The Grizzly Golf & Social Lodge - Grizzly Course

Mason, the largest city in Warren County, has been dubbed “Ohio’s Largest Playground.” People flock to Mason for the fun of it all! There are several well-known regional attractions here including the Mason Municipal Aquatic Center, Great Wolf Lodge, and Conference Center, the annual Western & Southern Open, an annual pro tennis event, and, of course, Kings Island Amusement Park. Each year around the 4th of July, Mason puts on the Red, Rhythm, and Boom event, featuring lots to do for the kids such as interactive inflatables, bounce houses, carnival games, and more! A wide variety of food options and adult beverages are available throughout the evening. Mason is also home to one of Jack Nicklaus’ first golf course designs, The Grizzly.

Saying that the Jack Nicklaus-designed Grizzly Golf Course at the City of Mason Golf Center has been around for a while is an understatement; in July 2022, the Grizzly celebrated its 50th anniversary. Nicklaus collaborated with architects Jay Moorish and Desmond Muirhead to build the course in 1972 as well as a 4-hole practice facility, aptly named “The Academy.” The Grizzly name is a natural fit, tying in directly with Nicklaus’ moniker, “The Golden Bear.”

Over the years, The Grizzly has hosted its fair share of professional golf tournaments. Because of the course’s versatility, it has played host to PGA TOUR, LPGA, and Champions Tour events. A year after the course opened, it became the first course where PGA TOUR professionals competed for the Ohio Kings Island Open from 1973 to 1977. The inaugural tournament was won by the host himself, Jack Nicklaus. In 1978 the LPGA moved in and played the LPGA Championship there until 1989. The Kroger Senior Classic called it home from 1990 – 2001.

As you make your way around the championship golf course, you can see the influence that Desmond Muirhead had on the layout. Long multi-curved fairways with large trees create natural hazards. Numerous water hazards and plenty of bunkers provide added intrigue on all three of the finishing holes.

The City of Mason purchased the property including the golf course and facilities in 2007 and recently rebranded it as The Grizzly Golf and Social Lodge. Today, the Grizzly is an 18-hole championship golf course, with a par 71. From the back tees, the course plays 6,504 yards with a course rating of 71.5 and a slope of 130. I found that the Blue tees (6,057/69.4/127) provided a good test of golf and still let me leave with a little dignity. The Gold Tees measure 4,987 yards and provide a great distance for juniors, seniors, ladies, and those just learning the game. In all, there are four sets of tees and a suitable yardage for any level of golfer.

As part of its 50th-anniversary celebration, The Grizzly played the first annual Mason Golf Classic Tournament, which benefits the Mason Food Pantry. The Mason Golf Classic is an individual stroke play tournament with Men’s, Ladies, Senior’s, and Junior divisions flighted by golfer’s handicap. Golfers from around the region competed in the footsteps of legends! The 2nd annual event will be held on July 1, 2023.

The Grizzly Golf Course is part of a master-planned community that is also 50 years old. So, it is doing what many 50-year-olds do…getting a facelift! Not a major renovation, just tending to certain parts of the course that need immediate attention and can carry the course forward for another 50 years. The tee boxes are taking precedence; with the amount of play the Grizzly gets each year, it’s important to rotate the tee boxes to keep them lush and looking good. Plans call for the modification and addition of several tee boxes as well as increasing the size of some. Efforts will be made to improve drainage on a few fairways, and the irrigation system will be replaced. The number of bunkers will be cut in half to speed up play and reduce stress on maintenance personnel.

There are several holes on this golf course that you will remember for a while. The second hole on The Grizzly’s North Nine is a beautiful, picturesque par 3 that plays 176 yards from the Blue Tees over water with sand flanking either side of the green. The green is large with a false front that fools many players. Par is a good score here. The scorecard has handicapped it #3 on the North Nine.

The 9th hole is a risk/reward par five and is pretty straight; from the tee box, you can see the elevated green. The pond in front of the green starts about 100 yards out from the green and deters a lot of players from going for the green in two. For most players it’s a three-shot hole; they make a birdie with a good approach shot into the large, elevated green which is guarded by two bunkers on the right.

Grizzly saves the best two holes for last! Number 17 (8 West) is a par 4 that plays 360 yards from the Blue Tees. Trees line both sides of the fairway off the tee and two bunkers on the left can easily come into play as well. The approach shot doesn’t get much easier with water on the right side and bunkers front left and long.

Number 18 (9 West) is Grizzly’s signature hole. This double dogleg par 5 plays 526 yards from the Blue tees. Unless you’re a longball hitter, there’s no need to worry about the water you see from the tee box; it’s well over 300 yards away. This hole is all about the layup shot; the farther you can play it down the right side – and avoid the water – the shorter your approach shot. Two good shots will leave a mid to short iron approach shot over water into a sloped green fronted by a large bunker with another in back. Par – or better – is a great way to end your round at The Grizzly!

As far as practice facilities go, the Grizzly has an 11,000-square-foot practice green where you can work on both chipping and putting. The greens run at the same speed as the golf course. There are two full-length driving ranges: one for public use and one for members. If you want to take your practice session to the next level, play the Academy Course; 4 championship holes (2 par 4s and 2 par 5s) where you can practice every shot you’ll face on the Grizzly.

Another all-new feature is the Great 18 Bar & Grill. A name that pays tribute to the 18 major championships Jack Nicklaus won on the PGA TOUR and the 18th hole on the golf course, one of the finest finishing holes in the state! Here you can enjoy casual dining inside the newly remodeled restaurant or enjoy the beautiful patio overlooking the golf course. Great 18 is open year-round with specials throughout the year. They are known for their pig roasts, prime rib dinners, and great weekend entertainment. Visit the website often for weekly specials, off-season hours, and weekend entertainment schedules.

Membership does have its privileges and The Grizzly is no exception. For an annual fee, you’ll receive unlimited golf on The Grizzly and Academy Courses, preferred tee times, charging privileges at the restaurant and pro shop, and discounts on guest fees and pro shop merchandise.

Fairways in very good condition. Speed of greens consistent. New carts with GPS a welcome addition.

From the tees to green the course is good, but

-- Bunkers/Sand need a little work

-- Greens are fast (very)

-- Greens are slopey/hilly

-- whoever picks the hole location has a mean streak (way too close the slopes or edges)

Scoring/Fun would be increased if birdys were possible - most of the time I was just happy to get a 2 putt par and move on (but 3 putts were always on the table) -- for recreational golf going for a birdy should be possible without penalty of a 3 putt, lagging a birdy putt just is not fun

The Golf Center is always a treat to play considering the many changes the course has gone through over the years. The greens were in excellent shape as were the fairways. Although they have done a good job blending the “newer” holes into the overall design, the play through the housing development takes away from the feel the original Grizzly tournament course provided. Overall, it will be difficult to find a municipal facility anywhere that offers a very playable course with the options for after play you find at the Golf Center.

Pace of play has become an issue just about everywhere, but at the Grizzly it has reached ridiculous. A 4-man group and a 3-woman group had play backed up to the point where 3 other groups were backed up on tees waiting on them, I left after only playing nine of my paid-for 18

Friend and I played 10 holes and it started pouring down rain. By the time we got some shelter we were soaked. After about 20 minutes it died to just a sprinkle. I was over it and did not have a change of clothes. Ask for a rain check and was refused due to it's not my fault I'm drenched. I should have had extra clothes. That the storm is almost passed us now. Who wants to play wet and in drizzle. Be prepared for staff to be petty and sarcastic. Other than that course condition was maintained regularly. Only will return if it's my last choice or I'm invited.