Lake at Fowlers Mill Golf Course

Fowlers Mill Golf Course in Chesterland, Ohio, features two eighteen-hole layouts designed by Pete Dye, with the Lake Course representing one of the architect's characteristic approaches to public golf in the Midwest. Opened in the 1970s, the facility sits in the Chagrin River valley east of Cleveland, where Dye worked with rolling terrain and natural water features to create strategic interest. The Lake Course incorporates several ponds and wetland areas into its routing, requiring golfers to navigate forced carries and manage risk around water hazards that come into play on multiple holes.

Dye's design employs his familiar vocabulary of railroad ties, pot bunkers, and undulating greens, though the Lake Course is generally considered more accessible than his championship-level work. The layout moves through a mix of open and tree-lined corridors, with elevation changes that provide variety in stance and shot selection. Several holes play along or across water, demanding accuracy over distance, while others use strategic bunkering to define preferred angles of approach.

Fowlers Mill operates as a public facility serving the greater Cleveland area, offering daily-fee access to both the Lake and Woods courses. The property has hosted regional amateur events and remains a popular venue for local golfers seeking a legitimate Pete Dye design without private club restrictions. The course reflects Dye's ability to create memorable golf on public-access sites, balancing challenge with playability for a broad range of skill levels.