It didn’t happen overnight, but with painstaking attention to detail and the goal of continuing to be the best, Bunker Hill Golf Course has become the one course to play

By Ken McEntee

The 18th hole at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina is one of Northeast Ohio’s most compelling finishing holes, says General Manager Chad Gibson.

Until recently, however, that wasn’t the hole story.

The reconstruction last year of the 18th hole was a part of Bunker Hill’s ongoing improvement plan to enhance its players’ golfing experience, Chad explains.

“For many years—even before I worked here—I voiced my opinion about how I didn’t like 18 being the finishing hole, where two creeks went through the fairway, then having an elevated green that you had to get to by playing through a mound of rough, ” he recalls. “The green had only one pin location, which was in the back. We have changed all that by putting in a two-tier green that offers multiple pin locations. It now has a fairway that goes all the way up to the green, which creates makes a much better experience for golfers. Now, when you finish up on the 18th hole you look forward to coming back and playing it again, instead of being so frustrated that you can’t wait to go home.”

Even after being voted the best public golf course in Medina County for several years in a row, Bunker Hill underwent significant improvements last year, with more to come this year, Chad promises.

The addition of lakes between holes 11 and 13 is among the most noteworthy changes.

“Last year, golfers experienced our new two-acre, 15-foot-deep lake at Holes 11, 12 and 13 and another new lake on Hole 6,” he says. “The former has a practical purpose—helping to supply the primary watering lake that irrigates the course—but also adds breathtaking scenery. It’s a beautiful lake next to the par-3 tee box. It just adds a lot of character through the three holes on the back nine with the sun glistening off of it. But most importantly, the extra water ensures that we can keep the course lush and green from edge to edge.”

The new lake on Hole 6 also has added character and toughened up the hole, which is a dogleg left par-4 where golfers typically try to go over trees, Chad says.

“A lot of times the ball gets tangled up in the trees or just barely makes it over,” he says. “There also was kind of wet area due to heavy shade, and golfers spent a lot of time looking for balls there. The small lake just over the trees makes it more defined and very easy once you make the turn of the dogleg. Once you see the lake, if your ball is in the fairway, you’re in good shape.”

This season, Bunker Hill will introduce redesigned holes No. 2—which has been converted to a par-3—and No. 7, which by June will become a par-5 with a peninsula green.

“It’s one of the best additions to Bunker in decades,” Chad says. “We took Hole 7, which was one of the easier holes on the front side, and tweaked it up a little bit to make it one of the tougher holes as a par-5. And by making Hole 2 a par-3, we now have the traditional two par-3s and two par-5s on each side of the course. The peninsula green on Hole 7 will create a fun challenge with water in front and to the left and right, and then a big cliff that goes off the far left side. Even though you know you shouldn’t do it, everybody’s going to want to try to get there in two shots and pull out that 3-wood. Then the new lake’s going to gobble it up.”

To make the game more comfortable between holes, Bunker Hill has finished its concrete cart paths from tee to green and has added 76 new 2023 EZGO golf carts.

The carts have upgraded seats for ultimate comfort, a GPS to measure your yardage to the pin, a Bluetooth sound system to play music off your smart phone and phone chargers on each cart.

Later this year, Bunker Hill expects to open its practice facility and learning center as well as an expanded event center.

“Our facilities are outstanding, but our fundraisers and special events are our passion,” Chad says. “We make it fun and simple to hold parties, business events and fundraisers for nonprofits or people in need. We do all the work so the hosts can spend time with their guests. We typically average about 85 fundraisers and help to raise about $1 million dollars a year.”

You can learn more about golfing, special events and fundraisers at Bunker Hill Golf Course at BunkerHillGolf.com, or by calling 330-722-4174. You also can keep up with the latest news on Facebook @BunkerHillGolf. Bunker Hill is located at 3060 Pearl Road, at Hamilton Road, in Medina.