Burning Tree at Burning Tree Golf Course

Burning Tree Golf Course in Newark, Ohio, opened in the mid-1970s as a design by Larry Packard, an architect who worked extensively throughout the Midwest during that era. Packard's portfolio includes numerous public and semi-private courses across Ohio and neighboring states, typically characterized by strategic bunkering and routing that works with existing land contours. The course serves the Newark community in Licking County, situated in central Ohio's rolling terrain east of Columbus.

The layout reflects Packard's approach to accessible golf design from that period, incorporating the natural topography of the region without excessive earthmoving. The property features tree-lined fairways typical of Ohio parkland courses, with elevation changes that add variety to shot-making and create natural drainage patterns. Bunkers are positioned to define landing areas and protect greens, while water features come into play on select holes.

Burning Tree functions as a daily-fee facility serving both local golfers and visitors to the Newark area. The course provides a straightforward test of golf without the severe length or hazard density found at championship venues, making it suitable for a range of skill levels. Its location near downtown Newark and accessibility along major routes through Licking County have established it as a regular option for central Ohio golfers seeking a round outside the Columbus metropolitan area.