Big Met at Big Met Golf Course

Big Met Golf Course in Fairview Park, a western suburb of Cleveland, was designed by Stanley Thompson and opened in 1927. Thompson, the renowned Canadian architect responsible for Banff Springs and Jasper Park Lodge among many others, brought his characteristic strategic design principles to this municipal layout. The course was built on former farmland and represents one of Thompson's few public-access designs in the United States, making it a notable example of golden-age architecture available to everyday golfers.

The routing works across gently rolling terrain typical of northeastern Ohio, with mature tree-lined fairways and modest elevation changes that create natural variety without severe slopes. Thompson's design emphasizes strategic bunkering and green contours that reward thoughtful play rather than relying on length or forced carries. The layout measures around 6,500 yards from the back tees and features several short par fours where positioning matters more than power, along with a mix of par threes that test different clubs and shot shapes.

As a Cleveland Metroparks facility, Big Met serves a broad public constituency and has maintained its accessibility while preserving much of Thompson's original design intent through various updates over the decades. The course sits within the larger Rocky River Reservation, giving it a parkland character with wooded borders and occasional views across the surrounding valley. It remains a popular municipal option in the Cleveland area, offering golfers a chance to experience Thompson's design philosophy without the exclusivity or cost associated with many of his other works.