Lake Presidential Golf Club Upper Marlboro, MD - 9/30/2009
Some associates came to town and I could think of no better place to take them than Lake Presidential and show them one of the top courses in our area. We arrived to a friendly greeting by the bag attendant and ventured out to the range to warm up. I really was looking forward to playing the course as it had been several months since my last visit and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. It is obvious that the folks running LP are dedicated to continuing to improve this already-great facility and ensure that players of all levels can enjoy a round of golf. That being said, there are also some improvements which will make it more player friendly (new tee box on #1) and some other not-so-obvious changes (i.e. trees removed from a few spots) which will only add to the all players’ enjoyment. I’ve said it before and will mention it again, the greens on this course are definitely something to behold. On this day they weren’t super fast but they were amazingly smooth and manicured. While Lake Presidential is certainly building a reputation for excellent greens, you can not discount the carpet-like quality of the fairways too! I put the fairways in my top category of “pristine”. We played from the blue tees and at 6400+ yards; we used just about every club in the bag and were faced with many challenging and scenic shots. #16 comes to mind, a beautiful downhill par 3 playing about 190 – the fact that I hit a crisp 4 iron to about 15 feet certainly made it memorable to me! Also, take a look across the lake on #18, a par 5, which is reachable in 2 (trust me) – hit a big drive and then enjoy the scenic drive back around the lake. After you close your round with a nice birdie, make sure to head to the clubhouse for some food, beverage and friendly service. The clubhouse IS 1st class and they really make you feel at home there. I can’t say enough nice things about Lake Presidential – a 1st rate facility all around – ask for Nathan when you visit and tell them Lefty from Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (86)
Primland Golf Course , - 9/6/2009
Four of us journeyed from Maryland to Meadows of Dan, Virginia on 9/5/09 to experience the Primland Resort and its Highland Golf Course. We had booked a room at Whitetail Lodge (4 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and an unbelievable view of the valley and Blue Ridge) for $650.00 (this entitled us to a $25.00 per person discount on green fees). After an evening of adult beverages and fine food we settled in to watch Alabama - Virginia Tech (we were only 75 miles or so from Blacksburg). In the morning we once again filled our bellies with fine food and headed to the golf course for our 8:20 tee time (there was only one other group booked for the day) and after a bit of time on the range we were led to the first tee by the head pro who took our picture, explained the local rules and wished us luck. The course is just beautiful (though a bit scary on the tee blocks) and the greens were rolling at an 11.5. We never saw another golfer, never saw an unfilled divot or an unrepaired mark on the greens. The place is pristine. We all shot a few strokes over our handicaps and felt a little bit beat-up but the free lunch after our round eased us into our 6 hour return ride home. I know I will go back next year to play it again and take advantage of the reasonable replay rates. If you can afford it, it is a must stay and play. Butch L.
Algonkian Regional Park & Golf Course Sterling, VA - 8/31/2009
Algonkian is a course that I had not frequented recently due to my bias against their seemingly incessant wet conditions. It is a not secret that this fine layout had a problem. Great news! The problem has been fixed. Bermuda fairways were put in place two years ago and they are really coming in nicely. The entire course looked terrific on a recent visit, with even the staff seeming to take pride in the new turf. I love it as a golfer to find a new course, and playing “the new” Algonkian provided that little rush. Also, the deer have declared the course as theirs. If you enjoy wildlife, this is a course for you. Algonkian gets plenty of play but is well marshaled so check it out if you haven’t recently. Now if I could just get those white tee boxes up about 300 yards :) Ayce
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 8/29/2009
A visit by my family was an excellent excuse to get out and play a weekend round of golf and Waverly Woods was the venue on this overcast but nice Saturday morning. It had been a while since my last trip to Waverly so I was anxious to get back to the fast tricky greens that I remembered but alas, it was aeration season and they weren’t quite healed yet. Nonetheless, we were treated to another fine round of excellent course conditions with that one exception. Waverly starts you off with a fairly innocent par 4 but then holes 2, 3, and 4 will have you wondering how long of a day you’re in for. On this day, I remember number 2 which can be a tricky par 5 if you let it, requiring proper club selection on your approach to this green or you’re in the waste area (I found out the hard way!). Number 3 requires an accurate drive to leave a short approach (lots of room to bail on the right but then you have a tricky up and down for a par) and then number 4 requires a long accurate drive which leaves a long iron to an uphill green that usually has the flag hidden behind a large mound (it’s got one of those really long flagsticks). I always enjoy playing here because of its challenging layout. The only downside is the fairly large entry fee to play – alas, perhaps they will get into the Waggle Pass soon? The bar and grill is very comfortable with a big screen TV if you want to hang out for the 19th hole as well. Guinness was on tap this day which is almost always a nice play! Lefty
Eisenhower Golf Course Crownsville, MD - 7/17/2009
Bogeyman and I were cordially invited to participate in the Double Bogey Blues Gentleman’s Invitational held at Eisenhower Golf Course in nearby Crownsville MD – for those of you into jousting; it’s not too far from where the Maryland Renaissance Festival is held on MD 178. On this particular day, Bogeyman and I were paired with what we thought was to be a formidable combination Father-Son team of “John and John”. The format was 2 Man best ball and by the 4th hole, Father John was dissing Son John and telling him there would be an interview process for the next tournament before he selected him as a partner…alas, another team falls victim of trying to compete against the Waggle team! The course itself can be best described as a “muni” but the layout is definitely fun to play. The conditions were acceptable and some areas of the course definitely displayed the need of some rain (which we actually had on a couple of holes) but we managed to get around without getting anyone hurt! There are some holes which are fairly tight and require a good drive and smart approach but overall, it’s pretty player friendly. On this day at the Invitational, it sure was “player friendly”! As you could expect, there was some chicanery with the scoring and for some unknown reason, Waggle finished just out of the money…but at least we beat the John-John team! A great time was had by all and with the Waggle Pass, you can play for a players fee, even on weekends – check it out at the Waggle Pro Shop and give Eisenhower a play when you get a minute. Tell Gretchen the cart girl that Waggle sent you! Lefty/Bogeyman
Reston National Golf Course Reston, VA - 7/9/2009
Arriving mid morning on a Thursday at Reston National, you might be expecting a lull in the golf action. To do so would be a miscalculation at this busy facility. A group of men were finishing an early tournament, the ladies league was just going out, the 50 kids in the junior camp were rotating to their stations, and the public golfers were filling in the limited gaps. This well run course always seems to be thriving with a variety of activities, not to mention the numerous outings like the full field DC United Soccer tournament on a Thursday no less. Course conditions were in their usual good mode, save for just a tinge of dryness setting in due to a week of no rain. This typically long-playing course was friendlier due to the extra roll on the fairways. I really enjoy playing this place, as apparently do a lot of other golfers. The practice facility bustles with golfers at all hours. Be sure to call ahead to check on play status, but be sure to get to Reston National this season. Ayce
The Pointe Golf Club Powells Point, NC - 7/8/2009
While on vacation at the Outer Banks I took an afternoon to perform some research for you Waggle-ites! Sometimes even on vacation we have to work... I'm sure you can understand! A couple of fellow vacationers went with me and this course was specifically selected to allow for their non-golfing abilities. I'm happy to say that the Point Golf Course IS a course for all levels of play. Basically, it's wide open with only a few holes that can cause you trouble. The conditions, however, are resort type and because of the tricky and fast greens, even better caliber players will be challenged. One of the holes where you CAN get into a bit of trouble is #16. From the tee this is an innocent looking, fairly short par 4 with a fairway as wide as the eye can see. Hit a good drive to put yourself into position for a short iron over the water which extends nearly 3/4 of the way across the fairway (and can't be seen from the tee) and onto a green which you don't want to miss long (or you're dropping another ball)! This challenge is more of the exception rather than the rule on this course as most "misses" will be gently gathered up by the thick plush grass growing around the greens which has the double benefit of saving errant shots and making the next pitch shot easy to hit as it's almost as if it's sitting on a tee. I did notice the new renovations to the bar/resturant and clubhouse which only make this fine player-friendly course finer! If in the OBX, give it a play and tell Doug that Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (81)
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 7/8/2009
Bull Run is back! Well, sort of back. Given the massive rains of the spring it could be said that you would have to TRY to make a course look bad this year. At Bull Run they appear to be trying to do the opposite as positive changes in the poor conditions of two years ago are very noticeable. Despite the fine weather, we saw few other golfers during our delightful day on the course. It could be that the owners have not become aware of promotions to make golf more affordable, promotions that seem to be filling their competitors courses. Overall, we enjoyed a spectacular day of low humidity for our small (15) group outing at this once very popular course. Ayce
1757 Golf Club Dulles, VA - 6/30/2009
Right now there are two things to know about 1757 Golf Club. The first is that it was formerly known as Presidential (and before that Bear National), not to be confused with Lake Presidential in Maryland. Presidential was renamed 1757 Golf Club in recognition of the founding year for Loudoun County. The other fact is that the course is open for play as the newest premier daily fee course in Northern Virginia. This is the important point for those of us anxious to play the course we have heard so much about.
Currently ten of the holes designed by David Heatwole are available for play. Heatwole is a long time collaborator with Jack Nicklaus, and the influence is apparent from the first tee. Most of the holes typically show you everything you will encounter as you tee it up. The fair but challenging layout uses the natural terrain to advantage with water or marsh on many holes. While the course will be rerouted upon its completion next spring, a majority of the current holes have bias for right handed slicers!
The clubhouse and facilities are first class. A crescent shaped driving range is anchored by a golf academy building on one end, and the Max Out Golf Labs on the other. The Max Out Labs offer state of the art analysis of any swing under the capable eye of Christian Voges. An active summer golf camp was underway on the day of our visit, and an academy with soon be operating from the vacant training center. The clubhouse is perfectly functional for all types of golf events. A boardroom, ballroom, pro shop, lavish grill room, and offices comprise the main structure. The convenient location, just a mile off busy route 28 near Dulles, affords many golfers the chance to take a “golf lunch” in style.
The course shows its newness, but is in great shape. Next spring this will be an awesome 18 holer that everyone is talking about. Play it now and you will want to be back for the grand opening for sure. Rates now reflect the ten open holes, but a full regulation round is achievable measuring out at 6,600 yards. Ayce
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Farmington, PA - 6/19/2009
I checked back at my last review and was surprised to see that it had been 7 years since I had the pleasure of playing Nemacolin’s, gem of a course, Mystic Rock! I can’t rave enough about the course so I’ll rave about Nemacolin itself. Decadent is the only word I can use to describe how well you are treated at this plush resort. I did not remember from last time the super large and extravagant clubhouse, bar and grill, or men’s locker room with TVs everywhere. (I didn’t get a chance to see the women’s locker room but I’m assuming it’s really nice as well – perhaps one of the ladies out there can comment for me?) I did notice that there were some additional things to do at this Joe Hardy (he started 84 Lumber) family style resort. There is an off-road four-wheel drive practice area complete with hummers, a kid’s playground/arcade, a large water park area where you can go paddle boating, trails and hiking paths as well as a bunch of other things to do – again, with the entire place treating you like a King!
Now back to the course – we played the white tees which was plenty of challenge for us hackers (137 slope). Seth (our trusty forecaddie) steered us in the right direction on several holes (#11 comes to mind) on where to hit our tee shots to avoid that dreaded “I hit it down the middle and now I’m dropping and hitting three!”. Last time we did not have a forecaddie and if you have never used one, it’s worth it on this course – at least for the 1st time you play it. As you can imagine, the entire course and all facilities were at an above pristine level. The fairways were like carpet and the greens super tricky and fast but fair. Bunkers, tees and even the rough were all “just like you see on TV when the pros play”. In Pete Dye’s own words, this may be my best design ever – time will tell. In my 7 year absence I can say time has done wonderful things for this top notch course as it’s only gotten better! As with all courses this nice and in such a spectacular place, there is a lofty price. In my last review I indicated that “the only detriment to this golf course is that it is pricey” and advised you to look for specials. Well, I’m pleased to let you know that the Waggle Golf Pass now has a great special which will save you the entire cost of the pass if you use it at Mystic Rock! There’s another great special at the other course on the Nemacolin property so get your Waggle Golf Pass today and make the trip to Nemacolin and play both courses! And, be sure to let us know how what you think of Nemacolin Lefty
Goose Creek Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 5/24/2009
On a beautiful Memorial Day weekend, the Goose hosted a holiday scramble for seventy some golfers who stayed in town for the long weekend. While the turnout might seem large given the smaller fields in this year’s outings, Goose has enjoyed a busy year so far. Dramatic improvements in the course, coupled with good service and a new look to carts and clubhouse have seen record numbers of golfers enjoying this classic local track. Despite the heavy play don’t fear a slow pace of play, as they even marshal their own outings to ensure a comfortable pace. The course lost one hole for road construction so a new hole was built, and another hole revamped. The new par three is a much better hole, the remodeled one a welcome relief from previous back-to-back par fives. The real course improvements are more subtle, like the adding of 40 yards to the seventeenth hole. Now this over 400 yard par four demands a long accurate uphill tee shot to set up an approach to a sloping green. Look for these changes as you play the Goose this year. But, above all, play it this season. Ayce
Hilltop Golf Club Alexandria, VA - 5/23/2009
It is always fun to introduce a golf buddy to a new course, particularly one you like. On a Saturday morning my Jayhawk friend met me for a quick nine at Hilltop. Be advised that a quick nine at Hilltop is always under two hours. The pace of play never disappoints and encourages a replay (there is a reduced rate for that, too.) Reactions of first time Hilltop golfers are so predictably positive, with everybody remarking that it is had to imagine such views so close to the beltway. The range and putting areas are ideal for warming up prior to hitting the unique nine, a nine that boasts the second toughest par four in the area in #3. Hilltop holds a lot of events for the public, so check the calendar inside the clubhouse or sign up for their newsletter. Ayce
Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Front Royal, VA - 5/21/2009
Shenandoah Valley Golf Club offers a lush green set of 3 nines all year long. In the spring the word lush takes on new meaning is you are attempting to find your ball in the lush rough of the rain soaked SVGC. We have enjoyed this green beauty of a course for years, so it was no surprise that recent rains have made it a “US Open-like” imperative to keep the ball I the fairway. Greens are thick and a bit slow. The holes have some similarity to each other, yet are different enough to keep your attention. The rates are a value, and with a $25 special from the Waggle Golf Pass the value is really there! These 3 nines are an easy drive west from the DC beltway. Gas is a bit cheaper there so come with a near empty tank. Ayce
Penderbrook Golf Club Fairfax, VA - 5/18/2009
Out for the annual skip over to Penderbrook in hopes that something had changed for the better. The price is still rock bottom (with email specials) and the food is frequently thrown in. But, both the grub and golf are classic “get what you pay for” fare. The pace of play is historically slow. The tenth hole is a 200 plus yard par three over water so you can expect a back up here. The snack bar sits behind the tenth tee so grab a dog while you wait. If a quick golf fix and a full belly are your objective then Penderbrook will do the job. Ayce
Virginia Oaks Golf Course Gainesville, VA - 5/9/2009
P.B. Dye blessed Virginia with a really challenging layout at Virginia Oaks. Play this course from the tips and you could hardly ask for more. My favorite is the island green number nine. In the shadow of the clubhouse, with practice putting green onlookers the ninth hole gives you plenty of reason to focus before grabbing a drink at the turn. The back nine at Va. Oaks seems to be a couple of strokes tougher than the front. The tenth hole is one of the most unreachable in two of any par five around. The next hole is a long par three with a green that slopes severely back to front. Aside from the twelfth hole which is a drivable par four, the remaining back nine will really make you earn a good inward score. Management at the Oaks is top notch, and the food is above average. Ayce
Reston National Golf Course Reston, VA - 4/24/2009
New management at Reston National has the course in terrific condition. The rough was long due to recent rains, so the course played even longer than usual. The large greens ran true as the evidence of aeration was all but gone. The course gets so many players that pace of play is a major challenge for management. The length of the holes and the high volume of players make for some longer than average rounds. Service is good so there are worse places to spend five plus hours. And yes, the joggers and dog walkers are still on the perimeter of the holes. It’s hard to beat the Reston range for a place to beat balls also. Remember to bring your Waggle Pass for a break on the prices, too. Ayce
Lansdowne Resort Leesburg, VA - 4/13/2009
The Brian Mitchell American Heart Association Celebrity Golf Classic drew predictably fewer players than in previous years. Many outings have bee cancelled or postponed due to lagging corporate support. There were plenty of former Redskins this year, nearly as many as paying golfers it seemed. The course has matured nicely since its opening 3 years ago. Drainage issues still haunt a few holes, but problems are a far cry from yester year. The Norman course is certainly more difficult than the resort style RTJ. Both are fine layouts, but for challenge play the newer Norman course. This time out I had a chance to warm up on the adjacent nine hole executive course. The course is a popular inclusion in stay and play packages at the hotel. The signature for the Norman course is the final four holes which measure 1,760 yards from the tips, and they call “the toughest mile in golf". Ayce
Jackson's Chase at Pine Hills Front Royal, VA - 4/6/2009
Amid April showers and lingering March winds, we tackled Jackson’s Chase this week. The course (not unlike others in the Shenandoah Valley) are experiencing financial hardships this season. Aside from a few indications of saving dollars on maintenance, the course was in good shape. Now that houses have been built between the two nines the course takes on a very different look. Previously the front nine was a links style layout with open spaces and flattish greens. The back nine is considerably harder with greens that tilt like Augusta National. Almost every hole on the inward side have some quirky trick, seemingly making up for the straightforwardness of the outbound nine. The tenth hole should be totally reworked since the hazards are too severe and concealed. This should not discourage you from playing the course. It is a particularly good value with the Waggle Golf Pass, so make it a stop on your ‘valley tour’. Ayce
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 4/2/2009
An overcast 60 degree day was perfect for a mid-week round at Maryland National on this early spring day. I hadn’t been to Maryland National for a while and looked forward to checking it out. I was very impressed with the condition of the course as it seemed even better than its normal “superb” conditions. I’ve said it before but something about this course always gets me and several holes had their way with me with double bogeys but those were not the “usual suspect” holes for me but other more docile ones. Alas, if it’s not one thing it’s the other. You can’t talk about Maryland National without mentioning the closing 3 holes. #16 is a risk-reward drivable par 4. Either go for the green with a 3 wood or lay up and play for a regulation par. The lefthander just missed the green and pitched poorly and still had a birdie opportunity but missed it and had to tap in for par. Rats! Then #17, a mid-length par 3 which is a hit-the-green-or-you’re-in-trouble shot. There is a bail out area short and right of the hole so if you’re going to miss that is the only safe area. A well struck 9 iron got caught up in a cross wind and that’s where my shot ended up. Another poor pitch and 2 putts later, I walked off with a bogey. Finally, the par 4, #18 which is one of the most difficult closing holes in the area. A big drive with a slight draw left me about 160 out, however a fairly strong wind in my face had me looking at another knee-knocker “hit-the-green-or-you’re-in-trouble” approach shot. (See #17 above). I managed to hit a slight draw into the wind and 2 putted from about 70 feet to happily walk off with a closing par. A nice cold beverage in Maryland National’s Shroyer’s Tavern left me with that “good taste in my mouth” to get back out golfing again soon! There is a pretty good special in the Waggle Golf Pass for a discounted play at this fine track. Check it out at the Waggle.com pro shop. Then you can play Maryland National for a great price! Lefty (85)
Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club Front Royal, VA - 3/30/2009
With March going out like a lamb, the sixty degree temperatures made a wonderful opportunity for 27 holes at one of Waggle’s favorite courses, Blue Ridge Shadows. The course was running a special all-you-can play promotion with the local food bank, so making charitable contributions was a bonus to the great day of golf. The course was recently named by GolfWeek as the third best course in Virginia just behind The Homestead and a new course in southern Va. This is the most recent in a long line of superlatives for this outstanding facility founded in 2007. With the opening of a Holiday Inn & Suites on property, a number of very attractive stay and play packages are available. Additionally the course is a “Get Golf Ready in 5 Days” facility. This program teaches in five lessons all that you need to know to play golf with confidence. Blue Ridge Shadows recently became affiliated with the Raspberry Golf Trail, an alliance with four other quality courses-Cannon Ridge, Raspberry Falls, Old Hickory, and Links at Gettysburg. Whether it is the dramatic second shot on the first hole, the downhill tee shots on #11 and #15, or the beautiful waterfall closing hole the Shadows offers much to fall in love with in a golf course. Be sure to sign up for their email specials as the top notch team has lots going on there. Ayce
South Riding Golfer's Club South Riding, VA - 11/23/2008
Good weather golf days come far and few as we creep towards the holidays. However, this past Sunday a few of us braved the elements and wound up finding a pretty nice day. After a 30 minute frost delay, we loaded up our propane heaters and hit the 1st hole at South Riding Golf Links. Surprisingly, the course is still in fantastic shape. The greens ran extremely fast and the fairways were hard and prone to roll. While the bunkers have that winter look and feel to them, the playing conditions were great from tee to green. Even the leaves seemed to have blown away or pushed off to the side – meaning you can still find your ball on those wayward shots. So the next time the temperature creeps up above 40, take advantage of discounted seasonal rates and get out to South Riding. Mikey G (90)
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 11/4/2008
The Election Day outing was held at Maryland National on a beautiful overcast early November day. With little wind and 60+ degree temperatures, I expected the course to be crowded but alas everybody must have been out voting? The condition of the course was superb and because of the lack of players, we were able to get around in a little over 4 hours and as you all know, that’s a really nice pace for a round of golf. I was impressed with the condition of the greens as well. They held shots nicely and were deceptively tricky often breaking the opposite way you’d have figured. The par 3’s are particularly challenging too – especially #17 which is a “hit the green or take a penalty” type hole. Any review of Maryland National has to mention #18 which is a very difficult closing hole. A long and accurate drive is required which will then leave you with a mid-iron to a narrow green with a hazard only about 3 feet to the right side of the green. With a trap on the left – if you’re gonna miss, miss left and or long! Unfortunately, this Lefthander hit a slight draw on my drive which cost me one stroke in the fairway hazard. I hit what I thought was a great approach but alas another slight draw and I did what I just told you NOT to do which was miss right. Rats! A closing double bogey and what could have been! All in all we really enjoyed the course and the scenery of the trees changing colors. The bar/restaurant is an excellent place to get a post-round beverage – or you may want to consider having your dinner there as the food is excellent and many locals utilize the restaurant as a staple place to eat. Something else to consider is the Maryland National special in the Waggle Golf pass (formerly the US Golf Pass) which will allow you to play it at a substantial discount! Either way, get out and give Maryland National a play – I really think you will enjoy the course, the clubhouse and (my favorite) the post round beverage! Lefty (81)
Stonewall Golf Club Gainesville, VA - 10/27/2008
Sometimes marginal conditions can seem idealic (is this a word?) when an apparent weather cancelled round works out. This was the case today as what was a rained out day for many in the NOVA area turned into a fine afternoon round at Stonewall.
As I began travelling I-66 on the way to the course the rain started falling and the wind started blowing. Certain that we wouldn't be playing, I was ready to turn around and head back to the office. But something made me continue. Perhaps it was the fact that it was a client that had invited me to play, or perhaps the idea of heading back to the office kept me going, or most likely it was the "golfer's hope" that somehow things would work out. Whatever it was, I made the right decision. After we arrived the rain stopped, the wind subsided and the front 9 was beautiful golf. A little wind and a few sprinkles visited on the back but not enough to ruin the day.
Stonewall is one of the premiere courses in Northern Virginia and definitely in my top 3 favorite to play. The course is always in immaculate condition and today was no exception. Your choice of tee box will definitely decide how the course will play so choose correctly or you could be in for a punishing round. #1 seems like a simple uphill dogleg right par 4 but keep your tee shot in position or you can end up with a blind approach to the green. You'll hit most your clubs and Stonewall and you'll have to make a few decisions about whether to go for it or not. #18 is a great finishing hole and I've seen many close matches change here.
The golf season may be wrapping up here soon, but if you get a chance head out to Stonewall - you'll be glad you did! Bogeyman
Links at Lighthouse Sound Bishopville, MD - 9/19/2008
Lighthouse Sound, possibly the premier course in Ocean City with its beautiful views, friendly staff, challenging layout, and inviting clubhouse was the venue for a small gathering that I was invited to this late summer day. Unfortunately, windy conditions (as is often the case here) set the expectation of a rather difficult round. However as golfers (or hackers) often do, we pulled a fast one on the course by moving up to the blue tees and playing the course at 6100 yards – which, in the wind, was still quite a challenge. The course was in the excellent shape with fairways, greens, tee boxes and sand traps all pristine. The starters are always friendly at this track and the marshals and front desk monitor the course play and keep play moving along as evidenced when I was in the clubhouse and heard the front desk radio out to the marshals, “we’ve got a group on #8 that needs to be moved up to #9 tee ASAP – please expedite”. You will be amazed and perhaps intimidated by some of the forced carries over water as well as some of the difficult uphill shots regardless of wind conditions. On this day, the wind made it very difficult out on the sound side for the par 4 (#4) and uphill par 3 (#5). I got out of those two holes with 2 bogeys and was happy with that – even after hitting the green on number 5 from 145 yards with a 4 iron and 3 putting! We got off to a late start and at 70 degrees and sunny (and did I mention windy?) it was nice for the majority of the round but coming in the last few holes we felt a chill in the air and realized that fall is coming! The number ($$) for this track is pretty high and I heard some golfers commenting that perhaps it was too high but the course itself IS definitely a great layout and I always enjoy playing it. The fact I was really striking the ball well and hitting nearly every shot where I wanted sure adds to the fun and a couple of lucky breaks off a tree or two led me to one of my low scores for the year. If you get out to Lighthouse Sound, tell them Lefty from Waggle.com sent you. And, make sure to take advantage of the “free” beverage ticket they give you when you check in too! Lefty (77)
Stoneleigh Golf Club Round Hill, VA - 8/22/2008
While I enjoy playing this well maintained course, I see why so many golfers dislike some of the holes. The holes numbered 2, 7, and 11 (strange resemblance to the game of craps!) need to be redesigned. Numbers 2 and 11 do not provide landing areas suitable to the demanding second shots. Hole #7 is just a trick shot, or a five iron and wedge to a ninety degree dogleg. The course has an active local membership who give the place a real country club feel. Conditions are very good. The vistas from many holes, like the second, are worth the reasonable charges. Ayce
Laurel Hill Golf Club Lorton, VA - 8/21/2008
Perfect late summer weather drew two foursomes of us the Fairfax County Park Authority’s newest course. Incidentally, we used the US Golf Pass and paid half price! The FCPA entered the high end daily fee arena of golf with this course on the old Lorton prison grounds. Surprisingly the course is excellent. You might not expect such a fine golf facility in southern Fairfax, but it is first rate. The course is fairly wide open with the noticeable exception of the ninth hole. Here you better play this par five with three irons to the green until you get used to the blind twists of the fairway. Lots of forced carries exist so choose your tee box wisely. Greens run very true. Certainly the maintenance department puts attention to this gem of a course. The new clubhouse offers all you could want in a public course. The course is priced higher than the other FCPA courses, but worth the difference. Ayce
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 8/13/2008
Oh, how the mighty have fallen! I had stayed away from this course for nearly 3 years since new ownership and management had begun to make their much talked about “mark” on one of my favorite courses. The course lived up, or perhaps DOWN, to the lamentations of other golfers. Their email blast sent out a $29 special (only to resend it for $39 the next day) so I took advantage of the fire sale rates to see the damage for myself. The front doors were locked at 10am, maybe because of the hornets nested above the door or the yet emptied trash can next to the main door. My cart had a flat tire so I switched it for one with a broken windshield, best available. The food service area was closed at 10am and when it opened later they overcharged my cart partner by a dollar for a drink. Walking through the ill stocked pro shop to the main foyer it was as though time had stood still. The plaques on the walls trumpeted achievements from three years ago or more. No signs of life or advertising existed since then! I could go on but briefly: dry weedy fairways, bug infested greens, horrible tee boxes (many under repair), incorrect pin sheets, no sand in traps, trees taken down inappropriately, got the picture? It looked like it would if I had won the course in a lottery and without knowledge and resources for proper maintenance had allowed nature to reclaim the course. Give it 2 years at this rate and it will be unplayable. [From the editor: we hope Bull Run can get back on the right track, it used to be one of our favorite courses.] Ayce
Jefferson Golf Course Falls Church, VA - 7/24/2008
If you want a place to work on your game and have fun, Jefferson provides the answer. Even on a crowded Friday the pace of play was 2 hours and ten minutes for the nine holes of short par 35. Expect to see lots of beginners at this local county managed facility. I loved the sign at the first tee staging area asking patrons not to feed the squirrels as they have been crawling on humans. This sort of typified the friendly, family atmosphere at Jefferson. Near the squirrel sign is a basket designated as a ‘ball exchange,’ something you will not see at Bulle Rock. To be sure the layout is not Bulle Rock, but it is fine for a quick nine. And, the prices nor the gas money spent will cause you to cash in a CD. Bring a pull cart and walk with the regulars to hear the neat history of the course. Ayce
Links at Challedon Mt. Airy, MD - 7/24/2008
Again I ventured to Challedon in late July for an outing. This time the course was in terrific shape. Recent rains have made it easy for the relatively new management company to continue to improve this course. Parts of the course (like the 11th tee) make for a Norman Rockwell painting. Rolling terrain with views of estate homes, churches, cemeteries, water towers, and the like offer sights to occupy the time between shots. The course has an active junior camp program, which appeared to be well run. Since its opening a decade or so ago, this course has continued to improve, making it a real bargain for those in the Frederick area. Ayce
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 7/10/2008
A not-so-hot Thursday afternoon found me in good company at Timbers in Elkridge. I had not played here in quite some time and had been hearing mixed reviews about the track. Coming off one of my poorer rounds of the year provided an expectation of a poor round but like the unpredictability of golf, it was the exact opposite. Timbers gets a lot of play – it’s obvious by the condition of the fairways and greens. The course is in pretty decent shape considering all the play it gets but every time I play here, I am amazed at how often I see divots not replaced and greens not repaired. It always seems that this course is cart path only and taking a large divot is pretty much the norm – I fixed ALL of mine – but I do enjoy this track. Starting with 5 straight pars sure helps the cause too! One thing that did bother me on this round was the demonic maintenance crew. Did you ever have a crew that just seemed to follow you around and turn on the sprinklers just as you are playing your approach to the green. Then, the timing is such that they follow you around for what seems like every hole? Unfortunately, we had such a situation that was corrected by the time we made the turn, however it was aggravating to say the least. Oh well, they gotta keep the place nice – however with all the rain and the soggy fairways – I wondered if they really needed all that extra water? I’m not a superintendent so I’ll write it off to bad timing by our group. One thing in need of repair at Timbers was the sand traps but other than that, the course was very playable and we had a nice afternoon. Fairways, Greens and Putts lead me to a solid sub-eighty round – my first in quite a while! Oh yeah, the beverage after the round was really good and cold! Lefty (77)
Bristow Manor Golf Club Bristow, VA - 7/7/2008
On the Monday after the July 4 weekend we expected the course to be packed. Surprise! The place was half full on a perfect weather day. The pace, course conditions, and company were all outstanding at this reliable layout. Seems as though the events person works overtime putting together fun outings. An upcoming modified scramble to benefit fire and rescue teams in the community was being publicized. Must admit to falling into the promotion last month for the Susan Komen tourney, which was a lot of fun. Be sure to play this bargain course and to look for upcoming events. As I recall they do football related tournaments in the fall, too. Ayce
Renditions Golf Course Davidsonville, MD - 7/5/2008
A family July 4 weekend provided me with a rare opportunity to get out to Renditions and play a weekend round. I hadn’t been down there for about a year so I was anxious to see how the course was coming along and see if my new found swing was working. Playing with my family put added pressure as we play for big stakes (usually T-bones :). I must say that Renditions was in pretty darn good shape – at least he fairways, greens and tee boxes. Some of the bunkers needed some work but they were in no way “not playable” in my book. A few areas of “thin grass” around the greens were noticed as well but again, nothing to really complain about – the course was in fine shape! We got a shower for about 3 holes which soured our round a little bit however the course was good. The greens were pretty darn fast although the rendition of Oakmont’s #3 (which is hole #15) was, in my opinion, a little bid unfair. If you putted from the front of the green and left it pin high or less you had another 25 foot putt from off the front of the green (I know, I did it 2 times!). By the way, on my 3rd shot, I hit a beautiful lob wedge from about 80 yards directly into the cup – unfortunately, it hit the edge of the cup and bounced out about 20 feet into a sand trap. Several shots (and putts) later I was taking the dreaded one legged snowman! Talk about ruining a round! Alas, at least I almost birdied it! This track is always fun to play and if you play it from the blue tees like we did on this day, the course will really challenge you. It wasn’t one of my better rounds but Renditions is always a good time and I enjoyed it! The clubhouse and bar provide an excellent finish to a nice round of golf. Make sure to tell them that Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (96)
Worthington Manor Golf Club Urbana, MD - 7/4/2008
This year our Fourth of July golf outing would not be interrupted 5 times by rain like last year :) Only TWICE did it rain during the back nine, but without lightning we were allowed to continue. The rain softened the quick greens and made the course very playable! Seems everything in life IS a trade-off. Again the course was in great shape, with surprisingly few players for a holiday. Following our round we went to a crab feast at the Cracked Claw which is 3 miles down Route 80. Sign up for the e-newsletter at the course for a chance to win free golf, and a direct heads-up on fee specials. Ayce
Forest Greens Golf Club Triangle, VA - 6/26/2008
Clearly the gem of the Prince William Park courses, Forest Greens was again in good shape. The look of the layout gives away the lack of noted courses designer at work concept. Many of the rough areas drop into oblivion. Still, this is a fun and affordable track that always seems to have openings for play. Could be the traffic on I95 discourages some potential customers. The surrounding areas are yet undeveloped so get ready to see some nature. Wild turkeys strolled by on our visit. Choose your tee boxes wisely at the start since this can be a tough course from the tips. Ayce
Kiskiack Golf Club Williamsburg, VA - 6/23/2008
The Traditions Golf Club at Kiskiack is one of four courses that comprise the Traditions Trail near Williamsburg. The other three are The Crossings, Royal New Kent, and Stonehouse. Each course is very different. Kiskiack is perhaps the most beautiful and playable. The designer remarks that each golfer who plays the course has a different favorite hole. That assertion seemed to be true for our group as we recounted our round at the 19th hole. Rolling terrain, lakes, and contoured greens provide enough challenge from any tee box. Ample landing areas exist, provided you locate and hit them off the tees. A thinking golfer can post a low number here. The eleventh hole may be my favorite since it appeared I would ace it with my tee shot landing a foot from the hole. Unfortunately the slope in the green took my shot some twenty feet right of the cup (and unfortunately outside closest to the pin status for our group). Ayce
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club Williamsburg, VA - 6/22/2008
One of the two outstanding courses at the Golden Horseshoe in Williamsburg is the Rees Jones Green course. The Gold courses gets more press for its famous par threes, but our group which played both courses preferred the Green. Fairways are saddled on the Green course much like at TPC Avenel. The effect of this is a funneling of reasonably well hit tee shots back to the middle. A non-sprayer of tee shots can really score well on this course. The conditions were terrific. The staff was very attentive and professional. Seems as though the abundance of retirees in the area have provided a good work pool for workers. The best hole is probably number 18, with the clubhouse sitting behind the green and atop the hill. The tee shot on the final hole is a real tester - all carry over a lake. Replay rates were only $40 so a number of folks in our group looped around again since the pace of play was good. Ayce
Queenfield Golf Club Manquin, VA - 6/21/2008
All golfers like to play new courses and I am no exception. On the way to a weekend golf trip to Williamsburg, we stopped at Queenfield Golf Club in Manquin, VA. Be sure to get the MapQuest directions from Waggle as this place is literally in the middle of lots of corn fields. The course has a field of dreams look to it because of the scenic corn lined roads leading to the clubhouse (really a trailer). The course is surprisingly good. Woods surround the entire 18 holes, which flow nicely through the relatively flat terrain. None of the holes have a big memorable feature or trick to them. On the other hand there is no redundancy in the holes either. This is solid, playable, reasonably priced golf with a friendly staff. In other words, it is a very pleasant experience and worth the drive. Just be sure to take those directions! Ayce
Hilltop Golf Club Alexandria, VA - 6/17/2008
On a hot summer afternoon when some say it is too hot to play golf, go to Hilltop. The breeze from atop the course makes golf playable in the DC heat. The course gets plenty of water so conditions were great. My guest from out of town loved the unique layout of the nine holes. He thought I was crazy when I insisted he bring his clubs, but that though evaporated—I hope! Good weekday rates make Hilltop a perfect nearby place to play even at lunch. No burning a tank of gas to get there either. Ayce
Lake Presidential Golf Club Upper Marlboro, MD - 6/17/2008
Wow… 15 hours on the golf course. No it wasn’t a slow weekend round at the local muni. This was one of our favorite annual events, the GolfStyles Summer Solstice - 3 rounds of golf in one day. We played this past Tuesday from 5:50am until 9pm! The Waggle crew was lucky to play this years event at Lake Presidential the new upscale course in Upper Marlboro, MD. It was a toss up on which course we would select and believe us, we picked the correct one. This track just opened in May and will need some “maturity”, however, we anticipate it will be one of the finest courses in the Washington/Baltimore Metro area for golfers of all levels.
The course layout runs in a figure 8 configuration and you rarely see golfers at other holes unless they are on the hole directly in front or behind you. The Waggle team found the course extremely fun and challenging. Greg and Wally struggled early, a combination of the early tee time and the pressure of their first round ever with Bogeyman and Lefty. We played 3 sets of tees from ranging from 6735 to 5815 yards with the course remaining challenging and requiring good tee shots from each tee. With the exception of the 5th green and the concrete traps (it poured just 4 hours earlier and they weren’t “fluffed up”) the course was in excellent shape for just opening.
Many holes require placement of your tee shot to the proper side of the fairway - so bring your “A” game or be prepared to be creative with your second shots by shaping them or hitting them from awkward lies. #1 is a good example… this fairly long par 4 requires an accurate tee shot or you’ll be laying up or hitting from a severely sloped lie (hint stay to the right). In our foursome we had no pars on this hole in twelve attempts as a testament to it’s difficulty so don’t expect to start off your round on a high note. However if you do, congrats you’re off to a good start. A long tight par 5 certainly tests a golfer’s skill and #8 is just that requiring an accurate and long tee shot and well placed 2nd shot in order to approach an elevated green which you really don’t want to miss. If you do miss – prepare for a high score! Depending on the tees and hole location, the par 3 #9 can be a tough shot too. On the back side, a couple we remembered included #17 which is a short par 4 and should be birdied (do you feel the pressure?). #18 is a great par 5 closing hole that can be birdied or even eagled as it’s one of the few that you should probably go for in 2.
Lake Presidential will be even more spectacular in a couple of years. It should only be a matter of a growing season or two before this golf course is in superb shape. But don’t wait... it is already a “must play” in our book. Lefty/Bogeyman
Goose Creek Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 5/19/2008
Ah... the Goose. What can one really say when playing the Goose? We play it because it is there. We play it because it is cheap - and most of all, we play when we can't get a teetime anywhere else. It will never be your "favorite course" or get mentioned in a heated conversation about your "Top 10", but it's the weekend sweater of public golf the scotch after a busy day. We play it because it's comfortable. It's familiar and most of all, it boosts our ego. Today at the Goose was not much different. We arrived to find out (after we paid) that three and a 1/2 ("a half?") holes were closed. One for flooding, two for renovations and 1/2 for...well, it's the Goose. The clubhouse renovations received high marks, as did the restrooms - now with showers and lockers - and the sandwiches (although a bit pricey if you lose the front nine to Bogeyman). Service was friendly, the greens were very good (but a tad spongy), the fairways perfect, the company...well let's just say I didn't enjoy the glare off his neon-yellow Pinnacles. All told, if you can get on with a discount ($20 with your US Golf Pass), it's worth the 14 1/2 holes of ego-boosting golf. [Note: #11 is closed for cleanup after the recent flooding of Goose Creek and the others are closed for renovations and scheduled to be back by early August] Mikey G.
