Lakeview CC 13th Hole Page

Created 3/7/07

Modified 3/8/07

The 13th Hole at Lakeview Country Club is a very dynamic Par 5 that measures in at a short 500 yards from the tee.  The green side bunkers were modified in 2004 and I have two pics of the changes

Unfortunately, due to shadowing, the right side bunker is somewhat obscured by shade in photo #1.  It should be noted that the original bunker was peanut shaped and was crowded by a mature tree that collected errant shots.  I recall that the bunkers was shallow and the sand was virtually non-existent. 

During the remodel, the tough decision was made to remove the tree on the right which caused tremendous dissatisfaction with several long time members.  The right bunkers was redeployed to a position that more effectively guards the front of the putting surface.  In addition, the bunker is relatively "cut in" to the reveal and now makes for a challenging sand shot.

The left side bunker has also been placed at a level that creates a high reveal and makes for a challenging play, especially when the flagstick is in the right rear quadrant of the putting surface.

Both of these pictures showcase the dark blue water of Lake Erie in the background.  This view was expanded several years ago by the turf care department and has added a unique backdrop to the undulating putting surface, especially on bright, sunny days

I would also like to relate an anecdote about the 13th that comes from the 1985 golf season.  At that time, this putting surface was in very poor shape due to a number of factors.  First, the putting surface received very little air due to the thick shroud of trees that surrounded it.  In addition, the soil content of the putting surface was made up of  less porous clay which resulted in very poor drainage.

I recall that the putting surface had very little grass and when ball marks were made they more of less exploded and so the putting surface was very bumpy.

The turf care super at that time was Don Simpson.  The Board of Directors of Lake View Developments, and a consultant from the USGA working in conjunction with a consultant from Penn State, determined that a grid like matrix of drainage tubing could be embedded into the putting surface in order to improve the drainage and therefore the quality of the putting surface.

It was decided to channel the 13th green as well as the 2nd, 5th, 11th, 14th, and 15th putting surfaces.  This process began sometime during the 1985 golf season and the greens were basically a wreck for the rest of the year.

Based on this project and other problems evident at Lakeview at the time, it was decided to bring in some new blood for the 1986 golf season in the form of Gordon Seliga.

One aspect of the 13th hole which is a real treasure is the view behind the putting surface of the North East farm community and Lake Erie I plan to expand this page in the near future to deal with this subject.