Avalon Lakes Golf Course, Warren, Ohio ? Redesigned by Pete Dye in 2001 to Be a Tournament Quality Golf Course

Avalon Lakes Golf Course was originally built in 1967, but a renovation in 2001 by designer Pete Dye dramatically changed the character of the course. Once a flat course, Dye's redesign called for moving 300,000 cubic yards of earth to provide a great deal of elevation changes. Some reviewers have even described the mounding that can be found around the fairways, greens and everywhere else as a "near-moonscape at times.''

Water now comes into play on 12 of the holes as well, while the fairways range from generous and wide-open on some holes to unforgivably narrow on others. The course also features a large number of bunkers, about 140 that are in play, including some devilish pot bunkers.

The greens tend to play firm and fast, but getting onto the greens is made more difficult by Dye's use of mounding around greens to deflect shots that come up short. Not only do the mounds create an optical illusion on approach shots and putts, but wayward shots will have trouble finding a flat lie for up and downs.

The 18-hole, par-72 course plays to a hefty 7,551 yards from the longest (Position 5) tees, with a USGA rating of 76.9 and a slope rating of 143. Those numbers are a testament to the tournament-caliber quality of the course, which is a gallery-style layout that annually hosts the LPGA Tour's Youngstown/Warren Tournament. Most players will probably choose the Position 4 or Position 3 tees, which play to a much more manageable 6,932 and 6,491 yards respectively.

Some of the more memorable holes on the course include No. 8, which has been described as the "17th at Sawgrass on steroids.'' This par-3 plays up to 244 yards from the back tees, but under 200 yards from the others. The green is essentially an island, with water guarding the hole left, front and behind. With a visually appealing rock wall, this hole is regarded as one of the prettiest on the course.

Hole No. 11 is a par-5 that plays up to 567 yards from the tips and offers a picturesque view from the tee. This is the #1-handicap, a water hole that calls for a forced carry off the tee, while trees and bunkers guard the landing zone. The green is also guarded by water and bunkers, with only a narrow opening in the front.

The two finishing holes at Avalon Lakes are both challenging. Hole No. 17 only plays to 395 yards from Position 4, but with water guarding the entire right side, the tee shot can be daunting. On the approach, a large mound obscures the green from view, while the putting surface runs away and toward the water.

Hole No. 18 is a long par-4, playing to over 500 yards from the back tees. The fairway is a narrow chute that runs through trees and winds around a complex of rising bunkers. As players approach the green, the view has been said to be astounding, with a bunker complex right, a fountain and the Avalon Building in the background.

Since its redesign, Avalon Lakes has received several honors, including being ranked #67 on the Golf Digest list of Top 100 Public Courses.

Practice facilities at Avalon Lakes include a grass driving range with five target greens and a fairway bunker, along with a chipping and putting area. The course also features the Avalon Holdings Building, which gives the course the feel of an elegant estate.