Highland Park Golf Club

Tucked into the village of Highland Hills, just outside Cleveland, Highland Park Golf Course offers a blend of rich history and challenging golf that few public courses can match. With 36 holes spread across its storied Red and Blue courses, Highland Park presents golfers with a rewarding experience shaped by time and tradition.

The club first opened its fairways in 1927, and not long after, it found itself woven into the fabric of American golf history. Some of the game’s most legendary figures—Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player—have all walked these grounds. Highland Park served as host to the PGA Tour’s Cleveland Open in both 1964 and 1965. In the 1964 event, Tony Lema edged out Palmer in a playoff after both reached 14-under, capping a remarkable stretch of victories for Lema. The next year, David Sikes won at 12-under, narrowly besting Lema once again. At the time, Highland Park made history as the first public golf course owned and operated by the PGA, and it played a vital role in broadening access to the game.

Highland Park’s Blue Course, stretching to 6,740 yards from the back tees, is a par-71 layout marked by tight landing zones, tree-lined fairways, and a routing that rewards precision over brute strength. Players will find themselves tested early and often, particularly on the stretch from holes 4 to 7, where distance control and accuracy are key to staying on track.

Across the property, the Red Course plays a bit shorter at 6,322 yards but remains a stern test of shot-making and course management. Originally designed by Sandy Alves in 1928, the Red Course carries a rating of 69.7 and a slope of 113, making it accessible to a wide range of skill levels while still providing plenty of challenge. Holes 10 through 14 offer an especially engaging mix of risk-reward opportunities.

Both courses are well maintained and retain a classic parkland feel, with tree-lined corridors, subtle elevation changes, and a mixture of bunkers and greenside features that hold true to traditional midwestern golf design.

Highland Park has long been about more than just the game. In the 1990s, it became the site of annual charity tournaments hosted by then-mayor Michael R. White, helping raise funds for community initiatives. Even in recent years, the course has remained a valued community asset, including its role in environmental restoration efforts such as the Mill Creek rehabilitation project in 2016.

Looking ahead, Highland Park continues to evolve. A brand-new driving range is set to open in October 2025, bringing enhanced practice and training facilities to the region. Whether you’re fine-tuning your swing or simply soaking in the legacy-rich setting, Highland Park delivers an experience that respects the past while embracing the future.