Third/Fourth 9 at Mallard Creek Golf Club

Mallard Creek Golf Club in Columbia Station, Ohio, features 27 holes designed by Michael Hurdzen and Ron Palmer. The Third and Fourth nines form one of the three possible 18-hole combinations available to members and guests at this facility located in the Cleveland metropolitan area. The course opened in the mid-1990s as part of the region's golf development during that period.

The routing at Mallard Creek takes advantage of gently rolling terrain typical of northeastern Ohio, with mature tree lines defining many holes and water features coming into play on several. Hurdzen, an Ohio native who studied turf management before becoming a course architect, has designed numerous courses throughout the Midwest and often incorporates strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward thoughtful play over pure distance. Palmer collaborated with Hurdzen on multiple projects during their partnership.

The Third and Fourth nines share the design characteristics found throughout Mallard Creek: tree-lined fairways that require accuracy off the tee, approach shots to greens protected by bunkers and occasional water hazards, and putting surfaces with enough contour to make club selection and pin position relevant. The combination provides a full range of par-3s, par-4s, and par-5s that test different aspects of a golfer's game. Like many 27-hole facilities in suburban settings, Mallard Creek serves both member play and outside groups, offering variety through its multiple nine-hole configurations.