Rogell Golf Course - Detroit, Michigan

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

A Donald Ross Course in need of some TLC...

Originally named Redford CC and designed by Donald Ross in 1921. Renamed after William Rogell (A long time Detroit Tiger SS and City Council member) GC, recently sold to a local church by the city for $2.5 million. This is another Ross course that has REALLY fallen on hard times. I played the front 9 (the back was flooded) because I love Donald Ross designed courses, of course, I knew what I was in for conditioning wise by golfing here. The course itself is in a somewhat shady neighborhood, had a big pitbull (not chained) sleeping in the parking lot (right next to my parking spot as well!) the course was hurting for some attention. I really enjoyed a few of the holes: The dog leg left #6 and #10 as well as #11 (flooded but looked awesome). The greens were all small and had a nice variety of undulations. It's too bad these older courses don't get the play and fall apart due to lack of funds. Another problem here is there appears to be NO DRAINAGE and the Rouge River floods the courses a lot. Played 10 holes in 1 hour 10 minutes and the golf cart was FAAAAST AS HECK!

As of April 2007, I ONLY RECOMMEND PLAYING HERE IF YOU SEEK A ROSS DESIGNED COURSE AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT COURSE CONDITONS, at least until the new owners get things sorted out and improved upon. Hopefully they will, as this is a classic course. This could be a "really fun 6100 yard golf course"....

Here are some excepts about the course I found online and a few pictures that I took.



Rogell Golf Club, taken from an online article on Ross courses...

Local golf course architect and author Jeff Mingay gave me the inside track on Rogell and said it was one his favourite Ross courses mainly because little has changed since Ross designed it in 1921. Renamed after Detroit Tigers' great Bill Rogell, it was original known as the Redford Country Club; the course is now run by the city of Detroit.

Rogell is vintage Ross rolling fairways and small undulating greens. While the front nine has a few holes that are less than spectacular, the sloping terrain can make things very challenging.

The back nine features a set of holes that are a pleasure to play, beginning at the 11th hole, cut though a narrow chute of trees and the 12th a vintage Ross hole that must be seen to be appreciated.

With its many hills and dales, Rogell is a tough walk compared to the flat courses of Essex County. And don't expect a pristine course at Rogell it can be a little rough around the edges. Do expect to be surprised, and to enjoy a sensational round of golf at one of the best kept secrets in the Border Cities.

____________________________________________________________

DETROIT, April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- It's one of only five (5) African-
American-owned golf courses in the country. (The only one in Michigan)
Rogell Golf Course is anticipating being open for business on Wednesday,
April 18.
Greater Grace Temple is set to purchase the golf course facility from
the city of Detroit for $2.5-million. The new owners' plan is to offer a
quality golfing center for all Detroit area golfers. The 18-hole course was
designed by famed golf course architect Donald Ross, and will feature
openings for league play and golf outings. Greater Grace is committed to an
excellent maintenance program that will offer golfers a beautiful and
first-rate golfing experience.

[larrybud]

I have to say, Rogell was the biggest dump I've ever played. It only makes sense that the City of Detroit owned it!! Played there last year because someone gave my dad a free round for 4. I unfortunately forgot to pack my bullet proof vest, so there was a lot of duck and cover!

 

At the time there was no difference between rough and fairway, and the greens stimped around 2 or 3. It was a joke. As far as at the layout, what's with the ditch running through the entire course?

 

There are probably 40 golf courses within an hour of my house, and I wouldn't play this one if it was the last...

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

A real shame, because with a few million dollars you could really make this a cool golf course. That giant ditch is a basin for flodding, which this area does quite often!