Lake Presidential Golf Club Upper Marlboro, MD - 5/3/2008
The course was in absolutely wonderful condition and the staff was first class as was the practice facility. We played it at 6300 yards and dread playing it any longer. The couse is difficult (yardage book a must for 1st play). Yardage from tee to 150 marker seemed to be off, but yardage into greens seemed to be accurate. Greens putted very true. The first hole is not a handshake. B. Lundgren
Patuxent Greens Country Club Laurel, MD - 5/3/2008
Any criticism of lack of grass at his old course would have no validity, as the spring rains brought back the greenery quite well to Pax Greens. The grass is in fact too long everywhere to discern fairway from rough on most holes. Drainage remains a challenge for the course so I would stay away after a rainy stretch of days. The layout is fairly simple once you know some of the quirks, like the last par five #17. The food grilled outside was worth the price on a perfect spring day. For the price this is a good golf course. Ayce
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 5/1/2008
My last time at Blue Mash the player support was akin to a military camp. Recently attitudes had calmed down, so the enjoyment was back in at this very fine course in Montgomery county. Windy days can really put some bite in an otherwise forgiving layout. Plush would be the best way to describe the course after recent heavy rains. The practice facility is a nice one, too. Club Golf now uses a part of the range for their training. If an award were given for oddly designed clubhouses, Blue Mash would be a contender. It is U shaped with a center courtyard! Ayce
P.B. Dye Golf Club Ijamsville, MD - 5/1/2008
Last time I played this course I was disappointed with the conditions. This time I think I found a new favorite! What a difference two years made in the conditions of the course. The wet weather made the entire track gorgeous shades of green, making the view from the clubhouse spectacular. Sugarloaf Mountain looms in the distance of one the toughest courses anywhere. The greens are like giant greased potato chips. The rough lurks just over many of the abundant mounds, so bring extra balls. Half the holes on this course could qualify as signature holes. But, bring you’re a-game or Dye’s masterpiece will humble you in a hurry. Ayce
Hilltop Golf Club Alexandria, VA - 4/22/2008
Every time I play here I wonder why I don't play here more often. Hilltop is a fun, challenging 9 holes of golf that will test golfers of all calibers. The course is always in good condition, the pace of play is quick and the staff is always friendly. You should give Hilltop a try sometime for a quick nine or play it twice to get in 18. Bogeyman
Bowling Green South Country Club Front Royal, VA - 4/19/2008
Once again I ventured to the South course of the Bowling CC. I just had to see if conditions had improved over last year. Fortunately they had improved, half the bunkers now have sand! It is hard to imagine that two courses joined by a maintenance trail, sharing the same grounds crew could be so different in conditioning. I asked the locals in my foursome and was told that “rumor” had it that the course was to be sold for development so the owners treated it differently. That could be the case or just local gossip, but there is not denying the disparate conditions. Play the North course and skip the South is my recommendation. Ayce
Swan Point Golf Course Issue, MD - 4/16/2008
It is amazing how a less than an hour drive from the DC beltway can yield a bit of Myrtle Beach. The terrain and vistas are so much of the Atlantic coast or low country that it is like having a mini vacation when you play golf at Swan Point. The views of the water resemble Eagles Landing in Ocean City. Speaking of eagles, there are three pairs of eagles nesting on the course. Be sure to look for the nest above the eighth green. Ospreys nest on the eighteenth, and deer play throughout the course. The course itself is a playable setup, if you take careful note of the trouble. The ‘amen corner’ of the course is 11 thru 13 where back to back par threes precede a ninety degree par four. The first par five you play is the third hole. Do not even think about going for it in two since the shot to the well guarded green has to come in high and soft. This course seems to come into form almost a month ahead of most Balt/DC courses due to the proximity to the water. And a Bonus - great restaurants line the roads home, too Ayce
Fairfax National Golf Club Centreville, VA - 4/14/2008
An early scramble took us to Fairfax National recently. Effects of a previous punching of the greens lingered, so putting was hit or miss. The course was in very good condition. Some continuity of the good management team there continues to produce a good golf value for the hordes of public players who get around this large facility expeditiously. Each year I go to this established track, I notice how much more easy the drive off Route 29 has become thanks to housing development. Still no houses exist on the courses, just lots of wildlife. Look for coupons in the Post on Mondays for deals here. Ayce
Virginia Oaks Golf Course Gainesville, VA - 4/12/2008
Having played this favorite course two weeks earlier on the day the greens were punched, it was a delight to go back to the usual smooth greens. The course will be in wonderful condition this season if early signs are accurate indicators. Some good work is being done on the holes, most noticeably the changing of the bunker on the first par three, #5. It struck me playing from the gold tees at right under 6,500 yards, just how tough this Pete Dye design can be. Subtle hazards exist all over this course, not to mention the island green par three. Pace of play is always fine here. The ‘players pass’ program is one of the best values around, and includes Reston National. One of the most professional and attentive staffs make this a guaranteed winner to play. Ayce
Bowling Green North Country Club Front Royal, VA - 4/9/2008
For so early in the season this course was really lush. Couple that with an unusual layout and you have a very good golf value. The scenery is a welcome change from many close-in courses. The ambience is typical ‘valley’ with a lot of friendliness. One of the par threes has an island green which is oversized so as to provide lots of successful ‘greenies.’ There is par four that is very downhill so long hitters can go for the green and make up some shots. One of the par fives is so long and uphill that even the longest of hitters will not get home in two. By contrast the ninth hole is an inviting par five that gives up some eagles. Watch out for the meandering stream, it will bite you! Ayce
Oak Marr Golf Course Oakton, VA - 3/14/2008
This nine hole par 27 course is operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority. It provides a quick stop for golf to thousands in the densely populated center of Fairfax. The holes are each fairly different, though more seem to go uphill rather than down. Walking is the order of the day here so expect some light exercise. The shortest hole is 127 yards, and the longest is 200 so no driver needed here. The memorable ones are the last two holes. The eighth is a short par three over a small pond to a shallow green. The final hole has a bunker the size of a soccer field running down the entire right side of the hole. The range has more than enough hitting stations, with two levels and some heated tees. The best feature of the facility is the enormous practice greens where you can dump a bucket of balls and make your own “Pelz practice routine” complete with bunker play. At 1,456 yards the irons get some work. The putter must be given some slack on this course as the greens are bumpy and muni slow. Ayce
Pendleton Golf Club Ruther Glen, VA - 3/3/2008
On the way back from Pinehurst we decided to play this much talked about new course between Fredericksburg and Richmond, just 60 miles from the DC beltway. I was expecting a step down from Pinehurst courses, but such was not the case. Sure the trees were barren, after all it was the first week of March. But, Pendleton is frankly one of the nicest new courses anywhere. Every hole is totally different, and some are unlike any you have ever played. Number eight even has a cemetery in the fairway! The sixth green has a shelf in the middle of the green that must be fifteen feet high (imagine putting from one tier to the next!). You’ll find long, long lovely rides from one green to the next tee, with no reminders of Interstate 95 just two miles away. The greens have as much undulation as any greens outside of Augusta National and run about 11 on the stimp. Currently the weekday rate is half that of other high end courses so get down there for the $25 special. The outing rates are excellent as well. Oh, and remember the weather is always a little milder than Balt/DC so enjoy the warmth. Ayce
Front Royal Country Club Front Royal, VA - 2/18/2008
The claim to fame for this course is “a registered Virginia historic landmark.” A third of this nine-hole layout runs along the Shenandoah River, just off I66 at Route 522. Two sets of tees make this into an eighteen holer measuring just over 6,000 yards from the tips. The dual tees actually make the holes look distinct since they are set fairly far apart from each other. On a warm Presidents Day we had a chance to play the course almost alone so hitting a tee shot from each tee made it possible to play eighteen in record time. The first four holes have significant elevation changes in them. The fourth hole is a par four of over 400 yards, which goes uphill and doglegs left. The next two holes ease up a bit before the rambling cart path takes you onto a road, under a bridge, along the creek to the next four (it almost feels like a back nine!). Holes seven and eight have great views of the river. Be sure to notice the two houses perched atop the cliffs on the opposite side of the river. Do not overlook this fun course when out in the valley on Route 66. Very laid back staff and clientele make you feel at home in a hurry. Ayce
Tournament Players Club at The Canyons Las Vegas, NV - 2/4/2008
On perhaps one of the most miserable days (weather-wise) I’ve experienced for golf (how’s that for a start of a review) we trekked out to recently renamed TPC Vegas. I will say that the only benefit that I had on this day was that the old TPC Canyons logoed merchandise was on sale! After grabbing up some cheap hats and shirts we headed out on this 40 degree windy (I’m talking 30-40mph!) day. Having a few cocktails the prior day watching New England’s undefeated dream season go down the drain didn’t help matters much either but nonetheless, we’re here to tell you about the course not our hardships. TPC Vegas IS a very nice track. We had some bad experiences here many moons ago but it seems like the staffers and pro shop guys have a much nicer attitude toward guests now. The course itself has many canyons and features some forced carries or you’re playing “canyon ball” which is a game in which the canyon always wins (i.e. you hit it in the canyon and it’s a lost ball!). The super windy day made for many challenging par 3’s turning a mid iron into a 3 wood just to reach it against the wind but all in all we managed to finish the round and were pretty impressed with the really nice conditions on the course (although we were cold as all get out!). Get out and give TPC Vegas a play and tell them Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (92)
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort Las Vegas, NV - 2/2/2008
Our second round of Vegas Research Trip ’08 took us to our perennial favorite Paiute. Although we did change up somewhat and play the Sun course. We hadn’t played Sun for several years after becoming enamored of the Wolf but as usual with this great golf venue, we weren’t disappointed. We played Championship Tees (at about 6500 yards) and most holes it didn’t really seem to make much of a difference (Whites about 6100). A couple of the par 3’s required well struck shots or you were doomed to a watery grave and a couple of the par 5’s are reachable in 2 and this track (as with ALL Pauite courses) is fun and challenging to play. One thing that continues to amaze us is the quickness and subtle breaks in the Pauite greens. Anyway, trek out to Pauite for a great time before (at one of their excellent ranges), during (on one of their three fabulous courses), and after (at their beautiful clubhouse). Lefty (85)
Primm Valley Golf Club Primm, NV - 2/1/2008
The opening fray of Vegas Review ‘08 took us back to Primm Valley about 45 minutes south of Las Vegas just across the California State line. This resort features 2 courses in the middle of the dessert – and we were scheduled to play Lakes (having played Desert prior) but got talked into playing Desert because the greens on Lakes were deemed “bumpy”. I guess they know what high rollers us Waggle guys are and didn’t want us providing a bad write up and thereby trashing their course for others…or perhaps the greens were bumpy? In any event, we played the Desert course on this venture. Once again the service and friendliness of the staff impressed me and the bag guys and pro shop staff really seemed interested in trying to make sure you were welcome and going to have a good time. As noticed last time, this course is what I would call “player-friendly” layout with many holes being “U” shaped which would normally guide your ball back toward the middle of the fairway. The greens, rough and traps were all in “resort” condition – that is immaculate and really fun to be on. Most holes had plenty of room to miss but if you did, you were in the desert and could play your ball (if you found it). The greens were in great shape and putted true. Great pro shop and really nice clubhouse for a cold one after the round. We stopped at Whiskey Pete’s off 95 North on the way back to Vegas for some off-strip fun casino play and an excellent steak dinner! Lefty (88)
Hunting Hawk Golf Club Glen Allen, VA - 10/16/2007
On the northwest side of Richmond lies a course previously untested by Waggle staff, Hunting Hawk. So, AYCE agreed to trek to an outing on a picture perfect fall day. While the course is near Richmond, very little development is around the course. No fast food or even gas stations are nearby. This remoteness enhances the overall flavor of this well manicured, relatively flat layout. Each hole is framed by mature trees so an errant drive is gone. The greens are large without as much slope as some of the nearby courses. The routing of the cart paths makes for a pleasant ride around a very solid above average course. However, no particular hole stands out as being “spectacular” so the ‘wow’ factor is low. AYCE
Virginia National Golf Club Bluemont, VA - 10/13/2007
On a perfect Saturday afternoon in mid October, a group of two dozen golf fanatics ventured to the northwestern edge of northern Virginia for a terrific course—Va. National. This course has improved significantly over the spotty conditions of a year ago. The layout is unique, except for the last 3 holes of the front nine. But, the framing of the course by the mountains on on side and the Shenandoah River on the other more than compensate. Two of the holes on the back side have dramatic elevation changes. On one, the downhill par 3, the club difference from a flat hole is nearly three clubs! Perhaps the best feature about the facility is the rustic setting. While the drive from the western side of Va. 495 is an hour, you are worlds away from development and hustle. AYCE
General's Ridge Golf Course Manassas, VA - 10/12/2007
This is one of the most unique and difficult courses in the area. The hilly, wooded course seems to have been designed by sadists and not the Pete Dyes, but is sure is fun to play. The first two holes are straightforward, the third a 90 degree dogleg (which all macho types must try to drive), but the fourth hole is where the General’s Ridge trademark rears its head. It is a downhill par five that from the tee looks like a bowling alley. Smart players hit a couple of five irons and short iron it to a tough green, but who plays a course this fun like that!? Another favorite hole is the eleventh, where if you are on the green to the left of the hole you WILL three putt. Recently installed GPS has sped play on this hard track. Another improvement has been the clearing of some of the rough and hazards which were previously overflowing with stray balls. By all means play this course... but have fun and remember it’s just a game. Ayce
Mountain View Golf Club Fairfield, PA - 10/11/2007
The previous comments about the course being open is correct about the front but when you get to the back it tightens up. This is important to note as it gives the player the chance to get warmed up before heading to the back. Of note also is the front while open has the bunkers placed strategically to challenge the play. Avoid and score well, get in and you had better have practiced those bunker shots in the practice area. If heading south after completing a round you may want to stop at Tavern on the Green at Carroll Valley. They always have large $1 drafts (Bud Light and Yeungling), daily specials, and 2 for 1 appetizers from 4:30 to 7:30, 25 cent wing (10flavors) Mon-Thur. K. Farabaugh
Heritage Shores Club Bridgeville, DE - 10/10/2007
Heritage Shores Golf is located in the 55+ community of the same name. This 7004+ yard Arthur Hills design is in wonderful shape for just opening in July. Generous fairways off-set the water hazards found on 17 of the holes. It is definitely a "risk-reward" course. Links style in design, it is very playable from any of its 5 tee boxes, depending on the wind direction and force. Located in Bridgeville, DE on US Rt. 13 S, just below where 404 cuts off to the beaches, the wind can play an improtant part in scoring. The first hole is a so-so par 4 that bends left around a pond, but is followed by the No. 1 handicap hole - a par 5 that features water along the left, a blind second shot, and a deep bunker fronting the green with a narrow approach in front. Three shots is the safe play, but it is a "risk-reward" for those who like to gamble. All of the holes are well bunkered, with few blind shots... what you see is what you get. The par threes are manageable, but watch out for the 4th... short but deadly: shallow, wide, water short and right with a bunker left and a deep valley in the center. The course ends with a par 5 that is extremely well bunkered in the fairway and near the square - yes square - green. The ubiquitous water is all down the left side and is tucked right up to the green. Like #2, there is a small opening to the green - caution is advised. The greens are in excellent shape, as are the fairways, given its youth. Very enjoyable to play with a great restaurant overlooking the par 5 18th. The staff is friendly and helpful, with head pro Jason Diamond and assistant Brooks leading the way. It's an enjoyable course for any level. Alfal8r (88/92)
Beach Club Golf Links Berlin, MD - 10/5/2007
To the Ocean on another research trip – we ventured to the Beach Club which has recently undergone a transformation from the inner links and outer links to the Sand, Surf and Sun nines to make way for more development…egad, but sometimes those great courses have to make some money in other ways. Well what used to be commonly and cutely referred to as the “Outer Course and the Inner course is now 27 holes – but still very playable and still a nice facility. On this day, we were playing a scramble event for Charity and if you’re like me, sometimes a scramble isn’t really like real golf…but then again, it’s a day out of the office so it ain’t all bad. We played the Sand and Surf nines and they offered some nice challenges. A couple of the par 5’s are reachable but only with a big drive and approach. Most of the par 3’s were in the 150 range (white tees) and in general the course we played was a player’s layout (approx. 6000 yards) with most holes being average in length. I do remember the closing hole being a long par 4 against the wind requiring a big drive and low iron to a large and tricky green but for the most part, this is a fun score friendly course. The clubhouse and restaurant were both well staffed and the eastern shore folks sure treat you nice at this facility. Lefty (Team 64)
University of Maryland Golf Course College Park, MD - 10/4/2007
I was invited to play in yet another scramble tournament at the U of MD recently and enjoyed for the second time in a month a fine golf course albeit from a scramble point of view. The course was in pretty good shape for the lack of rain we’ve been having and the greens were actually holding shots and putting true. This course has the look and feel of being longer than you think with many wide fairways creating the illusion of longer than the yardage indicates. For some reason, it seems like Pennsylvania courses (near Harrisburg) are like this to me too…but in any event, this course is a value play for the normal golfer (like we all are) and I can definitely recommend it. We sank several putts on this day and managed to finish only one shot out of the money – if that one putt only would have gone in! You’ll need to try to get to the Par 5 #9 in two – it’s a fairly long (but reachable) uphill par 5. Don’t think it’s too easy though as our four guys could only par it! If you happen to play #18 in regulation and par this long par 4 consider treating yourself to a cold one in U of MD’s really nice bar and grill! Tell them Lefty from Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (Team 65)
Hollow Creek Golf Club Middletown, MD - 9/17/2007
I finally made it out to Hollow Creek by way of an invitation to play in a charity golf tourney. And, I'm happy to report that I am looking forward to playing there again and soon. This is a fun course to play - not too tough - but not too easy. Accuracy off the tee gives you a nice shot at the green to go for birdie but being a little wild won't punish too badly. I particulary liked the greens. Besides rolling true they had character. During the round you'll get to try a variety of uphill, downhill, and big breaking putts (occasionally all on the same green if you're not careful). The rolling course offers some nice elevation changes which makes you rethink your club selection as you make adjustments. My only knock was all the homes on the course. My playing partner told me on the first hole, "ignore the houses and it's a beautiful course", and he was right. The staff was friendly and they put on a nice event. The Frederick, Maryland area continues to impress me with the quality of its courses and should be a destination you consider for an upcoming round. Bogeyman
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort Las Vegas, NV - 9/11/2007
Continuing our quest of Waggle on the Road to review the Vegas Courses for you while at the PGA West Golf, we had to ensure that Wolf was still in superb shape (if you’ll check the review last time at this year it will probably say nearly the same thing – but then again, a lot can happen in a year). Bogeyman, the laughing Frenchman, and yours truly were again invited out to our favorite Vegas Track to inspect the course conditions and of course we accepted. Our early morning tee time was delayed several hours as we had some trouble in various casinos the prior evening which affected our sleep patterns so we ventured out in the afternoon heat at the Indian Reservation known as Paiute. The funny thing about this track is that even on a 100 plus degree day, we were not really uncomfortable and by the days end it was just like a fall day back east. Oh, the course, we’ve raved about it before and I’m happy to tell you that the Wolf course continues to be Bogeyman’s all time favorite and one of mine too. The laughing Frenchman cited some other track (probably in the South of France) but we don’t really consider his opinion on such matters. As usual, the greens were sneaky fast with many devious breaking putts to be read but they were fair and true. The staff was very friendly and helpful and seemed honestly glad to welcome you to their course. We managed to get around in pretty good time and really enjoyed the scenery and desert wildlife including large jackrabbits, coyotes and various other creatures. Paiute (any of the 3 courses) remains on the Waggle “must play” list when traveling to Vegas! Tell’em Waggle sent you! Lefty (84)
Royal Links Golf Club Las Vegas, NV - 9/10/2007
Waggle on the road took us to one of our favorite Research places for the PGA West Golf show in Sin City. No worries here as your loyal Waggle crew keeps their collective mind on doing what you want us to do which is provide good solid golf info. The fact that we have to play these courses is something we often dread but we do it anyway, all for you! Hey, it wasn’t easy getting ready to go play golf in the desert heat of Vegas – upwards of 105 on this particular day but the PGA west tourney beckoned us – so we played. This fine course features no water to negotiate but offers instead 115 bunkers – some of which are the kind you simply are glad to get out of. The course is a links style track and has several holes which you’ll recognize as knock offs of holes you see the pros playing. I particularly liked #10 which is the infamous “Road Hole” and you need to hit your tee shot over an imposing scoreboard to reach the center of the fairway at what looks like an impossible angle. Trust me and hit it over the left center of the scoreboard about 250-ish and you’ll be set for a nice approach for a birdie. The course was in excellent shape and was really fun to play. The fact that the PGA show had vendors and giveaways on nearly every hole slowed play somewhat but didn’t detract from our mission to review the course. We’ve played this course prior on one of our Super Bowl Research trips and it was fun and worthwhile both trips. I would rate it as a “play” although the cost is steep – it’s in line with other Vegas venues and definitely measures up for both fun and course condition. Lefty (80)
P.B. Dye Golf Club Ijamsville, MD - 8/26/2007
It had been quite some time – come to think of it, almost at the beginning of Waggle in 1999 since I’ve been to PB Dye Golf Club in Ijamsville just south of Frederick. I didn’t remember the deviousness of this track from my last play but definitely experienced it today! The slope rating from the blue tees of 134 is correct as you will pay for misses. A unique thing about this course is the “bouncing bunkers” on several holes. That is the large 6” by 6” buried wooden planks which may or may not deflect your errant shot into the bunker or on the green or elsewhere. Several holes have this feature and if you happen to not to hit them, don’t be too upset. I happened to find them on the signature hole, the par 3, #11 which is a “hit-the-green-or-be-doomed” type of hole. I thought I had bailed out properly to the right and long (avoiding the water hazard left and the environmental hazard short and the sandtrap short right) only to catch a “buried railroad tie” which deflected my ball across the green and into the waiting water hazard! On this day, when I was hitting the tee ball and most other shots pretty well, the difficulty on the greens and my short game gave me a higher than deserved score. For instance, two big shots got me to the #1 handicap par 4, 6th hole in regulation. Unfortunately, 4 putts later I had a double bogey! There are some massive greens on this course and Mr. Dye had tricked them up pretty good so bring your total game. The course fairways suffered from the effects of this summer’s drought and some was in need of some TLC. The rough on this day was definitely grown up and played tough. Some of the greens needed some attention (mostly by golfers not fixing ball marks!) but the course was very playable and I anticipate I’ll be back to give it another shot…or perhaps, it will give me another shot? In any event, the clubhouse featured cold beverages and PB Dye’s staff were very helpful and friendly! Lefty (87)
Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club Front Royal, VA - 8/18/2007
On a beautiful Saturday in August, we held an outing for twenty lucky souls at Blue Ridge Shadows. Everyone was blown away by this outstanding new course. You could see the excitement in the eyes of the players, most of whom had never seen the course before. And, the course did not disappoint as each player remarked how interesting the layout was. Having played there before, I knew the course, but what I had not experienced was the level of service the entire Blue Ridge Shadows staff provided for outings. Starting with the bag and cart staff all the way through the GM, everyone was expecting us and made sure we had everything we needed. One bar/food server even made a point to thank us for coming and welcomed us back soon. If you are considering a location for a tournament be sure to check out Blue Ridge Shadows. They are truly an "exceptional golf outing venue." Bogeyman
Old Hickory Golf Club Woodbridge, VA - 8/12/2007
While most courses are dried out and somewhat unattractive, Old Hickory showed signs of watering and TLC. The course was in above average shape in August which means it should be beautiful this fall. The staff here is always very professional. Drink carts, water jugs, towels, and other niceities of a high end course are evident. The pace of play was very good for a Sunday—four and three quarter hours. The layout reminds me of NBA basketball in that the action is in the final 5 minutes. This time the final 3 holes provided the excitement and the outcome of a good round or a blown opportunity. Ayce
Virginia Oaks Golf Course Gainesville, VA - 8/5/2007
After playing on fried golf courses for weeks, it was nice to play a green one. The pro when complimented on the conditions muttered that I should see the water bill. I expressed appreciation on behalf of all golfers. This course has really improved in the past two years and despite all the houses remains a course to play. They do a number of outings at Virginia Oaks so be sure to inquire as to what is happening there before heading out. Try the wraps at the 19th hole for a winner. Ayce
Raspberry Falls Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 8/4/2007
Seems the curse of the grouchy starters and “player assistants” has hit this course (hopefully it’s not permanent and just due the hot weather). The kids who wear the neat outfits and grab your sticks still do a pleasant job, but one has to wonder how much torment they endure working with the codgers. It’s frustrating to be treated this way at such a ‘high end, country club for a day’. The fairways and greens were still green. But the rough was crunchy to walk through – so keep it in play! I was again surprised at the number of divots left unrepaired in the fairways. This is a problem that should not persist here. Other courses better stress player participation in using available seed mixtures on carts. Raspberry Falls remains one of the top courses in the area but here we expect better than what I experienced today. Ayce
Westpark Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 8/3/2007
I love to play this course when the ground is hard as drives go so much farther. I was one over with two holes to go when that realization hit me, a fact that led to bogies on 17 and 18 :( This course is always fun but when it is this dry, it becomes a lot easier. Hopefully some rain will restore it to the more lush conditions that the creeks throughout the course help accent. The creeks on this day were bone dry! The chipping green has been shut down, but the greens on the course were in good shape. Ayce
Hilltop Golf Club Alexandria, VA - 7/29/2007
On a steamy Sunday in July, I discovered a few more reasons to like this course. First, while most courses are burned up from the intense sun and lack of rain, the groundskeepers at Hilltop pour the water onto the smallish fairways. It’s fun to hit the ball off lush grass this time of year. Also, the temperature is slightly cooler atop the ‘hill’ due to an ever present breeze. Finally, when the inevitable shower rolls in, as it did on this day, the scurry to the clubhouse does not take long nor does the return back to your hole when the rain stops. Ayce
Links at Challedon Mt. Airy, MD - 7/26/2007
It’s amazing how the building of homes continues around this once isolated golf course. My playing partners commented that it was hardly a links style course and thus mis-named. It had never occurred to me since I remember it when nothing was around, but I conceded that he was correct. The course is an unusual blend of traditional, links, and strange. It is fun to play on an occasional basis. Their web site offers some very reasonable specials. This course is close if you live in Frederick, otherwise plan for a bit of a drive. In late July the fairways were toasted, greens OK. AYCE
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 7/25/2007
A mid week jaunt to Maryland National was in the cards for the ‘ole Lefthander and what a nice time was had! The condition of the course was superb (although a green or two did have a few rough spots) and a quick round on this tricky and challenging course was just what the golf doctor ordered. As usual, several holes had their way with me and several double bogeys later, I’m thinking “will I ever shoot a score on this course” but a decent recovery on the back nine righted the ship and I came in about “normal”. The group I was playing with played the white tees and at just under 6100 yards, I had several close approach shots in the 100 yard range. Nonetheless a pushed shot or over-the-top pulled wedge later and I’m tapping in for bogey so perhaps the short tee boxes really do not matter? On the day, #16 was playing downwind and a big 3 iron-wood got me pin high just off the fringe but as usual, the short game failed and a tap in for par (4) was a disappointing finish! Alas, at least I was chipping for eagle! As usual, 17 and 18 provided a big finish/challenge and 2 bogeys later I was thinking what could have been. You now the feeling; I missed 3 putts that I should have made, took a double bogey on xx, here made one bad swing there that cost me a shot…all of a sudden, you should have shot par! Take it from Lefty, Maryland National will test your shot making skills – no matter which tees you play. There is a pretty good special in the US Golf Pass for discounted play at this fine track. Check it out at the Waggle.com pro shop. Then you can play Maryland National for a great price! Lefty (84)
Pleasant Valley Golfer's Club Chantilly, VA - 7/22/2007
This course was surprisingly green for the mid summer drought. Conditions were good and the hospitality of the staff has seemed to improve. There is no denying that this is a fun and fair place to play. The pace of play on the Sunday we played was snail like (no ‘player assistant’ was seen). A sign in the clubhouse beckoned for volunteer marshal positions. Be prepared for a slower experience for the somewhat excessive weekend green fee, but try to play Pleasant Valley this summer. Ayce
Clustered Spires Golf Course Frederick, MD - 7/20/2007
I got talked into playing this Frederick County Muni on a beautiful Friday – against my will but after playing it, I am pleased to say my attitude about this course has changed for the better. It had been about 5 years or more since I last visited CS and was not really expecting much as I recall what I remembered from my first visit was “it’s a muni, burnt out and very easy course”, but after this trip, I can recommend it as one to play if you want to go work on the game. It is fairly open however there are several challenging holes to test your shot making ability and water does come into play on a few holes. What impressed me the most was the condition of the fairways, greens and tee boxes as they were all very “green”, no doubt as the result of the irrigating efforts that I was informed of prior to playing. A nice little clubhouse and good ‘ole Frederick atmosphere makes Clustered Spires a great value play. Give it a look and tell’em Lefty sent you! Lefty (85)
Reston National Golf Course Reston, VA - 7/18/2007
The course of “dogs and joggers” lived up to its reputation on this hot summer day. Wish those locals who roam the course as if it were their private park were as ‘chilled’ on the golf course as when someone hits a stray shot in their yards! Funny how that works…. The gap between the forward and middle tees at RN is 600 yards so most folks end up playing the middle tees. These tees measure over 6500 yards on a course with some elevation, so this can present a long iron test for a lot of second shots. Conditions were good despite the heat, in fact sprinklers were on mid day on this date. The clubhouse improvements are very noticeable and welcome. Nice range and new putting green. AYCE
Lansdowne Resort Leesburg, VA - 7/16/2007
The older, Robert Trent Jones course seemed to be in average condition for the 288 person outing on this weekday. It is usually 90 degrees for carts while the newer Norman course is cart path only. Aside from that advantage, the RTJ seems old and tired alongside its new mate. The new clubhouse is a great improvement and the staff remains one of the best in the business. Since you can only play the courses as a member, guest (hotel or with a member,) or in an outing, hope that you can get on the new course. Unless you have played the RTJ track it pales in comparison to the Norman experience. While I never thought I would feel this way about the older resort course, the massive development of housing around it has changed my perception of this once very enjoyable course. Ayce
Swan Point Golf Course Issue, MD - 7/15/2007
Plan on taking a ride to Southern Maryland one of these days and play the beautiful Swan Point Golf Club along the banks of the Potomac River. I hadn’t played this course in probably 15 years and was anxious to get back as I remembered it to be very challenging with many water hazards. My memory was correct! At least half of the holes will challenge you with water coming into play and often times you’ll have to lay up to avoid getting wet from the Tee box. On other holes (from the Blue tees) you’ll have to make sure to get your drive airborne to clear the tall grasses growing in the environmental hazards nearby. After getting punished by the front nine, the back nine seemed a bit easier and gave up a few birdies to me and even an eagle for Bogeyman (who launched a 350 yard drive). Number 11 is a hit-the-green-or pay-the-price par 3 over another environmental area. The only “saving grace” is a sand trap which nearly surrounds the green and may actually help save your ball if you do miss the green. If you happen to mess up this hole (which Bogeyman and I both did) you immediately get a make up par three on #12! I enjoyed playing off the zoysia grass and although the greens were a little bumpy on some putts, they held shots extremely well. Traps and tee boxes were in excellent shape and overall, this was a very fun, challenging and playable course. Swan Point’s motto of “member for a day” rings true as all staff members were very courteous and helpful! Like I said, plan a trip to Southern Maryland and get out to Swan Point, you’ll love the course as well as the beautiful scenery! Lefty (85)
Bristow Manor Golf Club Bristow, VA - 7/9/2007
On a near 100 degree day in July the course hosted a scramble in honor of local police and rescue workers. By teeing off at 8 am golfers had no need for rescue from heat exhaustion, but another hour or two and things might have been tough. The course was in its usual good condition despite the heat and drought. Their zoysia grass seems to be holding up well. Post tourney activities included lunch in the pavilion (How do they get that tent so chilled?). As one of the few links style courses in the area, Bristow Manor offers a very nice change from the Ault designs which seem to abound in Northern Virginia. The staff did a good job and the pace of play was fast. Our outing was done in 4 hours and 15 minutes. This course is a nice bargain so make the drive just past the City of Manassas. AYCE
Stoneleigh Golf Club Round Hill, VA - 7/7/2007
In the two years since my last round at Stoneleigh, I have had the opportunity to play a lot of fine courses. That fact makes this unusual course even less appealing due to its unfairness. Most of us can deal better with a ‘hard’ course than we can with an unfair one. When you play Stoneleigh, be prepared to deal with both. Count on losing several shots to the unfair features of this cluttered layout. To its credit the course was in better shape than ever in the heat of early July. Lots of new staff are trying to put on a good face for the growing membership and the occasional commuter golfer. If you want “different” go to Stoneleigh. AYCE
Worthington Manor Golf Club Urbana, MD - 7/4/2007
Always like playing golf on the 4th of July. Part of that is the smell of course neighbors’ grills so that when the round is over, the grub at home tastes even better. Such aromas are scarce at WM because few homes border this fine course. Can’t have everything so I guess I’ll take a first class course and get my sniffs at home. Every time I play WM I am reminded of that line “it’s the economy, stupid.” In this case the line should be “it’s the greens.” These greens really make the course the wonderful challenge that it is. They must triple cut and roll theses things to get them to run about 14 on a stimpmeter. Were it not for the greens, scores would be quite low on this grip n rip beauty. Our holiday round was interrupted 5 times by showers, but still managed to be a blast for the 40 in our group. AYCE
Lee's Hill Golfer's Club Fredericksburg, VA - 6/24/2007
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon two dozen Waggle aficionados took the short drive to challenge each other and the course. Both challenges turned out to be fun for everyone, with two contestants winning the ‘each other’ part of our day and the course winning the other. Always in fine shape, Lee’s Hill manages to keep the flow of play moving by actually marshalling the course. Additionally the starter is close enough to the first tee to provide enough time between foursome. Hooray for good starters and player assistants! This course has some good weekend rates and offers adequate food and beverage. Lots of outings are played here as you might guess. It’s well worth the drive. Ayce
Jefferson Golf Course Falls Church, VA - 6/17/2007
I couldn’t have imagined a better Father’s Day (the first since my dad’s death in November) than to return to one of the first courses I played nearly a half century ago. This time my youngest son was along for his first visit to this poster child municipal course. As we teed up on the first of the diminutive par fours, memories flooded back. The snakes that resided left of the first green, the ubiquitous power lines, and of course the practice putting green that resembles a turtle’s back (Try keeping an approach on that baby when you have the touch of a young boy). This par 35 has changed some in the last 5 decades but all for the better. Conditions are adequate. The price is reasonable. Beginners abound on this feel good walkable nine holes. Newly added environmental areas seem to protect the house off the second fairway and add a buffer to errant tee shot crossfire more than to preserve some natural wonder some 200 yards from the beltway. This is an ego booster of a course that is almost an ageless wonder. At least it is for me since I saw a familiar smile of pride on my son’s face as he parred the final hole, albeit a par four 236 yarder. P.S. Thanks Dad for showing me this great game! AYCE
Baywood Greens Golf Course Long Neck, DE - 6/16/2007
I had heard so much about this beautiful golf course that I was very anxious to play it. Baywood Greens, located north of Ocean City Maryland in Long Neck, Delaware did not disappoint. From the minute you pull into the facility you’ll notice the beauty of this golf course. The large fountain, beautiful clubhouse and landscaping galore give you a preview of what you’re in for when you play the course. Oh yea, the course itself is a gem! Needless to say, pristine conditions existed throughout and I believe that the old cliché “you got to see it to believe it” would fit here. I’m sure there are other courses which may be just as nice, but for a public course, Baywood Greens gets my vote! The group I was with made the decision to play the “up” (green) tees which measured just under 6100 yards but I was pleasantly surprised that it still offered a challenge on most of the holes. For instance #6 is an over the swamp par three that measures 223 from the tips and 202 from the green tees. A forced carry and not much room to bail out will force you to hit that dreaded long iron to try to make a par. The back nine has water that comes into play on just about every hole. On #14, the player’s assistant told us to save the trouble and simply drop a ball in the water and hit 3 from the island fairway. He was 75% right in our group too! This tricky hole requires a few minutes to figure out prior to hitting your tee shot. Make sure to check the board and figure out how far to hit your tee shot. Depending on which tees you play, the “island” approach will require a tee shot of anywhere from 180 to 250 yards which will leave you a short approach to the green over yet more water. Don’t want to hit it that way? Then play the dogleg which will let you boom a big drive and leave you a mid iron to the green. We all played the “island approach” but as mentioned, my 3 playing partners were all hitting “3” on their approach shot! Final word of warning, take a look at the hole layout on #16 before you try to get to this par 5 in 2 as the water comes out across nearly ½ the fairway and is hidden from view. (Hint: miss right if you’re gonna miss!) You’ll be “closed” by the beauty of #18 as you’ll drive to the island tee boxes and see all the flower boxes to and fro. Enough already – this course is nice and challenging! As mentioned, the conditions were superb. Make sure to notice the grain of the green when putting as it will influence the break of your putt and may add a shot to your score if you don’t play it. Yet another challenge! Stop by for a beer and snack at the upscale bar/grill room or take a gander at the view of the course from the outer deck. It’s all good here at Baywood Greens. Make sure to tell Tony (the head golf professional) that Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (83)
GlenRiddle Golf Club Berlin, MD - 6/15/2007
For the second stop on the Ocean City Research Trip ’07, we paid a visit to Glen Riddle’s Man O War track that I’ve enjoyed a few times prior. I gotta tell you this is a peach of a course and I could play it again and again! As I believe is the norm for this course, conditions were superb with closely cropped fairways and beautiful greens. The rough is rough enough but in most places will allow you to find and hit your errant shot. (Trust me; I was there a few times!) I also would call this a “players course” as most of the time if you miss a green, you can still save par fairly easily (if you have any kind of short game) as the areas around the green allow you to “Texas Wedge” it if you choose. A couple of holes that I recall, #13 which is a scenic over-the-water 170+ yard par 3. Our group thought we did fairly well with a birdie and couple of pars but while hitting our tee shots on the long Par 5 14th, a big yell gave us a clue that one of the guys in our group had just Aced it…a cell call a few minutes later confirmed that fact! On the front nine, numbers 8 and 9, you’ll notice the old horse training track – which is now a hard sand hazard that you can certainly play out of – as well as an old starting gate for the thoroughbreds. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Glen Riddle is a “must play” Ocean City Course. We liked it so much that we played 36 on this day and both the short tees and regular ones gave us enough challenges! When in OC, you should definitely give this track a call! Lefty (80,83)
Renditions Golf Course Davidsonville, MD - 6/14/2007
The yearly mid June research trip to Ocean City usually features a play at a semi local course which just happens to be “on the way”. Renditions “Golf’s Grand Slam Experience” was the selection on this overcast but otherwise beautiful day. You can’t beat 70 degrees with a slight breeze to play golf! I’m very happy to say that Renditions is in fine shape. In fact, it may be in the best shape I’ve seen it in. The fact that the US Open was being played in good old Pittsburgh at Oakmont made playing #15 – which is a replica of #3 at Oakmont, the famous par 4 church pew bunker hole - even more special. As usual, this hole played tough and I again managed a bogey which wasn’t that bad considering my drive was LEFT of the church pew bunkers in the rough – but believe me the rough on this day was nothing like the rough we just witnessed at the real Oakmont – you could actually strike the ball without much grass interference. Nonetheless, the hole (and entire course) plays challenging and will require you to make good shots to score well. I also enjoyed #13 which is a replica of the island green at TPC Sawgrass. They say it’s the toughest par 5 in history and if you miss the green on this short (132 yards from the tips) par 3, a double bogey 5 is indeed a good score! A longer that I wanted right shot for me disappeared over the slope on the right side of the green leaving me with that “oh oh” feeling. But then arriving at the green and seeing the ball a couple of feet on the green, followed by a nice two putt gave me that satisfying feeling you get after making a tough par! I’m sure you’ll remember many other holes from famous golf tournaments as Rock Zang and his staff have done an excellent job with this course. Get a US Golf Pass from the Waggle.com Pro Shop and enjoy this course for a great price! And, make sure to tell them that Waggle sent you! Lefty (84)
Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Front Royal, VA - 6/9/2007
One reason to play this course has always been the nice drive to a cooler summer climate than the beltway confines. That still being the case, the drive got better since you now go past Blue Ridge Shadows en route to Shenandoah Valley. What a beautiful new course is Blue Ridge Shadows! But, on this day a group of buddies contracted for a small outing at an old favorite—SVGC. It gets better with age, and the price is still right. Something very folksy about Shenandoah Valley and the golf isn’t bad either. Sure the rise in fuel costs makes it a dollar more to get there, but it is still worth it. Bring some extra cash for the produce stands and make it up there. Ayce
Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club Front Royal, VA - 6/8/2007
Having drooled watching the development of this new course at I-66 and 522 near Front Royal, I was not totally surprised to see it top the recent Pros N’ Hackers list of “Must Play-Best Value” courses. So within hours of reading the article, I was headed west on 66 for a visit. And I arrived at just the right time. The new General Manager, Mike Ahrnsbrak, was kind enough to put me out on the course with the owner Rick Magalis who was getting ready to tee off. What a treat to play a great new course with the developer along to tell you the past and future of the project!
Simply stated this is a course you need to play this year. It is new enough that once you discover this gem, you’ll want to share it with your golfing buddies. Unlike most new courses, it was not opened too soon. The developer explained that this was the sixth year since starting the project. This Tom Clark layout has very unique holes featuring elevation changes to compliment the flatter areas. As you enter the property you see the new Holiday Inn which is set to open next March, which will make the site a terrific golfing destination. Over two hundred homes will eventually be built on the lovely property which defines the Shenandoah Valley. There is something memorable about each hole, but my favorite is the par 4 thirteenth with the 70 foot waterfall behind the green, or maybe it is the split fairway eighteenth, or the tenth with its dramatic downhill tee shot, or….. Go choose your own! Ayce
Westfields Golf Club Clifton, VA - 6/5/2007
Westfields continues to be one of the nicest, best run courses you can play. In the Reston Chamber outing (lots of high end events here) everyone enjoyed the very well maintained course and the excellent post tourney meal under the pavilion. The signature hole is a par three over water that typically hosts the closest to the pin contests. With a back pin position, the beauty is all you want in a scenic and challenging par three. There are a couple of driveable par fours but unless you are in a scramble, be smart, don’t fall for the temptation as trouble can bite you on theses holes. Play these holes with a long iron off the tee and a wedge to the green for safe pars and birdies. Ayce
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 5/20/2007
A Waggle.com mini-tournament at Maryland National Golf Club in Middletown Maryland just west of Frederick brought 20 very happy golfers out on a beautiful spring day. I had not been to Maryland National for a couple of years and am extremely pleased to report that this course has only gotten better with age. The conditions were pristine and the course – as usual – played challenging yet fair. The staff was extremely helpful and gave a pre-round “pep talk” which included info about the on-cart GPS. I found it to be quite useful and very user friendly. In fact, it tells you how far the cart in the group in front of you is so you know when it’s safe to hit. It also provides current sports scores – everybody needs that while playing a round of golf! I actually enjoyed the dreaded #18 today (as did Bogeyman – although there was an issue as to which ball he actually hit on his approach) with a closing par but unfortunately for me, too many other holes resulted in treacherous double bogeys and my score wasn’t as good as it should have been. Alas, it was a great time and the course is a blast to play. Throw in the super conditions, the cool GPS, excellent pro shop and even better bar/restaurant and you’ll have a great day at Maryland National. Be on the lookout for more Waggle mini-tournaments – you can sign up at the Waggle.com pro shop accessed from the home page. They are a really fun time – and even though they are called “tournament” they are really just a way to play discounted golf at a great course for less than “rack rate”. You’ll also receive prizes before and after the event – no matter how good or bad you shoot! Prizes to boot – what’s not to like! Take a look and sign up as they sell out fast! See you soon and hit’em straight. Lefty (91)
Whiskey Creek Golf Club Ijamsville, MD - 5/19/2007
On a beautiful spring day that was supposed to be overcast we ventured out to Whiskey Creek to check out the course. I’m very pleased to report that this course (as is the norm) is in superb shape and definitely worth the price of admission. I really enjoy the challenge which it seems every hole seems to put out there in one way or another. When you do get a chance to play, stop on #5 tee box and take a minute to enjoy the beautiful view - then picture your long iron or rescue wood sailing straight down the hill to the middle of the fairway to the150 yard marker (depending on which tees you play, you’ll need between a 170 to 230 yard shot) and make the tricky downhill approach to the green. As usual, this course played tough but fair. A hole to remember is number 15 which requires a mid to long iron (again depending on tees) to a green which runs parallel to the water. Depending on the pin position it can be an extremely challenging tee shot. Throw in a breeze and a par is a great score! The par 5’s on the back will challenge you as well. Especially #16 which played a long 516 into the breeze today. I sometimes struggle with distances on uphill approach shots and today was no different as a too-long approach shot left me with a tricky downhill putt which I promptly 3-putted. Alas, I’ll get them next time! I recommend Whiskey Creek as a pristine and challenging course which good golfers will enjoy (and non-good golfers might like it too!). Lefty (84)
Hollow Creek Golf Club Middletown, MD - 5/18/2007
I finally went out as a regular player to this fine track to really get a feel for it. You know how it is when you play a scramble – you play the course but really don’t get the true “feel” of it like you were playing it yourself. I gotta tell you that playing this course as a “regular” made me appreciate it more as simply always taking the best shot of a foursome and not having to think and play your own shot, in my opinion, detracts from the true experience of the course. Playing it alone really made me notice the courses trickiness and requisite shot making features. I also noticed that I was perhaps a little too harsh on my prior review as for the most part, this course is in pristine shape with only a few “ground under repair” areas roped off on the back nine. The fairways, greens and tee boxes were all immaculate. I also took another look at the houses which really are only in play on a few holes (at least today they weren’t!) so don’t let that scare you away. I noticed today that the greens were very fast but really nice to putt on. Make sure to try to play from the low side of the green when you play here to avoid those dreaded downhill putts. I really enjoyed the par 5’s on the back – both can be reached in 2 but both will require two pretty long pokes to get there and then there’s the aforementioned fast greens that need to be negotiated. My shot of the day was a stiffed 3 iron on the 200-plus yard number 6 to a back flag only to narrowly miss a 15 foot birdie putt. Let me tell you a birdie on this hole is like an eagle on others! When you play it you’ll see what I mean! On number 18, if going for it in two, take my advice and keep right! My playing partners who had also not played Hollow Creek in several years also changed their mind and have put this course on their “good to play list”. I think you will too as it is another fine upscale course in the Frederick area. Tell ‘em Lefty from Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (86)
Stonewall Golf Club Gainesville, VA - 5/11/2007
Just as good as it gets. That’s the way to describe a Friday outing in perfect May weather at Stonewall. This course is arguably one of the best public access courses in the Washington area. Be careful of the traffic mess on Route 66 due to construction lest you miss your tee time. Other than traffic it’s hard to find any negatives about this course. Enjoy spending a quarter per gallon less on gas while you cruise through Gainesville on the way. Bonefish Grill makes a nice stopping point, too. Ayce
Prince William Golf Club Nokesville, VA - 5/10/2007
Sometimes when you are not expecting much, you get a pleasant surprise. This is true even in golf, and particularly in a recent case at Prince William golf course. For the first time in eons there is lush grass to be found in fairways and rough. The greens are good and the pace was not bad. This improvement probably equates to staff attention as several green shirt clad folks were smiling their best around the clubhouse. Someone appeared to actually be in charge of the staff, glad handing the golfers as they hit the bag drop. This place provided a good golf experience at a fair price. Hopefully the changes are here to stay! This is a great course for beginners. Ayce
Hollow Creek Golf Club Middletown, MD - 5/7/2007
Coming back as defending champs of the Middletown Volunteer Fireman’s yearly event at Hollow Creek with a “reworked” team, we were expecting BIG things. We got them as a combination of enough mulligans and putts that dropped bettered our score from the previous year by one shot. Not that it matters to you readers, but for some reason, our lower score this year only resulted in a middle-of-the-pack finish! Perhaps we needed more mulligans? In any event, Hollow Creek in Middletown Maryland, just off of Alternate 40 slightly west of Frederick is a fairly new course which winds it’s way through the Glenbrook Neighborhood of recently built homes (some are still under construction). As with some of these type of “new home neighborhood courses” a few of the homes are in play – perhaps a reason to NOT live directly next to the golf course – and we managed to “check out” a few. You know the sound, you pull (or push) a drive way off line – hitting it on the screws but 60 yards off line and all of a sudden you hear that “whack” of a ball striking the side of a house, or worse yet “crash” from a window! As you all know, the correct thing to do is immediately point to your playing partner and start laughing hysterically. No, that didn’t happen to us, but it could on a few holes at Hollow Creek. Enough about that, this course IS nice. Unfortunately for this scramble event, we played from the white tees which for the most part were moved up so many of the par 4’s were extremely short – bordering on being drivable (maybe that’s the reason for the super low scores?). From the real white tees, the course is listed at 6394 and offers enough challenges to be interesting. The conditions at this time were mostly very good - although there were some spots where some recent seeding was evident and some additional TLC is needed to bring it to “pristine” status – but all in all, did not detract from this fine course. I really appreciated the challenging approach shots on the finishing holes for each nine. Get out to Hollow Creek and you will too! Lefty's Team (63)
Bowling Green South Country Club Front Royal, VA - 5/5/2007
Last summer I had the pleasure of playing the North course of the semi-private duo, and came away happy with the course. This time the opposite occurred. The South course appears to be the ugly child of the two 18s in that maintenance is not up to the standard of the North course. Bunkers were without sand and marked as ground under repair in early May after a pre-season that was perfect for accomplishing all such repair of courses. I couldn’t name another course with such a mess at this point in the season! The other problem with this course lies in the lies. Not the scorecard ones, but the ones that really matter - the surface. Many center cut drives are rewarded with a stance for the approach that would rival some of the trick shots on “Big Break.” The better North course may lie in a flood plane which could account for its lush fairways. This track is a chlorophyll roller coaster good only for practicing your mountain golf skills before heading to the Homestead. The price is cheap enough for what’s offered and the crowds are small. Ayce
Holly Hills Country Club Ijamsville, MD - 4/15/2007
I was lucky enough to be invited to play at Holly Hills Country Club just east of Frederick on this beautiful afternoon. Take a look to your left as your approaching Frederick ib I-70 from Baltimore and you’ll see the course and yes, it’s as nice as it looks. I thought country club courses were supposed to be easy but not Holly Hills. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of “bail outs” but several holes where you are challenged to hit the shot correctly or pay the price of a watery grave. A couple that come to mind are the mid-long par 3 #7 – after the dastardly #6 “toughest hole in the world” (see prior reviews) – followed by #8 which features a downhill shot (which club to hit?) to a peninsula green which leaves very little room for error. These three holes (6,7,8) are – in my opinion – 3 of the more difficult holes around – but yet, they can be mastered and truly test your skill. Isn’t that why we play this game? Anyway, this course was in “Country Club” condition and I definitely enjoyed it! If you ever get invited to play at this private club, jump at the offer! Lefty (85)
South Riding Golfer's Club South Riding, VA - 4/3/2007
On a perfect spring day this course looked pretty nice. It is ahead of other courses in terms of “greening-up” and surprisingly the masses were not out yet. The false fronts to some of the greens take some getting used to. As well, Dan Maples designed bunkers which appear to be farther than they actually are. Often times it appears as though traps are greenside when in fact they are closer to the 100 yd. marker. This gives the par 5s a unique look. Number 12 is a good risk/reward par 5. It is followed two holes later by the signature hole, a strong par 3. The fourth hole with the notorious split fairway, has taken on a new look with the loss of the massive tree in the middle of the hole. In spite of the over development, this place still offers some fairly good golf. Ayce
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 3/23/2007
Seems like every time we get out to Blue Mash we’re dodging some rain to try and get in a full 18 and today was no different. Mother Nature cooperated today however, by merely raining while we were having a sandwich at the turn. For an early season round, Blue Mash played its usual tricks on me in what I consider the most challenging opening 5 holes that I’ve had the pleasure to play. As mentioned prior, the first 3 par 4’s are substantial in length and all can lead to a tricky putt depending on flag position – and your accurate mid-long iron approach to the green! That is, of course assuming you’ve hit a big tee ball too…add it up and you’ve got to be striking the ball well to get through these three holes around par or so. Some may argue #4 is a bit of a break but the mid range par 3 has a tricky green that you probably need to hit to make a par. Throw in my final “challenge” hole - a tricky par 5 and you’ve made it through the opening five challenge. Oh yea, there’s more, on the back you’ll be faced with 2 (in my estimation) difficult par 3’s over water – both requiring a long iron or possibly fairway wood over water with very little bail out room. Of course if you happen to be good with those clubs, than have at it and throw down a few birdies! Ah yes, the course conditions – we need to comment that this course is in pre-season form and will only get better – not that it was that bad right now but good weather and the superintendent’s care will definitely improve things to what we’re used to at upscale courses like this one. For right now, enjoy the layout and challenges that Blue Mash offers and get your game in gear! Lefty (87)
Mattaponi Springs Golf Club Ruther Glen, VA - 3/11/2007
Not even a Central Virginia winter, albeit a mild one, could hide the beauty of this outstanding new area course. On March 11, 2007 the Waggle photographer and I ventured some 10 miles off of I-95 to sample the delights of Mattaponi Springs. In it’s first year of operation in 2005, the course was recognized by Golf Digest as one of America’s best new courses for a “pure golf experience”. While the zoisa fairways were brown, and the trees were devoid of leaves, it was easy to imagine how fantastic springtime golf would be at this course. The course gets a lot of year round play, particularly from golfers from the Baltimore/Washington area, who come down for the day.
