Every die-hard golfer has a winter story. For Jim Trevethan, director of golf at Briarwood Golf Club in Broadview Heights, it was his blizzard-aided par on the 442-yard 17th hole at Ravenna's Windmill Lakes Golf Club. He'd played the ball into the 16th fairway but managed to recover for a par-saving putt. "I drained about a 30-footer," he recalls. "By the time the ball reached the hole, it was just about as big from all the snow."
BRIARWOOD GOLF CLUB
When you get that winter itch, Briarwood is there. At roughly 6,300 yards, the course's layout fits most skill levels. "Lots of guys will come in, have a beer and just BS," says owner John Knezevich of the stymied golfers he sees during the winter. $29 for 18 holes with a cart Mon-Fri, $32 on weekends, 2737 Edgerton Road, Broadview Heights, 440-237-5271, briarwoodgolf.net
THE LINKS
Nine holes at The Links were renovated and reopened in 2010, courtesy of new owners. One thing that hasn't changed is the off-season options. All 18 holes are available. And, says owner Danny Panek, "the [driving] range is open year-round," even when it snows. "I've got over 10,000 golf balls in reserve." $20 for 18 holes with a cart Mon-Fri, $25 on weekends, 26111 John Road, Olmsted Township, 440-235-0501, thelinksgolf.net
HICKORY NUT GOLF COURSE
The four miles of paved cart paths help you navigate the course's six lakes and 11 bunkers. Just be sure to call ahead. "We do change our voice mail message so [golfers] know ahead of time if we're going to be open," says chief of business operations Julia Osborne. $21 for 18 holes with a cart Mon-Fri, $29 on weekends, 23601 Royalton Road, Columbia Station, 440-236-8008, hickorynutgolfcourse.com
