Sleepy Hollow ranks among nation’s best municipal golf courses
by Dan Holland
Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, located at 9445 Brecksville Road, has received many accolades within golfing circles in recent times. It was just ranked in June as the 13th best municipal golf course in the country by Golf Magazine.
The Cleveland Metroparks course – one of eight operated by the park system – offers a blend of natural beauty coupled with a unique landscape and layout, according to John Fiander, PGA master professional and clubhouse manager for the property.
“It’s a unique challenge here that a lot of folks don’t see often, because the course is still the original architecture of the 1920s,” explained Fiander, who has been with the property for 30 years. “There are a number of greens that have a lot of slope and angle to them. Modern greens, those built since the 1960s and beyond, are much flatter.”
The 18-hole championship course, which offers a classic “out and in” layout, has hosted a number of amateur and professional events over the years, including qualifying events for the USGA championships.
“It’s the beauty of the surroundings and the challenge of the greens that sets it apart,” Fiander continued. “Sleepy Hollow isn’t an overly long golf course length-wise, although it can get long on the back tees. It offers unique views of the Cuyahoga Valley from the first tee and some others. People sometimes say that they don’t feel like they’re in Ohio with that view; it gives you a different perspective.”
“Challenging, gravity and pride are the three main things I would use to describe Sleepy Hollow,” commented golfer Tom Stanton of Cleveland. “When you’re putting uphill, it feels like you’re putting to the moon. There’s a lot that comes into play here that never comes into it at most courses. The Metroparks really takes a lot of pride in their courses.”
The course superintendent previously worked at other top-rated area country clubs, explained Fiander.
“We’re fortunate that our superintendent previously worked at Kirtland Country Club and Sand Ridge Golf Club,” said Fiander. “When he came here, he brought that country club level of maintenance with him to Sleepy Hollow, and that certainly helps us in the rankings.”
The course opened in 1924 as a private country club on land leased from the Metroparks. It became a public course in 1963.
“It’s a really nice course, and it’s well-kept,” said golfer Tony Furillo of Broadview Heights. “It feels like you’re at a resort; especially the farther you go out into the holes. It feels like you’re just in the middle of nature. I golfed at Nemacolin Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania, and I actually like Sleepy Hollow better.”
Group outings have resumed with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, said Fiander.
“We’ll start ramping up with a number of 100-120 player golf outings in July and August,” he explained. “COVID restricted us from having any kind of shotgun outings; we couldn’t have large gatherings of people in one place at the same time.”
The facility offers a driving range, club rentals, golfing lessons, cart rentals and putting greens. The clubhouse provides a golf pro-shop, souvenirs, food service and also offers banquet hall rentals.
“This was the country club for the Brecksville area before it became a public course,” added Fiander. “It’s an amenity that’s close to a lot of folks right here in Brecksville, where they don’t have to drive far to play a quality course.” ∞