Sugar Valley Golf Club - Bellbrook, Ohio

Ryan Ingram

The new country club is beautiful. The architecture is great and well built; the restaurant and ballroom are really nice. However, the cove ceiling in the ballroom make for pretty terribly acoustics. I wouldn’t recommend holding an event with speakers in this room.

David Theoret

There’s a fun, private country club tucked away in Bellbrook, Ohio that golfers in the area should know about. The course is challenging, and the staff is kind, considerate, and willing to help at a moment’s notice. It’s a course I would consider joining if I lived in the area.

In the 1980s, the golf course underwent a major renovation at the hands of legendary Ohio golf course architect Jack Kidwell and his partner and protégé, Mike Hurdzan.

In July 2014, tragedy struck as fire destroyed the clubhouse. This followed an earlier fire in May that destroyed the cart barn and all its contents including members’ golf clubs and an entire fleet of golf carts. With two fires 9 weeks apart, no one could have faulted ownership if they wanted to get out of the business. After all, golf courses aren’t as profitable as they once were!

Jim Keyes didn’t wait until the embers stopped smoldering before announcing plans to rebuild. The next day he had 50 carts at the course and ready to go. In 2018, Sugar Valley Golf Club opened a brand new two-story, 17,000 square-foot Clubhouse that is home to the Pro Shop, two simulator bays, a fitness room, member dining room and bar, a huge banquet, and special events area that can serve 300+ people.

The simulators have proven to be a big hit, especially in the winter months. Members can buy monthly memberships or rent a bay by the hour and practice or play rounds of golf on some of the world’s most popular courses no matter what the weather is like outside.

Since the sale of the course in 2010, membership at Sugar Valley has grown significantly, yet they still hold to their original mission of being available one day a week for corporate and charitable golf outings. They are also one of the Dayton area’s premier event locations.

For many, the main attraction at Sugar Valley is the golf course. At 6,467 yards from the back (Black) tees and a course rating of 70.5 and a slope of 126, the length and difficulty at Sugar Valley are certainly not going to overwhelm many golfers. Players that are new to the sport will find the course manageable with wide open fairways and large, receptive greens. Well-establish players will find that hazards such as sand bunkers have been strategically placed and ready to snag errant shots. Four sets of tees provide suitable yardage for any level of golfer. Choose the tees that best suit your game and you’re sure to have an enjoyable round.

At Sugar Valley Golf Club it’s more a case of knowing where to hit the ball on any given shot to avoid trouble and leave yourself the best angle into the green. Brains over brawn. One of the biggest things Sugar Valley has going for it is the elevation changes you’ll encounter as you make your way around, starting on the first hole with an approach shot to the par-5 green that plays totally uphill. Your round ends with a tee shot from one of the highest points on the course down to a wide fairway. It’s definitely a Kodak moment! The first three holes (par 5, par 4, and par 3) give you a good sense of what you’re in for as far as elevation changes. Even with the variations in height, many players choose to walk the course.

Across the street from the clubhouse is a full-length driving range where you can warm up before your round or hit balls all day trying to get rid of some bad habits. If you’re having trouble fixing those bad habits on your own, PGA Head Golf Professional Doug Wade is an accomplished teacher of the game and has logged countless hours of teaching over his career. Whether you’re new to the game or are looking to take your play to a whole new level, Doug can help you maximize your potential. The Sugar Valley website has some of Doug’s video pointers under the Lessons Tab.

If you’re new to the area or just love golf and are looking to get some good exercise and meet some new friends, be sure to check out Spring Valley Golf Club.

Michael Counts

It's a beautiful course. It's not super long, but it will give you a challenge. It will make you use about every club in your bag. We played the tips down and dirty(play it as it lies).

Jeff Theworker

Went to a wedding there. The meatball appetizer was very good. The chicken with gravy was ok.

Kevin Stepp

Beautiful area, tight course. But a lot of fun!

JD

We had nice Christmas event here (No Golfing). The facility was nice and clean. Great parking and beautifully decorated.
Most of staff ladies did a great job, but maybe some need to smile a little bit and be more welcoming. Working with a computers is one thing, but working with people is another thing.

Tony Triola

Outstanding golf course, restaurant and professional staff.
The golf course is excellent with a variety of hole set ups. Strategy really comes into play. There is a large driving range and practice area.
The pro shop and staff are first rate.
The restaurant has a variety of choices that are great.
A+

Robert Holz

Sugar valley is a great course. It is both challenging and fun to play. I play there every year on the Golfweek Amateur Tour and I can't wait to play it again next year.