Oxbow tops local golf courses

by Rashad Daoudi
For The Post

Within an hour of Athens in all directions, golf enthusiasts can find a score of public golf courses. In a region with miles of open land, big and small trees and plenty of water, golf courses are a natural product.

One of these courses is Riverside Golf Club, located about 35 minutes off state Route 33 East in Mason, W.Va. Riverside is a competitive 18-hole, par-71 course that plays tough for avid golfers, but still is forgiving for those with a slice.

Riverside is not the longest course in the region. The course has six par threes and its longest par five is only 437 yards. But the course has plenty of water, sand and two holes with harsh doglegs that can cause problems. This course is well worth the drive, especially because after 5 p.m. all-you-can-golf costs $17.

Riverside's course is well-cared for and also offers a patio overlooking the Ohio River where visitors can order a great burger and beer of their choice.

Another course, much closer to home, is Elm Public Golf Course, just 15 minutes off state Route 50/32 East. The nine-hole, par-36 course's strongest assets, however, are convenience and a $6 price tag. Elm is a course for someone looking to play a quick nine to work on his or her drive and short game.

Elm has very wide fairways, which allows weaker golfers room to make mistakes. It is not the prettiest course, due to the fact that owner Denny Bloomfield does all the maintenance himself.

Finally, the best of the three courses is the beautiful par-71 Oxbow Golf and Country Club in Belpre, Ohio off state Route 50. Located about 40 minutes from Athens, Oxbow is a wonderful course well-suited for the best of golfers. Upon arrival, visitors feel like they have stepped onto a professional course.

Oxbow is not meant to be played by poor golfers - both monetarily and in skill. The course costs $27 on weekdays and $32 on weekends ($22 after 2 p.m. on weekends).

Oxbow has a mammoth 590-yard hole and an exquisite 220-yard par three, which challenges the best golfer. The most difficult is hole 12, which disappears into a creek after 250 yards and then hooks right for the remaining 135 yards.

Oxbow will live up to the highest expectations. Any serious golfer at Ohio University, except for the writer of this story, who shot a dreadful 97, should play it.

Whether golf fans choose to golf at one of these courses or any of the others located in our region, Ohio and its neighboring states are home to some of the most majestic lands in the country. Especially lands with a little six-inch hole anywhere from 100 to 600 yards away.