The Willows Course
Kenton Country Golf Courses

About this course
The Willows is a public course designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and located at Kenton Country Golf Courses in Independence, Kentucky, just south of the Ohio River and within the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area. Hurdzan, a golf course architect with a doctorate in turfgrass science, has built a reputation for environmentally conscious designs that balance playability across skill levels with strategic interest. His work often emphasizes natural landforms and sustainable maintenance practices. The course occupies rolling terrain typical of northern Kentucky's landscape, where elevation changes and mature tree corridors shape the routing. Hurdzan's design philosophy generally favors strategic options over penal hazards, allowing multiple routes to greens while rewarding well-executed shots. Water features and bunkering provide definition without overwhelming the layout, and green complexes tend to incorporate subtle contours that require thoughtful approach play. As part of the Kenton County park system's golf facilities, The Willows serves a broad public audience and reflects the accessible character common to municipal operations in the region. The course provides a straightforward test of golf within a parkland setting, where tree-lined fairways and modest elevation shifts create visual variety and demand accurate shotmaking. The facility operates within the recreational framework typical of county-run courses, offering a playable design from a respected architect without the exclusivity or premium pricing of private clubs.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in KY
Quick facts
- Location
- Independence, KY, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1978
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Dr. Michael Hurdzan
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,794 yards
- Difficulty
- 76.8/141
- Course Vaults score
- 5.2
Getting there
The journey to Kenton Country Golf Courses begins at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, a mere fifteen minutes north across gently rolling Kentucky farmland. The drive from the terminal follows I-275 through a landscape of horse pastures and modest hills before turning onto quiet country roads that signal the transition from suburban sprawl to the pastoral calm of Kenton County. The approach reveals a classic American club tucked into the countryside just south of the Ohio River, where the hum of the city fades into the unhurried rhythm of a region that has long understood the value of discretion and tradition.

FAQ
Common questions about The Willows at Kenton Country Golf Courses
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Willows at Kenton Country Golf Courses has a Course Vaults score of 5.2 out of 10 based on 23 logged golfers.
The Willows was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan.
Yes. The Willows at Kenton Country Golf Courses is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Willows is 72.
The Willows plays 6,794 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Willows is 141.



