Chagrin Valley

Chagrin Valley takes its place as a worthwhile representative of Cleveland’s collection of Golden Age architects. Among Stanley Thompson’s relatively few American designs, several are located in the Cleveland, Ohio area and feature rather unfriendly terrain for such exploits. At one location the architect found great Chagrin...literally.

Although Chagrin Valley Country Club is named after the nearby village of Chagrin Falls, players will find the less pleasant version of the term “chagrin” if they drive wide of the fairways on holes here, which are balanced along ridges that fall off dramatically on the strategic side of the hill (where better players will try to place their drives).

Thompson is noted for both his par threes and his magnificent bunkers, and Chagrin Valley supplies a number of holes that provide both. No. 7 is the most intimidating, with a tiny green fronted by four massive hazards. No. 4 is a touch more friendly, with much more green to aim for. Still, the depth can be misleading thanks to the bunkers staged out front.