Taking a new look at an old friend as Cherry Island has undergone some fantastic changes over the last few months. It is not the same old track if you haven’t played it in a while. Cherry Island is an eighteen-hole, par 72 public golf course that is nearly 6,600 yards in length from the championship tees. This modern course, with large, undulating greens and pristine surroundings, will challenge golfers of every age and ability level. The unique layout of the course is further enhanced by Dry Creek and Sierra Creek, which both wind their way through the property.
They have a large and fully stocked Golf Shop where the guys are very friendly and eager to share the conditions and flow of the course and rounds. The practice range with both natural and artificial turf tees, practice putting and chipping greens, and a practice bunker are among one of the best practice facilities in the area. You can cover all your skill sets and practice plans out here.
The course has a friendly atmosphere and challenging holes that are in great shape. The greens were immaculate. Our tee time went as scheduled and they don’t overcrowd too many players which is key to playing a good round of golf. This is a far cry from the Cherry Island I learned how to play this game on over twelve years ago. That was the stereotypical muni course; poor upkeep, uneven and unhealthy greens and tee boxes that looked like a bad backyard. Well, that Cherry Island is dead and gone. Empire Golf has taken over the operation of the complete facility and done a marvelous job at creating an inexpensive and challenging layout that is well kept and fun to play. The greens are some of the best I have played in the area and roll the ball true. They are challenging because of the slight undulations and level changes that come into play.
Some big changes are going on at Cherry Island. Gone is the right angle 1st hole. The new number one tee is the former number 10. It has been lengthened to a par five that plays 456 yds. The former number one is under construction and will return as a par three playing up to 210 yds from the back tees. This gives the course a new look as the former back nine played harder than the front and now can be tackled when a player is fresh. Look for the par 3 tenth to be finished before the end of the summer and in full rotation in the fall.
Cherry Island is a nice course, definitely a unique layout and a good value! I recommend it as a home course for those who want to have fun as well as find new ways to challenge themselves on the same course over and over. Come, play Cherry Island again for the first time.