The Sharon Golf Club

The Sharon Golf Club has very little information available to the general public and that’s by design; the club retains a membership of just 275 individuals...not much more than on its opening day. One fact that’s well-established is that it’s one of the few men-only clubs remaining in the United States...which is a distraction from what is otherwise hailed as a supremely-manicured golf course.

That comes as a result of another piece of history, worth noting: From the first day of planning, Frank Dobie has served as general manager and agronomist. His contributions to the game during 56 years at Sharon include inventing the bunker-liner during 1967, and also designing Ohio’s first double-row, fully-automatic irrigation system. Alas, 2020 will be his final season with the club, leaving large shoes to fill.

Granted, there is an admirable golf course to be admired at Sharon as well. Designer George Cobb is best known for his par three course at Augusta National and — although that’s a high bar for short holes — the par threes at Sharon are equal parts strategy and daring. It's difficult to gauge the current sizes of the greens, but at its onset, they were among the largest in the state...with No. 18 measuring nearly 14,000 sq. ft.