The staff makes you feel welcome from the start as soon as you enter the beautiful clubhouse over looking the 18th hole. The finishing hole has one of those classic “everybody’s watching me” verandas adjacent to the green. Each hole is set apart from the other and well framed by trees and contours, not houses and apartments. Several of the par 4s are particularly memorable, such as #4 which is 470 yards up hill, and #10 at an uphill distance of only 339 yards. Two other par 4s stand out. One is the 9th, with its dramatically blind tee shot, and another is #11 with it’s split fairway. Imagine if I drove away remembering the par 4s, what challenge the par 3s and 5s presented! Ayce
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 1/4/2007
Can you believe the great weather? 60 degrees on January 4?! We managed to sneak out to Waverly Woods for a day of golf so I figured I’d review if for those of you obsessed with this wonderful game! I don’t know about you, but winter golf isn’t quite the same as “regular” golf. For instance, winter golf had no ball washers on most courses – Waverly didn’t. Of course they would freeze and probably break which is why they can’t be out on the course. Also, the course itself – and this is normal – isn’t in as good of shape as summer/fall golf. But then again, we’re out enjoying this great day on a beautiful track. Today, I tried out my new Calloway Big Bertha Irons. (Note: Don’t go out and expect to play your best round if you’re hitting new clubs. Also, I hadn’t been out for nearly 6 weeks, so I wasn’t swinging the club too well.) We played the back tees and at 6600 yards with not a lot of roll, some of the par 4’s were extremely difficult. Add a couple of 200 yard par threes and you’ve got quite a winter challenge. The course was in pretty good shape for winter ball, with the tees, fairways and greens being better than average. I was pleasantly surprised to see the sand traps raked and in good shape as well. (Did I mention that I tried to hit my new irons?) With winter rates about $50, and a pretty decent course, take advantage of this great weather while you can! Lefty (92)
Pohick Bay Golf Course Lorton, VA - 11/9/2006
For years the course seemed to be a well kept secret, but not anymore. It is in excellent condition. It is not overly long, but is a tight course that requires the player not to spray his shots. The people that work there are very friendly which makes playing there a joy. This time of year, the view that you get when you stand on the practice putting green and look down over the driving range is one of nature's best. J. Wiggins
Marlton Golf Club Upper Marlboro, MD - 10/10/2006
Last year was my first trip to Marlton and to be honest I wasn’t expecting much – but I was pleasantly surprised and found an enjoyable course with a fun layout, run by a “make you feel at home” staff. Today Ayce and I went there for an outing and I still feel the same way. On a perfect fall day we were paired up with two others that had run an outing at Marlton previously. They volunteered that the course is quite a bargain for the golf experience it offers (and we agree). The tree lined holes never seen to duplicate themselves. Some are tight, some are open, there are some nice over the water par 3s, and several risk/reward decisions to be made on the par 4s. Is the course perfect? No. There is damage in some fairways and the bunkers could use some work but overall the course is in decent shape and the greens rolled great (remember this is a value play). And, their very good staff ensures that golfers get what they need without getting in the way of play. [Side review: the outing was catered by Grizzly’s Catering – they pulled up a big grill and cooked ribs, chicken and sausage right on the spot. It was all very tasty and the baked beans were incredible. Call them at 301-599-0505 if you need BBQ catering.] As the leaves turn colors, add Marlton to your play list before you tuck away the clubs for the season. Bogeyman
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 10/1/2006
I’ve always liked this very playable course, though it’s a bit pricey now for what you get. Unfortunately a large part of what comes with the $85 weekend admission is the all too popular attitude “lucky to play here, don’t touch anything, and get out of here as quickly as possible. I had heard of, and even experienced, a bit of this ‘tude’ at Blue Mash before, but nothing like this occasion. At the first tee while our 3 foursomes were deciding who should go first so as to speed play (we had been warned twice before even teeing up), the starter barked gruffly “on the tee in one minute or you lose this tee time.” A dozen of us had paid to play and that was our welcome! This atmosphere continued throughout our round, possibly in part to the sensitizing we had received on tee #1, but it just shouldn’t have happened. Too bad some courses - and more often it is the high end wannabes - don’t give lessons to their staff in common courtesy. Ayce
The Woodlands Golf Course Woodlawn, MD - 9/30/2006
The ‘rents came to town for a late Lefty birthday weekend and what a better way to spend it than to golf. We chose The Woodlands for its close proximity to the homestead and since I haven’t played there for a while, things worked out just right. The weather did not cooperate however as my anticipated 65 degree no rain day turned into an intermittent drizzle overcast day – one which we nearly quit after nine. The skies cleared somewhat as we were playing up nine so we managed to play the back nine rain-free. On this day, Woodlands had several tee boxes (most of them on the front nine) being replaced and they used the forward tees for the most part. The markers were placed to make the yardage as accurate as possible and in this Lefthander’s opinion, the length was fairly accurate. Of course, the rain made the course play longer but I was pleasantly surprised to see the course in good overall shape. There were some sandtraps which were sans-sand but I noticed the sand piles in the parking lot on the way out and expect them to be “normal” sand traps soon. I only hit into one and gave myself a free drop – after all, you’re not supposed to hit into them! Anyway, the remainder of the course was in pretty good shape (albeit wet and soggy) and the greens were VERY deceptive and what I call sneaky fast. You’ll be tracking along playing and scoring pretty well until you get to #9 which is the #1 handicap hole a long uphill par 4. I managed to hit the green in regulation with a long 3-iron to the green only to 3 putt and not get that closing par on the front – rats! Then #10-11 and 12 are – in my opinion – three of the tougher holes on this golf course. Ten – for some reason – always gets me. It’s a docile looking 150+ par 3 which I never seem to par. #11 is a long par 4 with water on the left and a difficult long iron approach over a ravine to an ever-so-tricky green. Finally #12 is another fairly long par 4 with water on the right side and another deceptive approach shot to another undulating tricky green. I finished these 4 holes at 6 over and actually managed to hit several good shots in the process! Alas, that’s why we’re NOT playing w/ Tiger and the boys on the weekends. The remainder of the round went pretty well and I would have to say that Woodlands IS a challenge as well as a fun place to play in the Baltimore/Ellicott City area. Play it and let me know how you do on Lefty’s Amen Corner (#9-12). Lefty (84)
Forest Greens Golf Club Triangle, VA - 9/29/2006
Having played Forest Greens many years ago on a regular basis, I felt like I knew what was in store for me at a recent First Tee Scramble. What a pleasant surprise to see that the fairways had grass and the rough was identifiable and playable. This course which is part of the Prince William County Park system has been under the direction of Peter Kim for some time. His work has paid off as the course has matured into a fun, affordable change of pace right off I95 at exit 150. The track roams through undeveloped woodlands with the change in elevation being the most memorable feature. The fairways have a saddle effect to help tee shots avoid the harsh woods which frame the holes. Tons of variety to be found in the design here thanks to the beautiful terrain, and I suspect course designers who were not golf purists to say the least. Never envisioned suggesting anyone try this glorified muni, but here I go… “Play it!” Ayce
Bowling Green North Country Club Front Royal, VA - 9/23/2006
One of two older courses (South lies adjacent) this is simply a rare find for golf in the Mid Atlantic. Because it is less than an hour from the DC beltway, charges $25 on weekends after noon with a coupon from the Post, and offers a nifty rolling layout which is in great shape, Bowling Green North’s hard to top for a weekend golf value. On this beautiful fall day the pace of play at noon was a mere 3 and one half hours. About the only flaw we noticed were the cart paths which were bone jarring in many places throughout the course. Conditions otherwise were terrific, particularly for a budget course. Pay close attention to the small creek-like ditch connecting the ponds. It quietly rambles through a number of holes only to jump up and grab an otherwise good shot. Ayce
P.B. Dye Golf Club Ijamsville, MD - 9/23/2006
Having heard many comments about this course, I was anxious to see for myself whether the pro or con remarks were justified. I came away feeling both were valid. Sure this course has a giant name designer who worked overtime to make it a challenge - but perhaps too much a challenge. The holes are unique for the most part – but perhaps too difficult for many golfers. Excellent scenery abounds with nice terrain changes worked into the layout. But again, the golfer better be able to have good shot control or boxcar scores are going to dot their scorecard. The biggest disappointment in the course was the conditions of the fairways. Greens and tees were excellent, but not enough to offset the poor fairways. I might give the course another try in the spring, but won’t rush out til my game can handle it. Ayce
Cannon Ridge Golf Club Fredericksburg, VA - 9/22/2006
This favorite of many Waggle staffers just keeps on getting better. Head Pro Bob Baldassari has earned multiple koudos in his profession and they are certainly apparent in Cannon Ridge. Still without a clubhouse, the course has the design and conditioning of a top notch high end course. At the same time it appears to be well connected to the community with its involvement with First Tee, EWGA, and North Stafford HS. At a recent booster club tourney for NSHS, the new tent provided a fine interim structure for the post round party. This entire Celebrate Virginia complex impresses us with every visit. Ayce
Oakmont Green Golf Course Hampstead, MD - 9/19/2006
An early Fall outing at Oakmont Greens in Hampstead provided me another chance to review this track. I hadn’t played there in a couple of years and was wondering what the condition of this “muni” would be like. I remembered it being fairly rough and the greens being pretty slow but was pleasantly surprised to find it in pretty decent shape. The fairways seemed “lusher” than last time I played and the greens were actually faster than prior plays as well. I wouldn’t call them “resort lightening quick” but they were faster than they have been in the past. The overall condition of the course was much better than I remembered it and actually played quite well. The scramble format which this track is becoming famous for provided us a fun day. If you want a less expensive place to bang it around with pretty decent conditions and some challenging holes (number 9 comes to mind), head out to Oakmont Greens! Lefty
Penderbrook Golf Club Fairfax, VA - 9/17/2006
Because this local club gets so much play, Waggle staffers bit the bullet and gave it another try following some recent “I won’t go back there” pledges. Recent rains have caused the course to green up as well as it can. Just about everything else (save the location and price) continues to leave a lot to be desired. Be sure to call ahead before going out as this place has lots of groups going out at all variety of times. Ayce
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort Las Vegas, NV - 9/13/2006
Continuing our quest to review the Vegas Courses for you while at the PGA West Golf, we had to ensure that Wolf was still in surperb shape. After all, when you like a track and it’s a challenge every time you play it, why not make sure it’s still good enough for you Waggle-ites? I’m very pleased to report that Wolf is still our favorite track in Vegas. The beautiful views on the course are spectacular enough but the course is one better! All I can tell you is play there and you’ll see what I mean. Pauite has two other courses (Sun and Snow) which are equally as nice, but we like the additional challenge that Wolf provides. The staff are super friendly and helpful – heck, Henry every brought us bottled water on his own dime! We also ran into some Steeler fans our there – did I mention they are World Champions? Anyway, Paiute greens are sneaky fast – rolling much faster than they appear and often downhill when you think you’re putting uphill! Nonetheless, once you get the hang of them, you’ll do fine! Paiute is on our “must play” list when traveling to Vegas! Tell’em Lefty from Waggle sent you! Lefty (82)
Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas, NV - 9/12/2006
The PGA West Golf show in Vegas provided us another opportunity to review some nice tracks for you. This was a bonus trip for the boys from Waggle as we normally only trek to Vegas once a year. The nearly 100 degree (I lost a bet as I bet the “over” but it sure seemed like 100) didn’t really bother us that much… you know it’s not the heat but the humidity!? Anyway, we were invited to play Bali Hai which is a fairly exclusive track on the Vegas strip adjacent to Mandalay Bay. We learned that their “overseeding” season is usually late August and September so if planning a trip to Vegas during that time frame check with the course first to ensure they are open for play. Anyway, Bali Hai was just opening from the aforementioned overseeding and was not totally recovered but – I can tell you this, it’s a great track! We played from the middle tees and many holes were in the 400 range requiring a big drive and mid to long iron. The course was fairly forgiving though and several holes could be “had”. The greens were great – not too fast but not too slow. They rolled true and held approach shots if you struck them well. A couple of great par 3’s will challenge your shot making ability as well. Hit the green or be wet! The number on this course is pretty high but it is an immaculate course to play. If you’re going to loose 300 at a table in an hour why not plunk it down here and spend 5 enjoyable hours! The large clubhouse and pro shop only add to this superb track. Bali Hai is a great track! Lefty (78)
Patuxent Greens Country Club Laurel, MD - 8/25/2006
Regarding Patuxent Greens... It's only a couple miles from my house, so I figured I would give it a try on a Friday afternoon. Started out promising. The young guy in the pro shop was very nice and paired me up with another single that was just about to go out. We get out to the first tee, and apart from the tree line, I can not tell where the fairway, rough and tee box begin or end. The fairway is missing 60% of the grass and where there is grass, its not really grass, just weeds. Sodded areas in the fairway that appears to not have been watered for a month. Other parts of the fairway looks like the monster truck series just came through town. The tee box gives you an option...crab grass about 4 inches long or, if you prefer, sand. The greens were just aerated, so I will give them a pass. But they putted fairly true considering. The sand was a little packed and lacking. I was not expecting much for 20 bucks, but this course was not even playable. It looks like someone mowed down a field and placed a flag in some random location. I have played some dog tracks, but this course will not be played by anyone I know. Not even the hackers. I would rather drop 14 bucks at the unlimited range down the street. Steve G.
Little Bennett Golf Club Clarksburg, MD - 8/23/2006
It had been a couple of years since my last visit to Little Bennett and I was looking forward to playing there because I remembered that I enjoyed the layout and I was meeting some friends there that I like golfing with (I can always count on getting some of Ron’s money :) I’ll get to the bad news quick – the course is in terrible shape – tee boxes are beat up, fairways are marginal and several greens and horrible (#5 even has a temporary green cut in the fairway). Apparently a mold got the course from the heat and rain combo. Now the good news – the layout is still fun, the entire staff is friendly and helpful, and a round of golf with friends is still good even when the course isn’t. At check in, the pro shop staff told us about the problems (it would have been better if they told us when we were making our tee times) and they are even running discount rates until the course gets back in shape (we paid $34 with cart). Buyer beware at Little Bennett until conditions improve. Bogeyman (87)
GlenRiddle Golf Club Berlin, MD - 8/21/2006
Man O War at Glenriddle is another great course in Ocean City! I could stop there and just leave it at that but it wouldn’t be fair to you, the Waggle junkies who crave this information, OR to the course, which would be simply labeled as, “just another great course as rated by Lefty”. Last time I played this track I was under the weather but not today. I absolutely loved this track! It was fun, challenging, scenic, and in immaculate shape! What else is there to a golf course other than shooting lights out? Well 4 out of 5 ain’t bad but what a superb track. As mentioned in prior reviews and by the name, this golf course is themed after the legendary horse Man O War. In fact, the designer was creative enough to use the original historic race track (that I assume used to exist on this property) as a cross hazard for 3 of the holes on the course. There are also double fairways, pot bunkers and large greens to catch your fancy. These large greens were in superb shape and rolled excellent. You need a good putting touch but can stop downhill putts relatively close to the hole. Oh heck, why not just go ahead and make it! A couple of the par 5’s are reachable in 2 and the majority of par 3’s are challenging and will make you hit a good iron to be on the green. I particularly liked the fact that you could miss some shots and still be able to recover and make a par (or better). There was no information on the slope or course rating yet but I would expect the slope to be in the 120’s as I rate it as a fairly forgiving course. This course is new but, trust me, it will not be new for long as it will get a lot of play. It’s just too nice to pass up. The price of admission is about normal for OC tracks, so definitely give this one a look. Tell’em Lefty from Waggle.com sent you! Make sure to get some after round dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak house too! What a nice facility! Lefty (80)
Links at Lighthouse Sound Bishopville, MD - 8/20/2006
I really looked forward to playing Lighthouse sound last year only to be disappointed by the recently aerated course, so this year I proceeded East with excitement but nervousness that I might experience those darn little holes all over the course again. Lightning did NOT strike twice as I was treated to a great track! Add in a virtually no-wind day and this day was extra enjoyable (although hot hot hot). You’ve probably heard everybody talking about how great this course is and it is all of that. Fairways, greens, tee boxes, and bunkers were in superb shape. The greens were fast enough but not too fast that you couldn’t stop a downhill put with a deft touch. This track is definitely for golfers (not us hackers) to have some fun and be challenged. The hole I remember is #2, which is a fairly tight par 5 with out of bounds (and houses) on the left side and a hazard and long bunker down the right side of the fairway. Perhaps I remember this because both times I’ve played #2, it’s “gotten” me to the tune of double bogey because of an errant drive pulled right into the hazard or sand trap (remember pulling it hitting it to the right for a lefthander). You all know those holes that “get into your head”. Well I’ve got to get that one out of mine! Other great holes on this track will force you to hit big drives over water and/or hazards to navigate your way around. The long, long, long bridge you’ll cross provides a nice break on the back nine and you can check out the scenery as well. The number on this one is pretty high but this IS definitely one of the nicest courses in OC! The clubhouse is large and top notch as well. The beverages were cold and the large air conditioned bar made for a great after-round relaxation session. The starters and marshals were all very friendly and helpful and actually seemed to enjoy making your round more fun. If you get a chance and want a real treat of golf, give the Links at Lighthouse Sound a play! Lefty (83)
Hampshire Greens Golf Course Ashton, MD - 8/13/2006
A half hour north of the Washington Beltway and just off of New Hampshire Avenue lies one of the better fairly new courses in the area. The course meanders through a high-end neighborhood making it extremely difficult to walk. The ride from green to tee on some of the holes appears to be a quarter mile or more. This helps to distinguish the holes from one another and gives an upscale feel to this fairly well maintained course. There were some fairway areas under repair the day we visited. The greens were in very good shape and the service at the course was excellent. Several of the par fives are extremely challenging holes. They are reachable in two by only the longest of the daring hitters. Several par fours such as number ten offer an exceptional risk/reward opportunity to go for a great score. Ayce
Bristow Manor Golf Club Bristow, VA - 8/12/2006
On a rare perfect weather weekend day in August, Bristow Manor was predictably packed with happy golfers. We were surprised to find that the pace of play is not snail-like, nor were the fairways and greens dried out from the blight induced by the heat, which effected most courses in July and August. Bristow is one of our favorite links courses. It is a great location for beginners in that the back nine is particularly friendly to spray hitters. The zoysia grass guarantees a good lie for those who hit the wide fairways. The greens always seem to be in better than average condition. I wish the two nines were reversed (as they were when the course opened) so that the easier of the two nines would be the warm up for the tough stretch of holes in the current numbers seven through nine. Ayce
Fairfax National Golf Club Centreville, VA - 8/10/2006
The August heat took a bit of a toll on the fairways of two of the nines at Fairfax National. The Bull Run nine, which most people consider best of the three, seemed to be in the best shape. The course was in overall fairly good shape considering the heat and the amount of play that these 27 holes get. For the price and the location this is a real bargain for Northern Virginia golfers. Sure there are a lot of similarities in the holes, and perhaps too many cedar trees, but if you want a place to work on your game, this is it. Ayce
New Castle Country Club New Castle, PA, - 8/7/2006
New Castle Country Club is not one which you would play every day because unless you’re a member there, you can’t play! However, in my never ending quest to report what’s happening out there and let you know about how perhaps the “other” half live (those Country Club boys!) I figured I’d report on a truly fun course! We were hooked up with a round by the Superintendent of this venue who just happened to be the real brother of my 3rd “brother” but that’s another story I can tell you later. We arrived bright and early on a beautiful late-summer morning and found no body at the course. It seems the course is closed on Mondays (as many Country Clubs are) for caddie play and general maintenance. We were further excited by the designer - A. W Tillinghast (whom I learned about on this day). You might have heard of Bethpage, Baltusral, and Winged Foot? He’s the designer of all of them as well as a lot of others! This course was designed in 1923 and was his typical course as he kept the rolling hilly Western Pennsylvania terrain intact as much as possible added some undulating and tricky greens and throw in several tricky holes to navigate and you’ve got a great golf course. Of course the fact this track was truly in ‘Country Club’ condition only added to our experience. It was a true test of golf! The #1 handicap (and I’ll assume the signature hole) is a 589 (from the tips) par 5 which requires a big drive and long iron lay up. Your approach shot drops about 50 feet over a steep ledge into a “canyon” which holds the green. Miss left and you’re in a high weed hazard on another steep slope, miss right and you’re either in another hazard or sandtrap. You can miss long, but you might be waiting for others to tee off. Three good shots are required to reach the green and you won’t know the result of your 3rd shot until it stops (hopefully) on the green due to the big difference in elevation. That hole alone, was worth the trip (did I mention that I birdied it? :-) Oh, and did I mention there are 17 other holes as well – nearly all of them fun and challenging? Well trust the ole’ Lefthander, this was a truly great and fun track. If you’re ever in New Castle PA, and looking for something to do, stop by New Castle Country Club and ask for Joe (the superintendent). Tell him Lefty from Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (84)
Herndon Centennial Golf Course Herndon, VA - 8/7/2006
Even in the middle of summer, Herndon always seems to have plenty of greenery in the fairways and the rough. It is not the most challenging of courses, nor the most picturesque, but the semi lush conditions help to compensate. On a hot day there are plenty of trees to seek out for shade while you are waiting for the group ahead of you to give it a whack. The par fives at Herndon are not terribly difficult birdie holes. The par threes are on the short side, but still offer a bit of a challenge. Were it not for the length of several of the par fours, most of these would be considered easy pickens. Bottom line on Herndon is that you go for the condition of the course and not necessarily a memorable layout. Ayce
Hayfields Country Club Hunt Valley, MD - 8/1/2006
100+ degrees! Lucky me - I'm playing golf today :( But actually I did feel lucky because I was playing one of my favorite courses. It was media day for the Constellation Energy Classic at Hayfields Country Club. Besides being a great place to watch a tournament (be sure to get tickets to see Arnold Palmer Sept 11-17) this course is a treat to play. Hayfields opened in 1998 and was designed by Ault, Clark, & Associates, Ltd. This scenic links style course offers up some tremendous holes that challenge you with length, bunkers and/or water. The wind seems to always be blowing enough to challenge your club selection and the elevation changes help keep you guessing. If you can, find a member, enter a charity tournament or play in the Constellation Energy Pro-AM, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Bogeyman (90)
Brambleton Regional Park Golf Course Ashburn, VA - 7/25/2006
Oh No! When the temps fail to go below 70 degrees at night, courses can fall victim to the pithium blight (think that’s what the super said.) Last year another area course lost most of its fairways and this year Brambleton fell victim. The course is still very playable but it was sad to see what the heat had done in just 2 weeks since my last visit. The grounds crew has the troubled areas well marked and they appear to be managing the issue. So far this is the first major casualty that Waggle staffers have uncovered. Play the course but be warned of its flaws. Ayce
Bridges Golf Club, The Abbottstown, PA - 7/16/2006
This older course sits right astride a ‘main’ route east of Gettysburg, but a few more miles out of town than the directions you may be given by the locals! The old clubhouse is a monster of a brick building with more than adequate facilities. The most memorable feature of the course is the sharply breaking greens. Some pin placements are impossible due to unfair slopes. Course layout is nothing special. Obviously no P.B. Dye hand in this design. Countryside around the course is nice but the eighteen itself is hardly a golf destination worth much hype. Our outing was delayed half an hour so the starter could squeeze in a few more paying foursomes, very inconsiderate management. Ayce
Links at Gettysburg Gettysburg, PA - 7/15/2006
This course is unquestionably the best of the lot in this part of PA. The front nine warms you up for a back nine with water everywhere. If the water fails to get your ball, good chance the rough sloping into the woods will. Nice layout here with some quarry type views, even a waterfall! The finishing hole is a beast of a par five where legend has it that one golfing fool bet (and lost) his shoes. The practice facility is worth showing up early for your tee time, as is the clubhouse food. Lots of outings are booked here so call ahead before making the scenic drive from Baltimore or Washington. Ayce
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 7/14/2006
It was a beautiful summer day, not too hot and we decided it was time to get back to Waverly Woods for a “review”! This review was very enjoyable as this track is in absolutely fantastic shape! You’ll need your best putting touch and some strategic approach shots to the low side of the hole if you’re gonna master these greens but they do putt true. The hole I seem to remember is #4 which is a long dogleg right par 4 to an uphill green. The flag is usually tucked behind one of two mounds on the left side and the 10’ flagstick is there so you can see the flag on your approach. Play at least one extra club, two if you’re hitting against the wind on your approach as it plays longer than the distance. I never seem to hit this green in regulation although I did one-putt par it once. Today I managed to break my driver - no not over my knee after a poor drive - (although I’m sure we’ve all been tempted) but rather after hitting a good drive on #9, the shaft broke off inside the head which wasn’t noticed until I pulled it out on number 10! Egad! The remainder of the round was played with a 2-ironwood as the driver (which is a legitimate excuse) but nonetheless, we managed to finish unharmed! We crossed the street to Mangia’s for a cold one and some wings, which is also recommended by this writer. Waverly is running many specials and if you get a chance, stop out and play golf at a discount rate – I’m fairly certain you will enjoy this track! Lefty (88)
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 7/7/2006
An impromptu ‘bonus’ round with some neighbors took me back to Timbers for my second round in less than a month. Again, heavy rains from a couple of days ago forced us into cart-path only but this provided a chance to take a closer look at those divots needing replaced I mentioned previously. For the life of me, I don’t understand why golfers can’t take the few minutes it takes to put back a divot. Perhaps they think their caddies will do it for them? Anyway, it appears to me that Timbers at Troy is getting its act together and for an upscale muni at a decent price I would rate the conditions as very good to excellent. Now that is not to say that they are as good as a $100 course, but for a twilight rate of about $40, what’s not to like? I played well this day, hitting some career drives (actually several!) and only my two nemesis holes – why does it always seem to happen like that? – got me again. I’m referring to #9 (double bogey) and my new one, #16 which for the second round in a row after a perfect drive, a gap wedge was chunked into the gunge and resulted in a double! Again, how does that happen? I guess it’s mental! In any event, a 4-birdie round could have been a lot better if it hadn’t been for a couple of bad swings but I do have to say that minus the sandtraps (which are still flooded, muddy and hardpan sand with erosion around the edges) the course was in very playable condition. The greens are just fast enough to challenge you but you are able to stop downhill putts near the hole – if you have that good touch! I’ll be back and I will get those to rotten holes that always get me – trouble is that some other hole will probably get me first! Alas, that’s why we’re not pros! Lefty (82)
Renditions Golf Course Davidsonville, MD - 7/6/2006
I figured I’d better go and re-check the condition of Renditions since my last review indicated that I thought it was definitely improving and I’m pleased to say that in spite of the heavy rains and soggy conditions, this course IS getting better and better. Although I wouldn’t put it in the “pristine” category just yet, it is improving seemingly by the month. We managed to slog around this “fun” playing all of those holes that give the pros on TV fits…or do they only give us “normal” golfers fits? One hole from Renditions that seems to give the Lefthander fits is #15 which is a replica of Oakmont #3 with the “church pew” bunkers. This is a mid length par four (408 from the blue tees – but it seems to play longer being slightly uphill) requires an accurate drive to avoid the church as well as the regular bunkers on the right side of the fairway. From there, you’ll have a mid iron to a turtleback green which never seems to hold my shot. Makes me wonder how the pros do it. In any event, this ‘nemesis’ hole of mine was defeated by me (if you call getting a bogey defeating it!) as I sunk a 15 footer to save a 5 after a good drive, poor approach, bad chip and long putt 15 feet past the hole on the other side of the turtle! Alas, moral victories can be had! I’ve always enjoyed playing Renditions and experiencing the fear that I’m sure the pros feel. There are some scoring holes here and if you pick your spots you can shoot a decent score. Renditions continues to get better and is definitely very playable right now! Lefty (84)
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 7/3/2006
A hot muggy day was the Monday prior to the 4th for another Waggle research day. Blue Mash is a very challenging track as mentioned in prior reviews with the opening 3 holes being long par 4s but let’s not forget those difficult par 3’s especially on the back nine. Your first par three on the back is number 11 which measures up over 200 from the tips and will require a long iron from just about any tee. Add the wind in your face and all carry over the water, no real bail out unless you like the sand and you’ve got a tough par three. Number 17 is another mid-long par three at about 175 yards from “normal” tees. (The ones you and I usually play for a 6300 yard course) Depending on the pin position it can be more or less difficult. Take it from the Lefthander, hit the center of the green on these two par threes, take you par and run! On this day, Blue Mash was in excellent shape in spite of the recent heavy rain damage. Of course, the sand traps were a quagmire but what could you expect with the feet of rain they’ve had. Fairways, Greens, and tee boxes were in superb shape. They’ve got a great practice facility and it always seems to attract a lot of “practicers”. Perhaps that’s something I should work on? In any event, for a real test of golf and I’m not only talking about the previously mentioned holes, give Blue Mash a play! Lefty (87)
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 6/29/2006
In the ever increasing effort to report to you, the local golf community, I scampered out to play Timbers at Troy in nearby Elkridge MD. I had not played this course since the roadway bisecting the course was finished and was pleasantly surprised to see some subtle changes to the course. Number 3 which used to be a short (as in hit an iron off the tee short) par 4 now has a forced carry over a storm water management pond which requires a longer drive to access the green. It’s not overly long (about 360) but you’ll probably want to hit the big stick rather than that long iron. Coming off of number 9, you used to drive across the road and parking lot to access ten, Timbers has created a new access going under the road and keeping the play flowing. Timbers, to me, is a place you can shoot a low score. On this day, my nemesis hole got me (number 9) as a good drive was ruined by a skulled second shot into the trees and eventually a double bogey happened. (How did that happen?) I was sailing along on the back as well until another perfect drive was foiled by a chunked gap wedge into the gunge on #16! A triple bogey later and who said Timbers was a scoring track? Alas, I do enjoy this course and did hit a lot of quality shots. Although it was soggy from all the recent heavy rain, the fairways, greens and tee boxes were in decent enough shape. It always seems that nobody replaced divots at this track as there seem to be a lot of divot holes. If you play there, put’em back! It only takes a minute and besides, you can feel like a pro taking a divot like that! I’m sure once we stop getting so much rain, the bunkers will be fixed but on this day, they were like “ground under repair” with all the mud and hardpan. You’re not supposed to hit the bunkers anyway! When in Elkridge, give Timbers a play and tell them that Lefty from Waggle.com sent you! Lefty (81)
Penderbrook Golf Club Fairfax, VA - 6/23/2006
A last minute decision to sneak in a quick round coupled with a $30 golf & lunch coupon drew me to Penderbrook for a bonus Friday AM round. Now I've always enjoyed this course, even though it lacks a range and has a couple of less than inspiring holes. The course is usually in good shape, the people friendly and the food decent. Today I walked away disappointed - the front desk seemed to care less that I was there, the course seemed run down (nothing particulary horrible but enough problems on the tee boxes, in the fairways and the traps, and on the greens that made me notice) and my guest even commented that there was trash all over the course. And, to top it off, when we stopped in for our complimentary lunch we were directed to 2 serving trays - one held some nasty looking chicken bits in an oily liquid, the other a pan of dried out veggies. We asked for something edible instead, or even a hot dog but were told that was it and quote "the chicken isn't actually too bad today" unquote. Needless to say we passed on the FREE lunch and will probably pass on Penderbrook for a while. Bogeyman (86)
GlenRiddle Golf Club Berlin, MD - 6/17/2006
The second stop on the Ocean City Golf Excursion took us to the brand new Man O War track just outside of Ocean City in nearby Berlin MD. I had heard a lot about this track and looked forward to playing it. Unfortunately for me, the activities from the night before took most of my competitive edge and I only recovered by the back nine to realize what a great track this really is. In case you haven’t figured it out from the name, the course is themed after horse racing and while playing you’ll see old starting gates, horse plows and other memorabilia to put you in the stables! The course itself is a real challenge with many mounds and undulations throughout. The greens although new, held shots pretty well and putted true. The course is also very scenic and you will enjoy seeing great views on the course as each hole has its own picturesque setting. I recovered (somewhat) on the back nine to shoot a respectable score considering the conditions (of me, not the course) and would recommend Glen Riddle to anyone going to OC as a “must play” track, in fact I’d say it’s as good as the best course OC has to offer. Treat yourself to some Ruth Chris steakhouse food after the round to really make it a day to remember….hmmm, I wonder why those steaks taste so good and there are no more horses running around the golf course? Enjoy! Lefty (90)
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 6/16/2006
Blue Mash is a very well maintained links style course that has some tough holes (like #1) but on the whole is a scorer’s delight. Several short par 4s offer drivable chances for most hitters. Par fives greens can be at least ‘neared’ by many players. The two prominent negatives here are the small, ill-shaped clubhouse and the enormous power line towers running through an otherwise picturesque setting. This course has a similar look to Cannon Ridge in Fredericksburg, VA. Ayce
Ocean City Golf Club Berlin, MD - 6/16/2006
A trip to the Ocean in mid June…what’s not to like? We ventured out to the OC Golf and Yacht Club for an annual outing that I managed to get invited to this year and was treated to a nice course at the OC Golf and Yacht Club – Newport Bay side. It had been several years since I played here and I didn’t remember it being as nice and challenging as it was on this day. Many of the holes require forced carries and/or an accurate tee shot in either length or direction and sometimes both! Water hazards abound and missed shots will cost you on this track. The course was in spectacular condition (all fairways, greens, tee boxes and sand traps) and the only thing I can complain about this day (other than my score) was the constant hawking of the Marshal to get us to play faster. It seems that there was an afternoon outing that was more important than us getting in our round and the constant “speed up” from her got old real quick. The fact that we were playing at a good pace and keeping up with the group in front of us only made it worse. In any event, make sure you can enjoy this course at your own pace prior to signing up and as long as you can, I think you will really enjoy Newport Bay! Lefty (88)
Raspberry Falls Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 6/12/2006
Today was a blast! We played in the Playboy Scramble so the "scenery" was extra nice. Finally, the conditions of this course match its beautiful layout. The bunkers have been reworked to include sand, and the ill-fated stacked sod bunkers are less prominent. There are lots of nice holes here to challenge any golfer. The 18th hole tee shot (and #3 for that matter) offer neat views of the valley. Since this is a qualifier for a larger event in Vegas the format had 2 teams (8 golfers) playing together on each hole. Our patience was tested with that many golfers and some questionable claims about whose balls were whose. Raspberry's service and practice facility are best around. If only the clubhouse were larger this place would be even better for the many outings which pass through. Ayce & Jimbo
Laurel Hill Golf Club Lorton, VA - 6/12/2006
Last Fall just prior to the opening of Laurel Hill I had the opportunity to ride the course with the GM Todd Johnson and get a sneak preview of Fairfax County's attempt at an upscale offering. By the end of the ride I knew that the FCPA had created a special course at the old Lorton prison complex. Unfortunately my schedule didn't permit a round there after it opened. In January I found out that I would be playing in the Golf Styles Solstice tournament (54 holes in one day) there in June so I decided to wait for my preview and play it 3 times in one day.
At first the weather didn't cooperate. When you leave the house at 4:30Am to tee off at 5:45 and it's raining hard - the smart man goes back to bed - but on we forged. Even though it rained for the first 27 holes we were impressed with the course. Laurel Hill throws every type of hole at you - some straightforward, others tough, some require shotmaking and others you can blast away and not be penalized too bad for errant shots. I was particulary impressed with the bunkering - before you tee off take a moment, look at the holes and think about what designer Bill Love was trying to accomplish.
