Chardon, Ohio
Carved from 370 acres of glacial terrain, Sand Ridge is modern championship golf at its most scenic and strategic. Fazio’s only Ohio original blends wetlands, woods, and dramatic elevation for a private club experience that wows both shot-makers and purists.
William Conway recruits Tom Fazio for design on quarry-adjacent land
Course plans finalized and land cleared
Sand Ridge Golf Club opens as a private Fazio design
Ranked No. 52 in Golf Digest America’s Top 100 Courses
Merges with Mayfield Country Club to form Mayfield Sand Ridge Club
When William Conway approached Fazio about the rugged, quarry-adjacent site, he didn’t mince words: 'Carve a course out of this.' Fazio’s team turned industrial edges and sensitive wetlands into a rolling modern classic that feels worlds away from sand and stone.
Grow-in years at Sand Ridge forged some of the region’s top turf professionals. Scott Palich and his crew turned a blank slate into immaculate surfaces, with alumni spreading championship conditioning lessons to courses across the Midwest.
In 2006, Sand Ridge and Mayfield Country Club—two icons from different eras—joined forces for unrivaled variety. Over 90% of members said yes, giving Northeast Ohio’s golf set both Fazio brilliance and Golden Age heritage under one umbrella.
Sand Ridge’s greens team keeps the club at the cutting edge of environmental stewardship. Wetlands management and low-impact turf care are woven into daily maintenance, embodying the founding vision of harmony with nature.
Sand Ridge is Tom Fazio’s symphony of modern golf—an 18-hole journey across wooded ravines, open pastures, and glacially sculpted hills, all threaded with natural wetlands. Fazio’s routing prioritizes varied environments and rhythm, from airy highland vistas to tight, tree-lined corridors. Generous fairways entice bold play, but strategic bunkering, well-defended greens, and artful elevation ensure every shot must be earned. The natural drama, ecological integration, and subtle risk/reward balance create a course where the land’s ancient movement sets the tone for championship golf.
Tom Fazio made his Ohio debut here, showcasing his knack for visual drama and strategic balance—this course embodies his philosophy of working with, not against, nature.
Iconic high-roller Fazio desert masterpiece
Consistently Top 20 American design
Spectacular mountain-lake scenery
Desert golf at its most dramatic
Challenging modern routing
This short dogleg-right opener demands accuracy as much as nerve. A well-placed tee shot rewards with a short approach to a two-tiered, elevated green—miss left and it’s scramble mode from the get-go.
Favor placement over length to set up the right angle into the green’s tiers.
Push shots right flirt with woods; approach misses bring deep bunkers and a tough up-and-down.
Championship-caliber modern private club conditioning, with firm, quick greens and thoughtful environmental care.
Traditional private club pace—methodical, with longer rounds likely from the back tees due to challenge.
Polished, low-key, serious-about-golf—no frills, all focus.
Standard private club attire—collared shirts and golf slacks required.
Classic Cleveland Metroparks course, accessible Donald Ross fun
Dramatic elevation and playable public test
Well-conditioned, solid county layout with privacy
Major championship pedigree in Akron
Chagrin Falls or Mayfield Heights for easy drives and strong amenities
Warm up with short irons and practice lofted chips—the elevated greens are true tests for touch and trajectory.
Check wind direction on site and map your layups—wetlands mean forced carries with little margin.
With frequent elevation change, up-to-date laser or GPS is a must before heading out.
Brush up in the practice sand—Fazio’s signature bunkers are numerous and deep.
Sand Ridge was Tom Fazio’s first design in Ohio.
The course was built adjacent to an active sandstone quarry—visible from select fairways.
Within seven years of opening, Sand Ridge cracked the Top 100 U.S. courses at No. 52.
Over 90% of members at Sand Ridge and the historic Mayfield Country Club voted to merge in 2006.
Sand Ridge’s superintendent alumni network is famous across Midwest golf for championship-level turf expertise.
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