18 Greatest Holes: First Hole Starts Tomorrow!

Hi everyone!  My name is Jonah Karzmer and I am the President of the Youngstown Golf Association.  Over the last few months The Vinidicator has been assembling a new "Greatest Golf Holes of The Valley" section for the paper.  I was very glad to be a part of the group of local golf personalities and Vindicator insiders that helped shape the final list and now I am even more excited to have this new blog on Vindy.com to talk about the list, the holes included, holes we left off, holes I thought should have been included, and anything else that has to do with golf in The Valley!

 With this being my first blog of the season, let me start off with a quick overview.  Like I said, my name is Jonah Karzmer and I am a proud Valley golfer.  I played high school golf at Boardman, college golf at both Kent State and Youngstown State Universities, and then was a local golf professional at two area courses.  I started the Youngstown Golf Association last year as a way to stay involved with the local golf community.  I do NOT work for the Vindicator.  I was asked by the Vindicator to participate in a season long blog to discuss, from a local golfer's point of view, the local golf scene and the final Greatest Holes of the Valley list with other area golfers.  I definitely have a lot of opinions about both, some favorable and some unfavorable, and I look forward to sharing them all with you without any sugar coating!

 So let's get this started!  Tomorrow, Tuesday May 18th, the Vindicator will realease the first hole from our Greatest Holes of the Valley final list.  Want to know what it is?!?  I can't say anyhing just yet, BUT, if you take a look at some of the recently added videos on Vindy.com you could probably figure it out for yourself.  But let's get the banter going anyways!  Before the holes come out, I want to hear from as many local golfers as possible what YOUR favorite holes are and why!  And while we're at it, let's start the discussion of "What actually makes a golf hole 'great'?"  Personally, I think there are a ton of qualities that can make a hole "great," such as; Difficulty, unique qualities within the hole, risk/reward opportunities, the ability to make a golfer have to "think" about how to play the hole, options that are presented to the golfers, and more!

 So come on, tell me what you think, and let's get this discussion going.  I really want this to be a back-and-forth between myself and other area golfers.  And by the way, I'm sure we'll all disagree about certain things, and I want to know when you think I'm wrong, crazy or whatever, but remember to keep it respectful.  We are golfers after all! 

Just to get the ball rolling, I'll start by talking about one of my favorite holes in the Valley that DIDN'T make the list.  And while I'm sure this won't be the only time we complain about holes on or off the list, this is a good example of what I'd like to hear back from all of you:  One of my favorite holes in the area is Number 4 at The Lake Club.  It's a par 4, about 300 yards, and presents golfers with a TON of different ways to play the hole.  OB left and a lake that starts about 80 yards from the green makes even a lay up tee shot difficult.  For longer hitters (I hate to say like myself, but yes, like myself) we have to decide whether to try to drive the green and attempt to carry the lake in front, or lay up with around a 6 iron.  Pin position, tee placements, and the wind direction are my main factors in determining what to do.  But, because it's only number 4, I know that if I pull something good off and make birdie or eagle it will help jump start my round and that if I don't and make bogey (which I do more often than not!) there's still plenty of time to make up for it.  So that's why I like Number 4 at The Lake Club.  Lots of options, lots of possible outcomes, and lots of time to make up for dumb decisions!  Agree or disagree? 

 I look forward to hearing from everyone and keeping the banter going all season!  Be sure to check out the Vindicator tomorrow as our first hole is released and remember to come back here often and share your thoughts!

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