Muirfield Village Golf Club: Jack's Place

Muirfield Village Golf Club was originally designed in 1973 by the one and only Jack Nicklaus. Inspired by the rolling hills and nearly pristine perfection of Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, Nicklaus wanted to design a course that would challenge the world's best players as well as provide spectators an ideal way of watching golf live. Muirfeild Village is located in the affluent Dublin, OH just north of Columbus, OH and has been host to many amateur and professional events over the years. Most notable is the Memorial Tournament hosted by Nicklaus every every year during Memorial Day week. Other events that have been hosted there include the 1986 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, the 1992 U.S. Amateur Championship, the 1987 Ryder Cup, and the 1998 Solheim Cup.

The golf course itself is one of the hardest in Ohio. With a total yardage of 7343 yards and a rating of 76.6/150. To play the course effectively you not only need tremendous distance and accuracy but you also need to be able to think. With many split fairways and diagonal greens a player is required to manage his or her game on every shot.

The condition of the golf course, especially during the Memorial Tournament is impeccable. The fairways are nearly perfect, the rough long and thick the greens true and fast, and the bunkers consistent. In fact, during last year's Memorial Tournament Paul Latshaw, the current course superintendent, was interviewed multiple times and constantly complimented on the work of both himself and his crew. As a spectator of the Memorial Tournament numerous times I can say form experience that the course rarely looks anything less than perfect. Nothing seems to be out of place.

As I have already mentioned, the Memorial Tournament is played there every year. Known as "Jack's Tournament" it is one that is populated each year by the world's best players. The field, which normally includes players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, and Vijay Singh, is one of the strongest all year. One aspect of the tournament that makes it unique is that each year it honors a member of the golfing community and provides them a place on the tournaments "Wall of Fame" located just to the right of the first hole. The Memorial Tournament truly is Ohio's tournament and to be hosted by Ohio's own Jack Nicklaus it is a very special experience.

I have gotten the privilege of playing Muirfield Village roughly ten times in tournament rounds and can say from experience that it is quite an experience. Just to walk the fairways that the greatest pros play year in and year out gives you chills running down your back. You really do have to play intelligent to get yourself around the golf course but what really makes it difficult is that playing smart won't always get you the lowest score. Some holes and hole locations simply do not allow you to play anything but aggressive. Playing safe isn't always your best bet, in fact playing safe can get you in trouble. That being said, however, the golf experience created by Jack Nicklaus is unlike many you'll receive anywhere in the world.

Information found at both Wikipedia.com and Ohiogolf.org