As the day progressed the sun returned, the course dried and so did we. The final 27 holes were very enjoyable - except for a final soaking when the PM sprinklers came on. Each round we played a different set of tees. Laurel Hill offers multiple tee boxes that make the course challenging yet playable for all level of golfers. Playing a new course 3 times in 1 day is a unique experience and a great way to get to know it. You should get to know this one for yourself! Bogeyman
Lansdowne Resort Leesburg, VA - 6/5/2006
Now that these two resorts courses (RTJ and Norman) no longer offer public play, you must be in an outing, guest of a member, or guest of the hotel. The original course (RTJ) remains the solid resort course for all occasional golfers. The new 18 offers wonderful challenges to all golfers. The signature “toughest mile in golf” which comprises the last 4 holes is outstanding but there are some holes its equal sprinkled amongst the other 14 holes. It is worth it to stay at the property, which has undergone major enhancements, just to play these two courses. A favorite tournament of Waggle.com is the annual Ben E. King outing which will be on the new Norman course on Aug 21. We’ll look for you there. Ayce
Prince William Golf Club Nokesville, VA - 6/3/2006
Another older than dirt course I played as a kid, Prince William earns my tag for the course with the most potential upside in the area. Originally built as Greenwich CC, this place was in nowheresville, with LOTS of trees and wild animals. Now it has become the easy course known for its low prices and coupons/discounts. Many holes are too short, but could be fixed with $ and imagination. Part of the enjoyment of playing here is fantasizing about what changes one could make to ‘fix’ this into a real par 72 track. This is a very good course for beginners, or serious golfers who need an annual ego boost. Below par scores are to be had here if anywhere in our area. You get what you pay for at Prince William - and so do a lot of other duffers - so plan to take 6 hours on a when busy. Ayce
Pohick Bay Golf Course Lorton, VA - 6/1/2006
Pohick is one of those courses that I will play only if a good friend asks me to go as their guest! I want to be nice to them but don’t look forward to the golf. This ‘off the beaten-path’ muni has little to remember in terms of design. Elevation changes are often too severe and course conditions are usually rather scraggily. Tee shots are either playable or gone-as in the deep stuff since the traditional cuts of rough design is pretty non-existent here. Good place to hunt for balls… Ayce
Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Front Royal, VA - 6/1/2006
Not expecting 90 degrees on June 1, we remembered the cool climes of Shenandoah Valley and headed west. Sure enough the temps were more tolerable and the playing conditions excellent. The same nice staff seems to be there every year, resulting in some work pride not seen at all courses. Route 66 is still under construction so plan for possible traffic, or just go west on Rte. 50 for a more scenic ride. One of the other benefits of this course is the merchandise sales which are going on every visit I make. Sure, their logo does not have the cache of Doral, but the shirts don’t cost $95 either. Call ahead as many outings come to this valley mecca for tourneys. Ayce
Musket Ridge Golf Club Myersville, MD - 5/28/2006
Another beautiful day in late spring took me back to Musket Ridge Golf Club just west of Frederick. As I suspected, a month or so ago, this course has came back into shape with fairways, greens and tee boxes being in excellent shape. Unfortunately for me, I also personally witnessed the sand traps which were also in nice shape. On this day, for whatever reason the early ball striking success that I found has disappeared. How does that happen? I slugged my way around – probably as many of you do – with a miserable front but managed to save the round with an excellent back nine to end up with a slightly above average score but one (as a result of that good back nine) that makes you come back for more! The two par 5’s on the back nine are definitely reachable in 2 with a well struck tee shot and aggressive 2nd shot but as mentioned in prior reports, hitting the big drive isn’t the only thing you’ll need at Musket to score well. One thing that I may not have mentioned prior is the nice clubhouse and cold beverages you can enjoy after the round! Musket Ridge is in great shape and is a great track to play in the Frederick area! Lefty (89)
Old Hickory Golf Club Woodbridge, VA - 5/26/2006
A big outing on a beautiful Friday at Old Hickory can be a golfers paradise. Some guy ahead of us even got a hole-in-one for ten grand. The course flows elegantly amidst attractive houses with no two holes alike. This is clearly one of the best public access golf experiences around. Conditions are always top notch and the service is good. Wide fairways keep you moving along quickly with a chance to play a good round until the number 18 par 5 stares you in the face. One of the best finishing holes around, this hole can send you hole wishing you could replay it. But the overall feeling I have after Old Hickory is that I want to play it again and again. It is really a nice place to play! Ayce
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 5/25/2006
I hadn’t been to Blue Mash in quite some time and when offered to sneak out on a thunderstorm-threatening weekday I just had to accept. I was leery in the parking lot as my umbrella and drizzle stick were safely at home in my garage – makes you wonder why I took them out of my car? I was more concerned as the sky darkened and we got some light rain on #2-4 but the day turned out great as whatever nonsense rain found us quickly left and it turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon. Blue Mash was in absolutely superb shape on this day. Fairways, greens, traps and tee boxes were in pristine shape. The layout is challenging and you’ll be wondering how long is this course after holes 1, 2 and 3 which are all long (420+) par 4’s, but Blue Mash makes up for it with several short 300-ish ones later on in your round. I remember the closing hole on the front nine, a fairly long par five with water guarding the entire left side of the hole. You’ll also probably like #18 which is another par 5 which may be reachable in 2 if you hit’em long and straight. This course can be had as I’ve scored on it prior, but today just wasn’t my day and several bad swings cost me many shots. Alas, back to the drawing board! I can say that if you get a chance give Blue Mash a play – it’s in great shape and offers a real challenge. Lefty (86)
Carolina Club Grandy, NC - 5/21/2006
Waggle research trip 2006 North Carolina Outer Banks Final Round was played at The Carolina Club which is about 10 miles west of the bridge on our way back home. It seemed that we always played this track on a windy day so the calm spring day was a welcome relief. This Rees Jones course was in great shape and offers many challenging holes. A couple that I remembered are the island green #12 which is only about 150 yards and the difficult #17 over-the-water-into-the-wind-all-carry 200 yard par 3. The closing holes on each nine are challenging risk-reward (and fun) par 5’s too. This course always seems to be in excellent shape and today was no exception. The staff always seems extra friendly here as well… perhaps they are showing that great Carolina hospitality? After all it IS The Carolina Club and Lefty recommends this as a fun course to play. Lefty (83)
Duck Woods Country Club Southern Shores, NC - 5/20/2006
Waggle research trip 2006 North Carolina Outer Banks Round 4 took us to Duck Woods Country Club which is a Semi-private club just across the bridge into OBX. Prior rounds at this course lead me to NOT look forward to playing here as the course had the condition of a groundskeeper who either didn’t care of didn’t have enough money to take care of the course. I was slightly optimistic though as the large new clubhouse was a premonition of what was to come. We got a brand new cart, teed off on number 10, and I immediately noticed that this track is now nice! It was apparent that someone is now taking care of business on the course as the fairways are no longer sparse (and the green was not from paint!) and the greens were in excellent shape. The tee boxes and sand traps were also in much better condition than I’ve noticed before. Throw in the challenging fun layout and you’ve got a great place to play some golf while at OBX. Watch out for some hidden water on several holes and some tee shots must be hit with long irons or fairway woods – this only adds to the fun! Check out my prior reviews on this course - I can’t believe I’m saying it – play Duck Woods! Lefty (83)
The Currituck Club Corolla, NC - 5/19/2006
Waggle research trip 2006 North Carolina Outer Banks Round 3 was played at the Currituck Club. I’ve always thought this was THE place to play while in the Outer Banks and was excited to play it on a relatively calm (for OBX standards) day. I was disappointed as this high dollar course wasn’t in the pristine condition it had been every other time we played there. Many of the fairways were burnt out and/or lacking that good growth they normally have. The greens were in pretty good shape but when paying a buck to play, you gotta expect more. The layout and challenge of this track is another part of what makes it great. A 180 yard par three to an uphill green with a 170 carry over the water is just one of the “knee-knocker” shots you’ll have to execute. The course winds through a housing development but you’ll find that none of the houses comes into play. I look for this track to be back in primo condition soon! Lefty (88)
Kilmarlic Golf Club Powell's Point, NC - 5/18/2006
Waggle research trip 2006 North Carolina Outer Banks version took us to a familiar site called Kilmarlic Golf Club just off the main road into OBX. For years I’ve been looking forward to the new clubhouse (which is promised every year) and it looks like I’ll wait at least one more to see it as they continue to operate out of a double wide. Alas, we don’t go there for the clubhouse, do we? This course always seems to be wet! I guess the fact that they had over an inch of rain the prior night might have something to do with it but every time we’ve played here it has several holes that are “squishy”. But let’s forget that for a minute and talk about the course itself. This course has water on nearly every hole so if you’re looking for an easy (non ball eating) track at OBX don’t play Kilmarlic. Let’s forget about the water on nearly every hole and talk about the course itself. I’ve always enjoyed playing here and today was no exception. There is enough of a mix of challenging holes and scoring holes that if you pick your spots you can score well. Unfortunately for me, I found the water a couple of times and I didn’t but I’d recommend this track while in OBX. I remember two of the par three’s over water where several of our foursome got wet…and they were short irons! #11 is an island green and more difficult than it appears. Hit the green, take your par and run! Perhaps next year for the clubhouse? Lefty (87)
The Pointe Golf Club Powells Point, NC - 5/18/2006
Waggle research trip 2006 North Carolina Outer Banks Round 2 took us to another track on the main road into OBX called simply The Point. You’ll see it on your left when heading toward the bridge. The strong point of “The Point” is the fast fast greens! Unfortunately for us, they aerated them 8 days prior so we were putting on slow and bumpy greens – which really detracted from the enjoyment. This track is mostly flat and fairly wide open. It’s mostly a “grip it and rip it” track where you normally need to bring your smooth silky putting touch. I’ve played here before and the greens are normally smooth fast and difficult! Perhaps next year for us? Although there are a few tricky holes where you can drop some shots, if you are looking for a relatively easy track to play (minus the fast greens) The Point is a good place to play! Lefty (91)
Lake Ridge Park Golf Course Woodbridge, VA - 5/11/2006
A few miles off I-95 near Occoquan lies this mini-muni par three track. If you are looking for a place to walk around and to hone your short game, this is the ticket. Reasonably priced, Lake Ridge offers an alternative to Burke Lake for a fun and easy irons only place to golf. Beginners can get the feel of golf without the struggle to “keep up” as the holes are short and most other golfers not the single digit types. Lots of kids and families frequent this place so come in the afternoon and plan to relax with something that is far from serious golf. Rates are cheap and pull carts abound, so rent one to make this somewhat hilly walk more enjoyable. Ayce
Hilltop Golf Club Alexandria, VA - 5/9/2006
This accessible unique beauty is rapidly becoming my youngest son’s favorite course. It is good for a beginner, but different enough to offer a challenge to seasoned golfers. Multiple tee boxes make this 9 hole track play to what you are looking for. Continue to be amazed at the lack of mid week play at Hilltop given it’s proximity to the beltway and generous e-mail newsletter deals. Sign up and take advantage of their specials. Ayce
Goose Creek Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 5/8/2006
First visit to this favorite course on my most improved list was appropriately enough an outing. Goose handles them well at a value price so that biz is picking up. Conditions have again improved over last year’s great strides. Some management shifts from last year are showing good results in all areas. Food and service are outstanding. Love doing scrambles there as the smallish greens are brought to their knees by four wedge shots! Ayce
Holly Hills Country Club Ijamsville, MD - 5/5/2006
An invite to yet another Country Club took me to Holly Hills just east of Frederick. That’s the one you see as you’re schlepping up I-70 on your left at about mile marker 56. I was looking forward to playing this track as my game seemed to take on a higher level recently with good ball striking and decent enough putting and scoring. I was really psyched to take on #6, which is labeled as the ‘most difficult hole in the United States’. Play it and when you head to #7 (which is no picnic either!) you’ll see the plaque indicating you’ve just completed the most difficult hole in the United States. That dastardly #6 got me on this day as 2 drives OB cost me 4 shots…it’s a par 4 so we don’t need to talk about what the score was on that hole but suffice it to say, it was over par considerably! The difficulty on this hole is the drive. You’ve got a long par 4 (430ish) with a large tree right in the middle of the fairway about 180 yards from the tee box. You’ve got a choice to hit around it on the right and face a possible OB (note above language from yours truly) or take it to the left of the tree and face a swamp/tree hazard as well. If you can work the ball from either left to right or vice versa or are good enough to hit it perfectly straight or high and far (up and over) you can negotiate this shot. Then you’re faced with a mid to long iron to a green which is deceptively sloping from right to left and depending on where they put the pin – may beg for a three putt. My 3rd drive was crushed where it should have been but an 8 iron pulled right left me with a difficult chip for a….7! No, I didn’t make it but realizing that I coulda/shoulda/woulda been there in regulation is enough to bring me back! If you ever get a chance to play Holly Hills – get ready for #6! Oh, by the way, the rest of the course is great too! Lefty (88)
Stonewall Golf Club Gainesville, VA - 5/4/2006
Always a joy to play this beautiful course! This is one of the best public access courses in the Mid Atlantic-and appropriately located across the lake from one of the best private courses in RTJ. In a recent outing the service was exceptional, the course near perfect. Love looking at the homes surrounding the course. Most are a respectable distance from the action to be appreciated, not annoyed by. The finishing hole which is a three shot par five is one of the best such holes in the region. Clubhouse and food are wonderful so plan on being spoiled. Ayce
Meadows Farms Golf Course Locust Grove, VA - 5/2/2006
You have probably heard about the longest par six of over 800 yards, the baseball and goalpost holes, and the practice hole. Well those are just some of the eccentricities of a course that reflects some of the man, Bill Meadows (who prefers Farmer Bill,) who owns and built the unusual course. Farmer Bill’s great story is available in his biography Almost Perfect which is for sale at the course. As my eighth grade gym teacher at Glasgow Intermediate School, I remembered him as quite a character, which is till true. For one of the most memorable rounds of golf play Meadows Farms. The prices are incredibly reasonable. For a great read pick up his book as you leave and if you are lucky he may autograph it for you! Ayce
Musket Ridge Golf Club Myersville, MD - 4/30/2006
A Waggle.com 2 Person Best Ball was a good reason to sneak out and play at Musket Ridge on yet another beautiful spring day. I’ve played this track several times and it almost always makes a good impression…especially if I’m playing well! But then again, if you’re playing well isn’t ANY course a great course! Anyway on this day, perhaps it was just a little early as some of the fairways and greens seemed to “not quite have grown in” yet. That’s a nice way of saying they aren’t quite in tip top shape –but I do know that this track will come around in a month or so and be back in great shape. Also, our group commented on the beat up shape of the tee boxes. A couple of holes of note are #2 which is a testy uphill par three which requires at least one additional club – make sure to check the wind too, and #10 which is a fun (and reachable in 2) downhill par 5. On this day, I hit driver and 6 iron! I will not mention my score for the hole as simply reaching the green in 2 isn’t the end-all. But don’t you all know that! I was hitting the ball pretty well this day and look forward to getting out to the Musket when it comes into it’s usually great form. Lefty (81)
Lee's Hill Golfer's Club Fredericksburg, VA - 4/23/2006
On a weekend afternoon I played in the Fredericksburg Baptist Church fundraising golf tourney at Lee’s Hill. The drive south was not bad as can be the case. Once there I wonder why I don’t play there more often .No houses clutter a very playable ‘real’ golf course. No similar holes make you wonder if you have strayed off course and are repeating your holes. Lots to like here and conditions this spring were excellent. Ayce
Hunt Valley Golf Club Phoenix, MD - 4/23/2006
An annual outing held every year (isn’t that what “annual” means?) was held at Hunt Valley Country Club on this fine late April Day. We played the Blue and White nines. Unfortunately for most of you out there, this club is private, but perhaps you’ll get a chance to play it someday. In general, this course was MUCH more like a Country Club than my prior review of Prospect Bay. The fairways, greens and tee boxes were in pretty good shape. The course is a hilly one with several breathtaking views from the tee. You’ll like #1 on the Blue nine which features about a 2000 foot drop from tee to green. Just kidding about the 2000 part, but it is one heck of a down hill drive. The hole measures about 360 and a good drive can get you a chip to the green for an easy birdy. Unless you chili dip it…like the old lefthander did on this day! You’ll also like the finishing hole on the blue nine which is an impossible par 3 if playing into the wind. It’s about 200 yards and about 1000 ft Uphill. Again, just kidding about the uphill part but it’s a tough hole to par. We had a good time at Hunt Valley – get a member to treat you to a round sometime! Lefty (86)
Twin Lakes Golf Course Clifton, VA - 4/22/2006
Having grown up playing the original Twin Lakes, I find it fun to visit one of the two newer courses annually. Notice I said annually! This is because these two courses are overpriced, never discount with coupons, and tend to rely on their location for the masses to show up. Service is non-existent since after all it is a county course and no one working there has much incentive to improve anything, what with too many players already! Today was my day… the courses are however a lot of fun if you take them for what they are-overpriced and crowded, but still good golf. One course (the Lakes) is quite open and has very large greens. If you want to improve your GIR stats just go there. The other 18 is the Oaks which offers more of a challenge and comes closer to offering a fair value for your green fee. Both courses are walker friendly so expect to see a lot of pull carts. Ayce
Prospect Bay Country Club Grasonville, MD - 4/14/2006
Some buddies of mine requested my presence at a ‘groundbreaking’ at Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville, MD (just past Kent Narrows). Of course, I had to “break the ground” with them as this means, what else, golf! I figured I’d do a little Waggle research while there so here it is. When most of the time I think of “Country Club” I think of finely manicured fairways, greens and traps. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for Prospect Bay. Don’t get me wrong, this track is definitely “playable” and in fact, the layout on the back nine is pretty darn nice, but if I was a member at this Club, I wouldn’t be real happy with the conditions. To me, the fairways were a little sparse in some places and the greens were fairly bumpy. As I mentioned, the layout was challenging – especially the back nine but all in all, there are better places to play. I was hitting the ball pretty good this day and a few missed putts cost me a sub-eighty round, but what the heck, it was 70 degrees and the scenery was pretty good. Even a “rough” Country Club golf course is a great place to be on a beautiful day! Lefty (80)
Westpark Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 4/10/2006
This half century old track remains one of the best bargains for golf. Call for rates as weekends have three price points. Once on the course you will see lush conditions most of the year. Sure the July/August heat takes its toll here, but the creek on the property is subtle reminder that the area is in somewhat of a flood plain so greenery flourishes. I like the way the course starts off with some twists and turns for the first third, as if to sharpen your shot making skills for the remainder. The next twelve holes seem almost like a breather after the first 6 holes. These dozens holes are characterized by some grip n rip opportunities with adequate bail outs. I have lots of neat memories on this course which just keeps plugging along under the capable management of Mike Elias (a good pro for lessons.) Ayce
South Riding Golfer's Club South Riding, VA - 4/8/2006
Not worth the full price of weekend play, but South Riding is a keeper. This course still overbooks so getting off on time and getting around in less than 5 hours is difficult. Members seem to resent the ‘public’ golfers and in time this will probably go private. Enjoy this nice layout with forgiving fairways. The third hole with the creek in the landing area and the fourth hole with its split fairway provide at least attention getting golf experiences. Personally I think that position “A” should be just that, and those holes back to back is a bit much. The eleventh hole with the townhouse gallery to the right is downright not very scenic. What a nice course this was before the housing… Ayce
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 4/2/2006
Damn it was early. Sure it was just 6:00am when the alarm went off - but that means it was really 5:00am (silly time change). My biggest concern was if the sun would actually rise. Alas, we arrived at Bull Run and hit the range (balls included - you have to like that). Tee boxes, fairways and greens were in decent shape - which is good news considering the disease that hit the course last year. The greens were aerated about two weeks ago - but still played a bit slow and bumpy. I managed to card an 80 despite a wild day with the driver. Thank goodness for the forgiveness of Bull Run (and three birdies). G-Ball (80)
Westfields Golf Club Clifton, VA - 4/1/2006
A Saturday outing? This course is so good at outings that some groups buy the property for such a rare event. Played in one there recently and was again charmed by a beautiful layout where service is top notch. I told the GM as I left that he is a king of outings, for the terrific job that his club does. I am sure he knows that given the premium that high end groups pay to get such a property for a Saturday event. This is just a very fine golf course by any measure. Ayce
Rock Harbor Golf Course Winchester, VA - 3/30/2006
The course has really grown into its own since I last played it two years ago. Early drainage issues and rough cart path areas have disappeared. The course still maintains the unique flavor of its two owners Denny Perry and Jerry Wampler. Both guys are very colorful characters who have been on the course both times I’ve played. When you play, ask someone in the clubhouse to point them out to you. They love to talk about their course, and justifiably so.
The course is always very windy due to the piece of land adjacent to a quarry that it was built on.
You get a reminder of this when you pull the flag out on the first hole and you see that a special circular brace has been inserted into the cup to keep the flagsticks from blowing out. For the first few holes I kept thinking that I was pulling the cup liner out along with the flagstick. Another small touch respectful of the abundant breeze, are flags in several fairways with red, white, and blue pennants. Depending upon which color pennant is flying, you can determine the approximate wind speed. Since the course is built in an area rich in limestone, the numerous lakes contain no algae. The results are lakes with blue water reminiscent of the Bahamas.
Another 18 holes are under construction and should be ready in about two years. The two courses will then be a re-routed combination of new and old holes. Three quarters of the new holes will have water. One par five actually has five lakes on it now! Ayce
Virginia Oaks Golf Course Gainesville, VA - 3/17/2006
Although this course was better before the houses took over, there are two positives now at Virginia Oaks. While always a nice layout, the course suffered from too many close houses and below average playing conditions. Time has allowed the course to settle into the land carved out for golf, even though there is no moving the residences! Conditions have improved and service has as well. This is due to the new management under the Billy Casper group. Tim Woodruff has taken over as GM and brought with him the same zeal for customer service which he was know for in his years in retail at Washington Golf Center. If all the folks who bought clubs from Tim over the years were to get tee times at Va. Oaks, it would be booked til 2010. Go see the new Va. Oaks and say hello to Tim. Ayce
Penderbrook Golf Club Fairfax, VA - 3/12/2006
Any golf around here in 75 degree weather has to be good even when it is at a course whose strongest suit is not the layout. Penderbrook corners the market on price and location for Northern Virginians so the winter conditions at an average layout are more than acceptable. Although pace of play can be slow due to the abundance of ‘monthly’ golfers, most of the hackers are nice folks who enjoy Penderbrook for its strengths. The new ownership/management company has retained most of the good staff who have kept this rock of a course going on a shoestring. Lots of talk about going private for the residents in Penderbrook appears to be the more distant future, not the immediate future as ownership might desire. The veteran cook, Charlie, who championed half of the all-you-can specials (eat & play) has moved on the greener pastures. But the gem of a GM is still at the helm. Ayce
Revere at Anthem Henderson, NV - 2/6/2006
We were again treated to another perfect golf day for LVRT 2006, albeit a cold chilly (40 degree) start at Revere at Anthem Course in nearby Henderson Nevada. We played the Concord course this day and after warming up (and we do mean “warming up”) we were again treated to a great day of golf. As usual for this course, the canyon golf experience was truly breathtaking. Many beautiful views from the tee box down the fairway as well as some picturesque scenery of the Las Vegas Strip await you at Revere. The greens and fairways were in the best shape that I can remember for this course (pristine is the word I use) and the clubhouse is finally complete and is beautiful as well. This course will provide you some hilly terrain and several elevated tee boxes – isn’t it a great feeling watching your ball fly and fly, especially down the middle? Some very large greens will catch your semi-errant shots, but the possibility of a 3-putt (or more – egad did I actually 4 putt a green?) await so be accurate! If in Vegas, along with the other courses we played for LVRT 2006, give Revere a play. A side note: Bogeyman and I have been “researching” Vegas for many, many years on Super Bowl weekend. This particular trip was the most satisfying – perhaps because the Super Steelers finally got the “One for the Thumb”! Enjoy! Lefty (89)
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort Las Vegas, NV - 2/4/2006
Day 2 of LVRT 2006 took us back to one of our very favorite courses, the Wolf course at Paiute. We make an effort to play this track because of the beauty of the course, the challenge of the course and the excellent conditions of the course. I’m happy to report that once again, Paiute did not disappoint as we were treated to a virtually perfect day of golf in the desert. Let’s talk about 68 degrees and virtually NO wind – unlike most times we’ve played Paiute when it’s windy, we caught a perfect golf day. Again the big beautiful clubhouse and wonderful practice facilities were in pristine condition. The Wolf course has a separate range and you’re able to hit balls, practice sand shots, and/or putt prior to the friendly and helpful staff letting you know “you’re up”. On this day, the greens were exceptional but we noticed late in the day, they did slow up a little but were still PDQ (pretty darn quick)…and I thought the slow greens in the late afternoon theory was only a myth! As stated previously, the Wolf course has many beautiful and challenging holes but also some ‘scoring’ holes. A couple of par 5’s are reachable in 2 – perhaps it’s the thin desert air and a few other relatively simple holes offer you a scoring chance. There are several other very challenging holes where an errant shot will cost you severely – the par 3, #8 comes to mind – don’t hit it right or your 40’ below the green in the trap! As mentioned, the greens were very quick but putted true. We noticed they were deceptive so take an extra look before judging which way you think it will break! Enjoy the course then go have a cold one in the beautiful clubhouse overlooking the golf course! Lefty (80)
Primm Valley Golf Club Primm, NV - 2/3/2006
Day 1 of LVRT 2006 (that’s Las Vegas Research Trip 2006 for you that don’t regularly follow the Waggle bunch) took us south of Las Vegas approximately 45 minutes to just across the California State line and the beautiful Primm Valley Resort. This resort features 2 courses in the middle of the dessert – and we played the Desert course on this venture. We entered the gated course entrance after getting off of highway 15 and turning right, right, right (the directions they give you tell you that if you make a left at any time, you’re in the desert so right is the only way you can go!). The gate guard was kind enough to radio up the bag drop and let them know we were coming and when our tee time was. The service impressed me as well as the friendliness of the staff. The clubhouse and practice facilities were top notch and after warming up on the range, it was off to the 1st of 54 holes for the weekend on a beautiful 68 degree day. The Desert course featured a player-friendly layout with many holes being “U” shaped which would normally guide your ball back toward the middle of the fairway. The greens, rough and traps were all in “resort” condition – that is immaculate and really fun to be on. If you missed the rough, you were in the desert and could play your ball but took your chances with damaging a club…hey, don’t hit it that far off course! The greens were rolling pretty quick on this day but they were very fair and putted true. We had a great first day and suggest if you want to take a side trip while in Vegas, head south to Primm Valley Resort. By the way, just prior to crossing the state line into California, you’ll see the Primm exit (exit #1) which has a large hotel, casino, shopping, eats, amusement park and more. Check it out while you’re there! Lefty (85)
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 11/28/2005
On the rare sixty plus degree day after the cold Thanksgiving weekend, Bull Run was hoppin’ with golfers. Short daylight meant only the front nine could be navigated, but clearly players have discovered Bull Run’s dramatically improved conditions. It looks more like early April than near December as the grounds crew has worked overtime to restore the course to excellent conditions. Upon commenting on the improvements, I was told by management to look for further enhancements this spring, but was sworn to secrecy on them. The club house has been painted and new score cards were out amidst a 50% off sale in the pro shop. I have always like this track a lot and am anxious for the spring at Bull Run. Ayce
Renditions Golf Course Davidsonville, MD - 11/27/2005
A warmer than normal Sunday afternoon in late November with my parents in town was a nice excuse for me to take my 81 year old Dad to Renditions. I had not been to this track for a couple of years and had heard though the grapevine that it still needed to grow in some. I figured I’d check it out for myself…after all, at Waggle.com that’s a part of our “job”! Yeah, I know, sometimes work is fun. Unfortunately, I have to confirm what I’ve heard as this course has not yet fully ‘grown in’ with some areas in the fairways and roughs needing some attention. Now don’t get me wrong, this course is very playable and a lot of fun but it still needs some maturing before it gets a ‘pristine’ rating. This course is a good test of golf and provides you a great way to play holes like the Pros play. On this day, I played from the blue tees (approx. 6500 yards) and was challenged by several holes. On Amen Corner – replicas of Augusta National #11, #12 and #13 – I hit several good golf shots but still played those 3 holes at 4 over! I kind of felt like those pros do when they hit a good shot and think they will be putting for a bird only to be faced with a sand shot! My – what I felt was good - 8 iron on #7 which was right at the flag but landed in the bunker comes to mind! When you get to the greens you’ll still have some work to do as well. I hit another good shot at the ‘postage stamp’ green on #13 (TPC Sawgrass’s #17) hitting it over the bunker on the right side and out of sight from the tee box! While driving to the hole and dreading that it bounced in the water, I was very happy to see that it hit on the green and actually backed up a few feet to the very edge of the green, only about 5 feet from the water! From there I had a severe uphill slope to the top ledge and another 10 feet of right breaking putt to the hole. Well, I managed to leave it well short for a 3-putt bogey! Alas, if it’s not one thing it’s another! A couple of real easy birdie chances got away on some short misses on a few other holes and I didn’t hit the ball as well as I’d like, but when you haven’t been out for the past several weeks what can you expect? I did really enjoy Renditions and getting out to play a nice relaxing round of golf more than made up for the not-yet-fully-grown-in conditions. The staff treated everyone well and are very attentive. I’m sure this course will eventually come in and be a premier track to play in this area. In the meantime, look for some deals and get out see for yourself what some of the Grand Slam holes are like that our friends from the PGA play every year! Lefty (92)
Mountain View Golf Club Fairfield, PA - 10/23/2005
We trekked out to a “thank you” outing (i.e. a freebie) for many of our friends that have participated in previous Waggle events at the Carroll Valley Mountainview Course. Having played their resort course previously, we were anxious to check out the “sister” course which is about another 5 minutes past the Carroll Valley resort. What we found was a pretty nice course which was really fun to play. It was fairly wide open and offered the opportunity to play and score well. Of course, you still gotta make good shots and perhaps sink a putt or two, but the majority of holes seemed to be “birdie-able” if you hit good shots. (aren’t they all) On this particular fall day, a crisp, windy one, the course played fairly short - even from the back (blue/6400 yards) tees. The White’s play about 6100 and on most holes it didn’t make that much of a difference. Of note were the “junior” tees which were usually placed about 100-150 yards from the green. Perhaps we should have played from there? In any event, this course was in great shape from tee to green - extremely playable and fun, however there was no 19th hole to enjoy a post round beverage. They did have a hot-dog/snack stand at the turn but if you’re going to have a cold one after the round, you’d better head to the local town of Fairfield PA or stop in Emmitsburg on your way back to the Metro Area [Eat at Frontier BBQ at intersection of 116 and 16 - IT'S DELICIOUS - Bogeyman]. I was also surprised at the ease of getting to this course, only about 1 ¼ hours from Baltimore Area. Lefty (87)
The Homestead Resort Hot Springs, VA - 10/15/2005
A much deserved retreat away from the kids found us at a creekside cabin in Warm Springs, VA, just 10 miles (and $200) from the Upper Cascades course at Homestead Resort. No sooner had we dropped off the wives off for a private horseback ride at the Homestead Equestrian Center (who do you think was getting the better deal here?) we arrived at the famed Upper Cascades golf course. Expecting the treatment of a PGA tour pro, I was a bit under whelmed by the muni-style bag drop area, but the friendliness of the starter and the beauty of the course quickly gave me reason to believe this was going to be a special place. We checked in, took out a small loan for greens fees and requested caddies at an additional $60. Back at the bag drop, we were informed that they only had one caddie left – and he was 76 – definitely NOT a double-bagger. Depressed again by the bag drop station, we loaded our GPS-less carts and headed for the first tee. (Don’t expect to hit balls at UC – there is no driving range.)
The course is an absolute gem. It requires every club in your bag, and while lovers of the big dog will have their chances, placement and putting play a more important role. The front nine takes you into the mountains, where the slope places the importance on ball positioning. The greens however are another story. After a bogey, par start, the short par-4 aptly named “The Table” seemed easy enough. On in two, my short putt rolled clear off the green. These greens are FAST. This was also true on the back nine, down in the valley, where the winds whipped at 20 to 30 mph. Twice I was on in two, only to four putt…that’s right, four putt. It’s tough to line up when you ball is wobbling against the wind.
Depending on the course conditions, which were perfect (the best fairways and greens I’ve played all season), this traditional course plays like a champion. Great customer service, beautiful club house and ample $8 apres-golf whiskeys. Is it worth the college admission to play? Maybe. Will you play another course like this in Virginia? Not likely. Does it deserve the reputation that precedes it? Absolutely. Gball
Lakeview Resort Morgantown, WV - 10/15/2005
Continuing our “research trip” to Morgantown, Bogeyman and I decided to venture to another old stomping place – this one being Mountainview Course at Lakeview Resort. We used to know it simply as “Mountainview”, or the course across the street (I-68) from Lakeview, but the scorecard now lists it as Lakeview Resort, Mountainview Course. This course always gave us fits in prior years as the name Mountainview is an apt description of the course. There are slopes everywhere from front to back, left to right, right to left…well you get the drift. This is NOT a flat course! Perhaps we’re older or maybe we’re just better golfers than 10 years ago, but this course did not have its way with me as it had in prior rounds. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still think it plays a lot harder than the 122 slope from the whites would lead you to believe. Just hit a few putts from the wrong (uphill) side of the flag and when you’re chipping or hitting your next putt from the fringe, you’ll understand what I mean. Speaking of which, the greens were really fast and we played with dew on them for most of the round. I could only imagine what it would be like on a dry day! The course itself has grown into a truly beautiful track. It’s one that you will stand on the tee or the green and take a look at a hole and note what a pretty scene you’ve captured. There are several of them on this course, especially on the back nine. You may also be enthralled (or maybe not) at the several blind shots you’ll take…no, don’t close your eyes, you have to ride up ahead to look where to hit the ball. Even then, you may want to “play the hillside” to get your ball to roll back into play. For once in my life, I actually enjoyed a round at this track and will definitely look forward to coming back to play it again! If you do play there, make sure to try to look ahead and play the terrain for your next shot and try to keep it below the hole on your approach shots. Oh by the way, the fact that WVU beat Louisville in 3OT’s made the day THAT much better! Lefty (84)
Whitetail Golf Resort Mercersburg, PA - 10/14/2005
Bogeyman and I decided to venture to our old college stomping grounds and incorporate a research trip on the way. We visited Whitetail in Mercersburg PA, just north of Clearspring MD and I-70 exit 19. We had not been to Whitetail in 4 years and being the curious golf reviewers that we are, decided to check it out for all the Waggle-ites out there. We’re happy to report that the course is as good as we remembered it the first time. With fairways generous enough (for most holes) to be slightly forgiving, extremely nice playing conditions from tee to green, beautiful scenery and a quick pace of play, what’s not to like? The front nine is fairly open but there are a few holes to check your club off the tee as there are some hazards in the range that most of us can hit the driver – so take a look at the tee box before gripping and ripping as most of them tell you the distance to any hazards out there. I especially remember and enjoyed the difference after hole #11 going to #12 when you seemed to “go up into the mountains” after a long cart ride crossing over a fairly large body of water. The next several holes are not as wide open as previously mentioned but the beautiful scenery “made” us hit good shots. As we’ve indicated before, Bogeyman and Lefty give this track “two thumbs up”. Lefty (83)
Brambleton Regional Park Golf Course Ashburn, VA - 10/9/2005
By far my favorite of the three Park Authority ‘sisters’ (Pohick and Algonkian the other two) continues to be Brambleton. The layout is very traditional and straightforward, with no measurable nearby development to spoil the views. This course also tends to be less crowded than the other two, perhaps because of the formerly back roadsy drive to get there. Conditions of the course are usually good, though one hole (par five #7) tends to be cart path only due to its low lying positioning. Some interesting old house remains, and even a family cemetery dress up the edges of several holes. On the front nine holes #6 & #7 will keep your attention. On the back nine a handful of holes beginning with the par three twelfth will leave you with the feeling that the closing nine is not the place to go low. Ayce
Reston National Golf Course Reston, VA - 10/7/2005
In L.A. there is a race track known as the track of lakes and flowers, for obvious reasons. I think of Reston as the course of dogs and joggers for similar apparent reasons. When the planned community of Reston was built there were two courses-North and South. In time one went private and became Hidden Creek, the other was deemed as the public links named Reston National. The course is always mobbed with golfers because of the real estate adage of “location, location, location.” It is also over run by kids and pets accompanying joggers and walkers thanks to the immediate proximity of high density housing ‘on’ the course. Play is terribly slow because of the sheer numbers of rounds played there and because of the length of the course from the popularly played tees. The pricing has always seemed high for the value offered, but again you are paying for that ‘location’ thing? Ayce
Cannon Ridge Golf Club Fredericksburg, VA - 10/6/2005
After weeks of dry weather most courses in the Mid Atlantic are parched. Drives roll forever and putts bump along washboard greens. But, at a recent outing at Cannon Ridge it appeared as if rain had blessed the course daily. The course was in the best shape of any in the area. A new entrance parkway replaced the old entrance to the course-a welcome addition. The treatment given to the golfers was first rate (again kudos to Dean Cloy.) With much of the fairways far from trees, I suspect this would be a good fall track to play. No need for the "leaf rule." Ayce
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 10/4/2005
This place has to best one of the best around for an outing! Had the good fortune to play two tournaments there in one week, both very well done. Food is always good and hospitality from the staff matches the good grub. Golfers in outings this year all receive metal bag tags with their names engraved on them-a nice touch. Followin a September seeding program, the fairways are showing a growth spurt that bodes well for next season. This course still has no houses around it to spoil your golf experience, and cheap gas at the nearby stations is a bonus. Ayce
Stonewall Golf Club Gainesville, VA - 10/3/2005
If the closest you get to golfing RTJ is Stonewall, you are not fareing too badly. Sure RTJ is a gem, but Stonewall ranks up there with the best of the public access courses. The view of the Lake Manassas shore is awesome, and the beautiful homes (set far enough back from the course) provide good drooling material. Now some of the houses are in resale mode so you can occasionally pick up real estate info from a backyard to see how closely you have guessed the asking price. Greens are always true rolling and the generous fairways are well kept. This high end property is worth taking that out of town guest or old golf buddy to for a treat. Ayce
Westpark Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 10/2/2005
This has been one of my favorite secret courses to play due to the access, price, layout, and staff so I was a little disappointed to see this venerable course in such bad shape recently. The fairways were rock hard due to the drought, but greens were OK. Felt like a youngster again as drives went forever, but soon tired of hitting off hardpan offered up as fairway. With recent rains hopefully this course with spring back. Ayce
Goose Creek Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 9/9/2005
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Institute held its annual golf outing at Goose Creek on Sep. 9, and a lucky Waggle staffer was asked to play. As the golfers were assembling one was overheard inquiring about the condition of the Goose. Another golfer responded “they have grass here, this will be fun.” While many courses are struggling with the pithium blight which damaged most fairways, Goose Creek was in well above average condition as duly noted by one local golfing participant. Waggle staff confirmed that yes indeed there was plenty of grass and hospitality available on that occasion. Ayce
Burke Lake Golf Center Fairfax Station, VA - 9/5/2005
Though it had been a decade since my spikes had trod the gentle hills of this old muni, little had changed. About the only things different were the lack of kids (school is in session), the lack of old guys pulling clubs (I am now one so they aren’t old) and for the first time ever even this lush track was a little burned out. No rain and excessive heat took its toll, but the course remains a good test of the short game. Eighteen holes of par 3s that range dramatically in length, offer a close in opportunity to ‘walk 18’ (a feat I do once a year and figure I have gotten my exercise!). Ayce
Potomac Ridge Golf Waldorf, MD - 8/26/2005
It had been quite a while since I had ventured down to the bottom of the Beltway and visited Potomac Ridge. Since my last visit, they’ve added another nine holes and the course has improved dramatically. A neighbor of mine invited me down to a charity outing for Providence Hospital and although I didn’t get a chance to play course outright (4 man scramble), I can report that it is in excellent shape from tees to green to clubhouse. The course has definitely “grown up” since its early days. We played the “Meadow” and “Hollow” nines which were the original 18 holes (from what I recall). The “Ridge” par 37 looked equally as nice and challenging. The fairways were excellent (a few had been recently aerated but, hey you gotta do it to keep the pristine conditions). The greens rolled very nice but were deceptively tricky - I actually lost a bet on which way a putt would break - so make sure you take a good look at it before playing it left to right! The pro shop is well stocked and staff is very helpful and friendly. I would rate this course a “must play” and great addition to the Atlantic Golf Stable! Lefty
Links at Lighthouse Sound Bishopville, MD - 8/25/2005
I heard all the rage about the “best newest course” in Ocean City so decided to plan a day to visit The Links at Lighthouse Sound. My great anticipation was heightened by the professional treatment by the staff upon pulling up to the bag drop and friendly helpful attitude of the pro shop attendant. Add the excellent practice facility and absolutely perfect 80 degree low-humidity, light-wind day and I’m set for a really fun round! Unfortunately, all the stars were not lined up on this date as on the first hole, I realized the course had recently been aerated (I later found out it was 5 days prior) from tees to greens. We had to play on as we had committed the entire day to checking out this track. Even the aeration-caused bumpy fairways, greens and tees did not detract us from a fine day of golf though. This is a super-challenging and truly scenic test of golf. I’ve run out of adjectives here but trust me; it’s as good as everything you’ve heard. We played the Gold (championship) tees and at 6556 yards, we used nearly every club in the bag. Many holes (it seemed like every one) had a forced carry over either water or an environmental hazard. The greens were hard to figure because of the bumpiness but I’ll give them a thumbs-up assuming they grow in as I would expect from an upscale track like this. The slope rating of 138 from our tees was correct as misses usually resulted in adding 2 to your score for that hole (i.e. hitting OB or in the hazard). I really enjoyed this round of golf – especially since I managed to pull it together for one of my better nines on the back to shoot a respectable score but even if I hadn’t, I know I’ll be back to play Lighthouse Sound again. This is a high priced track but probably worth it if you don’t catch it during “aeration” season! Lefty (85)
Stoneleigh Golf Club Round Hill, VA - 8/20/2005
Lisa Maki made her first attempt at golf course design with Stoneleigh a decade ago. The rolling terrain was a former apple orchard and is situated across the street from Hill High Orchards. The homes near the course are beautiful and non-intrusive. The pace of play is good. But, it’s tough to find a lot to rave about with Stoneleigh which has a deservedly bad reputation amongst many golfers. The course is simply too tricked up! The first and tenth holes run parallel to each others and present little challenge. The second hole is perhaps the most reviled hole in No. Va., running up a steep slope with a fairway that offers a random chance of a flat lie no matter how good your tee shot. The approach to the second green is ridiculous even from a flat lie due to a rock wall and then a green with way too much undulation. (Nice view of the valley from the green though.) The next most unfair hole is the twelfth where a reprise of #2 on steroids awaits. In general, each hole has double the number of distinguishing ‘features’ that make for a fair test. Be sure to buy a pie from the Hill High Orchard stand as you pull out onto route 7 as you leave and you’ll go home a winner. Ayce
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 8/18/2005
My old neighbor came to town for a visit and what a better way to hang out than by visiting a nice golf course. Maryland National Golf Club – again is in superb shape with all tees, fairways and greens in excellent playing condition. Unfortunately for our group, a mid-week tournament of how-do-I-say-this-nicely “non-golfer-types” had 4 hours of tee times blocked off right before we went off and our pace was excruciatingly slow which detracted somewhat from our fun. Finally on number 15, we had a visit from the assistant pro who took us back to number 1 for a “speed-golf-all-you-can-play” fiesta. Although we didn’t get to play those final closing 3 holes that I so enjoy, we did manage to play nearly 30 holes and I can definitely tell you Maryland National is a nice course to play. It’s also very challenging as you need to keep the ball in play and putt from the correct part of the green. The GPS on the carts with rolling sports scores is another added nice touch. It also shows you the carts in front of you so you can tell when they’re cleared out and it’s safe to hit – note this really came into play for us on this particular day; however I believe it’s the exception rather than the norm for Maryland National. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, play Maryland National – you’ll want to go back for more! Lefty
Hilltop Golf Club Alexandria, VA - 8/2/2005
On a 90 degree day in DC it is nice to get away in the mountains and play a beautifully maintained course. But, for most folks that means a day of vacation and a half a tank of gas ride; unless you have discovered the secret- Hilltop! Hard to believe the fairways and greens were so lush on a hot summer day, until we saw a dozen or more workers hand watering the course. The bunkers all had pristine white sand like a beach course might boast. Best of all, there is always a breeze on holes 3 thru 9 so the temp drops for the weary golfers. The views are amazing for a course as close to the beltway as Hilltop, so much that my first timer partner said it reminded him of the Blue Ridge. The friendly staff rightfully take a lot of pride in this beauty. Beat the heat at Hilltop. Ayce
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 7/16/2005
A foursome that included Bogeyman, Vranko, and me teed off from the blue tees at Bull Run Saturday morning a little after 8:00 am. The day was already warm and extremely humid, only to get worse as our morning went on (but it was better than the 122 degrees in Baghdad that day). The extensive thunderstorm activity that had rolled through the area over the course of the previous few days had rendered conditions very wet with no roll in the fairways and puddles in most bunkers. Still, a good time was had by all, and thank goodness there was plenty of drinking water available on the course. The layout of the course offers something for low handicappers, yet isn't overly difficult for mid-handicappers either. There are a few tee shots that require some forced carries of a couple hundred yards, so high handicappers may find these holes daunting. The fairways and greens were in excellent condition, but as could be expected the greens were rolling a little slow due to the excessive rain. None of us played particularly well, and we all vowed to blame it on the conditions. After the round, we stopped by the clubhouse for lunch. The food was good but service was a little slow, which seemed to be mostly due to a lack of staffing and a large lunch time crowd. If you want to check out Bull Run, sign up for Waggle's Golf & Poker Tourney that will be held there on July 27th. HeadCase (107)
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 7/15/2005
We managed to dodge a few rain showers and get in a full 18 before the really big thunderstorms hit on a hot muggy Friday afternoon at this fine track. On my last play here last year, it seems like the course had matured somewhat from prior rounds – and I’m happy to report that it seems to have gotten even better to what I’ll now call pristine conditions. You may find a tee box or two which need some overseeding but nothing that will detract you from a great golf experience. I noticed (even more so than before) the length of the 1st three par 4’s. From the blue tees you’ll play 424, 428 and 453 and these aren’t even the most difficult holes being the 7, 9, and 5 handicap holes! Number 3 is especially a challenge requiring a big drive followed by a low iron to an elevated tee. If the wind is against you, play it as a par 5 and take your bogey and run! Other teasers include number 12 which is a reachable-in-two par 5 but you had better be accurate on your 2nd shot as water lurks to the right. The two closing holes include a mid-long par 3 over water and a three-shot par 5 to a slightly elevated green. Both can be birdied but you’ll need to be accurate and calm your nerves to do so. With a great clubhouse and challenging course, Blue Mash has developed into one fine golf venue! Lefty (85)
Bristow Manor Golf Club Bristow, VA - 6/29/2005
On a warm Wednesday morning my playing partner and I had a surreal golf round at Bristow Manor. The course itself was in very good shape with excellent greens. The weird part was the lack of players on the course. In the 3 hours and 15 minutes it took to breeze around the eighteen holes, we spotted only 8 other golfers. The pro shop was fairly bare of goodies to sell as was the snack bar. No outings were posted on the bulletin board. Rates were reasonable enough so where was everybody? The trademark concrete cart paths at Bristow are showing their age, so expect some needed repairs there soon. Ayce
