A 1994 design from the team of Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, Blackthorn is an affordable public access golf facility in the town of South Bend, Indiana, close to the University of Notre Dame. All told there are 19 holes here, with a 266-yard betting hole, known as the Blarney Hole, in play for those wanting to settle deadlocks or simply engage in a little extra fun. The course proper begins with a left-bending par four that can actually be played as the 2^nd for those who want to start with the Blarney and continue from there.

Generally speaking, the routing at Blackthorn effectively uses the uneven terrain and the integration of wetlands and ponds into the course is well handled. The bunkering is a little dated in terms of its style, but most of the hazards are positioned nicely to affect the playing strategy of the holes. Some of the better moments early include the boldly contoured par three 3^rd, the undulating par five 4^th and the crested and turning par four 9^th hole. On the inward side, the open-fronted par three 13^th is an attractive hole and followed by a really strong par four that turns left and heads steeply uphill toward a well guarded green. The plunging par five 18^th is also fairly effective, with its green pushed against a pond and protected by a scattering of pot bunkers. The use of large waste bunkers earlier on the back nine is less successful.

With some nice golf undulations and an appealing woodland setting Blackthorn is a popular place to golf in South Bend, and comes recommended as a course that most social players will enjoy.