Golfweek Magazine recently published its yearly golf course rankings for each state. Once again, Lassing Pointe Golf Course in Union was recognized as one of the best in Kentucky. The good news for Lassing Pointe: it’s still considered among the best public golf courses in Kentucky by the experts. The less-than-good news: Lassing Pointe was knocked out of the top spot by a technicality.
In June, Golfweek ranked the best public-access and privately owned golf courses in all 50 states. Lassing Pointe is No. 3 in the Kentucky public course rankings. The new No. 1 is Park Mammoth Golf Club in Park City. Nevel Meade Golf Club in Prospect is No. 2. Golfweek ranks Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville as the No. 1 private course in Kentucky. Idle Hour Country Club in Lexington is No. 2.
Lassing ranked No. 1 for the fourth straight year and seventh time in eight years in 2023. The venue features a 6,724-yard, par-71 course located at 2266 Double Eagle Drive in Union. It opened in 1994. Course architect is Michael Hurdzan. Russ Gartner is the PGA Director of Golf Operations, and Justin Pack is the Director of Golf Course Maintenance.
Gartner was candid about the new results while showing an appreciation for the process.
“I understand,” he said. “Not to take anything away from Park Mammoth and Nevel Meade.”
Lassing Pointe underwent a $1 million renovation to enhance the venue’s golfing experience. According to Golfweek, the timing of those improvements wasn’t ideal.
“Lassing dropped due to a technicality,” said Gartner, in his 24th year at Lassing. “We just completed the renovation in the fall of 2023 and opened back up to the public this spring. We renovated every sand trap on the golf course to the Better Billy Bunker. There are all new tee boxes on all five par-three holes. It is the best the course has looked in the past 20 years. But since it was under construction, we didn’t have enough ratings to qualify for the No. 1 spot.”
Known for its links-style design with large fairways and huge greens, Lassing Pointe has been a fixture at the top of Golfweek’s public list for more than 20 years. It’s home to a variety of enthusiasts, offering enough difficulty to challenge any golfer while being playable for casuals and beginners alike due to its forgiving fairways and elevated, makeable greens.
“I hope that it regains the number one ranking again next year,” Gartner said. “We need to get more raters in to play and see it for themselves.”
Lassing Pointe, along with its sister course at Boone Links, has hosted many high-profile events. They include the Kentucky Open, NCAA Regional Championships and KHSAA events. Also played at Lassing has been the US Kids Fall Tour Championship and the Northern Kentucky Amateur.
Elsewhere around the links:
Local Miniature Golf Offering Competitive Socializing
Miniature golf lovers have a new choice this summer with the opening of Par 3 at Newport on the Levee. Located on the mezzanine inside The Gallery at One Levee Way, Par 3 bills itself as a new recreational concept. It’s taking an innovative and modern approach to traditional miniature golf with a focus on competitive socializing.
The idea is to merge interactive gameplay with a vibrant atmosphere to engage guests of all ages and skill levels. This is no small feat, and it’s no small place. When it opens this summer, Par 3 will be a 16,927-square-foot palace for miniature golfers.
There will be three different nine-hole courses featuring uniquely designed and attention-grabbing themes with nods to local sports teams. This isn’t your dad’s miniature golf course. The venue houses a full bar and indoor and outdoor dining areas. There will be big-screen televisions, a dedicated gaming zone, and a VIP section for large private groups. There is a tasty menu and extravagant specialty cocktails. Par 3 says that along with individual gaming and dining experiences for groups and families, it plans to offer memberships. This will be for special events and team-building activities.
When it opens, Par 3 will meet a goal for local miniature golfers pining for something new in Newport. In 2015, the Newport City Commission rejected a proposal to put a miniature golf course next to the Thompson House. It used to be the Southgate House, across from Newport on the Levee. The proposal involved converting vacant property into a miniature golf venue with a restaurant. The Newport City Commission denied a text amendment to the zoning code that would allow for such a business. It said the seasonal venue wasn’t a good year-round use of the property.
The Newport Planning and Zoning Commission subsequently recommended against the text amendment. At the time, part of the proposed design was a Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati theme, including local landmarks as golfing obstacles.
St. Henry’s Carters Top 10 At Junior Met
St. Henry High School’s Ben Carter and Will Carter tied for 10th at the Metropolitan Junior Boys Championship. The 63rd playing of the 36-hole, individual stroke play event was held Monday and Tuesday at Terrace Park Country Club in Milford, Ohio. The senior brothers finished with matching two-round scores of 6-over-par 150. Each shot 75 both days.
Ben carded seven birdies over the two rounds. He birdied Nos. 16 and 17 both rounds. Will totaled six birdies and an eagle. He birdied No. 2 both rounds. The 17-year-old siblings added to their Greater Cincinnati Golf Association point totals in players of the year standings. Will has accrued 171.67 in three tournaments. Ben has 96.67 points in two events.
Highlands’ Hank Schick made it a three-way tie for 10th behind winner Robert Gerwin III. Shick carded nine birdies, five in the second round. He birdied No. 6 both rounds. Gerwin, a recent St. Xavier High School graduate from Cincinnati, shot 133.