Westfields Golf Club Clifton, VA - 6/27/2005
It had been a year or two since my last visit to Westfields and I had heard some recent talk of the course not being in its usual pristine condition - well whatever may have been wrong is OK now. The course was beautiful! Fairways (the few I hit) and greens were in great shape and the service was stellar as usual. There were plenty of marshals on the course keeping play moving and we got around in just under 4 hours. It is always a treat to play here. Bogeyman (85)
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 6/26/2005
Another Waggle.com mini-tournament of 2005 was held at Maryland National Golf Club in Middletown Maryland just west of Frederick and what a difference a couple of months make! The 90+ degree day was only a slight contrast to the prior tourney there where it hailed on a few holes (scroll down to 4/24/05 review). As is the norm, this track was in superb shape with all tees, fairways and greens in excellent playing condition. Even #16 green has come back due to the fact that many trees were removed allowing the green more air and sunlight. As usual for me, #7 on the front got me again, although this time it was my fault with a poorly struck approach into the bunker. A poor bunker shot, average chip and missed 10 footer and Lefty’s got another double bogey! My last review said “Birdie it and you’ve earned kudos from me”, well I owe kudos to one member of my foursome as he hit his approach beautifully to 3’ and knocked in the putt – at least now we all know it can be done! Other memorable holes are the closing 3 - #16 is a classic risk reward drive the green or not hole (it can be done), #17 is a great par 3 in which you either hit the green or go to the drop area (drive to the green and go to the right side and you see behind the sand trap), and finally the hole everyone complains about, #18 a difficult par 4 in which you need a big drive and accurate second shot; miss left and you’re in a bunker, miss right and you’re in a hazard which sits right next to the green (it’s almost unfair how close the hazard is!). On this day, I got through these three holes in 1 over which salvaged an otherwise bad round. Oh well, Maryland National is a challenge and I know I’ll be back again. I gotta mention the great bar/restaurant for the 19th hole and the helpful friendly staff – it all continues to add up to a nice day of golf! Lefty (87)
Lee's Hill Golfer's Club Fredericksburg, VA - 6/18/2005
The Lees Hill layout has always been a nice winding track with no houses cluttering up the scenery. Now a new management team has improved the conditioning and overall management of this very good golf course. The Fredericksburg area is rapidly becoming a popular destination for golf. A large part of this is the new Lees Hill. Lots of outing are to be found during the week at Lees Hill so be sure to call ahead to check course availability. The reasonable rates make the short drive from the Beltway well worth considering with a friend or two. Having not played Lees Hill since last year, I was particularly surprised at the growth of vegetation framing the holes. Better keep the ball in play here, or bring a machete. Ayce
Glade Valley Golf Club Walkersville, MD - 6/16/2005
Again this year we headed to Glade Valley for the Dorothy Rough Golf Classic to benefits the Alzheimers Association and were treated to an enjoyable day. This is a very walkable and playable course that was again in good condition. We loved the greens that held shots and rolled true. And, the entire staff was very friendly and accomodating. We were lucky to be partner with Bob Rough (who runs the tournament) as he was throwing darts all day from the fairway for tap in birdies. We finished 15 under (birdied all 9 on the back) and still came in 3rd gross (but we did get 1st net). The pork barbecue was delicious - so stop by for a reasonably priced round and a sandwich - you won't be disappointed! Bogeyman
Whiskey Creek Golf Club Ijamsville, MD - 6/14/2005
A hot humid day with a heat advisory and what a better place to be than Whiskey Creek in nearby Ijamsville (near Frederick) Maryland. A slight breeze this day made the day not as hot as it could have been although there were a few holes that it seemed to heat up considerably. Maybe because we weren’t playing as well as we’d like? In any event, Whiskey Creek continues to remain a favorite of mine. It was in excellent shape from tee to green and one thing I noticed different from previous trips was the fact that many bail out areas – and what I mean by that is areas where you can miss the fairway and still play from the rough - have been allowed to grow in and now the course is more difficult to play if you don’t keep it in the short stuff. Many of these areas are now so grown up that you simply drop another ball and take your medicine which – in my opinion makes the course play to the 136 slope rating for the blue tees. Carts were allowed on the course (except for a few holes) and the pace of play was good with absolutely no holdup (keep in mind it was a weekday afternoon) although there were several foursomes on the course. The beautiful clubhouse and friendly staff made the post round beverage extra nice! Give Whiskey Creek a play – you’ll remember those tough par 3’s, and probably the closing hole (par 5 – where you may negotiate around the signature house in the left center of the fairway and get home in 2 to close with an eagle?). The front nine has a very similar hole – go for it! Lefty (86)
Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Front Royal, VA - 6/11/2005
This has to be one of the best buys in golf within an hour of the Washington Beltway. The three nines are fairly similar with their fir tree lined fairways. If you miss the fairway, you won’t lose a ball, but you will have to punch out. Few water hazards, if any exist on this rolling country course. One of the great benefits of playing Shenandoah during the summer is that because of the altitude and the breeze, it is always a bit cooler than the temps inside that Beltway. Construction traffic on I-66 can make the journey to the course frightful, so leave plenty of time to get there. Ayce
Black Rock Golf Course Hagerstown, MD - 6/9/2005
I managed to sneak out and enjoy a mid-week round at Black Rock Golf Course in Hagerstown on a hot muggy day in late spring. I hadn’t played this track in nearly 7 years and remember it being “muni-like” meaning not the upscale feel of a Bulle Rock and not the patch feel of ….well we don’t like to really bring those courses up. This course played like a muni but had some nice challenging holes and others which could really make for a nice score. Translation: you can shoot a good score on this course (slope 121 and rating of 68.4 is accurate). As an example, the #1 hole is a short par five – I hit driver and 9 iron and barely missed my eagle putt. Not all of them are this easy but a select few are easy targets. Most holes have a lot of room to miss drives and approach shots without too much punishment. Don’t get me wrong, you can lose a few balls here but you’ll have to be really off to do so. I would rate the greens as true and in good shape. They held approach shots better than a lot of others I’ve played. The fairways and sandtraps were also in pretty good shape. A few of the tee boxes were in need of overseeding and had some bare spots but when you’re hitting it off the tee, who cares about how much grass is present. The post round beverages were cold and the clubhouse presented a nice view of the course. If in Hagerstown area, Black Rock isn’t a bad play and the price is reasonable. Lefty (83)
Stonewall Golf Club Gainesville, VA - 6/6/2005
The Waggle men participated in our 8th or 9th annual Summer Solstice Survival on a hot muggy day at Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville VA. For any of you out there that want a really nice treat of golf which is challenging yet fair, give Stonewall a try. For the Solstice, we were able to play both the white and blue tees and each presented a nice variety of shots and required you to use some sense off the tee box. My favorite was number 6 which is a par 5 - reachable in 2 but if you don’t make it or you’re just a little short or right, you’re wet as the green and fringe feeds the lake! Risk vs. reward at its finest! Bogeyman raves about the back nine being the best in the area – I can’t argue with him but I can say the front is pretty darn nice too! The fairways, tee boxes, sand traps, greens and clubhouse were all in excellent condition – the way a golf course should be. There is enough of a challenge (136 slope from the whites, 139/blue), but if you think a little and miss shots where you have some room to miss, you’ll be treated fairly. As you can probably sense, we really enjoyed the course and I think you will too! Lefty (86,87,91)
Carolina Club Grandy, NC - 5/22/2005
As in previous years, Carolina Club was the final stop of the OBX research trip for 2005, and as the rest of our trip went, wind was our companion. I remembered Carolina Club to be a really fun course to play and looked forward to playing with the added element of the wind. Unfortunately for me, the %&$* wind got me again and I scored higher than I wanted but I do remember a few holes that you should be aware of – I believe I mentioned the island green hit it or make (bogey, or worse) par 3 #7 on prior reviews. I also recall on this trip #17 which was playing a yardage of 190 over the water with nearly all of it carry – into the teeth of the wind on this day. I pulled my tee shot to the right (deftly avoiding the water hazard!), chipped on and 2-putted for a good bogey and walked away. I did hit a second ball off the tee just for fun (a well struck 3 wood to the back of the green) but that was the one I wished I hit on the first ball! I also recall #18 which was down wind and hit my drive to the left fairway bunker (which saved me from the water hazard) and foolishly took a 5 wood from there to try to reach the green. Well every once in a while you pull it off, however, similar to how my OBX research trip went, a three putt par finished my day. I’ll definitely get back to Carolina Club to play again and recommend you do too. One thing to remember is your bug spray as they’ll attack you on numbers 5 and especially 6 on the front and a few on the back as well. Don’t let them distract you from playing this fine track! Lefty (88)
Duck Woods Country Club Southern Shores, NC - 5/21/2005
Duck Woods Country Club is trying to get it’s act together – the course seems to get a little better each year and although not yet what I’d rate “pristine” or “upscale” it is now what I’ll call “very playable”. As mentioned from the 2004 review, it is obvious that somebody is taking some time to put some effort into improving the course. You may notice a rather large new clubhouse being built which can only serve to better your golfing experience. ON this date with improving weather (although still very windy), the course was in pretty decent shape. The greens rated “above average” and tee boxes and sand traps were in pretty good shape as well. You’ll find some challenging holes with some hidden creeks/hazards crossing the fairways. Other holes will require less than a driver off the tee to lay up in front of some hazards. Number 9 was under construction – actually not the fairway but the right rough as a part of the clubhouse renovation but next year this course should be ready for action. On this day, the wind again got to me and a few missed swings cost me two shots each and watery graves for some unlucky balls. Alas, there’ll be more golf! Lefty (92)
The Currituck Club Corolla, NC - 5/20/2005
Currituck Club on another not so good weather day was the 2nd day of OBX 2005. This is perhaps the most upscale course in the Outer Banks and as usual, it delivered. The windy condition on this day only made it tougher to play – can you say 3 iron to a 145 yard par 3 and have it blown into the hazard? Because of it’s location close to the shore, there probably is always a wind here but the beautiful scenery, immaculate course condition and great clubhouse make it a must play while in OBX. Although not overly punishing on poor shots, you can lose a few in the water (I know I did on this date) and there are several lateral hazards to negotiate as well but all in all, if you strike the ball well and play smart, you won’t get punished too bad. Unfortunately for me, I did neither on this day and I’ll blame a slightly higher than normal score on the wind and rain. Hey, it’s an excuse! If you get a chance, play Currituck Club – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! Lefty (92)
Kilmarlic Golf Club Powell's Point, NC - 5/19/2005
Day one of the 2005 OBX research trip was supposed to be a double round at Kilmarlic Golf Club, however Mother Nature had other plans. We teed off at 7:30 am on a cloudy but “no rain forcasted day” but as usual, the weather forecasters blew it and the sky opened up on #7. We had to take a 3 hour respite to allow the showers to pass. Fortunately, we were able to get back out in the afternoon and get in a full 18. As per previous reviews, this track was as nice as ever with fairways, greens, tee boxes and sand traps in excellent shape. Even with the heavy torrential downpours, the course drained fairly well and we managed to get in a decent round of golf. Water comes into play on several holes, but only if you let it. Good club selection and course management will provide you a decent score here. There are a lot of areas where you can get into trouble, but play it smart and you’ll do OK. We learned that the course has recently been bought by the 3rd set of owners and that is normally when a clubhouse and other amenities are completed. The 1st owners either make it big or go belly up and sell. The 2nd owners usually mess things up and then the 3rd owners usually clean up on a bargain buy and make hay with a nice course. Perhaps for OBX review 2006, I’ll finally get to see that completed clubhouse? In any event, we didn’t come here for the clubhouse and the golf course was just fine in my opinion – much nicer than other venues at the OBX. Lefty (89)
Herndon Centennial Golf Course Herndon, VA - 5/16/2005
Herndon Centennial Golf Course continues to be like chocolate ice cream. There are no chips or pecans, but it’s still ice cream. The serviceable old, friendly course, will never win any awards for aesthetic or scenery, but for a reliable, reasonably priced course, it does the job. Course conditions are always quite good, and due to the number of rounds, the staff are fairly efficient at getting folks around the 18 hole track. There is enough variety in the holes that although it doesn’t have a P.B. Dye flare, you won’t think that you have already played the hole as you step to the fifth or sixth tee. Ayce
Pleasant Valley Golfer's Club Chantilly, VA - 5/15/2005
I had the occasion to play Pleasant Valley twice in one weekend in late May 2005. My overall impressions were shared by all six of my playing partners, leading me to believe that both my praise and criticism may not be too far off the mark. The good news is that a perennially above average course has gotten even better. The work that has been put in by the newest superintendent and his staff has made the course more beautiful and more challenging. At the prices charged for golf at Pleasant Valley, these outstanding conditions draw lots of golfers, all the time. This plethora of golfers has only contributed to worsening the down side of this course which is the friendliness of the pro shop staff and weekend starters. No smile greets you at the cash register, simply an attitude that “you’re lucky we’re letting you play here”. That attitude deteriorates when you reach the first tee as the boot camp veteran starter barks out your marching orders. Too bad the success of a great course has gone to the heads of the few who work there. Be sure to eat there as the food and beverage staff seem to go out of their way to please you. Ayce
Ocean Resorts Golf Club Berlin, MD - 4/30/2005
Ocean Resorts in Berlin Maryland, just 15 minutes or so from Ocean City, offers a tight back nine which requires you to hit the ball straight or suffer the consequences on several holes. This track is not the upscale type course that you pay top dollar for but it is a place to play golf and challenge yourself to make difficult shots. The course is very playable but suffers a few less than pristine areas in the fairways and tee boxes. The greens were decent enough – not as fast as other beach courses – but they did putt reasonably well. The traps needed some work but, again, were playable. The course layout is challenging enough, especially several holes on the back which will require a straight drive of some length to either get you around a dogleg or in a position to go for the green in two. Some upwind holes will challenge your approach distances often two clubs more than the distance indicates. Although not the best of OC courses, you’ll get 18 holes for a low rate here and will still have fun! Lefty (89)
Hilltop Golf Club Alexandria, VA - 4/29/2005
I played in my first outing at Hilltop on a cool spring day today. This 9-hole gem lends itself well to tee times for an outing as opposed to the traditional shotgun start because of the unique layout—a feature making the course exceptional for an after work or afternoon corporate scramble. All of the amenities of any good area tournament were there, particularly the food! Pace of play was kept at a proper pace, course conditions were very good, and hospitality abounded from the staff. One of the best touches for outings at Hilltop is the proximity of a first class ‘warm-up’ area within wedge distance of the first green. Once the word is out, this will become a popular site for afternoon scrambles because it is hard to top the total package it offers including the near beltway location. If a tournament at Hilltop is not on your calendar yet, put one together and please your golf buddies. Ayce
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 4/24/2005
The 1st Waggle.com mini-tournament of 2005 was held at Maryland National Golf Club in Middletown Maryland just west of Frederick on a colder-than-a-golfer-wants early Spring afternoon. After some warm eighty degree weather just a week or so ago, we were “treated” to sub-50’s, wind, mist, and even hail for a couple of holes. Fear not, we’re here to talk golf not weather! Even though this course always seems to be in good condition, it seemed even better today. All tees, fairways and greens were in excellent to superb shape. A couple of sand traps could use a little work but hey, don’t hit into them if you’ve got issues with poor sand! I know, easier said than done! On this day, the weather played to biggest factor however on this course, if you pick your spots you can score well. One tough hole for ole’ Lefty is #7 on the front. Birdie it and you’ve earned kudos from me as that hole always eats me up. You’d think a par five of average length can be had but you need a good drive and smart play on the approach to put yourself in position for that elusive bird. If you’ve got a front pin you’d better bring your “spin it back” shot to pull it back up the down-sloping green! Good luck and let me know if you birdie it and how you did it. Although I’m griping about this hole, most of the holes at Maryland National can be birdied. Good shots are rewarded and several short holes require smart placement over long distance. These are those rewarding shots that you remember long after you’ve completed the round (In fact, if you’re like me, you can sometimes remember certain shots years later!) Get out there, make those memorable shots and see for yourself. Check out the really nice bar/restaurant for the 19th hole as well! Lefty (87)
Willow Springs Golf Course West Friendship, MD - 4/11/2005
On an absolutely beautiful 70 degree day in early spring I had to go out and hit the rock somewhere. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to play the full Monty 5 hour round so I headed to Willow Springs. You know that course you can see from I-70 near MD 32? Yea that’s the one. Willow Springs is by no means is a resort course - only a step up from a patch, however the conditions are good enough to work out your game, yet challenging enough to make you face some tough shots both off the tee and an approach or two. The number one handicap hole is the one you can see from the road - a par 4 (399 from the tips) which requires a decent drive and good approach with sand in front and "love grass" long. Number 2 is a 188 par 3 usually into the wind. Number 3 requires a well placed drive of about 200 yards usually into the wind. Several other holes will offer you a visual challenge of hitting that good shot over water or other hazards. With 8 par 4’s and 10 par 3’s you can actually break 70 here if you’re hitting your irons well and making those putts. Hey you CAN break 70…well, at least 80 for now! Willow Springs – a good practice play if you don’t have a lot to time to play a full 18 – usually plays in about 3 hours, however be prepared to deal with many “non golfing” types who are just out for some fun. But hey, you’re only out for practice and fun here anyway so who cares? Lefty
Goose Creek Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 4/3/2005
On a day not fit for man or beast, let alone golf Goose Creek kicked off the 05 season with an opening scramble. My buddies had a blast in spite of the cold wind and fairways soaked from several inches of rain. It was the company, but it was also the Goose. After the round the management team rolled out the red carpet with a cookout and lots of hospitality. Goose Creek remains a great choice for a reasonably priced outing, and you can’t beat their effort to please. Some changes in the course improved things from last year when quantum changes were made. Much of the growth around the creeks had been neatly removed and the clubhouse painted. If you have not been to the Goose recently, be sure to start your season with a visit. You will enjoy it. Ayce
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort Las Vegas, NV - 2/7/2005
The final review in Vegas for 2005, was the Wolf course at Paiute. Like the other courses at Paiute, the Wolf course is true desert golf with every hole featuring a desert (i.e. rock) lie if you miss the fairway AND the rough. This course has filled in nicely since our last trip 3 years ago. The greens seemed to hold approach shots better but were diabolically tricky with breaks and undulations that will leave you scratching your head. They were deceptively fast but putted true – what every golfer wants! Most fairways were generous with bunkers placed in some tricky locations but you could pretty much figure out where you were supposed to hit the ball. The slope rating of this course (130) from the middle tees indicates some of the trickiness involved in this course but you’ll have to play it to judge for yourself. Fairways, greens and tees were in tip top shape and we can safely tell you that although none of Pauite’s three courses will disappoint you, the Waggle team prefers the Wolf course because of the challenge. After all, isn’t that why we play the game? Lefty (81)
Angel Park Golf Course Las Vegas, NV - 2/5/2005
Day 2 of our 2005 Vegas trip found us back at Angel Park, Palm Course. We played this track perhaps 10 years ago and were really not looking forward to playing as last time we played there, it reminded us of a “muni” course that gets a lot of play but wasn’t well maintained. We were pleasantly surprised by the nice conditions and friendly atmosphere. It seemed to have “grown in” since our last play with fairways, greens, and tee boxes being in good to excellent shape. Although not extremely difficult, the course was more challenging than we remembered from last time. The course itself is mostly a flat desert course but there are a lot of shots that, if you miss, you’re either OB or in the hazard – and some of them are difficult to see from where you are hitting the ball. (notice the left of #1 green for instance) Although Super Bowl weekend required the course to jack up the rates, this “muni” course – a local favorite – will probably be worth the smaller fee than you’ll pay at the upscale resort courses. Add to the fact that Lefty was red hot this day and you can bet we’ll be back again! Lefty (75)
Las Vegas National Golf Club Las Vegas, NV - 2/4/2005
Day one of the 2005 Vegas trip was, once again, all work for your fellow Waggle staff. Although we really don’t like to ‘golf and tell’ it’s our job so we’ll do it for all of you “waggleites” out there. We went back to a couple of tracks that we played many years before but had not had the chance to play in a while because of the many new courses in Vegas that require a review. Las Vegas National was one of the ones we played many years ago. This venerable track has been around for many years and like a well-matured course it played very “docile”. What is meant by that is that the greens held like they’re supposed to, the fairways, tee boxes and other conditions also exhibited that country-club-every-day-play-but-still-in-great-shape feel. Unfortunately, as many resort courses are, it didn’t seem to provide that much of a challenge to one’s golf game (although our scores didn’t indicate it). With a slope of 121 from the white tees, you can definitely put up a good number here but watch the greens that are a little faster than you think. So one would ask why we didn’t put up a great number? Well, it’s winter and we didn’t get a chance to get out much for practice prior to the trip…at least that’s our story! This is a nice course and Las Vegas National will be an enjoyable round of golf for you for a lesser price than many of the newer courses in Vegas so we give it a “thumbs up”. Lefty (88)
The Woodlands Golf Course Woodlawn, MD - 1/7/2005
January isn’t supposed to be for golf is it? When temps are around 50 (or higher), Jan IS for golf and so I decided to venture out and do some more winter golf exploring for Waggle.com. The Woodlands was soggy from the day long rain yesterday and a mild breeze kept the air a little colder than we’d have liked but then again, it’s January and we’re golfing – so who cares? On this day the course was peaceful and scenic as only a few ventured out to slog around this track. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the fairways were in pretty decent shape (but wet and soggy); the greens were recently fertilized and rather bumpy with the fertilizer “seeds” scattered throughout but they still putted pretty true. The sand traps were not maintained with most having the sand drained to the middle and bottom of them but then again, did I mention it’s winter and we’re not supposed to be golfing? For golf addicts the winter rate and course condition of Woodlands can’t be beat. Let’s just keep those temperatures up and play on! Lefty (85)
The Golf Club at Brickshire Providence Forge, VA - 1/5/2005
Played The Golf Club at Brickshire in Providence Forge, VA on January 5, 2005. The temperature was a mere 75 degrees. The course was is great condition despite it being January. It is generally player friendly with some wide fairways and the greens ran very true. There are four holes that mimic Augusta National, Riviera, St. Andrews and Pinehurst #2. Gives one the idea of what it feels like where the big dogs play. It was out of season but the course is adjacent to Colonial Downs Racetrack. Scott Turner, Head Professional and Brett Weaver, Assistant Professional were very friendly and made you feel welcome. It's a course to visit again. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
The Tradition Golf Club at Stonehouse Toano, VA - 1/4/2005
Went to The Tradition Golf Club at Stonehurst in Toana, Va in early January 2005. First great thing was that temperature hit 73 degrees. Second great thing was the golf course. Actually, the golf course was probably the first great thing. It's spectacular to see even if you don't play well. That's not to say it's unplayable or terribly unfair. Being from the flat Eastern Shore of Maryland, to me the layout is unique. Deep bunkers, rolling hills, some tee shots over dense canyons..it's really someting to see and play. Just standing on the different tee boxes is a thrill because as you pause to admire it, you're wondering if you can make the shot. This is a stop every golfer should make. I hope I can get to play Stonehouse again, even if it's not 73. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Dauphin Highlands Golf Course Harrisburg, PA - 12/30/2004
A slightly warmer than normal day between Christmas and New Years offered an opportunity to get out for some winter golf in Harrisburg while visiting family. (Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?) In any event, I’ve played Dauphin Highlands before in “normal” conditions and always found it well maintained and fun to play. This day, albeit colder than one would like for golf (40 degrees if that much!), provided a good test of off-season golf. The course is challenging enough yet fair with 2 of the four par 5’s possible to reach in 2. As you can guess, the other 2 are nearly impossible to reach in two – at least unless you’re hitting them 3-plus. A couple of the par 3’s are over deep ravine waste areas and make them appear to be more difficult than they actually are however you’ll more than likely need a well struck mid-to-low iron to reach them in regulation. Another good challenge for us up and coming hackers! On this day, the sandtraps were hard (frozen is probably the more correct term) packed and difficult to escape and the greens putted pretty slow (although they didn’t give you that impression when walking on them). Dauphin Highlands is a fairly inexpensive course that has that upscale feel. When you’re in the Harrisburg area give it a play! Lefty (88)
Cannon Ridge Golf Club Fredericksburg, VA - 12/24/2004
Made it over to Fredericksburg and took the opportunity to play Cannon Ridge Golf Club. And an opportunity it was. Just two guys on the course all day - 38 degrees for a high and 20 mile winds. Not too pleasant but it was worth playing the course in spite of the weather. The course is relatively new and the clubhouse is temporary but if they put the effort into it as they have the course, it should be great. The course is a real tester. The wide fairways looked benign enough and easy to hit but you really had to put the ball in position to score well. And some of the carries on the drive had to clear some extensive environmental sensitive areas. The course is in great shape with nice, true greens. Dean Beman is the course architect and it does look like something you'd see on TV. It wouldn't be surprising if that happens some day. It would be wonderful to play it again now that there's a little familiarity (of course the temperature will have to be a little higher.) This course should be played!
First assistant pro Dean Gloy was working the pro shop and did a nice job in welcoming us and describing the course - even though he probably thought we were nuts considering the weather. Didn't get to see the head pro, Bob Baldassari. Bob was the head pro at River Run down here on the Eastern Shore, across the street from Ocean Pines. He was renowned for his work with children's golf and he seems to have carried that to Cannon Ridge. It's a very, very good golf experience, I hope I get to go back. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Birdwood Golf Course Charlottesville, VA - 12/23/2004
Birdwood seems to be a well established course and has a great variety of hole configurations. Unfortunately, I only got to play the front nine (twice) because the back is being rehabbed and when that is complete, they close the front and do the same. I heard they're getting it ready for college championships in two years. The course was well groomed and the tees were really good, especially if a guy like me could sink about six putts from 12 - 16 feet. Maybe I should always keep my eyes closed :) The course is located right near the Boar's Head Inn on Route 250 just west of Charlottesville and it's open to the public. Stop by if you don't mind playing nine holes twice, otherwise you'll have to wait a while. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Augustine Golf Club Stafford, VA - 11/11/2004
Had a wonderful day of golf at Augustine Golf Club although it was a little nippy at times (there had been a 3 hour frost delay but they fit us in nicely and promptly.) The Staff was terrific, from the bagboy whose name I forget to Nancy at check-in to Asst.Pro Kris Reinert who was helpful and enthusiastic in telling us about the course layout, pin placements and good camera views. The entire course was in magnificent shape but best of all, the layout was fantastic. A great mix of holes that gave it an outstanding character to the bent grass fairways that I can only describe as being "delicious". Great ball contact was the order of the day. Since it is so close to 95, I recommend that anyone going by exit 140 get off for a couple of hours and play a great course. It certainly makes my top 10 list. I'll be back! Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Raspberry Falls Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 11/10/2004
Finally got to play Raspberry Falls, it's been on my list since Gary Player has always been my hero (Probably because he's 2 days older than I.) The course was in great shape but I was a bit disappointed because with the exception of a couple holes, they were all pretty much straight forward and similar. I also thought it was a bit "over-linked" with berms that were more like ski moguls which made it difficult to get a good reading on where the ball finally ended up because when it went over the mogul, it was out of sight and it was hard to get a feel of where it ended up. I know that you're suppose to keep it on the fairway and that would have made it easier but.... The fairways seemed to have been computer generated since they all seem to have the same uniform washboard characteristic. Just not my kind of course. I guess a low handicapper would have had a better time. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Whiskey Creek Golf Club Ijamsville, MD - 11/2/2004
Election day 2004 was a great day to get out and play some golf prior to voting and that’s just what I did. A small outing at Whiskey Creek was the play this year. Having played Whiskey Creek several times prior, I anticipated excellent conditions and was not disappointed. Fairways, greens, tee boxes and most sand traps were in superb shape. A few traps were a little short on sand but I’m sure that will be remedied over the winter. The course played real nice for me on this day, of course I was striking the ball just like I wanted to. You all know the feeling when the game is “easy” and you wonder why you can’t play like this all the time! You’ll like the closing holes (both par 5’s) on each 9, which are reachable in 2 with a well-placed drive and approach. Just avoid the signature Whiskey Creek house in the left center of the fairway on #18 and you can close your round the right way! Whiskey Creek is definitely worth a look when you’re in the Frederick area. Lefty (75)
Bulle Rock Havre de Grace, MD - 10/29/2004
Once a year, I try to get out to review Bulle Rock for the good of you Waggle-ites out there. It’s a difficult assignment, but one that I look forward to every year! This year was no exception as a late fall round again demonstrated the beauty of this outstanding track. We backed it up and played from the Blue tees (measuring 6843) and what I had first thought was a difficult course from the whites, became even more of a challenge from the Blues. Alas, that’s what we live for isn’t it? I will tell you that if you’re going to play the blues (or God forbid the tips at 7300+) plan on getting to several par 4’s in three shots unless you’re able to hit the driver over 250 consistently. On this overcast but calm day, Bulle Rock was again in pristine condition. The rough was a little high – making finding the few(?) errant shots we hit a little difficult, however we shouldn’t have hit them there. The fairways, greens, tee boxes and sand were all ‘tour like’ condition. The greens putted fast and true and several offered much more break than I anticipated. (I should have taken a caddie!) The Bulle Rock staffers always make you feel like it’s your club and are always friendly and helpful. You can’t go wrong at this Pete Dye course and when you’re ready for a real challenge, play Bulle Rock! Lefty (91)
Hog Neck Golf Course Easton, MD - 10/27/2004
Back on the road again.
We played Hog Neck in Talbot County, MD on Oct. 27th and had a great time. It's a wonderful county course, great layout and in terrific condition. We were told that the course suffered quite a bit a few years back and player traffic fell off quite a bit. Most of the course has been redone in the last couple of years and I can attest to the fact that it's in great shape. A nice diversity of holes make it a challenging and enjoyable course. Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet with neither the Director of Golf Operations, Mark Herrmann, nor Head Pro Mike Kaminskas who was giving a lesson. They are on winter rates now and if you haven't played it or did in the past and were unsatisified, you'll be happily surprised at the condition and playability of the course. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Queenstown Harbor Golf Queenstown, MD - 10/26/2004
We played the River Course at Queenstown Harbor, MD. It is certainly a premier golf course and the water views are fantastic. This is on a par with the ocean views at Marine Corps Kaneohe Bay Golf Course in Hawaii. A surprising point of interest was an historic marker, I believe on hole #14, which directed you to look up the Chesapeake towards Baltimore and Fort McHenry where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. You could almost visualize it. The course is immaculate, well groomed and offers an exciting array of holes. Since it is an upscale course, the fees are commensurate but worth the price. The Staff was really friendly and had great enthusiasm in getting us checked in and out on the course.
We'll hope to go back and play the Lakes Course sometime although it seems that visually there can be no comparison with the River Course. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Packsaddle Ridge Golf Club Keezletown, VA - 10/24/2004
We played the course compliments of Waggle.com as I was the September contest winner.
I had played the course before and that is a big help. It has several doglegs and all holes are uphill or downhill. The changing elevations are an added challenge but the views are tremendous. It is a beautiful course with large greens and always in great shape. The par 5 #11 is the number 1 handicap and is 500 +/- uphill all the way to an elevated green protected by a sand trap. The par 3 #15 you have to see from the back tees, on top of the mountain. Actually we have played it from there each time. When you get on top, you have to hit it from there even though you have to carry over water almost all the way. The par 5 #16 is downhill and reachable even for an average hitter like me in two. However, with a pond in front and a ravine to the right, I have never got on in two. In the summer don’t even think about going into that ravine after your ball. I had one of my better rounds of the year shooting an 84. It was the only time I have broken 90 here. Be sure and make the trip. It will make you want to come back. Ray
Fairway Hills Golf Club Columbia, MD - 10/23/2004
A short but challenging loop, Fairway Hills seemed to be in good shape for late season. Locals say it is always green thanks to lots of water. Water abounds on the course too with ponds and streams everywhere. A few holes permit a ‘grip & rip’ but most require shot placement. Some holes, like the par 5 18th which is 550 yards uphill, are just plain hard by any standard. This course is priced a bit high for what you get. Residents of the community get the only price break and that one is not much. Ayce
Penderbrook Golf Club Fairfax, VA - 10/21/2004
Location/convenience is the strong suite of this course for most NOVA golfers. Other attributes like layout, condition, pace are only average. But, bargains for play are abundant here. Recent repair to the cart paths has enhanced the quality of play at this well traveled track. Leaf season makes golf more adventurous (unless you're always in the fairway :) as this treed course can get a bit trickier in the fall. Get on their e-mail list for some excellent specials and play this course again. Ayce
Lansdowne Resort Leesburg, VA - 10/20/2004
Always fun to play this resort course! Outings there get top notch treatment on this RTJ designed beauty. Now the fun is to play the ‘revised’ route with the 2 new holes. The old finishing two have been destroyed and the former #16 made the finishing, with two new par 4s inserted in the back nine. Another reason to play now is to get a peak at the new eighteen adjacent to the present layout. I can’t wait to get on that one. Ayce
Links at Challedon Mt. Airy, MD - 10/13/2004
It had been quite a while since I visited Challedon and I was anxious to see if it had changed from my last visit. I’m pleased to report that the conditions have improved from last report. The fairways and greens have “filled in” from what I remembered and the course overall seemed to be better maintained. I did remember how this course wound though a housing development but design of the course did not bring any houses into play. You really have to hit it off line to get close to a house! The front nine was fairly straightforward but I got into some trouble with some errant shots on the back including a bad drive on the par 5 #12 – which is not a good hole to hit a bad drive on! A triple-bogey later and my back nine was shot. Alas, such is life. Challedon is challenging enough with a few other tough shots on the back. I remember the uphill drive (blind shot) on #15 only to leave you with another mid iron to an elevated green with bunkers left and right. Take your par on several of these “toughies” and birdie a few others (some of the par 5’s are reachable in 2) and you’ll score at this track. The course was in darn good shape for the fall season and the beverages in the nice clubhouse/bar went down smooth! If you’re in the Mount Airy Maryland area, give the Links at Challedon a play! Lefty (87)
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 10/13/2004
Having never played Timbers, I looked forward as most golfers do to the challenge of a new course when I went to an outing at Timbers at Troy. The only thing better than the anticipation of playing a new course is when your expectations are exceeded, and this was certainly the case. I found Timbers to be one of the best maintained, interesting layouts around making me wonder why I had missed it for so long. We were allowed to take carts on the course for the first time in order to show prospective clients for outings what they (and the public) will expect next season. Every hole is unique and separated from the others by a comfortable flow and short drive from hole to hole. The clubhouse, food, and staff service were as good as any to be found making for a great day of golf. One of the best features about Timbers is the value, with the peak rate on weekends only $56. For this Waggler Timbers at Troy was hidden treasure. (Note: the construction that had been going on for the past couple years is complete) Ayce
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 10/8/2004
The Wagle.com team trekked out on a beautiful fall day to play and review Bull Run Country Club for you, our golf audience. We were treated to pristine course conditions on a challenging layout. The fairways, greens, sand traps, and tee boxes were all in great shape. The fact that we had an absolutely beautiful 70 degree day made it even better. The course played challenging enough from the Blue tees at 6500 plus yards, but Bogeyman brought his A game on this day and drove the green on the par 4, #8 and sank the putt for an eagle 2! Throw in another 3 birdies and he shoots his career round! You can bet we’ll be back to play Bull Run and you should too. Lefty (78)
Westwinds Golf Club New Market, MD - 9/24/2004
The parents came down for a birthday visit and that was enough of an excuse for me to sneak out to play some golf. My first choice of courses had a tournament so I opted for Westwinds. Bad move! From a disagreement with the front desk over a coupon interpretation, to the marginal conditions of the course, to several sloping difficult holes this beautiful golf day could have been better. I presented a coupon for a 2-for-1 offer and did not agree with their opinion of how cart fees should be handled. Several attempts at reasoning with the staff did me no good so buyers beware of this little misleading advertisement. The marginal condition of the course is next on the hit list. There were areas of nearly every fairway that had sporadic growth. Several greens had burnt spots, the rough was pretty high and made it difficult to find a ball while the sloping fairways on many holes made it nearly impossible to keep a drive in the fairway – adding time and frustration to this round. On the back nine, you still have the opportunity to drive through a construction zone (will it ever be finished?) I did notice some improvement on holes 14 through 16 from my last visit, but that improvement was that the fairway now has grass instead of dirt with mulch. Unfortunately, the fairway was what I refer to as “sommer” grass as in some is here and some is there! Although the course was playable, I’d rate the overall condition of the course as only average. Finally, there are several confusing holes – which sounds like I’m whining - but when you pike one down the middle or on the correct side of the fairway, only to have the sloping fairway carry your shot into thick rough – it only adds to frustration and in my opinion, does not provide for a good round. You can play Westwinds if you want to, but I won’t be back for quite a while. Lefty (86)
Wakefield Valley Golf Club Westminster, MD - 9/15/2004
Built in 1976 in the rolling hills of Carroll County, Wakefield Valley presents a stiff challenge to the best of golfers. While the distance is long but not excessive, the course’s slope of 139 is one of the highest in the Mid-Atlantic region (second highest of all Maryland Courses). Primarily for this reason, Wakefield Valley is rated as one of the toughest courses in Maryland by many local golf experts. Several U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur qualifying tournaments have been held there in recent years. Wakefield Valley is comprised of three nines (Green, White and Gold Courses) which give you a choice of 27 championship holes to play and provides several variations for an 18 hole round. Each nine has beautiful rolling hills scenery and luscious greens which hold approach shots landing on them extremely well, but at the same time are quite fast when putting. The White Course is made up of three par 5s, three par 4s, and three par 3s. The owner for more than twenty years, Hank Majewski, is on the course everyday, monitoring its condition and looking for ways of improving it. The greens were in fantastic condition and the fairways had just been aerated (so wait a week or 2 before heading out there). If you want a tough course with beautiful scenery and a choice of 3 different nines, Wakefield Valley is the place to play. Steve C.
Algonkian Regional Park & Golf Course Sterling, VA - 8/30/2004
Ask most golfers to describe Algonkian and the first response you will get is probably “long” or “wet.” The scorecard shows only three sets of tees: Gold at 5795 yards, White at 6720 yards, and Blue at 7015 yards. No ‘ladies’ tees are marked and the golds are too long for most women, just as the whites are too long for the men. The course plays longer than most any area track because of the constant wetness of the course. Even in the driest part of the summer, this course is wet. Weeds in the greens and fairways make for bad playing conditions and even worse appearance at Algonkian. Upon driving in you notice a sign announcing special low rates, signs which you understand the need for when you pass them on the way out. Ayce
Musket Ridge Golf Club Myersville, MD - 8/25/2004
A course that is top 5 in the state, top 100 in the Mid-Atlantic, and had Golf Digest writers gushing over it this summer is very easy to describe - Exceptional! Only ten minutes from Frederick (45 from DC or Balt.) Musket Ridge fortunately lies close enough to play for most Waggle fans. That’s a huge break for us, as the course is perfectly manicured and certainly one of Joe Lee’s best layouts. On a recent Wednesday my spirits sank as I drove into a full parking lot, as few courses have full lots mid week without an outing. I was happily surprised that we could be squeezed in along with the rest of the other daily fee golfers who have discovered this gem. Outings are however popular at this facility since it offers so much for a group activity, so call ahead for a tee time soon. The views alone are worth the fairly priced fees. Ayce
Fairfax National Golf Club Centreville, VA - 8/23/2004
A favorite course of those who clip coupons from the Monday Wash. Post, This storied 27 hole complex can be a lot of fun for an outing. The three nines (best known for their down-and-back sameness) easily handled the 162 players in a recent charity scramble. The course was in very good shape. It appears that money has gone into maintenance judging from the vastly improved bunkers and better mowing. The staff handles large groups very well with a lot of special little differences, like having each team play some holes on each of the three nines and then adjusting the scores for you 19 holes played. The closeness of the fairways is a problem though. In a scramble it is best to wear a hard hat there as the very occasional golfers grunt and groan to get that longest drive and send tee shots two fairways away. Ayce
Westwinds Golf Club New Market, MD - 8/22/2004
By late August you probably have played enough golf that your game is about as good as it gets. But remember you have most likely been playing your favorite course where you know the roll of the greens and where to place your tee shots. Well, if that is the case then get a taste of reality at a ‘different’ course and be motivated to get those lessons before the season ends. Westwinds will provide just the gut check your late August game craves, as it is one of the more unusual and difficult courses around. The number one handicap hole is a long par four dogleg right calling for a long second shot over water. The #2 handicap hole seems even tougher with a fairway that squirms toward an elusive green. The tee shot on this hole is at a large tree in the fairway. Miss right and your ball is in a pond, and miss left and it races off the sloping fairway into the rough. The perfect tee shot must be into the tree with a prayer for a good bounce! About six other holes including the par fives (there are five of them and five par threes) that are like nothing else you have ever played, or want to play. Ayce
Clustered Spires Golf Course Frederick, MD - 8/21/2004
This is a nice above average, playable, ego-booster of a course. Usually in good shape, Clustered Spires offers straightforward yet forgettable golf holes. Be sure to get good directions since the course lies east of Frederick off a two lane road. Almost every hole here provides the golfer with a bail out area off the tee. Except for a few tee shots there is little trouble to be found if the tee shot strays toward the bail out side. One of the most unique features of the course is a back nine that consists of three par 3s, 4s, and 5s. Due to the location rates for golf are reasonable so call ahead and be pleased with your choice of Clustered Spires. Ayce
Westfields Golf Club Clifton, VA - 8/18/2004
On Wednesday, a friend and I played at Westfields Golf Club, a Fred Couple's Signature course. It was a class operation as one might expect, from the shuttle to take the clubs to the cart area, to the pro shop staff and the starter who was very informative about the course layout and conditions. We checked in at the pro shop with Larry Gentry, the assistant golf professional. He efficiently got us checked in but before heading to the starter's table, it seemed as though he could fulfill almost any request and made us feel very welcome.
The course was a pleasure to play. The course conditions were fantastic, well-groomed, manicured and sometimes extremely undulating greens made it very interesting. The course had a lot of character with elevation changes, tricky par 3s and beautiful scenery. I certainly hope to be able to play it again.
On a management note, the pro shop will send an e-mail with a confirmation number for a tee time, dress code and best of all - directions. Having previously lived in Northern Virginia, I knew the Westfields Conference Center was out towards Dulles Airport. Lo and behold, the golf course is about five miles away in Clifton. Without the directions, I'd still be stuck in traffic on Rt.28. That feature is a real plus. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Lansdowne Resort Leesburg, VA - 8/17/2004
I and a friend played the course at Lansdowne Resort & Conference Center on Tuesday. We didn't tour the entire resort, but saw some of the amenities one would expect - nice restaurant, pool, great locker room, large pro shop and a pretty big snack bar between 9 and 10 holes. I checked in with Jason Powell, the first assistant pro. Nice young man who was very personable and got us set up quickly and sent us to the driving range.
The course was very player friendly, at least on the front nine. Although it is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, and I live on a RTJ course, the false fronts he is noted for didn't seem too evident. Not so on the back nine. The approaches were familiar but that doesn't mean I scored well. The elevation changes and the streams that were bordered by large rocks were visually attractive. And the driving accuracy had to be better. The other RTJ trait that I didn't adapt to but should have, was his contouring - or lack of - on the greens. One tends to read too much into them and they don't have the break you would expect.
The course was well maintained and the I think zoysia fairways are terrific. It was really a pleasurable experience and one I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience. I heard or read that when the Greg Norman course that is presently under construction at Lansdowne is completed, the course may be closed to the public and be for resort guests and members only. So play it now! Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Lee's Hill Golfer's Club Fredericksburg, VA - 8/15/2004
On a perfect for golf Sunday, it was very apparent that the warm days and leftover rains from hurricane Charley had blessed the conditioning at Lee’s Hill. All shades of the color green were everywhere, and the rough took on a tropical look thanks to the weather. This course has always been known for the good layout so now that conditions match that layout playing at Lee’s Hill is a treat. A great mix of doglegs left and right, coupled with a complement of muscle and drivable par 4s make this a fair challenge for all. Be careful as you drive into the neighborhood (with your car!) to obey the 25 MPH speed limit or you may start your round with a different kind of penalty. Ayce
Marlton Golf Club Upper Marlboro, MD - 8/10/2004
Marlton lies just off Rte. 301 between Routes 4 & 5 in a mature residential neighborhood. Check your directions as the mile through the houses can be tricky the first time, but the course is well worth the small drive. Elevation changes present a nice balanced challenge that many courses in the area would envy. Several of the toughest holes could rival any in the area for difficulty, but they are countered by several friendly par threes. Conditions were excellent for mid August. The outing I attended was well run and the food terrific. The price of daily golf at Marlton is really a bargain so call for rates and play it this season. Ayce
South River Golf Edgewater, MD - 8/8/2004
A friend and I played South River Golf Course in Edgewater, MD just outside of Annapolis. Surprisingly, being just 30 minutes from the Baltimore/Washington, DC area, the mixture of lush fairways, green hillsides with doglegs, bunkers and water hazards meandered through a beautiful upscale residential community. That meant narrow fairways and well placed drives. Although that didn't happen often, it was a great course with well manicured, true greens. It was such a pleasure to play that we wanted to play all 18 holes but we got a late start. Unfortunately, it was getting a bit dark on #15 but we persevered until #17. Our view from #17 tee box is attached. We had to forego #18 because the cart path home wasn't lighted. We'll have to go back and finish because it was a real pleasure. Tony Madera, head professional, was very gracious and helpful. He actually seemed happy to see us and gave us a good run down on the course before we left for the first hole. For anyone within reach of this course, it's a must play. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Renditions Golf Course Davidsonville, MD - 8/7/2004
I and a friend played Renditions at Davidsonville, MD on August 7th. The course features replicas of holes from courses that have hosted major tournaments. So you get to play some links holes like Royal Barksdale to holes like those at Augusta National and Shinnecock Hills. What an experience. The courses on tour are very much different than those I am use to playing. The contouring, the bunkering and especially the undulating greens give me a better perspective of what the pros are capable of. It looks easy on TV, but as they say - these guys are good.
The course itself did not have a character of its own, which is not meant as a criticism. Because of its replication of a variety of holes, you had to look at each one differently and it was like having 18 new experiences or maybe 15 because they replicate the three holes at Augusta's "Amen Corner." Incidentally, they had the "Shots of Summer" qualification going on which is sponsored by Moore Cadillac and Washington Golf Monthly. It was on hole #7 which is Augusta National #12, over the water playing about 155 to the center. I blew the first shot over the green hitting the cart path never to be seen again. Out of the competition. The next shot was in the water so I ended up taking an 8 on the par 3 and was 9 shots over for the 3 holes making up Amen's Corner.
