to attempt to carry the wasteland on the second shot or lay-up to the right on this par 5. This is a high risk, high reward Fazio classic with eagle possibilities.
Hole #15: Quarry Par 4, Handicap 16
Championship Tee: 341
Members Tee: 311
Seniors Tee: 291
Ladies Tee: 257
A short par 4. It looks innocent, but the green requires an adroit player, as it is the toughest on the course.
Hole #16: Cape Par 4, Handicap 6
Championship Tee: 404
Members Tee: 385
Seniors Tee: 343
Ladies Tee: 286
A dramatic cape hole. Fraught with hazards; the second shot will require pinpoint accuracy.
Hole #17: Headwaters Par 3, Handicap 14
Championship Tee: 230
Members Tee: 200
Seniors Tee: 180
Ladies Tee: 80
A beautiful, wetlands-traversing hole that requires a carry.
Hole #18: Split Par 5, Handicap 12
Championship Tee: 555
Members Tee: 531
Seniors Tee: 490
Ladies Tee: 445
Majestic finishing hole with cross bunkers that split the fairway. Choose from two fairways for your approach, depending on the pin placement. The wetlands frame a generous green, while hawks that often circle the green and surrounding wetlands add a touch of nature to the experience.
