The Delaware Shore - The Rookery

The Rookery
27052 Broadkill Road
Milton, Delaware 19968
Yards: 6139, Par 71 (White Tees)
Course Architects: Chris Adkins/Pete Oakley
Website: http://www.rookerygolf.com/
Score: 90 (43 out, 47 in)
Date: November 7, 2008

While spending a long weekend at the Delaware Shore, my golfing buddy and I played The Rookery in Milton, DE. This course is wide open with generous fairways and greens, not many trees, a few holes with forced carries over water, very similar to a links course without the fescue grass everywhere. Considering in the last few weeks I have played Galloway National Golf Club (ranked 74th) and Bethpage Black (ranked 26th), this is by far the easiest course I have played lately which was a nice break.

This was the first time playing this course, and since this course is adjacent to Route 1, I have driven by it many times looking at the mounds and white vinyl fence that lines Route 1. On an overcast day, I shot a round of 90 (4 lost balls), one of my best rounds of the year. I was hitting the ball with a slight fade today except a few that went straight by accident (hit 5 fairways) which was nice since this course was wide open and ending a few yards off the fairway didn’t hurt me at all. My approach shots and chipping was pretty good (hit 6 greens in regulation and came up a yard or two short on about three others), I was getting the ball on or just off the green on my approach shots. I was hitting my 7 iron better than ever, and I used that club all day. My putting was pretty good on the nice rolling greens (2 – three putts and 4 – one putts). Overall, my game came together this day and it was a great feeling since it maybe one of the last golf outings of the year.

After the round we stopped in at the restaurant and had a good cheese burger and awful nacho appetizer.

FROM THE WEB SITE: The Rookery is the newest public championship 18-hole layout in the Rehoboth Beach resort area. We offer a wonderful playing experience with four sets of tees for golfers of all abilities. 2004 Senior British Open winner, Pete Oakley and course visionary, superintendent Chris Adkins, have teamed up in designing a water laden, golfer friendly challenge just off the picturesque Broadkill River.

COURSE CONDITION: The course was in great condition, no divots in the tee boxes or fairways, a few pitch marks on the greens and the greens were rolling nicely.

FACILITIES: The Rookery provides practice facilities, pro shop, and restaurant.

SHOT OF THE DAY No. 1: Hole #18, 566 Yard, Par 5 – I pulled my drive into the left rough. My second shot came out hot with a rescue club and ended about 180 yards out in the first cut on the right side of the fairway. The pin was hidden behind a 8 to 10 foot high grass mound, I took aim at a telephone pole about 15 yards to the left of the pin and hit a 5 wood. The ball started at the pole and was fading toward the pin, I could not see the ball or pin till I walked up about 50 yards and saw the ball near the pin on the green. Grabbing my putter, I sank the three footer for birdie and the match.

SHOT OF THE DAY No. 2: Hole 11, 425 Yard, Par 4 – drove the ball 325+/- yards, on the green in 2, 2 putt for par.

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: Very nice course, wide open and flat. Very good course for a mid to high handicap golfer with lots of room to spray shots and bail out areas. I shot a 90 with the following scores on the last 5 holes, double bogie, double bogie, triple bogie, double bogie and birdie.

GOLFNERDNESS #1: We arrived a little early and the pro shop gave us the option of teeing off early. Skipping the option to warm up, we drove over to the starter and asked him if we could tee off since there was no one around, as stated in the pro shop. He asked us to wait and disappeared for about 10 minutes, then he and two golfers drove up to the tee box. The two golfers jumped out of the cart and started warming up on the blue tees. The starter said out loud, looking at us, maybe these guys would let you play with them. Immeadtialy one of the guys (found out later he was a preacher) said, ‘naa, we’ll just rip though the course’. So we waited, they really ripped through it, they played the blue tees, couldn’t reach the short fairways with their drives and sprayed balls all over the place. We waited for them on almost every hole but the last two, pushing them on every hole. If you suck, play the whites like the rest of us, you really ripped it up. After the round, he was in the restaurant yelling on his cell phone while other golfers already in the dinning area were trying to eat. After he got off, he looked at me and said, ‘you guys could have played with us’. I looked at him and replied, ‘Naa, you ripped this course UP!”

GOLFNERDNESS #2: Hole 5, 385 Yard, Par 4, dog-leg left – after the turn of the dog-leg, there are three trees in the middle of the fairway. There are hardly any trees on the course, then why are there trees in the middle of the fairway?

GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: Keep the ball out of the water on the few holes that have water, and you will shoot a lower score at this course. Hole #4, 290 Yards, Par 4 – Do not hit driver, lay up and hit 8 or 7 iron to the green. I laid up on my tee shot, then for fun (while waiting for speedy ahead of us to clear the green) hit three extra balls and could not reach the fairway over the pond.

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Bethpage State Park – The Black Course

Bethpage State Park – The Black Course
99 Quaker Meeting House Road
Farmingdale, New York 11735
Yards: 6684, Par 71 (White Tees)
Course Architect: A.W. Tillinghast
Website: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/golf/info.asp?golfID=12
Score: 109 (56 out, 53 in)
Date: October 30, 2008

After two failed attempts to play the black course (#1 attempt: no tee times available upon an unscheduled visit, played 12 holes of the Green Course, #2 attempt: drove up from South Jersey, it was warn and sunny, it rained the day before so they decided to close the entire park), I finally got the chance to play the famed Black Course. Leaving the South Jersey area around 3:45 AM and at times driving excessively over the speed limit, arrived at the course at 5:55. Driving into Bethpage, the first thing you notice is the grand scale of the place. This State Park is massive, and it's really undulating, wooded and rolling. Seems like the perfect place for a golf course (or five). We got in line, just as I put me car seat back for a little rest, the vehicle line started to move toward the state worker handing out the lottery tickets for your tee time reservation. We were 14th in line, drove up and parked at the club house and got in line at the ticket booth to get out tee time. We received the 8:12 AM tee time on the Black Course, now 6:30, we headed back to the car for some rest.

When the sun came up, we headed over to the driving range, nice and cold, 38 degrees at 7:15 AM. We hit a bucket of balls (felt like rocks) then headed over to the first tee for our 20 minutes sign-in requirement prior to teeing off. As you wait and see others teeing off, you are watching from a balcony where everyone stands directly behind the first tee and watches golfers tee off on the first hole. As you wait for your chance on the tee box, more and more people show up to watch, you start getting more and more nervous, your stomach starts doing flips, your brain just keeps saying, don’t chunk it, whiff or banana slice it onto the first fairway of the Green Course. In addition, as you stand there fully knowing as a high handicapper, you really do not belong on this course, there is a sign confirming it.

Our 8:12 tee time was called and there were 4 people already on the tee box, not knowing two are hired caddies, another golfer in the foursome behind us started complaining to the starter, welcome to New York. We walked down onto the tees area and apologized for the arrogant NY golfer behind us who was complaining. Before teeing off, I told our two playing partners, we were only out here to have a good time, subliminal message, we suck and will stay out of your way as much as possible and not slow you down.

Standing on the tee box, you just look out and see a 40 to 50 yard drop on the first hole and the beauty of the surroundings, then I sliced the ball right of the fairway, here we go. The Black Course was as tough as I thought it was going to be, walking and pulling the golf cart up and down this very hilly course was burtal and very exhausting. On a beautiful sunny but cold day, I shot a round of 109 (7 lost balls) with a few mulligans, come on it is a US Open Course! With 5 layers of cloths on, I wasn’t hitting the ball straight or solid off the tee which makes this extremely long course, even longer and more difficult. The course is very demanding off the tee, you MUST hit it straight. My approach shots were peels off as well, landing in the rough which ate up balls even if you saw exactly where the ball landed. I lost three balls in the high grass and I knew where the ball landed within a few feet. My chipping was pretty good, getting the ball to stick on the green was fairly easy since the greens were not very fast and a little soft. My putting was average, the greens were very slow being a US Open course, I was expecting super fast greens, they were a little faster after exposed to the sun for a while, but not lighting fast like Galloway National Golf Club was two weeks before.

Designed by A.W. Tillinghast, Bethpage opened in May of 1936. The course was given 3 million from the USGA and was renovated from 1997-1998 by Reese Jones. The atmosphere walking up to the first tee could not get any better, especially with the signature Bethpage Sign which reads. "The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers." Right from the start you know that this course will test your game in every faucet. As you might expect with a top-notch course, it is immaculate. From the tee box to the greens you will not be disappointed with the maintenance of the golf course. The rough is long and thick, but still fair for the average golfer. The course is extremely long with narrow fairways and extremely large and in some areas deep bunkers. There is only one hole where water actually comes into play. Because of the length you will be hitting a variety of irons into moderate sized greens, surrounded by large bunkers. All of your tee shots will demand a great deal of accuracy and power.

Overall it is a world-class establishment and no golfer will walk away being disappointed. With the US Open Championship returning in 2009, you know that the course will be in great shape no matter what time of year.