When all is said and done, I guess the hole I liked best was #13 which replicates the island green at the TPC of Sawgrass #17. Maybe because I've seen so many go into the water on TV. It's a daunting sight from tee to a small green and all the water. And guess what - I went into the water. But putting on the green was unbelievable as well. Again, I have to hand it to the pros. They make it look easy and it's anything but. We were told by the Assistant Pro - Matt Jarvis -that the course record at Renditions is 72. It seems impossible no one has done better but with the variety it is believable. Matt could not have been more helpful in checking us in, explaining the history of the course and how it plays. He insisted that we visit the Champions Room which is plastered with a multitude of golf memorabilia including pictures of the greatest golfers at the site of their accomplishments. And his staff was superb - from the starter and the bag boys (all dressed in their plus fours and flat caps) to the cheerful lady in the restaurant serving breakfast. It was a memorable experience that I hope to share with more friends in the future. I recommend it to every golfer, it's a thrill. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 7/25/2004
A Waggle.com mini-tourney was held at Maryland National Golf Club in Middletown Maryland just west of Frederick on a cloudy but otherwise beautiful July day. Hey, with 75 degrees and a slight breeze in late July, one cannot complain! We’ve played this course before and were again impressed again by both the condition of the course and the challenging layout. We again noticed on this day that the course was in outstanding condition including tee boxes, greens and fairways. The only bad green was on the backside #16, and the maintenance staff has cleared several trees to hopefully allow some air to get to the green and “cure” it. Again, we notice that this course is the classic “risk/reward” track so pick your spots and go for it. This is one track you should play and if you happen to mess up the 1st time, go have a beverage (the bar-keeps are nice and friendly) and make plans to play it again. Lefty/Bogeyman
Links at Gettysburg Gettysburg, PA - 7/23/2004
A neighbor of mine asked me to play at the Links on a Friday afternoon and having already scheduled a meeting at Thurmont (just 20 minutes away) that morning, how could I resist? We started off in overcast but nice weather conditions and got in the 1st nine is under 2 hours. After sparkling on the 1st nine, the rains came and delayed us for about an hour which seemed to take the wind out of our sails as we were fighting the wet conditions…at least that’s my excuse! When you play the Links, you’ll find an attractive and challenging layout that requires accurate shot making both from the tee and the fairway on you approach shots on several holes. There are tight driving holes (especially on the back side) and many places you can get into trouble if you are errant. Now for the good news…there is a nice bar/lounge and patio area! Actually, there are several holes that offer bail out areas and this course does have some forgiving areas if you know where to miss…but who really plans to miss anyway? Our group tore up the front nine and although we struggled on the back, we did manage to get back to the clubhouse to have a cold beverage and talk about what could have been. Play the Links and you’ll see what I mean. Check out the red rocks while you’re there, however beware of potholes on the cart path! Lefty (83)
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 7/21/2004
For the 5th Annual Waggle.com Summer Madness at Bull Run, sixty-four golfers enjoyed the usual outstanding hospitality of Bull Run. As always the terrific staff was hustling about to make sure everything ran smoothly and everyone felt welcomed. The course was in good shape (especially the fairways), except for a few greens that are currently home to the cicada killer bees (the bees should be gone in a week or two). If you're looking for a place to hold an outing be sure to consider Bull Run.
Fairway Hills Golf Club Columbia, MD - 7/16/2004
Just off MD 108, Fairway Hills Golf Club is a Columbia Association Club requiring membership to the Columbia Association to play. On this date, our neighborhood outing (and my neighbor who IS a member) ventured out to this tricky golf course. I say tricky because you need to know the distances on this course or you’ll pay the price with lost balls into the hazards. I learned the hard way on the par 5 #2 driving it over the fairway and into the rough. Hint: If you hit the big stick, aim way right on this hole. This course requires accuracy over distance for the most part. Many holes require a long iron or fairway wood off the tee for the smart play. Water and hazards exist on nearly every hole and I felt this course was more difficult than the 121 slope rating because of these hazards. The course condition was fair to good with tee boxes, rough and greens in playable (but not upscale) conditions. I liked the view from the tee of the par 3 #17 (note: hit one less club) and the #18 will challenge you to close your round with a par if you can negotiate its sloping fairway and uphill approach. Fairway Hills offers a full driving range and nice patio out back to enjoy a cold beverage (which we did) after the round. Lefty (78)
Hilltop Golf Club Alexandria, VA - 7/16/2004
What a welcome addition this facility is to the DC golfing community! In addition to a fine range and practice area, Hilltop now provides a unique 9 hole golf course that looks very much as though it were plucked off the coast of Scotland. It has only been open for a year but is ready for play with excellent conditions. Each hole is unique, and some will amaze you that they exist within 5 minutes of the beltway. The views from the top of the course are spectacular, and not the place to be in a thunderstorm. This new offering is a must see for location, value, and variety. Ayce
Hidden Valley Hidden Valley, PA - 7/15/2004
We played Hidden Valley on the second day of the ‘outing’. You would never expect 60 degrees and off and on rain in the middle of July but that’s (unfortunately) what we got which dampened our day somewhat at Hidden Valley. I’d like to say that this course compares favorable with its neighbor Seven Springs but it just didn’t. Back in May, I felt the conditions were decent, however on this trip they were not up to the previous standards. The layout is nice and there are several challenging holes and beautiful scenery but the condition of the course was not what I would deem “resort”. The tee boxes were not well maintained with several having thin grass and many bare spots. The fairways were decent and rough was rough, however both of these areas had some bare areas which detracted from the overall condition. The greens were also decent although not what I’d expect from a resort type course. They did hold shots and putted decently enough and although the conditions weren’t the best, we did enjoy ourselves at Hidden Valley – after all, we WERE on the golf course! The price was reasonable too. Maybe they concentrate more on skiing than golf? Lefty (88)
Cross Creek Golf Club Beltsville, MD - 7/15/2004
This course has a wonderful weekday twilight rate of $25, but that’s far from the only reason to play here. Always in great condition, this time the course was preened for the Futures Tour event it was hosting in late July. The front nine is considerably easier than the back as Elevation changes and dramatically sloping fairways challenge golfers of all skill levels. There is one par five on the back where a blind tee shot over a hill sets you up for a picturesque approach to a green guarded by what appears to be half a quarry. The next hole is best described as the ‘knotch’ hole since you have to thread your tee and approach shots through giant ‘vees’ down the long fairway. The rough is almost jungle like in spots on the front which makes for a very attractive course albeit a punitive one! Ayce
Patuxent Greens Country Club Laurel, MD - 7/11/2004
A Waggle.com Mini-tourney was held on this muggy, storm-threatening Sunday afternoon at Patuxent Greens Country Club. As many locals already know, this track is a good play for a relatively inexpensive fee. Most holes are pretty tight for both driving and approach shots and you’ll need to use proper course management on several holes, including the par 5’s. Watch for water that can come into play on 16 of the 18 holes if you let it – but then again, don’t let it! Make sure to check the tee picture for some holes have water that you can’t see until you get to it (The par 5, #14 comes to mind.) The rough is fairly thick making it tough to find balls hit into it however usually allowing a play out of it. Some of the greens are small and tricky and although not exceptionally fast, they did putt true and allowed for downhill putts to stop near the hole. The bunkers could use some work with several being hard packed and others needing some fresh sand. Patuxent Greens also offers a nice bar/clubhouse as well as a nice deck overlooking the course for that after-round beverage. My partner and I managed to get around the course pretty good this date and won a nice prize (as did everyone else in the tournament!) Lefty
South Riding Golfer's Club South Riding, VA - 7/4/2004
Busy on the fourth of July, South Riding afforded a less then expected (given the price) golf experience. The greens had an above average number of ball marks while the fairways resembled a bombed out Baghdad landing strip. The design of the course has always been a favorite, although with each visit it seems a hundred new houses have appeared too close to the course. The food and beverage service is consistently good even on a busy holiday. The clubhouse staff was friendly and professional. The practice areas are some of the better ones in the area, making it a shame that the course itself was in such spotty conditions. Drainage issues continue to plague some holes but that problem is being dealt with albeit slowly. But the pock marked tees, greens, and bunkers left the most memorable impression. For the price, much better golfing values abound until conditions improve. Ayce
South River Golf Edgewater, MD - 6/23/2004
I was lucky enough to be invited to an outing at the beautiful South River Golf Course in Edgewater (near Annapolis) Maryland on an absolutely perfect 80 degree-low-humidity-slight-breeze day. The outing was a scramble and probably best as we needed the entire team to navigate the course. The course was in absolutely perfect condition with tees, greens, fairways and sandtraps in pristine shape. The only thing I noticed was that it seemed like there were a lot of divots which had not been replaced however, this is easily resolved in a scramble with preferred lies! South River offers many challenging holes including what I thought were 3 difficult holes in a row – 9. 10, and 11. Number 9 is a great closing hole for the front nine and requires a good drive over water so you can hit your approach to a green that sits precariously close to another pond. Don’t be short…or long for that matter as sand and/or a hazard will catch you there. Have a beverage at the turn and head out to #10 which looks tough from the tee and requires a good drive down the left center which will leave you an approach over more water. Miss short and you are either wet or in the sand. Our fearless team scored it’s only bogey on this hole. Finally the final of the “big 3”, number 11 which is the number 1 handicap hole. The scorebook says “most players play this one as a par 5, bogey and move on”, but with a decent drive (say 250-ish) and a good 7 iron you’re on the green. The good drive may be difficult as accuracy is required to an uphill narrowed fairway. Every time I’ve played South River, I’ve been impressed with the course conditions and friendliness of the staff. This course always seems to play a little tougher than the 69.4 course rating and 127 slope that it’s rated, but it is really one fun golf course. I strongly recommend it if you’re in the Annapolis area! Lefty's Team (70)
The Tradition Golf Club at Royal New Kent Providence Forge, VA - 6/20/2004
Billed as the "truest representation of an Irish Links course in America", Royal New Kent is a breathtaking course. Although we're not used to playing such a course, it was truly enjoyable. At least on the back nine. We could only play nine because we hit the extreme temperature/humidity of last week (T/H index was 105). After dragging ourselves into the pro shop, we asked if they gave "heat checks" similar to rain checks. The staff took one look at us and said of course - I think they thought we were going to collapse of heat stroke.
I would say this is a Golfer's golf course. You really have to know your game - the links aspect calls for accuracy and imagination. Although we lack those talents, it was easy to see that a golfer of modest talent would have a great time playing Royal New Kent. The course was in terrific shape and standing atop some of the tee boxes and looking at the view produced utterings such as - WOW! We think this a course that must be played if you want to experience "the game".
Another nice aspect of Royal New Kent was that shortly after making a tee time reservation, we received an e-mail with a confirmation, directions to the course and the dress code. Lunch was very tasty and the beer was cold. Special thanks to Andy Bemis and his staff. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Kiskiack Golf Club Williamsburg, VA - 6/19/2004
We had a midafternoon tee time but it really rained hard in the morning. We stopped at Kiskiack around noon to see if the course was open. They actually had a tournament going on that was in a rain delay but the pro - Brian Tarrant - assured us our tee time would be good. And it was. We went out on the back nine. In spite of the heavy downpour, the course drained well and there were only a few places where casual water came into play. It was amazing.
The course is much different than we're used to here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The rolling fairways had many elevation changes and the undulating greens looked a little menacing but the putts held the line beautifully. The course was very picturesque and well maintained.
Unfortunately, the thunder claps seemed to be getting pretty close as we approached the 18th tee and we decided "discretion was the better part of valor", so we quit after playing nine holes. The pro shop was very understanding and gave us rain checks for 9 holes. We're really looking forward to going back to play the front nine and enjoy the nice club house, pro shop and staff. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 6/18/2004
Another Charity Golf outing supported by Waggle.com found me at Blue Mash Golf Club just west of Olney Maryland off MD 108. Blue Mash was the scene of the Waggle.com Fall Classic back in the summer of 2002 (the year of the drought and bad course conditions) and I anxiously looked for the chance to get back to see if things were better than before. I’m happy to report that the conditions have matured back to first class with fairways, greens, tee boxes and sand traps in tip-top shape! This course opens with several long par 4’s followed by some short (almost drive-able) ones providing an interesting change from one hole to the next. There are a couple of par 5’s, which should be reached in 2 while a few others must be played as 3 shot holes. Water comes into play on several holes on both tee balls and approach shots so select the right stick and just rip it! The clubhouse is now complete and offers a nice area to relax after the round and the covered patio provides outside seating as well. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly and Blue Mash seems to have developed into one fine golf course. Lefty
Glade Valley Golf Club Walkersville, MD - 6/17/2004
Just North of Frederick in Walkersville Maryland is another old style conventional golf club. Glade Valley was the scene of a Charity Golf outing that the Waggle.com team supported on this hot humid late spring day. We were impressed with this course being a relatively inexpensive track with pretty good conditions. Although not the upscale pristine (and high dollar) course, this course was extremely “playable”. It has a wide open feel on several holes and a fair amount of rough in case you miss the short grass. On this day, the rough was pretty high often causing us to look for a few minutes to find an errant shot. Lucky for us it was a scramble and we were normally in the short stuff but if you do happen to stray, the rough may cause you some problems as it’s fairly thick and can grab your club. Many of the greens were large and which provided an easy target for approach shots but also provided a chance for 3 putts. The greens were not super fast (i.e. US Open style) but fast enough that you need to have some touch! The fairways, tee boxes and sand traps were all in good condition too. If you want an inexpensive, yet good solid track, try Glade Valley! Lefty
Beaver Creek Country Club Hagerstown, MD - 6/16/2004
I managed to sneak out and enjoy a mid-week round at Beaver Creek Country Club just east of Hagerstown off Route 66. The second time for me at this track again demonstrated a fine layout and good course conditions. I remembered from my previous play here that the front nine is pretty tight (didn’t help me much as you gotta hit’em in the short grass) and that the back is a more wide-open but still challenging nine. In particular, the par 3, 16th and par 4, 17th required at least one “golf shot” to score a par as even once you get to the green there is work to be done. The greens were not extremely fast, however they were in good condition and putted true. The fairways, bunkers and tees were also in fine shape. The pace of play was excellent and the clubhouse featured cold beverages, which were welcome on this hot humid day. Beaver Creek is an old style course that was fun to play! Lefty (86)
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 6/14/2004
The Waggle.com yearly Washington Golf Monthly Summer Solstice experience was Maryland National Golf Club in Middletown Maryland just west of Frederick. We’ve played this course before and were impressed again by both the condition of the course and the challenging layout. For those of you who don’t know what “Solstice experience” refers to, it is a golf tournament which is held around June 21st every year (the longest daylight day of the year/i.e. Solstice) where golfers tee off at the crack of dawn (usually about 5:45 am) and play continuously for 3 rounds – that’s 54 holes – usually ending up about 7:30 pm. The Waggle.com team has played every year for the past 8 years and we usually fare pretty well! Maryland National has several challenging risk/reward holes where you can score well with a well placed drive or aggressive approach shot to a par 5. A few that come to mind include some drive-able a par 4’s which require your tee shot to both be accurate and “soft” at the green. A few of the par 5’s are reachable in 2, especially on #2, if you can just work around that darn big Oak tree in the middle of the fairway! While there are these “easy scoring holes”, several others offer a little to no room for a bail out, and if you happen to hit an errant approach shot, you may take a number. The par 4 10th is a very challenging approach shot and the closing 2 holes (par 3, 17th and par 4, 18th) don’t leave much room for error either. There are several tee locations and on this day, we had the opportunity to experience the difference from the standard white tees to the Championship gold tees. On several holes it drastically changed the tee shot and how to play the hole! We enjoyed our (long) day at Maryland National and think that you will too. Lefty/Bogeyman
The Rookery Milton, DE - 6/13/2004
Kathleen and I had the opportunity to start our journey at THE ROOKERY in Milton, DE. We introduced ourselves to the head pro, Butch Holtzclaw, who took care of us very nicely and made us feel very welcome. The course is in good shape, and very fair. A good test of golf. The landscaping and grooming makes it visually attractive. The pro shop seems pretty well stocked, the staff helpful and the bag boy very courteous and helpful. The restaurant was very attractive and service was excellent. This is a course that must be played by anyone traveling to or vacationing at the Beaches. Steve - Year of Golf Winner
Marlborough Golf Club Upper Marlboro, MD - 6/8/2004
Playing Marlborough CC recently I hardly recognized the course from having played it only a year earlier. The name has not changed but everything else has – and it’s for the better! A new log even accompanies the freshly painted and renovated clubhouse. New management staff has brought in a top notch superintendent from a nearby country club in order to get the course in the best manicured condition it has ever seen. Greens are very good as are the lush fairways. A new food & beverage director improved the fare and added food specials and a Friday Happy Hour. The track remains a shot-makers course at just over 6100 yards. Some of the most distinctive holes in the area wind through an established community and along the creek. The 17th hole was recently recognized by viewers of Capital Golf as one of the toughest holes in the area. The club offers some terrific deals on public play and in membership. The NEW IMPROVED Marlborough is worth a visit. Ayce
Raspberry Falls Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 5/30/2004
This upscale course outside Leesburg consistently provides a well above average golf visit from the guys in bow ties who snatch your clubs upon arrival to the homey clubhouse for post rounds drinks. The layout by Gary Player is very professional with no two similar holes and some very memorable ones. The final hole has one of the best tee views of the hole of any hole to be found. The rough is penal, but wide fairways give you plenty of landing area. The large greens break more than average, but not too severely. The only complaint our foursome had was the ball marks on the greens seemed excessive for such a nice course, perhaps due to heavy play or just inconsiderate golfers. The signature stacked sod bunkers which had deteriorated in recent years have been modified for the better. If you haven’t played here in a year, you will be amazed in the growth in housing surrounding the course---this could be a problem in the future. Ayce
Patuxent Greens Country Club Laurel, MD - 5/29/2004
A solid regulation golf course, reasonably priced, near the Md. Beltway—that’s what you get at Patuxent Greens. Fairways and rough were in excellent shape in late May, with the greens showing only a few ball marks despite apparent heavy play. The clubhouse has a beautiful setting overlooking a lake and several holes. A grill was working between the first and tenth tees making it impossible to resist the fragrant fare. Lots of variety in the holes exists at this shot-makers course. Local knowledge is key here particularly with the difficult ninth and seventeenth holes. Anyone who can work the ball can keep the driver in the bag in favor of am ‘managed ‘ round through the woods, creeks, and ponds that abound. Patuxent Greens provides well priced local golf enhanced by a staff that goes out if their way to make sure you enjoy your round. The course is apparently the regular stop for lots of Maryland golfers who enjoy sharpening their games on this attention getting layout. Ayce
Rock Harbor Golf Course Winchester, VA - 5/26/2004
Rock Harbor is the labor of love (of golf!) of two buddies Denny Perry and Jerry Wampler, two of the nicest guys you could run into on a course. Four years they parlayed their enthusiasm for the game into one of the most unique courses around. Each hole is very different, and about half the holes are like nothing you have probably seen on a golfing eighteen. In setting out to build a course that was fair, fun, memorable, and drained well, these guys have succeeded on all counts. A series of a handful of ponds dominate the holes on one part of the course making for plenty of watery graves on par 3s, 4s, and 5s. Elevation changes compliment the lush valley where the water holes abide making this a tough track to walk. Generous use of large stones (Perry is in the quarry biz) add to the distinctive beauty of the course. Fees are quite reasonable, and the location just outside Winchester makes for a nice drive. Another nine is planned for 2006 but don’t wait, try the original eighteen! Ayce
Poolesville Golf Course Poolesville, MD - 5/24/2004
Nestled near White’s Ferry on the Maryland side of the Potomac lies a veteran Muni called Poolesville. One can only imagine on the 20 mile ride outside the beltway what this area was like when the course was built years ago. Now you pass mansions and signs for polo clubs as you wind into the pretty Potomac Valley. The course is straightforward and scenic. Were it not for the length this would be a fairly easy course. It is in the grip and rip variety, not unlike Twin Lakes or Reston. The 18 holes are well maintained, and the snack bar is in a time warp from the 50s, complete with gum ball machine. Apparently a lot of regulars play here and one suspects that weekend play might be easier to sneak in here than some other courses. It is not a knock your socks off golf ‘experience’ but instead a down home cooking good round of golf. Ayce
Carolina Club Grandy, NC - 5/23/2004
Carolina Club was the final stop of the OBX research trip for ’04 and I remembered it to be a challenging yet fair test. As most OBX courses are this course is mostly flat although several tree lined fairways may challenge you to keep it down the middle. The greens were fairly fast and putted true. (Unfortunately not for me though!) You’ll probably remember the island green on the par 3, #7 and the par 5 closing hole, which will challenge both the tee shot and your do-I-go-for-it-in-2-or-not second shot. I really enjoyed this course and look forward to playing it again. Put this one on your places to play while in OBX! Lefty (86)
South River Golf Edgewater, MD - 5/22/2004
The area of South River near Annapolis is a perfect setting for a scenic place to play golf, and South River golf course is certainly the place. Each hole is uniquely designed using forests and environmental areas to frame a feast for the golfers’ eye. Some large mouthwatering houses will cause you pause for ‘wish it were mine’ thoughts as you negotiate the somewhat target type golf offered here. This course provides a classic example of the need to play a track once to learn it. While shooting 9 strokes over my norm, I left with the feeling that a little knowledge at South River will go a long way on the next visit. Every amenity is top drawer at this fairly pricey course, but due to its high ratings in golfing publications I had to try it out—and it’s worth it! Ayce
Duck Woods Country Club Southern Shores, NC - 5/22/2004
I was hesitant to play Duck Woods Country Club after a year off because of prior poor conditions but was pleasantly surprised to see that somebody is putting some time and effort into making this into a better golf course. Although not as pristine as other tracks, it was vastly improved from last review (see 5/16/02) and if you’re in for an extra round at the beach, I could honestly say to give it a play. The fairways were decent, greens were above averages and tee boxes and sand traps in pretty good shape as well. The layout is challenging enough with some hidden creeks/hazards crossing the fairways and some holes requiring less than a driver off the tee to lay up in front of some hazards. The greens held fairly well and putted a little faster than I expected. Luckily, we played a scramble and my partners didn’t miss much! Lefty
The Currituck Club Corolla, NC - 5/21/2004
Day 2 of the OBX research trip took us to the Currituck Club. I really enjoyed this course last time I played and it delivered again. A windy day added to the challenge and some poor ball striking didn’t help (Unfortunately to many of us that sounds all too familiar) but that’s why we love the game so much. In any event, this course was extremely “playable”. By that, I mean that most mistakes are not too severely punished and you can normally recover without too much hardship. The beautiful scenery of the Currituck Sound will only add to your enjoyment. The course was in immaculate condition from tee to green and everything in-between. The large clubhouse, practice green and driving range are other outstanding features of this fine track. You’ll pay a little extra to play here but the amenities are worth it. Lefty (86)
Kilmarlic Golf Club Powell's Point, NC - 5/20/2004
Day one of the OBX research trip was a double round at Kilmarlic Golf Club. The course was as nice as ever with fairways, greens, tee boxes and sand traps in excellent shape. This course is fairly tight but in my opinion fair with some avenues of escape for errant shots. Notice I said “some”! Water hazards come into play on many holes and as mentioned earlier, you may need to play a round or two to make sure you know where you’re trying to hit your next shot. A couple of the par 5’s are reachable in 2 and the back nine has 3 par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s, which I felt made the course more fun. I’m not sure how nice this clubhouse is going to be, but they are still operating out of a doublewide for the pro shop – see review of May 15, 2003. Hopefully it will be finished before my next OBX research trip! I do believe there is some assistance in playing a course twice as my score improved from the morning round to the afternoon. Play Kilmarlic for yourself and see if it works for you. Lefty (87/82)
The Tradition Golf Club at Royal New Kent Providence Forge, VA - 5/19/2004
On the way to the Outer Banks for research, we decided to stop at Royal New Kent and partake in a round. I hadn’t played there for several years and was anxious to get back and try it out having somewhat established a more consistent game. As usual, when the course shows my game leaves however I’m happy to report that this course was in as good a shape as I remembered it before. All conditions (including the large clubhouse/bar area) were in pristine condition and well manicured. The scenic and visually deceptive holes will make you think shots are longer or shorter than they really are. This is a course you’ll probably need to play several times to learn where to bail out when the pins are placed in tough areas. The greens aren’t the easiest to read either however they putted fast and true. The high slope (141) from the black tees is for real, as you’ll find out when you miss one where you shouldn’t. I remember the traps left and right of the green on the par 3 3rd hole as an example - take a look (hopefully from the green) when you get there and you’ll see what I mean. In any event, you’ll probably be frustrated or elated after playing this course the 1st time, however I’d venture to say you’ll want to play it again. I know I do! Lefty (90)
Worthington Manor Golf Club Urbana, MD - 5/10/2004
All the good growing conditions and TLC from the grounds crew have left Worthington Manor in excellent shape. This open, playable layout rewards long hitters, but can make short strokers feel good about their games, too. Most holes set up well off the tee, with few blind tee shots. From the tips the course can be a bear; in fact an Open qualifier is played there. WM is an easy drive from Balt/Wash through the rolling Maryland countryside. Frequently cooler and breezier in the hills, this is a great choice for play in the summer heat. Compared to prices of other local courses in that area Worthington Manor in an exceptional buy that this Waggler highly recommends. Ayce
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 5/6/2004
Near perfect conditions can only describe Maryland National on a recent visit! In addition to one of the most varied and challenging courses in the region, I was treated to some of the very best conditioned fairways and greens you could imagine. The cooler temps of the MD mountains will be welcome in our summer heat and help to make a day of golf exceptional. As if the outstanding course were not enough, a beautiful clubhouse, great practice area, and friendly staff made this one of my very favorite golf venues. I challenge you to find greens any truer than these! Ayce
Goose Creek Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 5/5/2004
Last fall I had a feeling that ‘the Goose’ would continue to flourish under the new management and they have proven me correct. Much more than a fresh coat of paint (although that is there, too) greets the increasing number of golfers who have heard about the dramatic turnaround at Goose Creek. Boss Chris Schwartz and his team have the welcome mat out to show off all the improvements which include a new scoreboard, good eats thanks to Andy the F&B guy, solving the drainage issues on the beginning of the back nine, and a just arriving fleet of new carts. Excellent fairway grass is made more precious by the creation of some ‘real’ rough at Goose Creek. Now instead of scrub, golfers missing the fairways can experience the nurtured rough of a good course. Still, the price is bargain compared to neighboring layouts, so try it out. Ayce
Hidden Valley Hidden Valley, PA - 5/1/2004
A family golf outing at beautiful Hidden Valley (not the salad dressing) near Somerset Pa just off the PA turnpike resulted in me giving up my weekend to work for Waggle! Well, somebody HAS to do it. What I can tell you is that Hidden Valley is one of the most scenic courses I’ve played this side of the Mississippi. Many views are breathtaking and visibility was estimated at 20 plus miles from several tee boxes. The course was also a thing of beauty. It was challenging enough (133 slope from the white tees) but yet forgiving enough to be a resort course. The price for this early season play was unbeatable. Being up in the mountains, you can probably imagine that there are not too many flat lies and many shots are over, around, or through hills and valleys. I expected this and Hidden Valley delivered although if you kept it in the short grass there were actually several fairly flat lies. We played both Saturday and Sunday and I could have played it again and again. A couple of the par 5’s were reachable in 2 and the par threes offered a good challenge but if you hit the green you could score well here. The bunkers and greens were in decent shape for early season (greens healing nicely from spring aeration) as were the fairways. A few tee boxes were in need of some growth but all in all, it was a great play for the price. I can’t wait to get up to Seven Springs in the summer to make a comparison, but for now, Hidden Valley won’t do you wrong if you’re planning a get-away to PA! Lefty (85)
Diamond Ridge Golf Course Woodlawn, MD - 4/30/2004
A beautiful Friday called me out to “work” on the golf course. I wondered where to play as I wanted to get in a practice round before a family weekend golf outing. One of my neighbors kept telling me about Diamond Ridge as being not-the-best-but-a-good-practice-course so I decided to give it a try. I hadn’t played Diamond Ridge for probably 5 years and must say I was pleased with the improvement I noticed from my last play. This IS a decent track and for the price you can’t beat it! Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not well manicured and pristine like the upscale courses you may have played before, but the fairways, greens and bunkers (with new sand) were in pretty darn good shape. I will no longer call this a “patch” but rather a nice “muni” which is a great bang for the buck. The course itself has some challenging par 3’s, especially #17. My playing partners Gerald and Zak were nice enough to show me around the course and provide some local knowledge as to where to hit the ball. Apparently, many people already know about this “diamond” in the rough, as the course was booked solid until 3pm on this date. I noticed many beginners and families out for a fun day at the golf course and it seemed that this course was more for the casual golfers rather than the serious types, however for a good (and inexpensive) round of golf, Diamond Ridge is a good pick! Lefty (84)
Pinecrest Golf Course Alexandria, VA - 4/29/2004
An inexpensive golf course inside the beltway that actually has grass on its fairways – seem like too much to ask? Well, sitting at the intersection of Braddock Rd. and Little River Turnpike, Pinecrest answers those calls if not much more. It is a short 9-hole layout that reflects the “leftover land” style of golf course architecture rather than the hand of Pete Dye. Pinecrest has served as the golf focal point for seniors, kids and beginners for half a century—I have actually occupied each of those categories having first played Pinecrest as a par 3 decades ago. Some of the holes are really strange , like the 351 yd. par five, and the other par 5 where too long a tee shot means you CAN’T get home in two! Don’t expect a Westfields but do try Pinecrest. It has its virtues, if nothing more than an ego boost to your game. Ayce
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 4/16/2004
On an absolutely beautiful Friday in mid-April, our neighborhood golf day was held at the Timbers at Troy. What an excuse to get out and golf! The construction reported upon last year (see 11/21/03 review) continues…will it ever end? Anyway, I’m happy to report that the course was in better shape than I’ve seen it over the last couple of years. With the fairways and greens in pretty good shape, with the exception of #6, which is still playing to a temporary green as a par 3 (again, will it ever end?). The tee boxes still need some time to come around but hopefully with the spring they’ll improve. You’ll have to drive around construction equipment on your way from some greens to the next tee, but all in all, the construction does not affect the golf course that much (providing you can block out that occasional “beep beep” of the backup alarms. Timbers continues to play the back nine first for ease of cart traffic to avoid the construction as much as possible but you’ll still play all 18 holes. They have expanded their pro shop and now offer an electronic handicap system. If you’re like me and play a lot of different courses, you can keep your WAGGLECAP right here on line and then print your scores, take them to Timbers and punch them in on the computer to keep an “official” handicap there. I’ll be “forced” to get out to Timbers again soon, however in the meantime; it is still a good play! Lefty (85)
Old Hickory Golf Club Woodbridge, VA - 3/29/2004
The creators of Raspberry Falls have scored again with another outstanding course. Opened just last summer, Old Hickory will soon surpass Rasp. Falls just as soon as the course has had a few seasons to settle in and mature. The course flows well through mature woods with beautiful new homes majestically situated on about half of the holes. The course reminded my foursome of Stonewall or Belmont CC with the elevated tees and wide saddle fairways. The new clubhouse is one of the finest in the area, with food to match! One signature of Old Hickory is a par three 100 yd. ‘19th’ hole for settling ties or hole-in-one contests in outings. Elevation changes and distances between holes would make this a tough one to walk. As pretty as this course was in late March, it is fun to imagine its beauty this summer. Ayce
Bristow Manor Golf Club Bristow, VA - 3/27/2004
The zoysia fairways are brown now but they provide a nice color contrast to the bright green rough in late March at Bristow Manor. The course conditions were terrific for March. This links style layout will give you a real challenge with the March winds as there are fewer trees to break up the breezes. Lots of new faces are in the pro shop with everyone trying and succeeding in putting on a good golf experience. No longer is there a treacherous street crossing from front to back nine with the recent opening of a tunnel under a now busy street. No GPS on the carts anymore, but since the course is well marked it is not missed and is a reason for mgmt. to keep green fees reasonable which they are. The zippy gas carts were allowed on the course this visit too. Ayce
Westpark Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 3/22/2004
The weather of the past few months has been extremely unkind to this venerable gem. The creeks that wind throughout the course flooded several times causing lots of work to be done in recent weeks. The reward is a Westpark that is improved over last year bunkers reworked, brush cleared, trees trimmed, and the usual true rolling greens. Still one of the area bargains, the course has a relaxed atmosphere uncharacteristic of many courses around. The food prepared in Heather’s Sidehill Grille (she is the Pro’s wife) has a home cooked flair testifying to the staff’s attempts to make you enjoy ‘their’ course. Despite the lack of foliage the course was plenty green with fairways and rough that had the look of May. Come to Westpark and have fun noticing the differences from the past. Ayce
Worthington Manor Golf Club Urbana, MD - 12/29/2003
A Monday “work day” of 60-plus degrees turned into a golf review “work day” for me. Some guys have all the luck! I hadn’t played Worthington in quite some time and was anxious to check it out although you can’t expect pristine conditions in the winter…or can you? I’m happy to report that in spite of it being winter, Worthington was extremely playable. Sure, the sandtraps were not full of sand, mostly hard packed, and in need of maintenance but then again, you’re not supposed to hit into them now are you? On this day, Worthington had the “wide open” feel but also provides several must carry shots over hazards. Depending on which tees you play, you may consider not hitting the driver on some holes – I’ll let you figure out which ones! The fairways, greens and tees were in relatively good shape for the time of year and I enjoyed a great round. I say get in all the golf while you can, especially on winter days like this! Lefty (88)
Reston National Golf Course Reston, VA - 12/29/2003
Santa delivered good weather for some Holiday golf. And, Reston was a nice present. The course is in great shape. It was obvious the mowers hadn't been out for a while but that was expected. Enjoy some winter golf while you can. Vranko
Somerset Golf Club Locust Grove, VA - 12/10/2003
The course is now green as all the seeding that occurred this fall has grown in. The conditions here have greatly improved to join the improvements to the layout that were previewed this fall.
Augustine Golf Club Stafford, VA - 11/23/2003
Stafford Day is held annually by Augustine for the benefit of a Fredericksburg area shelter and this year it drew a throng of eager golfers. These lucky golfers were rewarded with a near 70 degree day with sunshine and no wind, a rarity for November. Such beautiful weather coupled with the leafless trees provided a great view of the nearly 400 homes in the outstanding Augustine community, an extra bonus with this outstanding course. While the course has drawn rave reviews since its opening, Augustine has really come into its own. Even with the fall hurricane rain, the course was in terrific condition. The staff was excited to let everyone know that in 2004 Augustine will cease to be cart path only, making your golf experience even better.
This Rick Jacobsen layout offers a good balance of finesse and power holes with a few blind tee shots called for to keep you on your toes. Some of the greens can present downright devilish pin placements because of the undulation and variable tiers. No tricky or foolish holes at Augustine just god straightforward, very enjoyable golf. An outstanding food service (judging from the Stafford Day cook-out) and a most professional staff make this a place to play often. Ayce
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 11/21/2003
On a beautiful Friday in late November, I couldn’t resist the urge to get out and “work” at reporting on another golf course. Timbers is under construction as the extension of Marshalee Drive will basically bisect the course running parallel to many holes. While the construction is on going, you’ll find some temporary inconveniences along some holes but nothing major to hurt your golf enjoyment. Hole #6 is again playing as a par 3 to a “fairway green with a large hole” (translation: easy par 3 and a better score for the front nine!). For those of you who don’t know, #6 is a par four and the green was redone approximately 2 years ago, apparently to no avail. The remainder of the course was in fairly good shape although some sand traps needed some work (actually they needed some sand). The fairways, greens and tee boxes were all in decent enough shape as well and on this day, because of the construction, Timbers was playing the back nine first for ease of cart traffic. Keep your score reasonable on the front and go for broke on the back with the 3 par 3’s! Lefty (82)
Goose Creek Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 11/15/2003
Somewhere in the fifty plus year history of this area mainstay was the ad slogan “Golf the Goose.” A lot of folks, myself included, stopped doing that for a variety of decent reasons, but those problems are behind for the Goose. In the forty some years that I have occasioned to whack a white one around Goose Creek, I have never seen it in better shape (imagine green fairways) than right now—and it’s November! Is the course perfect? No, but Mother Nature had a lot to do with that. Hurricane Isabel wrecked havoc on the course and the several holes along the creek and still show some battle scars. In the past 2 years, a lot of work has justifiably gone into maintenance and it really shows. New GM David Weisser (from Reston National) has already begun to put a welcome sign back out for golfers instead of a scowl. Undoubtedly more good things are in store for this venerable NOVA track making it once again truly time to “Golf the Goose!” Ayce
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 11/11/2003
At a recent mini-tour event on the Waggle tour, all of us were pleasantly surprised at the outstanding condition of this fine course. The fairways and greens were in terrific shape and despite all the trees nobody was claiming the ‘leaf rule’. I suspect the grounds crew had blown the course as it was in peak condition. All those trees that so beautifully define each hole also break the fall breezes so get out to Bull Run before you put your sticks in the basement. Ayce
Links at Gettysburg Gettysburg, PA - 11/7/2003
Another pretty nice fall Friday in November meant another round of golf for me! That is a good thing! The cool morning warmed up to a lukewarm afternoon with some wind to make things tough on this fine track. Today was a construction day at the Links with many areas under construction around the course. Unfortunately, there is a housing development being built around the golf course that will affect play somewhat when all is said and done. The condition of the course was also not as nice as previous rounds although it was still very playable. Of note were the cart paths, which had many potholes (filled with water on this day), which required some driving skill to navigate. As mentioned previously, the layout is challenging and with any wind, it becomes even more difficult. I felt the back nine was especially tough with nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16 being what I’d call “murderers row”. Get through those at one or two over and you’ve done well (at least for us hackers)! You’ll find #17 and #18 no slackers for errant shots as well! Pick your spots and go for scores on the scoring holes. Just try to survive with a par or bogey on the tough ones and you’ll enjoy the Links – I know I did! Lefty (84)
Links at Challedon Mt. Airy, MD - 11/2/2003
If you have not played Challedon in the past year or two, try it! No longer a windswept display of white stakes, the course has grown into an above average golf course with great views of a pretty community. The fairways and greens were in terrific shape, and the layout now is framed nicely by other than ‘white soldiers’. The first hole doglegs right in an accommodating fashion for righties with a first tee slice. From there a combo of both long and risk/reward par fours are married with strong par 3s & 5s. The 8th hole is a par five with brush and water down the right and provides a memorable challenge. Were Challedon closer to Balt/Wash it would surely be much more popular. Since the drive is an easy one and the prices reasonable, this course deserves to be on your play list. Ayce
The Tradition Golf Club at Royal New Kent Providence Forge, VA - 10/31/2003
Part of The Tradition Golf Club, Royal New Kent’s slogan is “dramatic contouring” an appropriate description if there ever was one. It looks as though the architect, Mike Strautz, took a magnificent piece of land and spent millions to move earth around to create an even more beautiful golf course. The look of the course is one of the Irish Links – perhaps Ballybunion. Williamsburg has become a golf destination and Royal New Kent has in five short years become arguably the most talked about course on the scene. Rated in the American Top 100 by Golf Digest, it is one of the few courses in the prestigious group to be accessible to the public. Be sure to get a course book before you tee off, and even so you’ll leave wanting to tackle the course differently on your next visit. This Golf Digest #2 rated course in Virginia is the kind of course you will want to return to in order to show it to your friends. The last hole has to be one of the most daunting final holes of any course. That hole alone will bring you back! Ayce
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 10/31/2003
OK – so October was a good month, check that, a great month for yours truly at the local links. On this Halloween day of 70 plus degrees, I was invited to play Maryland National for the 1st time. One of my playing partners wanted me to compare it to Musket Ridge across the road and after playing, I can say that there are some similarities but some big differences too. The similarities include beautiful scenery (perhaps more so than Musket), upscale tracks with undulating fairways and tricky, fast greens, and both feature beautiful clubhouse facilities. I felt the main difference was the difficulty of the course. I felt Maryland National was much more difficult and less forgiving than Musket Ridge - although both courses are extremely playable and the difference in slope is only 2. Another difference I noticed was that the greens (although still new) did manage to hold most shots a little better than Musket’s greens. Part of the difficulty is that several approach shots will be to narrow greens with hazards and or sand traps close by to catch misses (I remember #1 and #10 in particular). On a few holes there is really no “bail out” area to play to so you’d better hit your shot where it’s supposed to go (par 3, #17 for example). The condition of Maryland National on this date was spectacular with tee boxes, fairways, sandtraps, and greens in tip top shape. The rough was playable which did allow for some errant tee shots, but I felt this course played a little tougher than the 132 slope from the white tees. You’ll notice the par threes (five of them) which all feature challenging tee shots and tricky greens to make par a good score on them. The back nine seemed to play a little easier and I can’t wait to get back there to see if I can master the front nine next time out. Lefty (82)
The Tradition Golf Club at Stonehouse Toano, VA - 10/30/2003
Designed by Mike Stranz and given four and a half stars by Golf Digest, The Tradition Club at Stonehouse delivers on all the hype. Accumulating numerous accolades in its 5 year existence, Stonehouse was designated one of the top ten new courses by Golf magazine. The course winds through a wonderful community with great views in all directions during your play & ample cart rides. Elevation changes account for only part of the charm of this fine course which boasts two of the most unique holes thanks to their ‘notch-like’ design. Oversized greens may appear easy to hit sometimes, but once on the putting surface the fun begins. Multi-tiered greens with plenty of undulation will grab your entire focus right after you strike your first putt. Locating the pin before hitting an approach is key at Stonehouse, where the par threes are some of the best in Va. Frequently not visible from the tee, the greens often reward a well struck tee shot with a downhill approach shot to a well framed target. The final shot of the day to the 18th green with the beautiful clubhouse in the background (with all eyes inside on you!) is one you will remember. Ayce
Whitetail Golf Resort Mercersburg, PA - 10/25/2003
Whitetail is under new management this year and there have been some changes. A new fleet of gas carts has arrived and they no longer have the GPS. A new 200 person pavillion is now available for outings. And, the rates have been reduced but the course is still fantastic. Get up there soon to enjoy the fall colors.
