Krendale epitomizes Butler County golf
BUTLER TWP — Affordable rates on a versatile course that’s not difficult to get on and play.
Krendale Golf Course is somewhat typical of Butler County’s golf world.
“I think a lot of the golf courses in the county are somewhat like us,” Krendale owner Eric Krenitsky said. “We all love the sport and want people to come out and have a good time.
“It doesn’t matter what they shoot, how good a golfer someone is ... Did the person have an enjoyable experience here? That’s what matters to me. Our rates are very reasonable, as are some other courses in the county.”
Krendale offers a 9-hole West course and a 9-hole East course. The signature hole is the island green on the 131-yard No. 8 hole on the West course. The green on that par-3 hole is surrounded by water.
Krenitsky said golfers take pride in just landing a ball on the green of that No. 8 hole at times.
“It’s a challenge to a lot of people and they have fun with it,” he said. “I’ve seen golfers tee up four or five times to try to land one on, only to have each shot land in the water. They’re smiling and laughing the entire time.”
That No. 8 hole can also play from 172 yards (blue tees) or 51 yards (gold). Each hole on Krendale’s course has a wide range of yardage based on tee placements.
“The idea is to have golfers of any skill level come out here and be competitive with the course,” Krenitsky said.
Other unique holes on the course are No.’s 1 and 7 on the South, No. 2 on the West. The West course features three par-5’s, the South course two. The longest hole on the course is No. 1 on the West, which plays 512 yards from the white tees, 605 from the blue.
The scenic course has bunkers on many of the holes and water comes into play on approximately a third of the 18 holes.
The Tri-Boro League plays at Krendale on Thursdays. It’s been playing there for 60 years and is the only sizable league on the course each week.
Golfers can walk nine holes at Krendale for $10, or 18 holes for $20.
“This is an easy course to walk, but very few golfers seem to walk courses anymore,” Krenitsky admitted. “Everybody’s riding.”
Krenitsky’s grandfather built the Krendale course in 1950. A second nine holes was added around 1970.
“We once had a hole here that was more than 700 yards long, a par-7,” Krenitsky said. “People just weren’t having fun with it. It was simply too long. We wound up turning that into two holes.
“Again, it’s about the enjoyment for the golfer.”
Steve Napora holds the course record of 59, shot during the 1960s.
“That one’s going to be tough to beat,” Krenitsky said, smiling.
Tee times are not required at Krendale and are rarely taken. Krenitsky said golfers can show up and get on the course “pretty much all the time.”
Lunch-type food such as hot dogs and drinks are available in the clubhouse as well.
