Thursday, June 07, 2001
Farm makes challenging golf course
By Carey Hoffman
Enquirer contributor
In Harrison, the Minges name has been synonymous with farming for 75 years. So when, after four generations of success, Ed Minges suggested in 1993 the family try opening a golf course, he knew he would face some skepticism.
“In the beginning, when we had our first nine open, my grandfather would come over there every day and drive into the parking lot and count cars,” Ed said. “He would say: "I can't believe it. There actually are people here to play golf.'”
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OUR RATINGS
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• Challenge: 3 (out of 5)
• Conditions: 3 1/2
• Aesthetics: 3
• Overall: 3
VITAL STATISTICS
• Yardage: Black tees: 6,350 yards; blue tees: 5,935 yards; white tees: 5,460 yards; yellow tees: 4,900 yards.
• Greens fees: 18 holes -- $29 with cart during the week, $35 on weekends; 9 holes -- $13.50 with cart during the week, $19.50 on weekends.
• Cart path policy: Off the path, with in the fairway preferred.
• Directions: From downtown, take I-74 west to New Haven Road exit. Go right on New Haven Road. Go left on Carolina Trace Road. Course is 1/4 mile ahead on right.
• Phone: (513) 367-5858
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Raymond Minges had worked the 140 acres of land that is now Circling Hills Golf Course most of his life, as his father had, supplying Harrison's farm market and feed store. Now, Ray's son John and grandson Ed are feeding the appetite for golf.
The family not only owns Circling Hills but also cares for it. John and Ed Minges are the only full-time members on a staff of 12 greenskeepers.
“I would say the expectations of people make this a little more difficult than farming,” Ed Minges said. “But I'm not just out to please people. Let me tell you, I've got the best job in the world. There is nothing better than watching this (course) grow up and grow in.”
The Mingeses didn't move from farming easily, but running a small family operation had become increasingly difficult. A 1993 drought forced them to take a look at other options, but they didn't want to sell their land for housing.
Golf was a risk, but it has paid off. Circling Hills' first nine holes were opened in 1994, with a second nine following in late 1997. Greg Guynan, superintendent at O'Bannon Creek and designer of the new Lord's Valley course, created both nines.
The Mingeses then did what they've always been good at: working the land.
“To be honest with you, it's been a fairly easy transition for me,” Ed said. “Growing up, farming was my background. I don't have a degree, but everything I've learned, I learned from working with my grandfather and my dad. Growing the grass has been like growing a crop for us.”
The soil under Circling Hills is extremely sandy — so much so that liners were put in the ponds to keep the water from draining.
“It's so porous that when we get heavy rain, people will call and say, "We know there's no way you're open,' and we'll actually have the carts off the paths,” said head pro Roger Pollock, a Harrison native who has been with the course since it opened.
The conditioning of the course is uniformly excellent, particularly for what Minges classifies as “a mom-and-pop operation.”
The most important thing for golfers to be aware of at Circling Hills is the difference between the two nines. The front nine is flat and straightforward. The back nine is much more demanding.
The front nine is a tale of two W's — wind and walkability. Most of the holes are open, making any breeze worth noting. And the level terrain with greens and tees mostly close together makes this a strong candidate for the most walkable nine in the area. Minges said the front nine draws many senior players and others who desire a less rigorous experience.
But don't expect a repeat on the back nine, which is defined by hills, woods and a creek. Seven of the holes cross the creek, and most have been cut through a tree line that cinches in and forces play into the fairway as you cross through.
The course hosts about 450 league players a week, and in league stats last year, its nine toughest holes were the back nine. Holes 11-16 are one of the better six-hole stretches in Cincinnati public golf.
The greens at Circling Hills are huge — an average of 40 yards deep, Pollock said. With some undulation and a variety of shapes, the greens can compensate for what looks like a modest course on the scorecard (only one set of tees plays longer than 6,000 yards). “You can have a lot of fun setting up the pin placements when we have tournaments,” Pollock said.
Not everyone is going to be comfortable with Circling Hills as an 18-hole experience because of the disparity in the nines. But with 43,000 rounds played there last year, the Mingeses' new venture has certainly taken root.
“Our goal with the course is to keep improving it,” Ed said. “But also just keep it a nice course people can come and play at a reasonable price, a place the general public can enjoy.”
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Farm makes challenging golf course
