Anyone looking to reduce their golf score understands the challenging work it takes to do it. Golf is a game of diminishing skills, if you do not play enough, you will lose your skill.
For Damian Cosby, Cleveland Metroparks Director of Golf, the skill of keeping up with your golf game comes from developing the proper mindset about the game.
The Maryland transplant moved to Cleveland to take over the Metroparks eight golf courses around Northeast Ohio right before the pandemic.
“It has been very interesting moving to Cleveland at the time of the pandemic, but we are now thriving again, and business is great,” Cosby said.
Cosby takes a hands-on approach when it comes to managing the Metroparks golf courses. With the courses spread out all over the city, Cosby must manage with trust to ensure that each course gets the attention it needs.
“It was certainly challenging to keep the courses open during the pandemic,” Cosby said, “but we made sure people could come out, stay safe, and enjoy the courses.”
Northeast Ohio has always enjoyed having excellent places to golf, and the Metroparks offers some of the best links to enjoy a day out with friends.
While there has been some contraction of courses in the area, Metroparks courses continue to see growth and success from those who visit them.
“Last year we had record growth and revenue at all our courses. This area has some very loyal golf players, and we do everything we can to honor that loyalty with great facilities,” Cosby explained.
With Cleveland weather, it could be said that those who play golf in Northeast Ohio are golf crazy. With only 6 to 7 months to play, area golfers make sure to play as much as possible with the time available during the nicer months.
Those who desire a higher level of play can enjoy two of Metropark’s championship courses. Sleepy Hollow, which is in the Brecksville Reservation, and Manakiki, which is in the North Chagrin reservation, are both nationally ranked golf courses that offer some of the most challenging play for competitive golfers in the area.
“Both of those courses are a good test to any golfer who wants to play at an elevated level, Cosby said. “We do an excellent job of maintaining all of our courses and pride ourselves on how they play and look.”
For anyone who is not into golf but wants to visit one of the parks, there is foot golf, which is played with a soccer ball.
“We have foot golf at some of our courses for those who want to use a soccer ball to play. It allows parents with smaller kids the chance to enjoy our facilities even if they don’t play golf,” Cosby said.
Summer is always a fun time in Cleveland, and those golfers who use the summer to sharpen their skills might want to consider a metro course. For Cosby and his team, making sure you have an enjoyable time is a priority hole-in-one. ●
