Official Website
Course Architect
Graham Marsh
First Teed Off
2000
Rating | Slope | Yardage | Par |
Rates of Passage
$25 – $50 (cart included)
View from the 19th Hole
A half hour outside Lexington, the course provides a varied layout with some scenic views of bluegrass country. Not a destination, but an inexpensive round at the top public track in Kentucky if you're in the area.
Our Round
Old Silo, aptly named for the crumbling silo flanking the
sixteenth fairway, is the prized jewel of Kentucky public golf. Holding top
honors in the state on Golfweek's annual
ranking, the course sits outside of Lexington in the bustling metropolis that
is Mount Sterling. Lucky for us, the course is in its prime, as there is a
tournament tomorrow. Echoes of the adjacent highway provide the soundtrack for
today's round of golf. The rolling fairways are edged with Queen Anne's Lace,
tall grasses, and a variety of other wild flowers and mature trees. The grass
is a mixture of bermuda and crab, with hints of clover and dried clumps of
grass clippings. This provides for a truly dynamic playing experience, as you
never quite know how your club will grab.
Perhaps I'm being too hard on
Old Silo. After all, we've been beyond fortunate to play some spectacular
courses since we started this bucket list. Kentucky never hailed itself as a
golf mecca; instead, the bluegrass state boasts horse culture, bourbon, UK basketball,
and the crossover to sweet tea country. Our expectations weren't all that
high, so we can't say we are terribly disappointed. We aren't at work, the sun
is shining, the Buckeyes won their football game, it's a holiday weekend, and
we have each other. Anything more is just the cherry on top.
The admirable
aspects of the course included an abundance of trees, strategic use of bunkers
(some with sand and others maturing into fairway) and streams, and some
elevation change causing you to double check your distance every now and again.
The greens were fairly true. While they didn't have a great deal of movement
the speed was consistent throughout which allowed us to become more aggressive
with our putts. Old Silo doesn't require big drives, however, bringing a
straight tee shot with you will allow you to attack every green.
Certainly not a golf weekend destination, but should you fancy
yourself in is graces, Old Silo might be your best (golf) bet. There's
some great bones within. Like someone who is overdue on a haircut and
bath, Old Silo is a course with good bones, but needs a little TLC to bring out
that shine.
Beyond the 19th Hole
Lexington
Home to all things UK (University of Kentucky), Lexington also boasts equestrian racing and museums, and the Kentucky bourbon trail.
Scoreboard
2015, #1 Public in Kentucky, Golfweek
2013, Best Public Course in Kentucky, Golf Digest
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