After the round, we walked around the club house looking at all the pictures, etc... and hit the extensive pro shop.

Getting on the course (found this on the net): As for the "how," you have a couple options: 1) use Bethpage's tee time reservation system, 2) go the infamous route of trying to walk-on at the crack of dawn, which often involves camping out in your car, or 3) pay a huge premium to a little-known company that may be able to get you a tee time on your preferred day of play (This option was used by our playing partners).

Before anyone can use Bethpage's reservation system, they must become a registered user. To register, you have to fax a copy of your driver's license AND write or type out all of the information that appears on the front of it, plus your telephone number (an email address would help, too), in case the image is unreadable via the fax.

If you're not a New York resident, you are also encouraged to include your Social Security number, which will become your reservation system account number. It's not required (they'll assign you a number, otherwise), but it will expedite processing. It usually takes between one and three days before you're officially "in" the system.

Again, out-of-state residents can only make tee times two days in advance of the intended date of play. (Note that when Bethpage says "two days," it means you can begin calling at 7 p.m. two days before you'd like to play. So, for instance, if you plan to play on a Saturday morning, you have to wait until 7 p.m. on Thursday night to make a reservation.) New York residents can reserve seven days out. Sometimes, it's good to call the night before you wish to play because there are often cancellations.

In addition to a $4 reservation fee, the green fee is:

Weekdays: $50 (NY residents) $100 (non-residents)

Weekends: $60 (NY residents) $120 (non-residents)

Your second option for getting on Bethpage Black, as mentioned above, is to try and walk on, as all of the first hour's tee times (which begin at 6:30 am), and one slot per hour thereafter, are made available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the Bethpage brass.

Walk-on hopefuls typically arrive at Bethpage in the afternoon or early evening the day before they wish to play, backing their cars into the designated and numbered "overnight" parking spaces. At about 6:00 pm, a Bethpage official hands out wrist bands, one per car, which confirms the order for the next morning's ticket dispersement.

It is these tickets, handed out between 4-4:30 am, which allow you to purchase your round of golf. It used to be that only one player in the group needed a ticket, but now every person has to have their own ticket. [Note: If you want a caddie ($60 plus tip) or locker room use for the day ($10), pay for them at the same time as your green fee as you probably won't have time to get through the long cashier line again.]

Overnighters should consider bringing a tent or sleeping bag, too. Cars aren't conducive to sleeping, and, if you choose to bed down on the root-laden grassy area near the parking lot, you'll need more than your golf towel to stay warm and comfortable.

Better yet, get a hotel room nearby. Remember, only your car has to stay put to maintain your place in line. As long as you're back before the tickets are handed out in the morning, you're golden.

From our experience and stories from people we know, if you're one of the first few cars in line, you'll likely get out in the morning. Later arrivals will likely get out, too, but it probably won't be until the afternoon. Either way, if you go this route to get on Bethpage Black, you'll be spending a good deal of time just waiting around, so bring a good book and/or some good beer.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one other option for getting on Bethpage Black, though it's better suited to those for whom money is not an object. An un-named company sells Bethpage Black packages that include the green fee and round-trip transportation from Manhattan for $750 ($400 per person for a foursome). At 15 times the in-state green fee, it is a huge premium, but convenience does have its price.

FROM THE WEB SITE: Bethpage State Park, a mecca for public golf featuring five 18-hole regulation golf courses including the world-renowned Black Course which was the site of the United States Open in 2002, will again host the U.S. Open in 2009. Bethpage State Park was developed from an estate owned by the Yoakum family and other properties. The Yoakum family leased their estate to the Lenox Hills Corporation which subsequently used the property to build the Lenox Hills Country Club. In the early 1930s, the Bethpage Park Authority purchased the Lenox Hills Country Club and other adjacent properties to build what we now know as Bethpage State Park. Famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast was hired to design and oversee construction of three new golf courses (Black, Red and Blue) as well as modify the Lenox Hills Course which became the Green Course. Due to the increased demand for golf, the Yellow Course designed by Alfred Tull was opened in 1958. Approximately 300,000 rounds are played annually on the five courses at Bethpage, all of which start from the Clubhouse area.

The Black Course is a difficult and challenging course that should be played only by low-handicap golfers. The course is for walkers only and its slope rating is one of the highest in the northeast. This was one of the last courses designed by master golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast, and is said by many to be his finest work. The Black Course served as the site of the 102nd U.S. Open Championship in 2002. Our National Championship will again return to the Black in 2009. The narrow fairways, high roughs, well placed bunkers and small greens help to make this an extremely difficult course.The Black Course is closed Mondays for course maintenance except holidays.