Musket Ridge Golf Club Myersville, MD - 10/24/2003
I got the rare opportunity to play a weekend round of golf at Musket Ridge on an overcast but otherwise perfect Sunday. I had played Musket Ridge earlier in the year and always seemed to play and score fairly well at this track. Today was no different although a rough front nine with a triple and double definitely hurt the bottom line, the back was nearly perfect! On this day, Musket Ridge was slightly beat up. For the most part, the fairways, tee boxes and greens were adequate (in the “upscale” range) but I’ve seen this course in better shape. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a “patch” but ball marks on the green, many unfilled divots in the fairways, and some tee boxes in need or repair or reseeding are apparently showing signs of either a lot of play or not enough attention from the maintenance crew. I will say that the greenside traps were nice. I’d call them devilishly “fluffy”. They require good sand play to escape, I know, it cost me that triple mentioned above! Musket Ridge is a wonderful track and beautiful layout. There is a large driving range and full service restaurant and bar for the before and after round festivities. I’ve gotta believe that these minor imperfections will be corrected soon on this beautiful course. Enjoy the Musket! Lefty (82)
Whiskey Creek Golf Club Ijamsville, MD - 10/21/2003
I hadn’t played Whiskey Creek since the Waggle.com team ventured there for the Summer Solstice of 2001, so I was anxious to see if any changes had occurred. I’m pleased to report that some changes have occurred and they are for the better. The course seemed more mature and “filled in” since our last visit there. The fairways, greens and tee boxes have taken on that lush full look that upscale courses are supposed to have. The clubhouse (which was always nice) had a great bar/buffet set up for the outing we were playing in. While the pro shop didn’t have an overly large sales area that some other courses do, it was adequate and well stocked. The course itself is beautiful with scenery throughout. The course plays moderately difficult with several strategic tee shots and a couple of knee knocker par threes over water. You know the kind, either hit the green or get penalized! Being permitted to take carts out on the fairways (90 degree rule) was also nice. Depending on your skill level there are several sets of tees to play from although the undulating fairways and fast AND tricky greens make every set of tees a challenge. As one of the upscale courses near the Frederick area, Whiskey Creek is definitely one to visit and play. Enjoy! Lefty (82)
Queenstown Harbor Golf Queenstown, MD - 10/18/2003
Continuing on my quest to play as much golf as possible (also to provide YOU the best golf information – hey, it’s work!), I was invited to play in another mini-neighborhood outing at Queenstown. Unfortunately, other commitments kept me from playing both tracks on this beautiful Saturday, but I’m pleased to report on the Lakes Course. I’ve played here before, however I was more impressed than ever with the excellent condition of the course on this day. The tee boxes, fairways and greens were immaculate! The scenery was beautiful (note the bay on number 13) and although this course has a relatively low slope rating of 118 from the blue tees, there are some challenging shots to be made on some of the lower handicap holes (but then again, isn’t that why they are more difficult than the others?). I would rate this course (as previously rated) as one where you can score well and improve your confidence as it offers areas to miss where you can make an up and down fairly easily. If you don’t score well here, blame it on the weather, or perhaps the fact it’s the first time you played here, or whatever reason you decide, but don’t blame the course – it’s too nice! The staffers and rangers are extremely helpful and friendly adding to this nice venue. Lefty (78)
Gauntlet Golf Club Fredericksburg, VA - 10/18/2003
For golfers who enjoy courses without homes bordering the fairways, just beautiful scenery, The Gauntlet is made to order. Eighteen well layed out and expertly maintained holes await in Custis Park about 6 miles off I-95 in Fredericksburg at Exit 133. Practice facilities are excellent including a range with plenty of targets and distance markers. The clubhouse and staff are both well above average—friendly folks abound. All of the holes are well framed by trees, water, or environmentals so that any inability to see the green from a tee is not a problem. A nice balance of doglegs and uphill blind tee shots complement the occasional carry over nurtured environmental areas. Wildlife flourishes in this park like setting so to spot a fisherman pulling in a big one is fairly common. Bring all of your clubs and shots for this fair yet challenging layout offering some of the best golf in the Mid-Atlantic. Ayce
Hampshire Greens Golf Course Ashton, MD - 10/17/2003
I had wanted to try Hampshire Greens for what seems like forever so when our neighborhood monthly outing was scheduled there I looked forward to playing. Located just off MD 650 in upper Montgomery County, Hampshire Greens is a Montgomery County maintained course. It has the upscale look and many undulating and challenging holes but unlike the high dollar upscale courses it showed signs of a lot of play – maybe from not enough maintenance. Don’t get me wrong, it is very “playable”, however most fairways had some divot holes and most greens had unrepaired ball marks along with a few thin spots here and there. The tees were slightly beat up as well, however (now to the good part) it was really a fun course to play. There are challenging par 3’s of mid-long iron length (from the blue tees), and some of the par 5’s require accurate lay-up shots around water guarding the greens. The greens although not in the best of condition, were pretty quick and putted fairly true but on this day they were still recovering from recent aeration that caused a few bumpy putts from my putter. (It obviously wasn’t MY fault!) Another area that was lacking on this date was the attitude of the staff as being standoffish and aloof, but then again, you pay’em and go play golf. Ignore them and get out there and play! Lefty (82)
Renditions Golf Course Davidsonville, MD - 10/14/2003
The HP Fall Classic was held at Renditions which replicates holes from famous golf courses all over the world. On this particular day, the course was very playable with good conditions for the most part however it needs some more time to grow in and become a lush upscale course – which it will be soon. You’ll play Amen Corner (Augusta #11, #12 and #13), the famous “churchpew” bunker hole (Oakmont #3), and TPC Sawgrass #17, which is one of the most feared par three holes the pros face today. Several other replicas of British Open holes were complete with pot bunkers and wispy grasses throughout. The greens were pretty quick but fair. It makes you appreciate what the pros face and how good they are after experiencing the dismay of hitting a putt or chip and having it roll off the turtleback green like you sometimes see on TV. Fortunately, this didn’t happen often! All in all, this was an extremely enjoyable course and challenged you to hit like the pros! I look for good things at Renditions as the course gets more time to mature. Lefty (78)
The Woodlands Golf Course Woodlawn, MD - 10/13/2003
It was an absolutely perfect Fall day for the Waggle.com team to defend their championship at the 2nd Annual Eamonn McGeady Memorial tournament. We hadn’t been out to the Woodlands for quite some time and were pleased to note the improvements to both the course and the facilities. The course was in GREAT shape with the exception of some tee boxes. The fairways, sand traps and greens were pristine and we didn’t remember the greens being as quick as they were on this particular day but they did roll true and we managed to hole out several long ones to improve our score. The Woodlands’ greens will force you to master the art of greens reading quickly as they offer a wonderfully challenging combination of tiers and undulations. Woodlands is not particularly long but with plenty of doglegs and blind tee shots you will need some knowledge of where to position both your tee shot and approaches to score well (get the yardage book if it’s your first time). The facility improvements include an upgraded and larger clubhouse and pro shop with plenty of combination golf and football items to show your team spirit. We were robbed on this particular day by some sandbaggers posting a 53(!) – that’s nineteen under! – however, we’ll be back next year to reclaim our crown! Lefty/Bogeyman (61)
Stonewall Golf Club Gainesville, VA - 10/12/2003
By now most every golfer has heard the rave reviews about the new course on Lake Manassas next to RTJ—Stonewall. On a recent visit I found all the praise to be deserved and then some. Conditions were excellent and carts were allowed on the course, but the design is awesome. It seemed as though the shorter holes had some tricks to compensate for their lack of length and vice versa for the muscle holes. Several holes call for almost 200 yard carries over ravines or ponds. The front nine offers challenging holes with sights of dream houses that are far enough away that they do not intrude on play. But the back nine is what this course is all about. Scenic holes through the woods with terrific water views make this backside possibly the best nine in the area. The clubhouse is beautiful, the food is good, and the staff friendly - so don’t let the price keep you from enjoying Stonewall. Try to get into an outing in order to take in the practice area, food, and leisurely pace. Ayce
Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Front Royal, VA - 10/11/2003
An hour from the DC beltway lie 27 holes of terrific golf named Shenandoah Valley Golf. A beautiful hillside clubhouse affords scenic views of the course’s namesake valley and provides a fine 19th hole experience. The three nines consistently provide some of the most emerald fairways to be found anywhere. The tree framed holes roll gently with an occasional blind tee shot or tricky dogleg just to challenge your focus. The greens fees are so reasonable that both your budget and your golf urge will coax you to pop for a cart fee to try that ‘other’ nine—red, white, blue as they are known. As you leave the course to return to Interstate 66, be sure to stop at the flea market on the fairgrounds for a slice of Shenandoah Valley Americana! Ayce
Raspberry Falls Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 10/8/2003
The Waggle guys were invited to play Raspberry by some members who wanted to take our money. We’re way too smart for that (and they were much better golfers) so we simply played for fun! Hey when you know you can’t fleece’em, you might as well just hit’em! It had been a while since we ventured to this Gary Player track however we found it to be in excellent shape. With the exception of #18 Tee box, the conditions were excellent throughout and if the “locals” would have given us a couple of reads on some putts, we might have scored better. (Perhaps they were secretly betting against us?) In any event, the greens were pretty quick but fair and make sure you take a couple of looks at which way the green slopes before hitting that putt. I think some of my putts broke uphill! (Did that ever happen to you?) The fairways were excellent and sand traps well maintained. Raspberry prides itself on service and we noticed that all of the attendants were extremely helpful and friendly, even Raspberry (the cat) was friendly! If you’re out in the Leesburg area, give Raspberry Falls a play. Lefty (83)
Fairfax National Golf Club Centreville, VA - 10/4/2003
Other than being recently aerated and seeded, Fairfax National is in the best shape it has been in for several years, thanks in part no doubt to all the rain. The three nines afford the frugal golfer a bonanza with all the newspaper coupons and club cards available for this course. Try to include the Bull Run as one of the nines in your 18 since it offers the most variety. The major criticism has been the sameness of some of the holes but this is still some fun practice at a good price. Many of the greens are like ping pong tables with the front legs sawed off so stay short on your missed approaches or face tough chip shots. Nice staff, good warm up areas, and fine fare round out this worthy facility. Ayce
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 10/3/2003
Our neighborhood Golf Club outing was switched from the normal 3rd Friday of the Month as a result of that terrible woman named “Isabelle”, however we got a much better day to play. Although it was slightly chilly and often windy, it only added to the challenge of this challenging track. Usually, Waverly gives me fits, and with an opening nine of 46, under windy conditions, I thought it would beat me again, however I recovered slightly on the back nine to garner some respect back. On this particular fall day, the fairways were in good shape and the greens were in excellent shape. In fact, they were the fastest I’ve observed at this track, however they were fair and putted true – hey, what more can you ask for? An observation for this course is to play it a few times so you know which side of the green to play to for an uphill putt. I was a little put out by the tee boxes being pretty rough, but when you’re hitting off the tee, who cares? Overall this course was playable (as always), challenging (see fast greens comments) and fun (see for yourself). Lefty (86)
Cannon Ridge Golf Club Fredericksburg, VA - 9/28/2003
A couple of miles off I-95 at Exit 133 lies one of the best new courses in Northern Virginia, Cannon Ridge. Led by Head Pro Bob Baldassari who brought River Run to prominence, Cannon Ridge is a Deane Beman designed par 71 with varying degrees of difficulty thanks to multiple tee boxes and a friendly layout. Several holes require 180 yard carries when playing from the back 3 sets of tees, but wider than average landing areas make this a very playable course. The clubhouse has not been built but that is the only sign of newness as the course itself is in great shape - unusual for courses in our area! Parts of the back nine are dotted with interesting historical markers adding a nice local flavor to this Fredericksburg area gem. The price is right even for weekend play so take advantage of this newbie before the crowds arrive. Ayce
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 9/27/2003
Maryland National has recently taken the next step toward fulfilling their dream of becoming a premier club for a day facility. Recently I visited their newly opened, beautiful 14,000 square foot clubhouse complete with vaulted beam ceilings and skylights. Eight of their outstanding 18 holes are visible from the wrap-around deck of the clubhouse, which affords great sunset views of South Mountain. The new clubhouse is actually a complete off-site business conference center boasting hi-speed internet access, total AV, a Kinkos type business center, and the ability to host small, medium, and large business gatherings. Since one of the owners is a restaurateur, a full scale institutional grade kitchen makes for excellent food service. For sports lovers a wall size projection TV is perfect for watching games, and the GPS on the carts gives sports scores! Showers in the locker rooms and individual lockers make this daily fee course seem like a country club. Round out these amenities with the professional, friendly staff and you have a great country club for a day. Ayce
Beach Club Golf Links Berlin, MD - 9/8/2003
The Beach Club consists of two excellent 18 hole layouts carved out of the woods just a mile north of Route 50 on Route 113 just before you get to the beach. An above average pro shop and snack bar await as does a very friendly staff led by Hunt Crosley. You can play all 36 holes and never get a sense you have played the same hole before. Each distinctive hole offers a fair yet challenging risk reward off the tee. The outer links is a bit tighter than the inner links. Both tracks intersect in an aesthetically pleasing way, but don’t worry, you won’t get lost as the cart paths are light colored concrete for one an dark asphalt for the other. Large greens offer the chance to get on in regulation, but some long sloping putts are to be found. A nice range, practice area, and golf school round out one of the beach’s best golf values. Ayce
Somerset Golf Club Locust Grove, VA - 9/3/2003
It is said that the saddest words are “what could have been” so certainly some of the happiest words are “what will be”. This is the case with Somerset as the millions spent on redesigning this eighteen hole diamond in the rough bear fruit. Somerset is but a few months of favorable weather away from competing with the best of the daily fee courses on the I-95 VA corridor.
The re-modeled clubhouse overlooks the scenic Rapidan River valley with an old civil war hospital visible from the dining room. Spectacular vines are also to be found on the course as in hole #17 which wraps around a beautiful bend in the Rapidan River and is bisected by 3 creeks. Elevation changes abound on this natural setting for a course that offers the challenge of every club in the bag.
Currently in a limited play mode to protect the careful development of the new course, Somerset is a treat not only for what it offers but for its potential. This staff from the F and B director (an orange – Syracuse that is) grad to the GM (a big orange- Tennessee here) are energized by the prospects for this budding golf community. This enthusiasm is contagious for even the casual golfer, and you will find yourself asking about lot prices before you drive away. Investors have committed tremendous resources into Somerset now it is Mother Nature’s turn to repay their generosity with a few weeks of gentle weather.
Right now the course is in rough shape condition wise - so if you do get a chance to visit there - remember it is a preview round at preview rates. Ayce (85)
Rum Pointe Berlin, MD - 8/19/2003
As grateful winners in Waggle.com's Ocean City Golf Getaway contest, my husband and I set off on our own 3 day golf getaway. Our first stop was Rum Pointe, off Route 611 near Assateague Park. It was a gorgeous day, one of the few in Ocean City this year, according to the locals. Our first contact was with the two gentlemen out front, who greeted us warmly and loaded our bags onto a nice clean cart, equipped with the global positioning system. A short visit in the pro shop with two equally pleasant staff members and we were on our way. We went to the turf driving range for a short warm-up; then, we were called by the friendly starter who explained the course, the cart rules and the operation of the gps system. Besides measuring the distance from the ball to the pin, the gps system could also be tweaked to measure the distance to a lay-up point, like a trap or a water hazard.
The course was in great shape; the fairways and greens were bent grass, and we got good roll on our fairway shots. The rough was fairly thick, and required lofted clubs to escape safely. The greens were fast but true; the twosome we were paired with had trouble holding the greens with their approach shots.
Holes 11 & 12 are in the woods and were cart path only. The pin placement on #11 was such that my shot out the bunker looked as if it would run past the pin to the back of the green, but it caught a hill, reversed direction, and almost rolled back into the cup. The other players really enjoyed putting on this green after seeing the twists and turns my ball took.
The Sinepuxent Bay and the Verranzo bridge over the bay into the park provided a beautiful backdrop to several holes. There were canoes and kyacks out on the bay, enjoying the day and the gentle breezes as much as we were. It was hard at times to concentrate on the game with the scenic surroundings. The gulls caws, which sound like laughter, were inappropriately timed with some of our misshots, but we didn't take it personally; they only added to the serenity of the day. A few geese looked as if they had had run-ins with errant golf shots...one poor guy with his left wing hanging limply at his side, another with the same affliction with his right wing, and yet another with an ungainly limp.
The on-course personnel were very friendly. We saw a ranger several times, and the beverage cart stopped by with pleasant regularity. On the 18th hole, a young lad came down while we were putting out and cleaned our clubs.
Our day was extremely pleasant, especially considering that I tied my best round ever. The staff was gracious, the course was pristine, and the weather superb. This course is a must-play in our book, and we'll be back again next month. Jan D. (87)
Links at Gettysburg Gettysburg, PA - 7/31/2003
I snuck out on an overcast Thursday afternoon to play the Links of Gettysburg and had a thoroughly enjoyable day – except for that triple bogey on #13! Oh well, everybody has one bad hole! This course is a great venue. I would call this a shot makers course that requires proper club selection and accurate tee shots. The layout is incredibly scenic with red rocks and scenery everywhere. You’ll probably notice the “red pavement” upon entering into the facility – a signature feature of the Links from the red clay soil. Several holes are extremely challenging, however you are rewarded if you hit’em where you’re supposed to…unfortunately, you’re also penalized if you hit’em where you’re not supposed to! On this day, the tee boxes, fairways and greens were “a little beat up” for this nice of a track. Although it didn’t affect the play much, I did notice a lot of divots in the fairways and tee boxes and several non-repaired ball marks on nearly every green. The greens did putt true and the Links offered fun throughout! Lefty (82)
Beaver Creek Country Club Hagerstown, MD - 7/24/2003
A few of us managed to sneak out on an absolutely perfect day for golf to Beaver Creek Golf Club just off I-70 near Hagerstown. I’ve heard about this course and wanted to play it for quite a while. From what I heard of it being a “Country Club”, I didn’t’ know what to expect but that’s what I’m hear to tell you. This course has a rather low slope rating of below 120 (indicating a fairly easy track for us hackers), however I felt it was more difficult because of the tree lined fairways which required accurate drives more so than other courses I’ve played. Perhaps it was an illusion (and I’ll have to play it again!) but if I had to describe the front nine with one word, it would be “tight”. The back nine opened up and I thought was easier, however it offered several challenging-good-shot-rewarding holes, that I just happened to get rewarded on. The conditions were good to excellent with the greens being particularly nice. A few of the fairways had some small areas of ground under repair and/or burn outs but nothing to really complain about. A nice feature of the tree-lined areas is that most of them are mature and you can find your ball if you hit into “jail”. This track is inexpensive and if you’re in the Hagerstown area, play the Creek! Lefty (86)
Maryland National Golf Club Middletown, MD - 7/24/2003
As you approach Maryland National from the East you parallel hole #10. Once I saw this fairway now lush and green compared to last year’s brown dirt covering, I knew things had improved. Maryland National is now ready to play! Only a few blemishes remain from last year’s opening which saw many parts of the course in bad condition. This scenic course is nestled in a valley between I-70 and the Catoctin mountains and offers a fantastic layout. Maryland National is highlighted by dramatic elevation changes (although you rarely seem to be playing uphill shots), a diverse mix of landscape (links style, woodlands, marshland) and several risk-reward holes that will make your decision making tough. The clubhouse is scheduled to be open in August and will offer tremendous course views, good eats and amenities for corporate golfers looking to hold meetings then play. We particularly like the complete practice facilities. Be sure to get there a little early so you can hit balls, work on the short game, and fine tune the putts before your round. The entire staff from management on down is dedicated to creating a upscale experience for the daily fee golfer. We like how they are progressing and suggest you pay them a visit. Bogeyman
Penderbrook Golf Club Fairfax, VA - 7/11/2003
Penderbrook remains a Waggle favorite for a quick afternoon round during the week. If you work in the Northern Virginia area and find yourself able to sneak away for a few hours – this course is for you. Our recent round found the course in good condition (don’t be alarmed by #1 tee box – it’s the only one in bad shape) from tee to green. A note from a previous review: #12 no longer requires a second shot over water. This hole has been redesigned (ruined in our opinion) due to too many balls hitting the townhomes behind the original green. One of our favorites things about Penderbrook is the several holes with the huge risk-reward ratio. A couple of par 4s can be reached with a strong drive – but you will be penalized severely is your aim is off. I had to apologize to the foursome ahead of us on #18 – as my drive was pin high but just off the left. This trip the gnats were particularly vicious, so bring the bug juice and have a good time. Bogeyman (87)
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 6/26/2003
I had been hearing so many different reviews about the course either being in great shape from all the rain or relatively poor shape from what it should be because of a lack of play from all the rain so I decided to try it myself so you all could get an unbiased, albeit left-handed, view! I was mostly pleased with the condition of the course so those that told me it was in pretty good shape were correct in my book. On this hot day the fairways were good, the greens good (some patchy spots but not many), tee boxes good and rough was high. The course played relatively quickly and the only negative comment about Timbers that I have is a recurring one – it seems that for some reason, players do not replace/repair their divots here and the result is a lot of divot holes in the fairways. This track is a nice play and offers enough of a challenge and enough forgiveness for all skill levels to enjoy! Lefty (82)
Bulle Rock Havre de Grace, MD - 6/24/2003
“Treat your friends, family, business associates or just yourself to an incredible golf experience. Go play Bulle Rock!”
The Waggle.com team was forced to review Bulle Rock on a beautiful early summer day. Yea, we can hear you right now saying, “Gee, those guys are really out there putting it on the line for us, working their tails off!” Well, you’re right and we’re just the guys to tell you about this beautiful golf course. We absolutely had one of the best days on the golf course that one can have without shooting your career round. Designer, Pete Dye says on the scorecard that “I did not undo God’s work” and he’s right! In fact, we think he made it better! This course was in immaculate condition from tees to greens to traps (yea, we hit a few). And, the staff was beyond friendly and helpful - from the moment you dropped off your bag they gave you the feeling that they were glad to see you. The way it should be! We had the pleasure of playing with caddies, which was an added bonus. Our caddies, Brett and Evan, knew the course inside and out and gave great insight into reading the greens. Brett carried 2 heavy Waggle bags which we forget to lighten up a bit for the occasion. He never complained…well perhaps he did mention it a time or two. (Tip: when getting a caddie take some stuff out of your bag). In any event, there is not a thing we can comment on negatively about Bulle Rock (except maybe the location from Northern Viriginia). If you’re looking for a real treat of a course and are willing to pay a little extra, go play Bulle Rock! Bogeyman/Lefty (93/85)
Patriots Glen Elkton, MD - 6/24/2003
Just a couple of miles and a few turns off I-95, and a slow ride through a builders maze of new houses lies a gem of a course - Patriot’s Glen. Although a new neighborhood is evident as you enter the course, few lanes intrude into the beauty of the hardwoods that frame the holes and gobble your tee shots. Patriot’s Glen has an adequate club house and practice area and its food and service are above average. Each hole has its own look with a nice balance of doglegs (90 and 45 degrees) to the left and right. No interlocking fire from adjacent holes to worry about here only the trees and rolling terrain to conquer. The fairways are ample but don’t stray or that dreaded tree knocking sound awaits errant shots. A good mix of short, tempting holes is balanced by some muscle par fives like the 17th which offers all the challenge you could want. Greens are true and in good shape as are the fairways. Leave the short grass and some spotty, woodsy lies are found. This is the kind of course where your brother could be playing two holes ahead or behind you and you wouldn’t know it until you met in the grill afterward, a rare and welcome feature in courses today. Patriot’s Glen will surprise and challenge you and is worth the easy drive from Baltimore, Philadelphia, and even the Washington DC area. Ayce
Meadowbrook Golf Course Gettysburg, PA - 6/23/2003
Not far from the intersection of Route 15 and Route 97, just south of Gettysburg, PA, there is a little golf course tucked away from the bustle of tourism, and the high prices that follow it. This is a course for people who want to play golf, and not pay the outrageous prices of some of the other local courses. Fair warning to all: The parking lot is not paved, the club house is still being improved, and the driving range is not always mowed. It may not sound like a dream course, but it's not as bad as you might think. Some of the special attractions to this course include the par 3 3rd hole, and the island green. The 6th hole leaves you hitting off of an elevated tee box onto a hill that walkers will learn to hate. The 7th hole has a wonderful view of Big Roundtop, which played a major roll in The Battle of Gettysburg. If you're unfamiliar, check your history books. Water comes in to play on several holes, not the least of which is number 13, a par 5 lay-up hole, with a pond along the right side, over half the length of the hole is bordered by the wet stuff. The 17th has a nice open fairway just waiting for you to let your drive drift right and leave the fairway into the rough, but if you keep it in the middle, you'll be rewarded with an approach into a nicely landscaped green with a railroad timber wall on the left behind a very large sand trap. The course has lots of elevation changes, and is being constantly improved upon. There is a practice green before the 1st hole, and a small driving range. The carts are electric and well maintained if you wish to pay the extra $10 for 18 holes. As for amenities, there are very few, but I think you'll still find this one of the best ways to spend $8, and probably the only way to play 18 in doing so. J. Markle
Cross Creek Golf Club Beltsville, MD - 6/17/2003
Cross Creek is trying to bring a Futures Tour event to the DC/Balt area. We had stopped by to find out more about this exciting news and were lucky enough to be able to sneak in a round too. This facility just keeps getting better! When Cross Creek opened last year we were impressed with the layout and the unusually good condition for a new course. This year the fairways and rough have continued to improve and the new clubhouse is just about open (they were moving out of the trailer today). If you haven't played here yet, try to find some room in your schedule for a trip to Beltsville soon. Bogeyman (89)
Oakmont Green Golf Course Hampstead, MD - 5/20/2003
I finally played Oakmont Greens on a non-windy day (see previous reviews). This course is a not-too-difficult municipal course but will offer you some challenges. A couple of fairly long par 5’s may tempt you to go for it in 2 but watch out on 2 of them for hidden water hazards near the green which will collect your second shot. (Hint #18 is one of them) Some of the par 4’s are shorter to give you some birdie chances but on a few others, a par is a good score. All in all, this course plays pretty long and with a few tight holes you can add up a higher score here than you’d think. The price is right and if you want a nice play out in the country, try Oakmont Greens. Lefty (88)
Sea Scape Golf Links Kitty Hawk, NC - 5/15/2003
We played a round at Seascape Golf Links during our OBX trip. Last time I played this track (2001) I was disappointed in the conditions but enjoyed the layout. You know, sometimes nothing changes. The fairways were pretty thin and had areas which needed repair, the greens were putt-able but had several areas needing attention as well. The tee boxes were perhaps in the worst shape of the three. If it wasn’t for the nice layout and some challenging holes – mainly on the back nine – this would be in the “patch” category. However, it is a playable course and the initial par 5 first hole will get your attention, however the remainder of the front nine is fairly easy and you can score on this course. The back nine gets a little tougher however make some good swings and you’ll score well here too. The links style is fun to play and if you like this type of course (i.e. a taste of the British Open) you’ll like Seascape. Lefty (81)
Signature at West Neck Virginia Beach, VA - 5/14/2003
The 1st stop on my North Carolina OBX research trip took me to Virginia Beach. After all, why not play a warm up round on the way. An Arnold Palmer design, Signature at West Neck is an upscale course, which is not overly difficult while not being too easy either. Being near the ocean, most holes are pretty flat and for the most part open. There are several places where water comes into play but careful shot selection and strategic play will keep you dry. The course itself was in great shape overall. A few of the tee boxes were in need of a little work but it didn’t spoil the course. This is a semi-private club and most of the locals were friendly and glad to have visitors playing their course. (At least that’s how the guys I was playing with treated me) There is a practice green and driving range (although it closed the day I was there for maintenance), as well as a nice pro shop and bar/restaurant. Whether your passing though of coming to VA beach to play, give old Arnie’s course a play. You’ll be glad you did. Lefty (83)
Independence Golf Club Midlothian, VA - 5/12/2003
Independence Golf club was designed by Tom Fazio and offers golfers of all levels a true test of golf. On this particular day the wind and eye-numbing pollen ate me alive but this course is definitely a good track. The undulating fairways and carefully placed bunkers will cause you some problems, as will the fast and tricky greens. All course conditions were top notch from tees to green to bunkers – which I unfortunately found several of! I noticed a lot of tee shots over depressed valleys to an elevated fairway (or green), which may alter your distance judgment but I felt the yardages were accurate so trust them! The super large upscale clubhouse/pro shop features a nice sit down restaurant, bar, snack bar, golf museum, locker rooms, and office areas for meetings. The staff was cordial and friendly as well. I want to get back to play this course again on a better weather and pollen day – I believe I’ll probably do a little next time! I know, I know, excuses, excuses! Lefty (95)
Musket Ridge Golf Club Myersville, MD - 5/3/2003
The Waggle.com team got a chance for a rare weekend round to play beautiful Musket Ridge in scenic Myersville Maryland. This track offers many scenic tee shots and will test your golfing skills. On this day, the greens didn’t hold particularly well and they were fairly scruffy (but we were told they’d be back in a week). The rest of the course was in great shape from tees to sandtraps to fairways to rough. This course has many holes which will bring an errant shot back into the fairway which makes it fun to play. Many approach shots have bail out areas which offer the same slope back to the green to further help out us “non pros”. Trust us, there are places where you can hit the ball and be in trouble but all in all, you should enjoy this upscale and beautiful venue! Lefty/Bogeyman
Pleasant Valley Golfer's Club Chantilly, VA - 5/1/2003
Not coincidentally this course that is on park land has the look of a finely manicured scenic park. Having had an abundance of water and time to heal during the winter months, Pleasant Valley is rounding into top shape for the golf season. A new emphasis there on combating slow play is already keeping play times even on weekends under the four and half hour mark. Slow players are being made to skip a hole in deference to the majority of who despise waiting on every tee. All this coupled with an outstanding layout, good food and service, and fair rates make Pleasant Valley a hot course this season. KU
Patuxent Greens Country Club Laurel, MD - 4/30/2003
I was called out on assignment on this beautiful albeit cloudy spring day. Again, lucky for me, the “assignment” was to play Patuxent Greens in Laurel Maryland. This “muni” had fairways that reminded me of someone’s backyard (a lot of cut grass was present on the fairway) and greens that were not as quick as most others I’ve played. Don’t get me wrong, this is a nice track to play and you’ll find the price is right, but it is not an upscale course - if that’s what you’re looking for. The course itself is actually quite a challenge and was fun to play and has some shots which, if you hit’em right, you’ll remember after the round (you know the type!). Most holes are pretty tight for both driving and approach shots with water that could come into play on 16 of the 18 holes. The rough was pretty thick (isn’t that what it’s supposed to be) and made it tough to find balls hit into it. Some of the greens are small with little room for error and the greens can be tricky. The bunkers weren’t in the best shape on this date with several being hard packed and others having grass and weeds growing at the edges, however if you don’t hit into them, they’re not a concern! For the money, this was a good track. Patuxent Greens also offers a nice bar/clubhouse as well as a nice deck overlooking the course for that after-round beverage. Lefty (87)
University of Maryland Golf Course College Park, MD - 4/25/2003
I was invited to play in a scramble tourney at U of MD on this overcast day. I hadn’t played U of MD in quite some time and was pleased with the improvements to the condition of the course from my last trip there. On this day, the course was in excellent shape with the fairways and greens being in fine condition for spring. The bunkers looked to be in good shape as well (in a scramble you never hit out of a bunker do you?) and the new clubhouse offers a great bar/lounge. This course reminds me of many of the Harrisburg Area courses with wide-open fairways that visually look longer than the yardage measures. The large greens putt true however you might want to take a second look as these baby’s break more than you’d think from first read and they’re quick too! Luckily, we had several putts to look at to get the right read and managed to drop our share for a second place finish! U of MD is a nice track and the price is right! Lefty’s team (69)
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 4/14/2003
It was a beautiful spring day and I decided it was time to get back to Waverly Woods to do some work, lucky enough for me, “work” meant playing the course! I had always considered Waverly a fairly short track, however it’s probably because I always played from the white tees. Just for kicks, I backed up to the blues (measuring 6602 vs. 6304 from whites) and although not terribly long, it did make a difference on several holes and now fits into my category of “normal” length vs. a “short track”. I have been hitting the ball pretty well as of late 270+ on good drives so perhaps I need to adjust my perspective…funny thing though, the scores aren’t dropping yet – oh well, it’s early in the year! Anyway, Waverly was in pretty good shape for early spring with the fairways pretty full, the greens fast and true with only a few bare spots in non-essential places and rough which was “rough” but fair and only slightly penalized errant shots. Three of par threes required long irons and the other (of 140-ish) was playing directly into the wind on this day which required a proper club selection as well. I hit the ball well on this date but the short game has a long way to go. Several three putts on Waverly’s fast but true greens, as well as, several poor chips cost me many more strokes than I would have liked but hey, it’s early! Did I mention that before? Waverly is in good shape and will only get better this spring so give it a play! Lefty (91)
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 4/10/2003
A day on the course is better than a day in the office - even when the wind is howling. And howl it did this round! Bull Run is in great shape. The fairways are lush and the greens are rolling true. Today the course was wet - so it was cart path only. But unlike last year, they will let them roll in the fairways this season as soon as they dry up. Get out here and play! Bogeyman (98)
Golden Eagle Golf Club at the Tides Inn Irvington, VA - 4/6/2003
The intrepid Waggle.com Team went down to the “Northern Neck” of Virginia to play a round with our buddies from Tee Times Golf Pass. Although we still haven’t figured out why they call it the northern neck, we can tell you this area is very scenic, peaceful and in the middle of nowhere! It isn’t anything like the hustle bustle of DC, Baltimore, or even Frederick, but if you’re looking for a classic track where you won’t be bothered and just want to get away, try this course. Golden Eagle offers a classic layout with tight fairways lined with tall pines and quick greens. The rolling course has plenty of sand and several water carries. We rate this course high on the “fun” scale and medium on the “difficult” scale. We played the white tees – but only because it’s early in the year and we didn’t really have our “A” game yet – and with yardage slightly over 6000 and a 124 slope, we still were challenged. The condition was very good to excellent with only a few spots in the fairways needing some attention, however all in all it ranks up there with the other upscale courses you’ll play. Take a trip to the northern neck and try Golden Eagle. Lefty/Bogeyman (88/98)
Rio Secco Golf Club Henderson, NV - 1/27/2003
Course 3 in the 2003 Super Bowl trilogy of courses (See 1/24/03 review for “trilogy” information) was another high-end course called Rio Secco (we pronounced it say-co). This was one of Tiger’s practice courses and, to us Waggle guys, it seemed to play more like a pro course than Reflection Bay as the area for missing was not as forgiving and errant shots would end up in the desert of fairway sand traps which generally increase your scores. We did enjoy this course; in fact some liked it better than Reflection Bay, although both courses are high-end beautiful tracks. The greens again were lightening quick and putted true. The remainder of the course was in “PGA-Pro-type shape”, with all tee boxes and fairways immaculately manicured. You will again enjoy beautiful scenery but don’t let it distract you golf game or you’ll take a number. The Boston Pigeons attempted to eek out round 2 of the match but as a result of some creative scorekeeping with additional bonus holes, your Waggle.com heroes won the back end of the 2003 match as well. (Hey! They had 3 guys to our 2!) Rio Secco’s clubhouse was a great place to “discuss” the scoring of the match. It you get a chance to play here, go for it, as Rio Secco is a great course. Lefty/Bogeyman
Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson, NV - 1/25/2003
This immaculate track was number 2 in the trilogy of courses for our annual Vegas “research” trip for 2003 Superbowl Weekend. (See 1/24/03 review for “trilogy”) Many of you may have heard about Reflection Bay as some PGA events have been played here. We can tell you why, because it is an immaculate pristine course! To say it is scenic is an understatement as there are many many beautiful views. The golf course itself is a good test of golf and the choice of 5 different tee boxes allows you to play your own game. At the practice facility (which is large and well maintained) the starter told us the greens were running at about an 11 on the stimp meter – we later found out he was correct! Although the greens were quick, they were really great to putt on and gave true rolls (kinda like the pros are used to)! The course itself was absolutely beautiful and in perfect shape. The fairways did allow some forgiveness and some greens had bailout areas as well. The Boston Boys joined us for our annual 2 round grudge match and somehow, we managed to eek out a split decision victory for round one! (Although, I believe we bought the majority of the beers after the round!) Reflection Bay, is a must play course but be prepared to pay around $250 – heck, you can lose that in an hour in the Casino so perhaps this is a good buy! Lefty/Bogeyman
Siena Golf Club Las Vegas, NV - 1/24/2003
This beautiful Course was the 1st of our trilogy of courses for our annual Vegas “research” trip on Superbowl Weekend. OK, so trilogy normally refers to books or movies, we’re gonna use it here cause we played 3 rounds! Anyway, Siena was a scenic course (as are most Vegas courses) with running water (as in waterfalls, streams along the cart paths in a tunnel, etc.) running everywhere. It was on the easier side of the playing scale (slope of 126) with a lot of forgiveness both off the tee and around the greens. The greens were quick and true although they didn’t particularly hold approach shots well. The fairways and tee boxes were in immaculate shape and the lower price of this course as compared to others this weekend made it a great play! The huge clubhouse is a great place to pick up some golf items and/or have a post round beverage. We will put this on our courses to play again when in Vegas. Lefty/Bogeyman
Musket Ridge Golf Club Myersville, MD - 11/5/2002
I was requested to play in an outing at Musket Ridge on Election Day and managed get out prior to casting my vote and boy am I glad I did. I rate Musket Ridge as a “must play” course. This is an upscale course just west of Frederick. The conditions were excellent including tee boxes, fairways, greens, and even the rough. The greens, although fairly new, putted true and held shots pretty well. On this particular day, they were installing under drains in the greenside bunkers and adding sand as well. My playing partners (I managed to avoid the sand on this day) indicated the greenside traps had nice “fluffy” sand – at least the front side which had been completed. This course is also scenic and to make matters even better, most of the fairways have rough on either side that will guide your errant shot back into the fairway. I also played some approach shots off of greenside slopes that funneled my ball to the green for a birdie putt. They allowed carts on the fairway and the guidebooks on the carts tell you how to play the course. The staff was friendly and helpful and the clubhouse is beautiful too! Like I said, a “must play” course! Lefty (80)
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 11/4/2002
Bull Run is one of the better value new (1999) “high end daily fee” courses in NoVa. At just a half hour from the beltway, it is an easy drive west on I66 then north 4 miles on Rte. 15. This very playable country course is carved out of the woods much like Westfields or Pleasant Valley. Rich Jacobsen of Augustine fame did a great job on layout and the staff keeps it in good shape. It was surprisingly nice in Nov 02. Each hole stands by itself—no interlocking fire here. No houses or roads intrude on the beautiful sights and sounds. Only sounds of distant hunters break the serenity. There is an exceptional practice facility consisting of a real grass tee range (no ‘irons only’ here), a large chipping green with a bunker, and an expansive putting green. One criticism is that the practice green has much more contour than the greens on the course. The par fours are all unique. The pars 3s are best played from the blue tees. Strong par 5s here with the 18th hole being one of the best par 5s in the area. The #1 Hcp hole is the ninth which is a 425 yard par 4 with water down the entire right side. A well stocked clubhouse and adjacent snack bar offer great views of the 18th so you can wager with your partners over drinks “does he make on in two?” (Tip- bet NO) KU
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 10/7/2002
Blue Mash was the site of our 3rd Annual Fall Classic charity golf tournament. The teeboxes, rough and greens were in excellent condition but due to this summer's drought the fairways were beat up. But, as usual, the layout of the course is what impressed our guests the most and many where planning return trips next spring. The fantastic service of the Blue Mash staff helped make it an enjoyable day for everyone. If you are looking for a venue for an event next year be sure to check out Blue Mash. Bogeyman
Cross Creek Golf Club Beltsville, MD - 9/12/2002
Cross Creek was worth the wait! After hearing about this course more than a year ago and waiting through all the delayed openings, we were anxious to play here. And, we weren’t disappointed. #1 is a beautiful opening hole and the course just kept on getting better. We played the Creekside tees and even though the yardage was only 6035 - it didn’t seem short to us. And, you can play from the tips (6356 yards) for a completely different and even more challenging experience.
The course is a scenic treat carved through the woods of Beltsville, MD straddling both Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Located on what was once a junk yard and gravel quarry, Cross Creek is now an environmental success for the community and a super track for the Mid-Atlantic golfer. The only evidence of its former life appears as you approach the spectacular 13th green and are faced with boulders and cliff-like backdrops. This mountain-like scene continues on through #14 where you will be playing through a narrow valley where shot selection and accuracy are key (hint: stay right). Cross Creek offers lots of trees and wetlands, as you may guess with plenty of “Forest Retention Areas”, “Reforestation Projects”, and “Environmentally Sensitive Areas”.
Approaching the course you may get the impression this is another course built right thru a community, with houses lining the fairways. It’s NOT! No houses are seen until #9 and then (except for your first shot on #13) they are far enough away to remain unobtrusive.
Cross Creek is a course that can get inside your head with tight fairways, plenty of water, and several forced carries. But don’t let it mess with you; most of the landing areas are more generous than they appear. The first time you play here a couple of holes may confuse you, but the yardage books are coming soon and should clear things up.
