This weekend The Dewsweepers drove up and played a course that we all grew up playing in the Cleveland Metro Parks, Big Met in the Rocky River Reservation. We will, over the course of the season cover all of the Metro Parks courses as they are all really nice. Seneca, Sleepy Hollow, Manakiki, Shawnee Hills and more.
Big Met is a very old golf course, tracing it's roots back t the 1920's. It is in Fairview Park but, deep in the trees in the park. All of us grew up near the course went to Berea High, and Big Met really was a part of our childhood. It's a very nice golf course that has stood the test of time. Including numerous remodelings on and off the course. It is challenging, and relatively tight. The course right now is playing very difficult as the fairways are being cut very narrow for some reason, and the rough is not overly high, but incredibly thick and there is a lot of it. There is a moderate amount of sand, and water. Plus the trees get bigger and the course shrinks every year tighter and tighter.
Sadly, none of us played anywhere near our best golf at our tee time of 622. And to be honest, it was a battle for all of us seemingly on every hole, but we made it through. And of course had a good time as we always. Being a park course Big Met is always in good shape, although the greens are still healing from a spring aeration, so better days are ahead after the healing is finished.
Tex broke through and played his best round in quite a while hitting the ball straight and getting his short game in order, and posted his best number recently on an unforgiving course. Joe Red battled with the rest of us, and overall played the most consistent and scored the best. But he like me, was no stranger to taking a really bad number or two. Red's son Bryan filled in for Beef who took the day off for the graduation of his son Derek from college. Bryan played very well, and its been fun to watch his game improve over the past couple of seasons filling in when there is a rare and coveted opening on the Dewsweepers Tour.
Bryan has developed a nice swing and generally keeps the ball in play. But as most young players putting can be an issue at times. So, let's not talk about his 4-put on number 13, a short par 5. Welcome to the tour. But he did jam a birdie down the throat of the next hole thattook some of the sting out of it. But for the most part he played and scored well. I too plated a nice birdie on the short par 4, number 6. Draining a 25 footer after reading Bryan's putt a minute before. But my joy was short lived, as I took an 8 (snowman) on the very tough number 7 Par 5. Then doubled number 8, and 9. I think that is the toughest stretch on the course. 7,8,9. Yikes. Those three hole destroyed my scoring this round. Golf is that kind of game. 7 and 9 are the toughest holes on this course - period!
We all played a bit better on the back 9, which at Big Met, generally plays easier than the front. Or it could be we were just more awake? Big Met is a course that keeping it away from trees is a good idea, and they are everywhere. We have all played this course way better, and when we go back later this year we all will. In fact, because of it's average length, great conditions, and greens that usually are soft and not overly fast, this is a course that breaking 80 can be had. I have a couple times. As so have the rest of The Dewsweepers here. And that's the fun of Big Met. You can stand on the first tee, and know if you swing well that day you can score. Sunday for us though, was not that day - at least on this day.
Big Met is good golf. It's wonderfully peaceful out there, and really beautiful especially on the back 9. I have always thought too, that it is a pretty good value considering the quality of the course. There was a time that Big Met was the most played course in the state, so a tee time is certainly the right call.
Footnote: If you Google it, or look at the Metro Parks webstes, do not confuse this with Little Met. It is a mile up the road also in the Park system. Little Met is shorter, and great for newer golfers or for a co-ed round, only 9 holes and in great shape. On the other side of Big Met is Mastick Woods, GREAT for beginners. Also 9 holes and a Park course. They are all within 2 miles of each other.
Big Met. It's worth a drive from wherever.
Scores
Joe Red 86
Bryan 88
Wynn 91
Tex 98
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