COURSE CONDITION: The course was in excellent shape, and except for a few areas of dead fescue grass, they are ready for the 2009 US Open now. No divots in the tee boxes or fairways, no pitch marks on the greens, but the greens were rolling slowly.

FACILITIES: Bethpage State Park provides top notch practice facilities, pro shop, locker room, restaurant, tennis courts, hiking trails, bridle path and picnic area.

SHOT OF THE DAY: Hole #8, Par 3, 191 Yards: Tee box sits 60 to 70 feet above the tee box with a pond front left of the green and a hill to the right of the green at the same elevation as the tee box covered with fescue grass. Take out my 18 degree rescue club, hit it on top of the hill on the right. I trek up the hill and find my ball deep in the 12” grass. I open up my 9 iron and swing through the grass, hitting a high shot. The ball hits the base of the slope of the hill and rolls to about 2 feet from the pin, one putt for par.

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: If you get a chance to play the Black Course, no matter your handicap, go and do it. I read numerous blogs and articles on the Black Course, warning golfers how hard it is and only highly skilled golfers should play it. Well, I’m a 20 handicap and loved it, and will play it again. Do you need your A+ game and extra balls, yes, if you love golf, you will love this course and want to play it again. And remember, walking only, NO CARTS. Did I get a physical and mental beating, hell yea, and it was worth it! There is a half way house between holes 5 and 6 which also can be accessed half way down fairway #11 on the left side.

GOLFNERDNESS: Walking only, no carts on the Black Course. Go play it, don’t worry about your handicap, just keep pace. The two guys we played with were better than us and on the back nine we keep waiting for them and their caddies to find their golf balls. Walk and play the links of past champion, Tiger Woods!

GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: I found this online the week before I left and it was very helpful so I decided to post it here:

Hole #1, Par 4, 429 Yards: Take 3 wood (1st hole) tee it up high so you don’t top it. This hole should be a 3 wood & 5 iron.

Hole #2, Par 4, 354 Yards: 3 wood and 6/7 iron... whatever you think your 2nd shot yardage is its one extra club... over the green & left is safe. So play it that direction.

Hole #3, Par 3, 158 Yards: Depending where the tee is (up / down) will dictate which club you pull... NO MATTER WHAT- PLAY TO THE FAT PART OF THE GREEN - IE - THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GREEN.

Hole #4, Par 5, 461 Yards: Pull driver- aim center of the fairway- don’t try to play left - just hit the fairway is fine. The remainder of the whole... just make sure you play up the right side (don’t be scared) aim off the part of the glacier bunker (on the right side of the bunker) that looks like a pair of nuts (no joke), and continue to play along the right side the whole hole.

Hole #5, Par 4, 423 Yards: This one is not as long as it looks. Just poke Driver / 3W out over the center of the waste bunker (don’t try and clear it along the right side) - and take one extra club on your 2nd shot. Back of green is safe here!, so play it long.

Refreshment House, stock up here, there is no half way house after nine holes!

Hole #6, Par 4, 386 Yards: If you’re hitting driver straight - hit driver. If not hit 3 wood, if not hit 4 iron. Just make sure you are straight on this one. The hole really opens up nicely once you get up the hill- you’ll have to dial in your irons on this one... THIS TIME TAKE ONE CLUB LESS!!!! it plays down hill and with the wind... back of the green is big trouble.

Hole #7, Par 5, 502 Yards: A harmless par of 5 - except for the 3 acre wide glacier bunker. Just play it center of the bunker and get in the fair way. Than you can hit 3w, 4 or even 5 as your lay up.don’t go over the green, to the right and short is safer than left and long.

Hole #8, Par 3, 191 Yards: A long and beautiful par 3. It plays MUCH longer than it looks. It’s either 3 w or 4 iron. - the green is about 30 yards deep, so use the whole green. Don’t worry about over, short is where the trouble is.

Hole #9, Par 4, 385 Yards: Driver definitely, wide open fairway - do not go left. Should be a 9 iron / 8 iron in.

Hole #10, Par 4, 434 Yards: You have to hit driver if you want to have a chance at getting to the green in 2. This is a long par 4. Make sure you pick a club that will get you to the green on the 2nd shot. - bunkers in the front, false back in the rear.

Hole #11, Par 4, 421 Yards: Should be driver then mid iron, just make sure you stay out of the fescue on the right. Take 3 w on tee if you’ve been hitting it straight.

Refreshment House half way up the 11 fairway of the left side.

Hole #12, Par 4, 432 Yards: You can clear the bunker - go for it.