The location is convenient for both Washington and Baltimore golfers. Cross Creek is located just off I-95 near the DC Beltway. Although there is still some surrounding construction from the home sites and the clubhouse is currently a trailer, this is a course you must play! Bogeyman/Hacker
Oakmont Green Golf Course Hampstead, MD - 9/11/2002
I was invited to play in a scramble tourney at Oakmont Greens on a windy late summer day. It seems that it is ALWAYS windy at Oakmont Greens – perhaps it’s just me? Anyway, Oakmont Greens is a fun track to play offering many wide-open holes and plenty of elevation changes. Although this is not a pristine upscale course you may want to play the price is right and it will test your golf skills with some target drives and some strategic do or die decisions on par 5’s as well as some long par 4’s. I particularly like the par 3 13th which requires a mid to long iron to an elevated green (usually with a cross wind). Most of your errant shots won’t cost you too dearly except for extra distance but there are several holes that will errant shots and not give them back so use your head on those holes. The greens weren’t particularly fast and looked slightly beat up from careless players not fixing their ball marks, however they putted fairly well, although our team didn’t. If you’re in the northern Carroll County area, give Oakmont Greens a try. Lefty’s Team (73)
Enterprise Golf Course Mitchellville, MD - 9/10/2002
I was invited to play in the 2002 Providence Golf Classic at Enterprise Golf Course on a beautiful late summer day. I used to consider this to be my “home” course and since I haven’t played it for quite some time and my game is at a different level than it was when I used to play there, I looked forward to the challenge. Enterprise was in great shape – just as I remembered it. A lot of the trees that didn’t used to come into play, now seemed to – or was it just that I now hit the ball differently than when I used to play there. The fairways were in great shape, although a little thin for my liking and the greens held shots well. This course seemed tighter than what I remembered and many holes require a long accurate iron from the white tees for the best approach to the green. The par 5’s are tight and with only 1 exception, plan on a 3 shot approach unless you are long AND accurate with the driver. Although my game is at a different level, perhaps a lack of playing lead to some errant shots and a higher than what I would have liked score. In any event, Enterprise is a nice track, not very long but you better be accurate! Hit’em straight! Lefty (86)
Potomac Ridge Golf Waldorf, MD - 6/27/2002
The Waggle.com team finally got out to preview Potomac Ridge on a day when we just beat the late afternoon thunderstorm. This is one of Atlantic Golf’s courses along with Queenstown and South River. We rate the difficulty factor for Potomac Ridge about the same as Queenstown as not terribly difficult but yet challenging enough. The condition of the greens, fairways, and bunkers were good enough but not as pristine as they could be. We actually thought the greens were kind of slow and were not that difficult to putt. The hot summer weather may be taking its toll. The course itself is mostly flat and not extremely long measuring 6600 plus from the tips (par 71). Errant shots are punished somewhat but you usually have a chance to save the hole. You do need to be accurate off the tee or plan on being “in jail” and chipping out. On selected holes you can hit long irons to keep in play and still make the green in regulation. We thought the 129 slope from the blue tees was more difficult than the course actually played, but then again, that’s just our opinion. Try it and decide for yourself. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed as this is a fun course to play. Bogeyman/Lefty
Westwinds Golf Club New Market, MD - 6/22/2002
My first time at Westwinds and I was pleasantly surprised. The course was lush and green while many other local tracks are turning brown. We were lucky enough to have a couple of local curmudgeons help us around as several of the holes have tricky layouts and the local knowledge helped us first-timers. Bogeyman (94)
Maple Run Golf Course Thurmont, MD - 6/7/2002
I was invited to play in a Charity Scramble at Maple Run in Thurmont Maryland on a Friday so I called in sick (cough cough) and “sacrificed” the day to golf! I had never been to Maple Run and heard about the back nine being difficult and tight. Being a scramble, we were able to have a play on every hole, however playing your own ball, I can understand why I heard what I did. The front is farily wide open with sloping terrain and several challenging shots while the back has several 90 degree dogleg holes which can’t be short cut. Several holes will require an iron tee shot to reach the corner of the dogleg for your approach in. The greens were not the quickest I’ve played, however they were well maintained and rolled true. This is NOT a resort type course, however it was nice enough and the price is definitely right! For a nice round out in the country, try Maple Run! Lefty's Team (67)
The Pointe Golf Club Powells Point, NC - 5/19/2002
The final play at OBX was a round at The Point. This golf course will best be remembered by it’s immaculate greens. Although you may think this track is benign from the 1st couple of holes, it will provide you with enough challenges. More forgiving than other tracks, you can score well here even if you don’t strike the ball as well as you’d like. You just better bring your flat stick to make those saving putts. I mentioned the greens earlier as being immaculate, well the rest of the course is just as good with well maintained, groomed fairways and nice tee boxes as well. Either on the way in to OBX (as your warmup round) or on the way out (to conclude your golfing), stop and play The Point, I think you’ll be glad you did! Lefty (88)
Nags Head Golf Links Nags Head, NC - 5/18/2002
For our third day (and 4th course) of the OBX trip, Nags Head Golf Links was the play. The windy conditions relegated us to a scramble format and it was definitely for the better. This tight little track is difficult enough but today’s 30 mph and up winds made it darn near impossible! Don’t be fooled into thinking this “short” track will be an easy one as the prevailing winds and tight fairways will cause you to either hit good crisp shots or suffer the consequences. Measuring only 6126 from the tips (par 71), Nags Head Golf links will definitely test your playing ability. The course was in good shape this particular day although it wasn’t as enjoyable because of the severe winds. If you get a chance, put this on your play list! Lefty's team (68)
Carolina Club Grandy, NC - 5/17/2002
Carolina Club was the third stop on my OBX research trip. Yea, it sounds like fun, but reviewing courses is a LOT of work! Anyway, add this one to your “must play” list, as this track is both challenging yet forgiving. The putting greens are fast but true and you better bring your silky smooth putting touch or you’ll be 3 putting a lot of greens. (I know I did). The fairways and traps were also in excellent and well maintained shape. One note of caution, make sure you bring your bug juice, as the flies are vicious on this course. I earned the name “fly boy” as I was attacked on one of the greens by these monsters. You’ll enjoy an island green on the front nine as well as several other challenging shots. I know I did and will play it again! Lefty (85)
The Currituck Club Corolla, NC - 5/16/2002
Work took me to North Carolina for research of several tracks at the Outer Banks. The first course under my watchful eye was Currituck Club and it is a gem! This Rees Jones Design features nearly half of the holes along the Currituck Sound offering excellent scenery as well as a challenging golf course. The course conditions were pristine and the staff extremely friendly and “scenic” as well! Put this one on your list to play while at the OBX! Lefty (81)
Duck Woods Country Club Southern Shores, NC - 5/16/2002
Duck Woods is a course that you may notice approximately 2 miles before getting to the Ocean. Unfortunately, there are not a whole lot of good things to say about this track, as the conditions were deplorable. The greens were actually spray painted while many of the fairways had bald spots, poorly maintained sand traps as well as beat up tee areas. The shame of it is that this layout could be a challenging one if the course was properly maintained. I played this track about 6 years ago and wasn’t impressed at that time and unfortunately, this time it was worse! Look at other places to play in the OBX as this one’s not worth the high cost! Lefty (84)
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort Las Vegas, NV - 2/4/2002
This Vegas trip's final round was the all-new Wolf course at Paiute. Like the other courses at Paiute, the Wolf course is true desert golf with every hole featuring a desert (i.e. rock) lie if you miss the fairway AND the rough. You may choose to venture off into the desert to play these shots, but beware of snakes and be prepared to mess up a club or two if you do (Bogeyman’s wedge is in bad shape!). We could tell Wolf was a new track as the greens held nothing. Perhaps it was the diabolical Pete Dye design, but until the Wolf track grows in, play’em short and roll’em on. Other than the hard greens and “newness” of Wolf, the course was in excellent shape and will truly challenge your golf ability. You better hit the island green on the par 3 #15with a high, soft shot with plenty of spin to hold it or plan on dropping one and maybe making a bogey! We really enjoyed this course and you will too! Lefty/Bogeyman (90)
Bear's Best Las Vegas, NV - 2/2/2002
Our second leg of the Vegas 2002 review was the all-new Bears Best Golf course. We weren’t happy about getting quoted one price over the phone when we booked the reservations months earlier and then were charged an additional $50 at the desk, but being dedicated course reviewers, we pressed on. The course itself was a compilation of Jack Nickalus’s favorite golf holes on many of the Western Courses he designed. They offer the exact detail down to the pine trees and black sand that the original courses have. The course also offered forecaddies that provided information about each hole and yardage to the green for your next shot. The course was a real challenge (as I’m sure Jack intended) and offered a not-yet-broken-in hardness on the green - as several approach shots would not hold. The greens were extremely quick as well but other than the hardness factor they putted true. The fairways and other conditions were great and the clubhouse is brand new and extremely plush, although they didn’t offer alcoholic beverages. This track is nice and we would probably play it again, however, if you’re planning on playing there, make sure you get some type of written confirmation of what the price is when you book your tee times. Enjoy! Lefty/Bogeyman (92)
Dragon Ridge Country Club Las Vegas, NV - 2/1/2002
As the yearly part of the job that we all hate, we ventured to Vegas for our annual Super Bowl excursion and decided to play three all new tracks. We heard rave reviews about Dragon Ridge and were not disappointed. This course offered a fair test of your golfing abilities yet did not severely punish errant shots. The greens and fairways were pristine and the scenery was one of the most beautiful we’ve seen. The course offered generous fairways and the ability to score if you’re making putts. Unfortunately for us, we didn’t’ make as many as we’d like, however we really enjoyed Dragon Ridge. Lefty/Bogeyman (86)
Queenstown Harbor Golf Queenstown, MD - 10/29/2001
The Waggle.com team went out to review the Queenstown Harbor Golf Links and found the Lakes Course to be to our liking. This course is forgiving yet does offer some challenging risk/reward shots if you’re in the mood to go for it! In general, the course is “Eastern Shore Flat” however the conditions of the fairways and greens were excellent. Water hazards abound as13 out of the 18 holes have some kind of water. The course is not long measuring only 6569 from the tips and is not the most difficult of courses to play. The greens were fast but not that fast that you can’t stop a downhill putt. Most of the greens had generous “miss” areas where you can get up and down without major penalty. Play the Lakes Course if you’re in the mood to go for a low score without too much frustration! Lefty (80)
Queenstown Harbor Golf Queenstown, MD - 10/29/2001
The Waggle.com team went to Queenstown to review this facility on a crisp October Monday. We were treated to fine service and a beautiful golf course. The River Course was in excellent condition and is truly a fun and challenging course to play. Interesting shots are required on the majority of holes and strategic play is a must for several others. The nice thing about the River Course (and Queenstown Lakes too), it is that most misses are not too severely penalized – and that provides you with yet another chance to make up for that first missed shot and keeps your interest in the game. The River Course offers many scenic views of the bay and surroundings, which must be mentioned as well. If you’re in for a golf challenge, some beautiful scenery, and friendly service, give the River Course a try. Lefty (85)
Potomac Ridge Golf Waldorf, MD - 10/22/2001
The Waggle.com team ventured out to Potomac Ridge to review this course for the players guide. Unfortunately, they were aerating the front nine so we played the back twice, however we will get back ASAP to check out the front. We were treated to excellent service and friendly staff, but that’s not the best – wait until you get to the course. This course (at least the back nine) was in great shape (we wondered why they were aerating) as the greens, fairways and tee boxes were all well maintained and groomed. The course is challenging and demands accuracy off the tee as well as on your approach shots. The greens are quick but not that fast that you can’t stop putts from rolling off the green (which we’ve all found at one time or another, to be quite frustrating!). Our only regret was not getting to play the front nine, however on the plus side, that means we’ll have to play there again to complete the Waggle.com players guide. Lefty
South River Golf Edgewater, MD - 10/13/2001
South River is located just south of Annapolis in Edgewood Maryland and was reviewed by the Waggle.com team on this beautiful fall day in October. This is an extremely scenic course that features many beautiful views of the surrounding area. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security, as this course plays tough! There are several environmental areas to avoid and water on many holes. Although, the back nine has 3 each (par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s), it is not an easy nine. The front nine is fairly straightforward and a little easier in my opinion. The course itself is well watered and the conditions of the fairways and greens show it! The staff is friendly and the clubhouse offers a large selection of golf apparel, food and drink. It’s nice in that you’re allowed to take carts out on the fairways and you’ll need a cart because of the distance between green to the next tee. This is a must play course and you’ll be back to score better the second time around as you need to play it a couple of times to know where you’re going. For your first round be sure to print out the Waggle.com Players Guide to help you out. Enjoy South River! Lefty/Bogeyman (88/107)
Blue Mash Golf Course Laytonsville, MD - 9/20/2001
Our much anticpated round at Blue Mash both excited and disppointed us. The course opens with several uninspiring flat, wide open, well bunkered holes with generous landing areas. Then just as you begin thinking this course is boring you get to numbers 7 & 8 and start your journey into the woods and the challenging back nine. The front nine was in very good condition for a new course but the fairways on the back were very thin. We were told that the back nine had been flooded during construction and was about 9 months behind the front in growing in. The driving range and clubhouse are still under construction and the staff was very friendly and accomodating while we waited for one of our foursome that was lost. This course changes personality often and we look forward to watching it grow up. Bogeyman (86)
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 9/1/2001
The parents were still in town so I got a kitchen pass to go play with my dad on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I learned the hard way that if you make a tee time in advance and are a Howard County Resident you get pinged for an extra $10. NOTE: Walk ons get a break – call the course for a full explanation. Anyway, we managed to get out and play Timbers and I was pretty disappointed with the condition of the course. The fairways were in good shape but had many, many, divot holes from careless golfers not replacing them. The greens were not in the best of shape either as some were damaged and others just bumpy and rough. I’ve played this course in the past and the greens were in pristine shape so I’m not sure what is going on but they certainly can be better. The bunkers were full of water, from recent rains, so I can’t beat up on Timbers for that, but overall this course has been in better shape than on this particular day. The layout is nice and the clubhouse has a big TV and cold beer! Lefty (90)
Westwinds Golf Club New Market, MD - 8/31/2001
The parents came down for Labor Day weekend and I took advantage of a Waggle.com FEESAVER special (sign up from the home page – it’s free!) and ventured out to Westwinds for a sub-$20 round of golf. Well, you get what you pay for as evidenced by the starter’s answer of “Improving” to my question of “How’s the course?” It really wasn’t in THAT bad of shape with the exception of #16, which has major reconstruction going on, and no fairway to speak of. Also, because of the reconstruction on #15 and 16 you get to see construction equipment close up! The rest of the course was playable and although the conditions weren’t pristine, several holes offered challenging shots. Hey, what did I care, it was a beautiful day and I was on the golf course. Westwinds is in the process of turning into a private course so take advantage of the specials while you can. For less than $20 (including cart) what have you got to lose? Lefty (85)
River Downs Golf Club Finksburg, MD - 8/15/2001
Today we visited River Downs in Finksburg Maryland which is just north of Westminster. Here we found a fine course, which was a real treat to play. You may be scratching your head, as you stand on the first tee and look down the oh-so-far looking landing area and think what a gimmicky course, but trust your golf gurus (that’s us) - it isn’t. After playing the “superdrop” tee shot on #1, the course winds through an upscale housing development and utilizes the natural rolling hill terrain to the max. Several holes have drastic elevation changes or require shots over steep ravines with waste areas and for some tee shots you’ll have to use discretion on whether to hit a driver or not. The fairways and greens, although not pristine, were certainly in good condition and this course will challenge your shot making abilities and your common sense. Many of your approach shots must be played to the “safe” side of the green, as misses to the wrong side can prove disastrous. Most tee shots can be a little erratic as there is some forgiveness off the tee to the landing areas. You’ll enjoy River Downs, we sure did! Bogeyman/Lefty (86/84)
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club Williamsburg, VA - 8/12/2001
My trip to Williamsburg was great. Both Golden Horseshoe courses were
great. The Gold Course (Robert Trent Jones Sr. design) was one of the best
courses I've EVER played. I shot even par (71) on the Gold Course and 76 at
the Green course (Rees Jones design). The Golf course's design and
conditions was comparable to some of the best traditional county club
courses in the country (Oakmont, Laurel Valley, Firestone, etc.). Vranko
Sea Scape Golf Links Kitty Hawk, NC - 8/11/2001
Continuing the vacation, in the Outer Banks, and “working” some more, I trekked out to play Sea Scape Golf Links. From what I’ve seen when watching the British Opens, this course reminded me a little of what it must be like to play there as this course is wide open for the most part with plenty of “gorse” like grass off the fairway and pot bunkers throughout. It was not in the best of conditions as the fairways and greens had plenty of unrepaired ball marks and divot holes. The front nine, which lists 3 par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s is relatively easy as 2 of the par 5’s are actually reachable with a driver and an iron so score well on the front because the back gets a little tougher. I wasn’t as impressed with this course as others because of the above-mentioned conditions and ease of the front side, but the layout is nice and some course maintenance and perhaps more courteous golfers repairing ball marks would help. This is a nice track to play to get a taste of Ireland. Lefty (82)
Nags Head Golf Links Nags Head, NC - 8/8/2001
While on vacation, in the Outer Banks, I managed to get some work done and review this course. Yea, I know, working while on vacation is a “no-no” but someone has to do it! This Bob Moore designed course is a relatively short (6126 yds. from the tips) but tight track. When you add the prevailing wind factor from the Roanoke Sound this course can be quite difficult if you’re not hitting’em where you want. The course itself was in pristine condition with wonderfully maintained greens and fairways. The par 5, 18th is a great closing hole requiring three good shots into the wind with the sound on your right and houses and hazards on your left. Trust me, there’s not a lot of room to miss! I did find the greens to be relatively easy to read and putts rolled true, in fact I shot my career best (to date) round of even par and if you use your head and play the wind you can score here too! Lefty (71)
Links at Gettysburg Gettysburg, PA - 7/31/2001
We recently had the opportunity to "Battle the Links" in a charity outing. Stonewalls and red clay abound on this scenic course. Elevated tees, forced carries and strategically placed water hazards will challenge you here. #18 is a super finishing hole - as you hit into a green surrounded by water and a rock wall backdrop with a waterfall. One final nice touch is the course guidebook mounted on the dash of the cart. Bogeyman
Hog Neck Golf Course Easton, MD - 7/28/2001
When you arrive at the course, you think "Wow what a pretty course!". Everything is green, there are big pines and plenty of flowers in bloom. When you stand on the first tee, you think "Wow this is a tight course!". Don't be scared - it opens back up on #2. But score well while you can because it tightens up again on the back. Hog Neck offers a nice layout, good course conditions, and occasionally windy days. The greens are huge - which helps the GIR stat but offers more 3-putt opportunites. This is a great course to play on your way to the beach. Bogeyman (94)
Whitetail Golf Resort Mercersburg, PA - 7/18/2001
Waggle.com ventured out to Whitetail to check out this new Rick Robbins designed course. What a treat to play! This course is one of those that is challenging enough, yet forgiving enough for players of all levels to enjoy. Add the beautiful scenery, superb conditions and friendly and helpful staff and what more do you need? The GPS system on the carts and the ability to take the carts in the fairway make it that more attractive. The course itself requires some thought off the tees as many holes have hazards, which cross the fairway just about where you were planning to hit your drive. Fortunately, most fairways are generous and you have plenty of area for mis-hits. The natural grass areas and several ponds will have to be avoided but read the Waggle.com Players Guide on the Whitetail page and you’ll know where to play’em. The Waggle guys give Whitetail “Four thumbs up”! Go ahead and make the drive - you'll be glad that you did. (Final bonus - this course is not yet rated - so if you shoot well it won't bring down your handicap :) Bogeyman/Lefty
Greystone Golf Course White Hall, MD - 6/1/2001
We snuck out on a Friday and although the forecast called for heavy thundershowers, we managed to get in 18 at this fine track. Greystone is about ½ hour north of Baltimore and well worth the trip, but be prepared to travel off the interstate system for several miles to get there. Greystone features a hilly layout with pristine fairways, well maintained greens, several blind shots, and plenty of trouble to get yourself into. The greens were a little hard for my taste as several shots which I felt should have held rolled off the green, so you may want to play’em a little short your first trip. The back nine features 3 par 3’s, three par 4’s, and three par 5’s and although it seems to be easy, don’t be lulled into thinking you’ll score well on the back as the evil greenskeeper may place the pins in nearly impossible putting spots. You’ll be extremely well informed about the course by the starter prior to teeing off and the timer clock on your cart keeps you on a 4 ½ hour pace. On our round, the back nine did slow down a bit and we had to wait on a couple of par 3’s but we completed the round in exactly 4 ½ hours – just before the rains came! I rate Greystone a “must play” course! Lefty (85)
Little Bennett Golf Club Clarksburg, MD - 5/18/2001
The Waggle.com team ventured out to play Little Bennett to provide details on how to play this gem of a course. And a gem it is! This picturesque and challenging course will satisfy every aspect of your golf appetite. From the excellent condition of the fairways, lightning fast greens, beautiful scenery everywhere, spacious grass practice area, fully stocked pro shop, friendly service and relatively inexpensive price, you won’t be disappointed with this venue. The course itself is just off the Sugarloaf Mountain range and the hilly terrain creates several blind shots. Print out the Waggle.com players guide and take it with you to help tell you where to hit your next shot. The 2001 Kemper Open had its Monday qualifier here so you know its in good condition. Unfortunately, for us, the pins were in the “Pro” location and caused our scores to go up a bit (hey it’s an excuse!). In any event, enjoy this course, we sure did! Lefty (91)
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 5/9/2001
Again Bull Run was the site for Waggle.com May Madness - the 2nd Annual Hak Chul Chung Memorial Golf Tournament. And, again everyone raved about the course and the fantastic job the Bull Run staff did putting on our event. The new clubhouse is now open and provides wonderful amenities for tournaments as well as drinks and a meal after your round. Bull Run is a fairly open course that is made challenging by its variety of hazards and several forced carries. It remains one of our favorite local layouts. Enjoy! Bogeyman
Links at Challedon Mt. Airy, MD - 4/7/2001
I looked back at my last review of Challedon and didn’t realize that it has been 2 years since I’ve played there. The course is basically the same as last time (condition wise that is) as the greens and fairways are still a little “thin”. Although they were certainly playable they did not have that more upscale grooming and plush-ness that are featured on a lot of other courses today. The course and layout are challenging yet fair. Several tee shots require strategic placement for the best approach to the greens. The course winds through a housing development featuring several beautiful houses and unlike some other courses going through developments, these designers were smart enough to keep the houses far away enough from the course to not be “in play”. Give the Links a try when you get a chance, it’s worth it. Lefty (82)
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 4/6/2001
What was supposed to be a nice Friday morning turned out to be windy and rainy but nonetheless, we managed to get in a quick18 before lunch and the heavier afternoon rain. Waverly was in pretty good shape for early spring and although the greens were just recently aerated they are only about a week away from being back to normal. The fairways were also in excellent shape and even the weather couldn’t stop us from enjoying the beautiful scenery at the Woods. Lefty (88)
The Woodlands Golf Course Woodlawn, MD - 3/23/2001
My neighbors asked me if I wanted to play on a windy Friday and as I needed
to get out and golf (don't we all) so I said yes. It proved to be a tough day
as the wind and cold got under my skin ... or I could blame it on "early
season" rust, however, my two previous Vegas scores don't really help me in
that department so we'll chalk it up to the wind. (Remember; always have at
least ONE excuse.) Anyway, Woodlands was in pretty good shape for early
spring. The greens were a little "furry" but were not damaged and held
shots well. The fairways were also in good shape although there were still
a lot (in my opinion) of divot holes in the fairways and although the course was
extremely wet - as it always seems to be (squishy walking on most fairways) at Woodlands - it was “playable”. I guess on account of all the wind and wet conditions, the groundskeeper had all (tips too) of the tees up front which took a little of the fun out of the course but we did have a good, albeit, windy day. Lefty (90)
Angel Park Golf Course Las Vegas, NV - 1/29/2001
The Angel Park people invited the Waggle.com team to complete our research trip at their Palm Course. This track is certainly nice and offers many challenges, however it is not as difficult as others we've played in Vegas (slope 120). This is not to say that you should NOT play here as the course itself does offer many challenging holes. It is fairly flat and the marshalls will tell you everything breaks from the mountains to the stratosphere but you should probably read your own greens. The fairways and greens, although not immaculate, were in good shape and the clubhouse and pro shop are excellent. The bag attendents really go the extra mile here, so be sure to drop them something for their efforts. Lefty (75)
Revere at Anthem Henderson, NV - 1/26/2001
In our neverending quest to make the best information available to you, the golfer, the Waggle.com team trekked to Vegas for our annual research trip. Day one took us to our favorite course in Vegas and and with the exception of some cold weather, it did not disappoint us one bit. Revere at Anthem is an immaculate course which will test your golfing ability. We played this course last year but returned to the scenic views and fairways through canyons which made it even better to play again. The greens and fairways were in superior shape and you'll have to look hard to find areas in need of repair on this course. The clubhouse is STILL under construction, however the "doublewide" does quite nicely for now. Ignore the high price here, this is one to play - you'd probably lose more at the tables in the 4+ hours than it'll cost you to play here! Lefty (82)
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 11/10/2000
I was invited to play in an "afternoon special" and who am I to turn down a round of golf? It was cold and breezy on this November afternoon but that didn't stop us from hitting the links. Timbers at Troy was undergoing some repair work and a couple of the holes had temporary greens and were shortned from a par 4 to a par 3. However, for the most part, it was in pretty good shape for late fall and we managed to get around in just over 4 hours. There are a couple of greens that need some attention and hopefully they will be ready for play this spring. All in all in spite of the cold windy conditions, it was a day out of the office which is a good day of golf! Lefty (83)
The Homestead Resort Hot Springs, VA - 10/16/2000
My wife let me “tag along” to a corporate meeting she had at the Homestead so I tried to make the best of it and suffered through a round of golf. The Old Course was the play on this beautiful, sunny, 70-degree fall day. This course features the oldest continous tee in use (the 1st tee) in the United States. The layout is extremely scenic and this course (I’m told) is the most forgiving of the three at the Homestead. I found this to be true, as the fairways were generous with plenty of room to miss. The rough was not too thick and therefore was not too difficult to hit from although the abundance of leaves made ball finding a little difficult. The course itself was unique in that you very seldom had back to back par 4’s. In fact, each nine has 3 par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s, although from the white tees a couple of the par 5 are easily reachable in two and could even be called long par 4’s. Although the layout was not particularly difficult, the real trick to this course is being able to putt on lightning fast greens. The breaks are difficult to read and substantial to say the least. If you have a downhill putt, play it three feet short and hope for the best. The fairways and greens were both in superb shape and I would definitely give the “Old Course” another play if I get the opportunity. Lefty (87)
Worthington Manor Golf Club Urbana, MD - 10/13/2000
The Waggle.com team reviewed Worthington Manor prior to our big Charity golf event (see the Players guide for more specific hole by hole info). This track is quite a challenge to play and the Manor House is a great setting for a clubhouse. The fairways are cut exceptionally close creating the need to hit’em clean but they were in exceptional shape. You will also need to bring your best game for hitting off of sloping lies as Worthington’s undulating and sloping fairways will not yield many flat lies (hey, that’s all part of the fun of it!) When you do reach the greens in regulation, you had best concentrate hard because these greens are fast and have a lot of break so read’em or weep! It is a fair course and requires good ball striking and a soft putting touch to score well, but then again, that’s what golf is all about! Worthington Manor is one of those courses that you’ll want to play again and again, I know we will! Lefty, Bogeyman (85, 97)
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort Las Vegas, NV - 9/10/2000
We just HAD to re-review Pauite to keep all of you “Waggle-ites” informed so we played the Snow Course. As usual, it was in pristine shape, although we noticed the greens held better than the previous times we had played it – maybe we just hit better shots? The rough was grown up (uncut) and would really grab your club as you are hitting your shot (can you say kakupa grass) so we suggest you stay in the fairway! (like that’s not what your trying to do) As mentioned in previous reviews, Pauite is true desert golf with every hole featuring a desert lie if you miss the fairway AND the rough. “Watch for Snake” signs throughout the course should discourage one from playing out of the desert! Nonetheless, this track is still one of Waggle.com’s favorites when we go to Vegas. The addition of two more courses and a huge hotel will only make it better and better. If you get to Vegas, Pauite will not disappoint you! Lefty, Bogeyman
Badlands Golf Club Las Vegas, NV - 9/9/2000
The intrepid Waggle.com team trekked to Las Vegas to the PGA show and figured while we were there we might as well do a course review or two – they’re always fun. We hadn’t played Badlands prior to this trip but figured we should as we have heard good things about this course. They were mostly true as we played the Canyon and Diablo nines. They were in superb shape with lightning fast greens and beautiful scenery throughout. There are a couple of coyotes (I’m serious!) which take up residence on the course. We didn’t get to play the nine where they hang out, but the staff assured us they were friendly (note: Waggle.com does not guarantee the previous statement, play at your own risk!). We were told that the Diablo nine was target golf, however we didn’t feel that way. You could hit your driver on most holes (except the par 3’s :) although depending on which tees you play you may need to use some discretion. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly and the huge clubhouse offered a superb view of the surrounding golf course and land. On our next trip to Vegas, look out coyote! Lefty, Bogeyman (92)
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 9/3/2000
Labor Day weekend and some cousins came to town – a perfect excuse to go play a round! I was a little disappointed that the greens were recently aerated (on 8/28) as they normally present quite a challenge being extremely fast, however my disappointment went away after the first few holes as the greens were nearly back to normal. In fact, they were softer and held approach shots better than my previous time at this nice track. The fairways were in excellent shape although there were a lot of divot holes which hadn’t been replaced by careless golfers (I put all of mine back!). The staff, starter, and cart attendant were very friendly and in another week Waverly’s greens should be back to their normal pristine condition. Lefty (85)
Bridges Golf Club, The Abbottstown, PA - 8/31/2000
This was our second trip to The Bridges and we can only say good things about this facility and the staff. Don’t miss out on this fabulous course and their packages. From the blue tees the course is a 6713 yard par 72. Some of the tee shots from the men’s tees are a little tight through tree lined areas. The women are given fair compensation on each hole. It is nice to have ball cleaners at the red tees as well as the men’s tees. Most of the fairways were in very good condition. However, aeration of the fairways was underway on a few holes. Number 14 was aerated just before we got there on our first round but on our 2nd round in the afternoon the plugs had been cleaned up so it wasn’t’ too bad. They did not aerate the whole course at one time so we were not disappointed by having to deal with that all three days. The greens were in very good condition also. Lots of breaks to figure out. We had lunch in the Clubhouse both days – excellent service, good food and the Bloody Marys were good too. What was I thinking?!?! – 18 holes in the morning, two Bloody Marys with lunch then try to play another 18. Won’t try that again – EVER! The restaurant, Altland House, included in 2 or 3 day packages is a must. There are 13 rooms available on the top level of the Clubhouse (which is a Refurbished 1800’s furniture factory). We have now tried out two of their rooms - last year a room with the queen size bed and jacuzzi tub and this year a room with two double beds. Both rooms were excellent. This is a must play course! LIL
Pleasant Valley Golfer's Club Chantilly, VA - 8/26/2000
I played here when the course had first opened and was not impressed. The rough still needed some time and the greens were cement hard. But what a difference a year makes. The rough has grown in and the tall thick grass will give you fits if you are in it. Also, the greens now hold nicely. This Scottish style course presents a challenging and enjoyable layout with a nice mix of trees, water and bunkers. Playing from the Medal tees (6509 yards) be ready for some long ones after the turn, 10/12/13 will set the tone for the back 9. The staff was friendly and I can now recommend checking this one out, especially with the Fall rates starting soon. Bogeyman (103)
Bulle Rock Havre de Grace, MD - 8/26/2000
My trusty neighbor talked me into going out to Bulle Rock and playing. Hey, he’s a great neighbor. I had heard nothing but great things about Bulle Rock and was not disappointed, as it is a GEM of a course. This super-challenging Pete Dye-designed course will test your golf skills (blue tees course rating of 74.0 and slope of 139). Nearly every hole presents a scenic view of this beautiful track. You’ll have to use discretion in club selection on many holes to keep it in the short stuff. The fairways and greens were pristine and you had better bring your soft-touch putter, as these greens are tricky and fast. Mr. Dye has built a great course and the staff and marshals were extremely polite and helpful. The only downside of this beautiful course is the rather high price but for diehard golfers that want to test their skills against a tough course, give it a shot. Good Luck! Lefty (86)
Ocean City Golf Club Berlin, MD - 8/19/2000
I managed to sneak out another day from vacation and research the OC Golf and Yacht Club just down the street from Rum Point. A friend of mine told me to try the Newport Bay course, as it is more challenging than the Seaside course. I remembered the Seaside course as not all that difficult when I played it a few years ago and looked forward to playing Newport Bay. I wasn’t disappointed. This course offers many dogleg holes and scenic views throughout. Many of the holes were visually deceptive from the tee box but the pro link system on the carts provided an accurate description and yardages for the hole. The fairways and greens were in excellent shape, although the fairways were cut almost too close. The rough wasn’t too bad to hit out of and the fairways were mostly forgiving although unlike most beach courses, this one has a fair amount of trees. Most greens have some miss-area where an up and down is not too difficult but there are a fair amount of sand traps to trip you up. I played perhaps the best round of my life although I missed an eagle putt and several birdie putts by inches. Had they dropped, I could have had a Tiger-like score. OC Golf and Yacht Club is a nice course to play, but beware; the misquotes are relentless so bring your bug spray, and plenty of it! Lefty (74)
Nutter's Crossing Salisbury, MD - 8/19/2000
We played Nutters Crossing in Salisbury, Maryland on Saturday, 19 August 2000. Tee time at 2:00 PM. The drive from Springfield, VA to Salisbury was a little long (about 3 hours) but at least there were no major delays. The course was holding their Club Championship that weekend. All the trophies were sitting out in the Club House. Because of the Tournament, the grill in the Snack Bar basically only had bag lunches for the participants which was a little disappointing but we did try out a hot dog. Now on to the course – A Par 70 with a nice layout. Not too much trouble on the course (i.e. not too many trees where you could lose balls) and the water on the course was not positioned to create problems off the tee or approaches to the greens. Because of the Club Championship the greens were much faster than we are accustomed to and the pin placements did not help our game. The staff was very nice and apologized for any slow play due to having their Tournament. They offered us a free nine holes after we finished our round but unfortunately we had to get checked in at the Hotel (Ramada Inn, located in the center of Salisbury) and decide on dinner. We played our round with two locals who suggested “Brew River” restaurant for our dinner that night. It was a good recommendation. Nice relaxing weekend getaway! LIL
Rum Pointe Berlin, MD - 8/15/2000
Vacation 2000 took me to Ocean City Maryland and I reluctantly agreed to play a couple of rounds to provide reviews for Waggle.com. Yea right – reluctantly!
Rum Point is a MUST PLAY course in OC. The golf course is outstanding being challenging yet fair. PB and Pete Dye have placed numerous sand traps right they shouldn’t be (where you normally hit your drive!), however the fairways are generous and rough not too punishing. Many of the holes offer a scenic view of Assateague Island and Bay and the wind conditions to make the hole more difficult (in most cases). The greens and fairways were in excellent shape (although the fairways were soggy from the abundance of rain) and the staff was friendly and accommodating. If you’re in OC for a golf trip, make sure Rum Point is at the top of your list. Lefty (85)
South River Golf Edgewater, MD - 7/29/2000
South River Golf in Edgewater was the play on this last Saturday in July. I had never played there before but had heard it was the “sister” course of Queenstown so I thought I’d give it a try. Unfortunately the heavy rains from the previous evening had the fairways soaked to the gills which caused many shots hit in the fairway to plug and made play take longer than necessary as ball hunting (in the fairway) slowed play. On the good side, this is a must play track. The front nine, in my opinion was relatively straightforward with scenic holes throughout. The back nine was unique as it featured 3 par 3’s, 3 par 4’s, and 3 par 5’s. On some par 5’s you can’t hit a driver and need to play a semi-lay-up shot. The back nine was more difficult than the front and you need to play more than once so you know where to hit your shot. The course winds through housing developments and many of the rides from green to the next tee are substantial – walking is a no-no. All in all the course was in superb shape albeit the rain and I can’t wait to go play it again. Lefty (85)
Worthington Manor Golf Club Urbana, MD - 7/15/2000
Wow, what a course! This is my first trip to Worthington Manor and I love it. If you are a big hitter who is sometimes wild, this is the course for you. And if you get lucky and hit some big drives you will be rewarded. 3 of the par 5s are reachable in 2 as this course tempts you to go for it. Plenty of trouble awaits but you can generally find, play and recover from errant tee shots. A fantastic layout up and down the hills with lots of doglegs. Be sure to bring your 'A' putting game - these greens are tough. Bogeyman (89)
Whiskey Creek Golf Club Ijamsville, MD - 7/1/2000
Whiskey Creek has only been open for two weeks but the course is in great
condition. Fairways, tees and greens are in excellent shape. Even the rough
is already grown in, unlike most new courses where there are many bare
spots or rocks. The layout is traditional, very beautiful and moderately
challenging. Unlike many new courses which try to impress you with
trickery, Whiskey Creek is very fair but still challenging. It's a course
you could enjoy playing every day.
Currently carts are restricted to the paths but I was encouraged to here
that after the course get more mature (probably next year) they will allow
carts to scatter off the paths. Overall I was very impressed with this new
course. I'd include Whiskey Creek in my top five best courses (regardless
of price) in the Washington area (including Augustine, Westfields,
Raspberry Falls and Bull Run). Vranko (84)
Caverns Country Club Resort Luray, VA - 6/18/2000
Went on the three-day weekend package deal 16 through 18 June 2000. Great golf course and very good condition! Spectacular views! Fall foliage would be even more incredible. Be ready for a challenging Par 5 on the first hole. The second Par 5 will shock you – HOLD ON TO THE HANDLES! Slopey greens and fairways. If you like Mountain Courses you shouldn’t miss this one. Nice staff. The club house could use some air conditioning in the summer. The restaurants in Luray could use big improvements. Don’t expect any fast service in this town and don’t order the pancakes for breakfast unless you like rubber. Motel accommodations were adequate and there was a grill out back so our next weekend getaway to Luray will find us cooking out and probably eating cereal for breakfast. L. Lepai
Augustine Golf Club Stafford, VA - 6/18/2000
It was Father's Day and my wife said I could do whatever I wanted, so I headed to one of my favorite courses. Augustine remains one of the most scenic, challenging, and best groomed courses in the DC area. Carved in between towering pines and protected by water and environmental areas this course will test your game. The starting holes at Augustine definitely set the tone for the rest of the day. #1 is a 400 yard par 4 that features a split fairway, go left or right, but don't hit it straight or the 1st environmental will get you. #2 the hardest on the course demands a well placed tee shot and an approach without much room for mistakes. If you survive these congratulations you are off to a good start. The course is currently in excellent shape - the fairways were lush and the fast greens were immaculate. A round here is a perfect gift for anyday, enjoy. Bogeyman (101)
Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club Ocean View, DE - 6/16/2000
A “convention” conveniently held in the late spring provided the excuse to golf in sunny Ocean City, Maryland. Our study group took on Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View Delaware just north of OC. This course has many, many traps which may be why it’s called Bear Trap! I also noticed lots of lateral water hazards running parallel to the fairways. In spite of all of these problem areas, Bear Trap Dunes was a relatively forgiving course as the rough almost always yielded a fluffy lie and there was plenty of bail out space around the greens. The most difficult factor was the ocean winds that can make one have trouble on club selection. The fairways and greens were in superb shape and this is a course where you can score well. From the white tees it’s only 5800+ yards so you may want to consider playing the blues for more of a challenge. Either way, I’m sure you’ll like trapping the Bear! Lefty (78)
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 6/10/2000
The in-laws were in town which was reason enough for me to get out and check out Waverly Woods’ Twilight Rate on a hot Saturday afternoon. Usually this course has it’s way with me and after an opening 5 over after 3 holes, I thought I was doomed again, however I righted the ship and experienced a fine round at this great track. From the tee you have some room to miss however as stated in my previous review, Waverly Woods can punish you on errant approach shots. The fast (but true) greens were in excellent shape and if you’re above the hole, good luck with a two putt. The woodsy scenery is beautiful and I know I’ll be back to Waverly to play again. Lefty (83)
Virginia National Golf Club Bluemont, VA - 5/13/2000
Be straight off the tee here or you are gonna pay the price (i.e. wild hitters bring extra ammo). This scenic course flanked by the Blue Ridge mountains and the Shenandoah river offers spectacular sightseeing but stay focused on your game. The front 9 provides several challenging holes but is only a warmup for the wild ride on the back. After #12 you begin climbing the mountain for 3 fantastic holes with some dramatic elevation changes. The course was in excellent shape and the rolled greens held nicely and putted true. There are 6 tee boxes currently under repair, but these should be reopened in June. One warning - bring the bug repellent, the gnats were out in force. Bogeyman (106)
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 5/9/2000
Bull Run was the site for the Waggle.com 1st Annual Hak Chul Chung Memorial Golf Tournament. We had a bright sunny day and the course was in great shape. After the round everyone raved about the wonderful layout and course conditions. But more importantly for us was the great job the Bull Run staff did in putting on our event. From greeting the players and taking their bags as they arrived, to the tent and catering services they paid attention to every detail. If you are looking for a course to host your next event be sure to check out Bull Run. Bogeyman
Bowling Green South Country Club Front Royal, VA - 5/3/2000
Bowling Green Country Club features two separate 18-hole layouts. I was invited to play in a scramble and we played the South course which is a par 70 of 5587 yards. The course was visually deceptive throughout with plenty of hills, which made the distances look a lot farther than they actually were. The greens and fairways were in pretty good shape although not the pristine type of conditions you find at more upscale courses. The course itself was very forgiving however the terrain of the course made it enough of a challenge to play. All in all, Bowling Green South is a nice track to work on your game and play some hilly conditions. Lefty’s team (65)
Clustered Spires Golf Course Frederick, MD - 4/30/2000
The course is only 10 years old, very open, good for a beginner, not too long (not even 6200 from the whites). About a fourty (40) minute drive from Ellicott City. The course was in very good shape. Bob Novak
Angel Park Golf Course Las Vegas, NV - 3/5/2000
This is a must visit and play location. Two full size 18 hole courses
(Mountain and Palm) designed by Arnold Palmer. A very unique, Cloud Nine
Short Course, has 12 holes designed after golf's most famous par threes. A
18 hole putting course presents a challenge to remember with sand bunkers,
swales, rocks and water. Nine holes of the Cloud Nine Short Course and the
Putting Course are lighted for evening play. A nice way to limber up after
you arrive in Las Vegas before you hit the tables (gaming or buffet) and
your first round of desert golf the next day. A lighted practice range and
putting green are available for your warm up. There are panoramic views of
the mountains, Red Rock Mountain is distinguishable, and the Las Vegas
skyline from all parts of the course.
We (Carol and I) played with Bobb and Tom. One sage bit of advice from
Bobby who works at Harrah's was to put the mountains on one side and the
Stratosphere on the other and realize that all putts will break from the
mountains to the Stratosphere - even if you think it is a straight putt.
The Mountain course is an enjoyable course with few bunkers. Several holes
have fairway bunkers. Most greens are elevated from the fairway. Two of
the par threes are from elevated tees.
The staff at this course is excellent. I have found that the golf
locations in Las Vegas are committed to providing you the most enjoyable
time - something that is not always done at courses in the East. R. Langguth
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort Las Vegas, NV - 3/4/2000
On the Sun Mountain course the views are spectacular. We played in early March and a recent snow offered views of snow capped mountains. This is a must play location for any golfer visiting Las Vegas. The staff have one singular goal: to make your stay as enjoyable and pleasurable as possible. They could not be nicer and actually go out of their way to offer suggestions on making your golf more enjoyable. The driving range is grass and located just behind this is a practice chipping green and a putting green. The greens were elevated and fast. Most of the holes will accept a chip and run. My wife and I played with two guys (Sam and Frank) who work at Kokomo's Restaurant in the Mirage hotel/casino. Carol asked them where Sonny was, a reference to the Washington Redskin radio announcing team of Sonny Jurgensen, Sam Huff and Frank Herzog. There are two lakes on the course which come into play on three holes. This is a beautiful layout in the middle of the Paiute Indian Reservation, a comfortable 20-25 minute drive Northwest of the LV strip. R. Langguth
Worthington Manor Golf Club Urbana, MD - 1/6/2000
Worthington is primarily a links style course over very rolling hills against
the backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain. It offers generous fairways that are well
bunkered, well bunkered greens and a few water hazards which don't come into play that often. I played the course in early-January and the conditions were generally good for winter, especially the greens. For players like me who like to walk and don't like paying the weekend cart rates, Worthington offers walking rates on the weekends during the winter. I enjoyed playing the course and thought it was fair yet challenging. Vranko
Bay Club Berlin, MD - 1/2/2000
New Year's weekend it was 70 degrees and I happened to be in Ocean City. The women were outlet shopping so I had the excuse I needed to get in a round. Joined by my sidekick Mike M. we headed to The Bay Club. The west course is fairly wide open but has just enough trouble to punish you if you stray too far. Water comes into play on many of the holes and there is a little creek that parallels #2 through #7 that will grab those drives that hook just a little too much. The par 3s #8 & #14 have challenging island greens. The course was in good shape, for the winter, and we look forward to trying it out later this year in season. Bogeyman (86)
Penderbrook Golf Club Fairfax, VA - 12/30/1999
Penderbrook offers one of the most reasonable weekday and weekend rates in the Washington area for a course of such good condition and layout. It also is easy to get a tee-time for the weekends at any time during the week. The course is a very traditional layout. Most holes are tree lined and include a moderate amount of sand traps. Water comes into play on about 30% of the holes. The 12th hole is one of the most famously difficult holes in the Washington area. It is a 410 yard par four with a 90 degree dogleg to the left. Water guards the last 175 yards to the green. You need to hit a perfect drive short of the water or you will have over 200 yards to carry over water to the green. I never seem to play the hole successfully. Vranko
Bull Run Golf Club Haymarket, VA - 11/22/1999
Bull Run provides one of the most picturesque layouts in the Virginia area. Every hole was challenging yet fair. The fairways are generously wide but protected by many bunkers and lateral water hazards. The greens are fairly large but also protected by many bunkers. My only complaint about the course is the condition of the greens. Most of the greens are in a state of repair necessitated by extremely harsh summer conditions. Many of the greens have patches of new sod covering on quarter of the green. Vranko (82)
Timbers at Troy Elkridge, MD - 10/16/1999
We had a neighborhood outing at Timbers at Troy on a beautiful fall Saturday morning - hey it was a way to get out and golf! The course was in better shape than last time with many of the greens (with the exception of a few damaged ones) having returned to their old form after the aeration. (see my last review of T of T). The fairways had been recently aerated however they were in pretty good shape albeit many divot holes from careless golfers not replacing them! We played the blue tees and only a triple bogey on a par three kept me from one of my best rounds ever. There is plenty of play at the Timbers! Lefty (79)
The Tradition Golf Club at Royal New Kent Providence Forge, VA - 10/10/1999
The second round of the 2nd Waggle.com Invitational featured Royal New Kent. We played from the Black tees, and it was 6500+ yards of tough tee shots, long approach shots, and longer putts. This is a difficult golf course, however the beautiful and visually challenging holes are a joy to play; but only if you have the right attitude! Remember this is only a game, enjoy it. Unlike Stonehouse, RNK was in excellent shape from tee to green. The greens putted true and held approach shots well. This is a long shotmakers course, fun to play, and a Waggle.com favorite! Lefty, Bogeyman (86, 89)
The Tradition Golf Club at Stonehouse Toano, VA - 10/9/1999
We played the first round of the 2nd Waggle.com Invitational at Stonehouse near Williamsburg Virginia. This layout is one that demands accuracy and punishes stray shots. Every hole is more scenic than the one before. We were somewhat disappointed with the condition of the course, as many of the sand traps had severe damage from the recent storms and were in need of attention. Many of the tees and even some fairways were also in less than ideal condition. The greens were fast and true and held approach shots from everywhere, except if you hit it on one of the many slopes separating the multi level greens. Stonehouse will surely be back to it's excellent condition before too long. Wait a while and give it a play! Bogeyman, Left (84, 87)
Westfields Golf Club Clifton, VA - 9/19/1999
This was my 3rd round at the new Westfields Golf Club and it has yet to disappoint me. The clubhouse has now been open for 2 weeks. The course was in immaculate shape and speed of play was good as usual. The course has lots of big cloverleaf sand traps and the greens seemed especially fast. The greens also were much harder than the 1st two times we played there and would not hold an approach shot. #14 is a 264 yard par 4 that is definitely reachable and I think you should go for it. Bogeyman (99)
Links at Challedon Mt. Airy, MD - 8/14/1999
The Links at Challedon is a 3-year-old course near Mt. Airy Maryland. It features several difficult tee shots (watch for bunkers and water hazards) and some trouble at the green if you happen to hit your approach shot errant. There were a couple of backups on some par 3's however, the pace of play was consistent and we finished a Saturday mid-morning round in less than 5 hours. The course was in good shape and the greens rolled true and held approach shots. Although not the most difficult of courses (from the Blue tees, 6250 yds.) it was challenging enough and a fun course to play. Lefty (82)
Waverly Woods Golf Club Marriottsville, MD - 8/2/1999
It's always nice to get out during the week and sneak in a quick round especially when it's on a nice track such as Waverly Woods. Nearly every hole brings you some beautiful scenery and the view from several of the tee boxes can be very deceptive the first time out. You had better bring your total game to this course as errant shots are punished off the tee box (with some sloping fairways) and around the greens by creating very difficult up-and-downs from a wrong greenside position (take it from me, I learned the hard way!). You will also need to bring your "silky soft touch" putting game and play below the hole to avoid the dreaded three-putt on the lighting fast but true and fair greens. The course was in excellent shape and it was a treat to play. Lefty (88)
Twin Lakes Golf Course Clifton, VA - 7/28/1999
My first time at the revamped Twin Lakes and I was impressed. I used to consider it a dog patch but played occasionally because of the reasonable rates. But now I will actually play there for the golf. Fairfax county has provided a challenging layout with water and trees. Bogeyman (85)
Raspberry Falls Golf Club Leesburg, VA - 7/24/1999
This Gary Player links style course is one of our favorites. The course accomodates all levels of players by providing 4 sets of tees ranging from 5576 to 7191 yards. #3 and #18 challenge you to crush the drive from the elevated tee boxes, which tends to get me into trouble. So remember to keep your head. The course plays fair allowing some leeway in drive accuracy but requires accurate approach shots to score well. The greens and fairways were in great shape considering the current drought. One caution, right now there are lots of bees, so if you are allergic (or just scared :0) BEE CAREFUL. Bogeyman (88)
Algonkian Regional Park & Golf Course Sterling, VA - 7/1/1999
Anytime you can sneak out during the week it is a good round of golf. I like Alkongkian's long holes that do not completely punish you when the drive strays. On most holes the trees that line the fairways allow you to find and punch out. We got caught in a storm and only got in 12 but it beats the office. Bogeyman
