THE LINKS AT FIRESTONE FARMS One of country's best affordable courses

The Columbiana course was ranked No. 9 in Golf Digest.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBIANA -- The Links at Firestone Farms is obviously doing all the right things that a new golf course is supposed to be doing.
The course, located on the old Firestone Farms property, was one of 30 new golf courses recognized by Golf Digest Magazine in January among America's Best New Courses.
The Links at Firestone Farms was selected as the No. 9 new course in the Best New Affordable Public courses in the country.
This is the second full season that the golf course is in operation as it officially opened in July of 2002 and by the response from area golfers the course is well deserving of its new ranking.
J.T. Gorman, who began as the general manager of the golf course in 2002, has now taken over as the director of golf for the layout.
Home sites begin
This is a big year for the course which will begin construction shortly on homes that surround the property.
"We've got all the water and sewer lines already in for the homesites and the roads leading to the property are almost completed," Gorman said.
"We hope to have ground breaking for the first sites within the next couple of weeks," he added.
Gorman said that none of the construction will affect play on the golf course.
The golf course itself has been unchanged this season, but there are several things that will be added this season.
The old road that cut through the golf course has been closed part-way through and the entire road should be closed off within the next month.
This will allow the course to put in their new driving ranges between holes No. 1 and No. 10.
"We are looking to have the range completed no later than July 1," Gorman said.
When the old road is completely closed off the course will also be able to use the par-5, No. 16 hole in its entirety.
At present the 546-yard hole is being played much shorter because of the road. A temporary tee has been used on the other side of the road to avoid any conflict with traffic there.
"When the road is officially closed within the next month the hole will play to its intended distance," Gorman added. "It will make for a demanding hole. From the back tee to the road is 285 yards alone."
Course has developed well
Gorman and course greens superintendent Brock Lesko are very pleased by the way the course has developed in the past two seasons.
"It has really blossomed this year and you have to give Brock and his staff credit for that, they've done an outstanding job," Gorman said.
The Links at Firestone Farms was one of only two Ohio courses to be recognized by Golf Digest this year.
The other was Boulder Creek in Streetsboro which was the No. 10-ranked Best New Upscale Public course.
Gorman is a Boardman native and a 1982 graduate of Boardman High. He's always wanted to own a course of his own, but felt that this was a great opportunity for him.
The golfing rates at The Links at Firestone are $32 anytime weekdays and $42 on weekends which includes riding carts. They have a senior special of $24 for 18 holes including cart on Monday through Thursday before 2 p.m..
Tee times are accepted and can be made by calling Gorman at (330) 482-7888.
mollica@vindy.com