Hole #13, Par 5, 480 Yards: You won’t reach the 1st bunker on your first shot, and on your second shot you should be able to clear the 2nd bunker on left. 2nd shot- aim to the left side of the fairway - easy chip for your 3rd shot.

Hole #14, Par 3, 151 Yards: Take one extra club... it should be a 7 iron, NOT AN 8, the green is huge, you will not overshoot it w/ a 7 iron.

Hole #15, Par 4, 430 Yards: Play this one as a par 5- its a driver then 3w /4iron hole. Just make sure you club up to get it up to the green.

Hole #16, Par 4, 457 Yards: Take 3 wood or long iron for this one... but driver will be more fun. Make sure you commit to a yardage on 2nd shot, left of green is bad, right of green is bad - short ok.

Hole #17, Par 3, 195 Yards: Club up- aim back left - its the only bail out spot, make sure you get it there.

Hole #18, Par 4, 394 Yards: Take Drive or 3 wood. Club up to get it on to the elevated green - long is good here - so make sure you club up!

This is by far the hardest course I have ever played, makes Galloway National Golf Club (my previous hardest course ever played) look like a playground.

Some information contained within this blog post was taken from outside sources, blogs, websites, etc..

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Galloway National Golf Club

Galloway National Golf Club
270 South New York Road
Galloway, New Jersey 08205
Yards: 6274, Par 71 (Blue Tees)
Course Architect: Tom Fazio
Website: http://www.gallowaynationalgolf.com/
Score: 108 (55 out, 53 in)
Date: October 8, 2008

Three of my golfing buddies and I had the privilege of playing the ultra-private, 74th ranked golf course in America: Galloway National Golf Club. This course has some natural elevations changes, a few holes with forced carries, super fast greens, bunkers guarding the greens on numerous holes, trees, water, bugs, and meadows ready to wreak havoc on wayward shots on every hole. This is by far the hardest course I have ever played.

I have played this course about 6 times in the past, and the course still amazes me every time I play there, I love playing this course. On a beautiful sunny day, I shot a round of 108 (4 lost balls), best round yet since my goal of the day was to break 110, which is a few strokes lower than my previous rounds played here. I wasn’t hitting the ball fairly straight off the tee which makes this long course, even longer and more difficult. My chipping was pretty good this day, I was getting the ball to stick to the slick greens since I hit the ball real high on all my shots. My putting was pretty good since I like fast greens, on a few holes my playing partners putting off the green a few times on the same hole.

After the front nine, we stopped in the club house for a drink and late lunch. The club house is modern and sleek with lots of picturesque views, the employees could not be more helpful, the food was excellent, the drinks were cold, and the views of the course and Atlantic City skyline are unforgettable!

FROM THE WEB SITE: Galloway National Golf Club is a private, world-class, 18-hole championship golf course designed for the serious golfer. World renowned architect Tom Fazio, meticulously crafted Galloway National’s 6900 yards out of a 200 acre tract of heavily wooded, gently sloping bayside property. “Galloway is one of my best ever,” said Fazio. It is a dramatic and fair golf course designed to bring joy to the serious golfer. Natural contour changes, pine forest, sand and water are the “tools.” Tees with breathtaking views, inviting fairways, challenging hazards, and beautifully situated greens are your reward.

The inspiration behind Galloway National Golf Club originated with a group of dedicated golfers who share a deep sense of commitment to the game. Management of the Club is being approached in the same way. Our facilities rival the finest in the world and are designed to enhance not detract from your unique golf experience. Our members enjoy an elegant, yet understated ambiance of quiet comfort. Golf Digest recently named Galloway one of America’s best private golf clubs.

COURSE CONDITION: The course was in excellent shape, as usual. No divots in the tee boxes or fairways, no pitch marks on the greens, and the greens were rolling super-super fast, like putting on glass.

FACILITIES: Galloway National Golf Club provides top notch practice facilities, pro shop, fore-caddies, locker room and restaurant.

SHOT OF THE DAY: Nothing real exciting, hit two of the long par three greens with my rescue wood.

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: If you get a chance to play this South Jersey gem, do not pass on this course! Bring you’re A+ game and extra balls, anything less – hang on and try to enjoy the ride and count on a good old fashion beating. There are refreshment stations between every few holes filled with free refreshments and snacks, very nice touch!

GOLFNERDNESS: I participated in the Stark and Stark golf outing a few weeks back, one of the golfers in our foursome has played everywhere, Pine Valley, Merion East, etc… real good golfer. I told him I was playing Galloway in a few weeks, his response was, and I quote, ‘I f%&@ing hate that place, way to hard, and the club house is ugly’. That is some funny stuff, not the response I expected.

