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EDITORS NOTE: This is the fourth feature in a series of six spotlighting Ohio State Parks resort golf courses. Photos of each course can be found at ohiodnr.com/parks/golf ENJOY SCENIC VISTAS AND BIRDIES AT SALT FORK RESORT GOLF COURSE Challenging course at Salt Fork State Park near Cambridge set amid relaxing atmosphere COLUMBUS, OH - Perched high atop the rugged terrain of rural southeast Ohio, the scenic resort golf course at Salt Fork State Park is a destination worth taking the clubs to. With its rolling fairways and expansive greens, the 18-hole championship course will challenge even the most experienced golfer. “Salt Fork is a destination that has gained the appreciation of golfers who know a top-notch course when they see one,” said park manager Hal Harper. “Golfers often stop throughout their play to take in some of the course’s spectacular panoramic views and observe the abundant wildlife.” The par 71 course spans 250 acres of forested hills, open meadows and misty valleys of Guernsey County. Measuring only 6,056 yards from the white tees, the course plays considerably longer than expected because of the numerous uphill approach shots. Golfers can also enjoy the course’s pro shop, snack bar, driving range and putting green. Tee times are recommended, and a picnic pavilion can be reserved for group outings. The golf course is located within Ohio’s largest state park, which boasts recreational facilities that suit nearly every taste. A 212-site modern campground offers 192 sites with 50-amp electric hookup and another 20 full hook-up sites. The campground also features a swimming beach. Thirty-seven, two-bedroom vacation cottages in hillside and lakeside locations offer fully furnished living and dining areas. Seventeen chalet cottages also feature gas log fireplaces and hot tubs. The adjacent Salt Fork Resort & Conference Center offers several overnight specials for golfers. The lodge, which overlooks the scenic Salt Fork Lake, features 148 cozy guest rooms as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a dining room, swimming beach, and boat launching and docking facilities. Anglers can try their luck at the lake, which has a healthy population of largemouth bass, crappies, bluegills, walleyes and muskellunge. The lake’s 2,500-foot beach is one of the largest inland beaches in Ohio. A modern bathhouse provides showers, lockers, toilets and a snack bar. Boaters will appreciate the unlimited horsepower lake, which boasts marked speed/ski zones, numerous boat launching ramps, and two full-service marinas. Salt Fork contains a blend of rich woodlands and rolling meadows, which support a diversity of plant and animal life. In fact, the lake is currently host to nesting pairs of eagles and osprey. Spring is a great time to watch for migrating songbirds such as Kentucky warbler, Baltimore oriole, and a variety of finches. Spectacular wildflowers such as wild geranium, large-flowered trillium, violets, asters and goldenrod line the forest floor and meadows. Wildflower displays can be enjoyed while hiking through the woods to the historic Kennedy Stone House. Booking a stay at Salt Fork State Park is easy. Reservations can be made online at ohiodnr.com or by calling 1-800-AT-A-PARK for cottage and lodge stays, and 1-866-OHIOPARKS to book a campground site. Golf course reservations and tee times can be made by calling the pro shop at 740-432-7185. Check out Ohio State Parks five other resort golf courses at Shawnee State Park, Maumee Bay State Park, Punderson State Park, Deer Creek State Park and Hueston Woods State Park. For more information about golfing at Ohio State Parks visit ohiodnr.com/parks/golf
Source: ODNR |