This feature is the third installment of a series of reviews for golf courses in the Kosciusko County area.

SYRACUSE – Nestled between scenic Johnson’s Bay and the Eli Lilly Estate on the northern shore of Lake Wawasee is the modest but inviting Wawasee Golf Club. The course is a nine-hole layout measuring between 2,489 and 2,989 yards depending on the tee.

Built in 1910, the course is Kosciusko County’s oldest and one of the oldest in the state. Over 100 years later, the course still provides its visitors with a great experience. The staff at Wawasee is one of the friendliest around and provide players with a warm welcome as soon as they enter the pro shop.

A view from the eighth hole at Wawasee Golf Club shows Lake Wawasee’s Johnson’s Bay.

The friendly environment in the club house sets the tone for a laid-back and fun experience on the course. Its close location to the lake provides players with a nice view of Johnson’s Bay as well as the faint sound of boats out on the water, further building a relaxed setting.

“Our members really enjoy what we’re doing here.,” said Head Golf Professional and superintendent Matt Maloni. “We keep the course in good shape and try to provide our players with the best experience possible.”

Getting the course in shape for this spring came easier than expected after harsh winter for Maloni. Little cleanup from the winter weather allowed the course to green up nicely and allowed players to get out as early as possible this year.

After being renovated from an 18-hole course in 2001, Wawasee became the county’s only nine-hole course. Due to the change in size, the course does not find itself hosting many events but still caters well to its members and local youth.

Wawasee serves as the home course for the West Noble Middle School boys and girls golf teams during the spring. The support of youth golf will be even more noticeable at the course as Maloni plans to add junior tees, making Wawasee even more family friendly.

One event that is upcoming for Maloni’s curse is the Goofy Golf Outing raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis research. The event provides unique instructions for each hole, such as using a baseball bat or only using one club for an entire hole. This year’s outing will be held on July 26.

Day Played: June 17, 2014 in very windy conditions.

Best Hole: We found our solace on holes four and five. A tee shot on number four must be relatively straight as it has to go through an opening between two groups of trees before the course opens up on the other side. Mike was on in three and used a two-putt to claim a bogey on the hole while Nick struggled on the green to take a triple.
On number five, Nick pulled a rabbit out of his hat by hitting his only fairway of the day and would need just one putt to finish out while Mike took the long way around through some high grass. We both ended up with a six on the hole.

The dogleg on number nine give players one final challenge before heading into the clubhouse.

Worst Hole: We are really not trying to develop a theme here, but once again it was the course’s second hole that gave us fits. Both the second hole at Maxwelton and at Tippy Lake caused us issues, Wawasee was no different. The railroad runs parallel with the hole and the occasional train takes away from the otherwise quiet course. Less than impressive tee shots from both Nick and Mike led to a poor performance on the approach and a combined seven putts on the green.
Mike salvaged a double bogey on the par four number while Nick refuses to publicize his score but offered a brief comment, “It’s somewhere between eight and 10.”

Major Hazards: The greens were the biggest challenge of the day. Maloni clearly wants his course to be fun, but still provide challenges for players. We have yet to encounter such deceptive greens at any of the other courses.When we thought fast, the greens were slow. When we thought slow, they were fast. The well-maintained and manicured greens provide a nice challenge at the otherwise relaxing and laid-back course.

Wawasee Golf Club
12388 N. Bishop Rd., Syracuse
(574) 457-0224
www.wawaseegolfclub.com

Links to our previous reviews:
1. Maxwelton Golf Club
2. Tippecanoe Lake Country Club

After a fun round, Wawasee has a variety of snack and drink options for golfers with a patio that provides a nice view.