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Valleybrook Country Club - Camden County Public Works Labor – Management Committee

Valleybrook Country Club - Camden County Public Works Labor – Management Committee
5th Annual Crab Party and Golf Outing

Valleybrook Country Club
200 Golfview Drive
Blackwood, New Jersey
Yards: 6008, Par 72 (Middle Tees)
Course Architect: Dave Beakley
Built/Open: 1942
Website: http://www.valleybrookgolf.com/
Golf Outing: Camden County Public Works Labor – Management Committee
Score: Golf Outing (Team -1)
Date: October 2, 2008

I participated in the Camden County Public Works Labor – Management Committee golf outing at Valleybrook Country Club. On a cool, breezy day, our foursome shot a 1 under par. We missed a few birdie putts which would not have made a difference anyway. It was a nice day out of the office and on the links for a good cause.

The course is mostly open with a few tight holes. Most of the fairways are tree lined and the middle holes are very hilly with a few blind shots. Having played this course numerous times and very familiar with the course over the years, we should have performed better.

FROM THE WEB SITE: Ron Jaworski’s Valleybrook Country Club is an 18-hole Semi-Private golf club located in beautiful Blackwood, New Jersey. The championship golf course presents challenges to any level of golfer. The slightly rolling hills with wetlands and mature tree lines offer scenic panoramic views. Golfers will find water coming into play nine times throughout the round, as well as, some great elevation changes.

COURSE CONDITION: Same condition as the previous outing two days before.

FACILITIES: Valleybrook County Club has a driving range, putting green, sand trap area and chipping green. Stop by Riley's Pub after the round, lunch is typical pub food, service is pleasant and friendly, lots of TV’s, cold beer and a good variety on the menu. Keep your eyes open, you may see 'Jaws' in the Pub, nice and friendly guy!

SHOT OF THE DAY: Hole No. 14 (Old Hole #5), 160 yard, Par 3, after four really bad tee shots and a chip onto the green, we were sitting about 40 feet from the hole. In disgust, I swung the putter at the ball with one hand, and directly into the hole, saved par, oops.

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: Nice open course, some challenging holes, play maybe slow (typical).

GOLFNERDNESS: I always lose more balls during an outing, and ‘shotgun – best ball tournament’ is translated to ‘very long – slow round of golf!’

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Valleybrook Country Club - Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund

Valleybrook Country Club
200 Golfview Drive
Blackwood, New Jersey
Yards: 6008, Par 72 (Middle Tees)
Course Architect: Dave Beakley
Built/Open: 1942
Website: http://www.valleybrookgolf.com/
Golf Outing: Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund
Score: Golf Outing (Team -4)
Date: September 30, 2008

I participated in the Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund golf outing at Valleybrook Country Club. On a warm, sunny day, our foursome shot a 4 under par. We were at 5 under par but gave one back late in the round. We also missed a hand full of birdie putts. It was a great day out on the links for a good cause.

The course is mostly open with a few tight holes. Most of the fairways are tree lined and the middle holes are very hilly with a few blind shots. Having played this course numerous times and very familiar with the course over the years, we should have performed better.

FROM THE WEB SITE: Ron Jaworski’s Valleybrook Country Club is an 18-hole Semi-Private golf club located in beautiful Blackwood, New Jersey. The championship golf course presents challenges to any level of golfer. The slightly rolling hills with wetlands and mature tree lines offer scenic panoramic views. Golfers will find water coming into play nine times throughout the round, as well as, some great elevation changes.

COURSE CONDITION: The course overall was in the best shape I have ever seen it. The tee boxes were beat up but the fairways and greens were in prefect shape which typically by this time of year the course is pretty beat up due to all the public and golf outing play. Come to find out, Ron Jaworski had his NFL golf outing the next day, so the course was spruced up for the NFL players. As always, the rough was cut a little high, but our foursome had at least one ball in the fairway every hole. Overall it was in great shape, I hope it stays that way.

FACILITIES: Valleybrook County Club has a driving range, putting green, sand trap area and chipping green. Stop by Riley's Pub after the round, lunch is typical pub food, service is pleasant and friendly, lots of TV’s, cold beer and a good variety on the menu. Keep your eyes open, you may see 'Jaws' in the Pub, nice and friendly guy!

SHOT OF THE DAY: Hole No. 16 (Old Hole #7), 342 yards, Par 4, the hole is a 90 degree dogleg left with a creek and woods on the left until the fairway makes the turn toward the green. For big hitters, most try to cut the corner over the woods toward the green, I have tried this over 40 times and have never made it. This day, I teed up the ball, and crushed it over the woods and in the fairway about 45 yards short of the green. We still pared the hole, wasted swing, wasted opportunity to score.

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: Nice open course, some challenging holes, play maybe slow (typical).

GOLFNERDNESS: 13 under par won the tournament, cheaters!

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Trenton Country Club – Stark and Stark Golf Outing

Trenton Country Club
201 Sullivan Way, West Trenton, New Jersey 08628
Yards: 6127, Par 71 (White Tees)
Course Architect:
Built/Open: 1897
Website: www.trentoncc.com
Score: Golf Outing (Team -1)
Date: September 22, 2008

I participated in the Stark and Stark golf outing at Trenton Country Club this past Monday. On a warm, sunny day, our foursome shot a 1 under, we missed a lot of birdie putts. Our foursome birdied the first hole, bogeyed the second hole, birdied the third hole and pared out the rest of the holes. It was a great day out on the links, was introduced to three nice guys and good golfers, and got the opportunity to play an old historic private course.

The course was fairly tight, tree lined fairways with well protected greens. One of our players was a member at the club which was a huge help and we should have taken advantage of his knowledge of the course. Jeff has been playing TCC since he was 7, so he gave us all the reads on the greens and course management suggestions. With all his knowledge of ‘his’ course, we should have performed better.

FROM THE WEB SITE: Trenton Country Club's golf course, distinguished by its challenging fairways, fast greens and scenic locations, was designed in the late 19th century. We recently completed an extensive restoration project to retain its unique character and style. The configuration of our eighteen-hole course continues to challenge even the lowest handicap golfer, yet affords the intermediate or novice player with opportunities to succeed.

COURSE CONDITION: The course was in great shape, the tee boxes and fairways were void of any club marks and the greens were lighting fast. The rough was cut a little high, a few of our wayward shots were a little hard to find. Through 18 holes, we missed the fairway or first cut only once and didn’t have to hit out of any of the sand bunkers, and there was enough of them.

FACILITIES: Arriving just before tee time, I didn’t get to see the main club house. I did make it to the fully stocked pro shop which sits adjacent to the practice area and across the parking lot from the main club house. The club offers the following additional facilities: tennis courts, fitness center, and three spectacular swimming pools.

SHOT OF THE DAY: Hole No. 10, 160 yards, Par 3, Closest to the Pin Hole: Hit my 26 degree rescue wood, nice super high fade from left to right landing on the green which was protected by bunkers in the front, right and left sides. The ball landed about two feet left of the flag and rolled to a stop 21’-6” right of the hole. Checking the list, the closest was 22’-6”, I was not going to measure the distance but the member said we should check it anyway, beat it by a foot. I was thinking in my head, three quarters of the golfers have already come through and 21’-6” is the best, that would indicate a really tough hole or really bad golfers. Anyway, we finished the round and I had to leave, skipping the after party. I got an e-mail the following day from Jeff, the member, my 21’-6” held up, my first closest to the pin! Brad, another one of our playing partners won closest to the pin on Hole No. 5, 184 Yards, Par 3.

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: Great course, I hope to get back there and play a regular round of golf and check out the main club house.

GOLFNERDNESS: We played an elimination scramble format, very odd. Each player tees off, you pick the best drive for your next shot, but the player whose shot you’re playing does not get to hit the next shot. This system is in play until you hole out. It really makes you think about everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, shot selection, etc…

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Labor Day @ Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club

Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club
7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View, DE 19970
Yards: 5817, Par 72 (Kodiak / Black Bear - Club Tees)
Course Architect: Rick Jacobson
Built/Open: 1999
Website: www.beartrapdunes.com
Score: 91 (45 out, 46 in)
Date: August 31, 2008

I played Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club over the holiday weekend without any type of practice in the last few weeks. Not expecting miracles, I shot a round of 91 on a beautiful sunny, calm breezy day. My driving was a little better on the front nine hitting 3 fairways but making the green in regulation on 5 holes, the back nine I hit 3 fairways but only 3 greens in regulation. My short game is still off since I tweaked my swing, I am hitting the ball further with my irons, as a result, I over shot a few greens, which is not usually a problem. My chipping was good and my putting improved after I got my 3 putt out of the way.

From the web site 'Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club offers one of the area’s most unique and memorable golf experiences on the Eastern Shore. Winding bent grass fairways lined with native wetland grasses drift into natural sand dunes. Impeccably groomed oversized greens and four strategically placed sets of tees beckon golfers of every skill level.'

Course Condition: The course was in great shape, a few minor dead patches of grass here and there on the edges of the fairways. The tee boxes were a little beat which is understandable considering it is the end of the season and on a holiday weekend, the fairways were in nice shape and the greens were in good shape but rolling a little slow.

Facilities: Really didn’t utilize the facilities this time around (no time), but usually the range is in good shape with lots of room for players to hit balls off of real grass, the chipping and putting greens are adjacent to the driving range.

Shot of the Day: Hole 2 on Kodiak, Par 4, 349 Yards. Hooked my drive into the rough about 130 yards from the green behind a large mound. Hit an 8 iron over the mound, over the pin to about 35’+/- behind the pin. Took a good look at the putt, hoping to lag it close and watched the ball track into the center of the cup for birdie.

Shot of the Day #2: Hole 1 on Black Bear, Par 4, 288 Yards. Hit my drive to the right on top of a low sloping hill in the first cut. Hit a 7 iron to the front of the green and watched the ball roll all the way to the back of the green. Again, took a good look at the 25’+/- putt, hoping to lag it close and watched the ball dive into the left side of the hole for my second birdie of the day. I should have gone home after that hole, next three holes: +2, +3, +2.

Suggestions and Comments: If you are playing here early, bring drinks and a snack, the refreshment cart was no where to be found, except when we were a hole from the clubhouse.

Golfnerdness: When golfing partners are hitting, watch their ball!

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Cape May County Junior Golf Foundation

Cape May County Junior Golf Foundation
www.juniorgolfers.net
Founded and run by John J. Petronis, Sr.

Cape May County Junior Golf Foundation
Western Jersey Jr. Classic
Golf Course: Buena Vista Country Club
Weather: Sunny & Hot W/ Slight Breeze ~ High 80's/Low 90's
Date: 8/28/2008

I had the opportunity to caddie for my 8 year old nephew at one of his Cape May County Junior Golf Foundation golf tournaments. He was playing Buena Vista Country Club in the 6 to 9 age group (5 Holes from 200 yards or less). It was a fun time watching him compete for points against the other children in his age group. During the round, I was giving him some direction, recommending clubs, but mostly letting him go out and have fun playing golf with his friends. On the second hole, he drove his ball into the woods, but had a clear view to the green over a huge sand hazard, and the ball was sitting in junk. He pulled out a 5 iron, I suggested a 7 iron, hit it high and get it over the hazard. He hit the 7 over the hazard and onto the fringe of the green, wow was I stressed. At the end of the golf tournament, he ended up tied for second and got 50 points for his effort. Since they only had first, second and third place awards, they needed to settle second and third place to give out the awards, it was settled with a chip off. My nephew ended up with the third place award. It was a fun outing and great for the kids, if your children are into golf, this is a great way to learn the game, rules and make new friends.

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Dodging the Thunder at Linwood Country Club

Linwood Country Club
500 Shore Road, Linwood, New Jersey 08221
Yards: 6019, Par 70 (White Tees)
Course Architect: Herbert Bertram Strong
Built/Open: 1921
Website: www.linwoodcountryclub.com
Score: 104 (53 out, 51 In)
Date: August 11, 2008

On a rare Monday tee time playing Linwood Country Club as guests of a member, Linwood Country Club is a private country club just a few minutes outside of Atlantic and Ocean Cities. Dodging the thunderstorms and greenheads (See Buggy Round at Atlantic City Country Club), we got all 18 in while watching storm clouds come and go the entire round with no rain.

I shot a disappointing 104 on this shorter but very difficult course. The shorter length of the course was protected by hidden surprises that first time players of the course like ourselves would not be familiar with. A few holes had sand bunkers and small creeks which could not be seen from the tee boxes or fairways which snatched up what we thought were nice golf shots. As an example, on one hole I pushed my drive a little right in the second cut, took an 18 degree rescue wood and smoked it right down the middle of the fairway…. and into a small creek that ran across the fairway. As for my round, my driving was average, hit a few fairways and lost 2 balls. My short game was a little off, I tweaked my swing a little, for the better, but I need to get use to hitting it more left, so I was pulling most of my iron shots. My putting was good since I like fast greens except on hole 3, which I hit the green and was about 8’ from the hole and looking at a birdie putt, then three putted on the slick green.

From The Web Site: Linwood Country Club is a place where continuity means something. Where long time members are the mainstay and with new members adding more character, it quickly becomes home to everyone. Add a long time staff who knows everyone by their name, it is no wonder that Linwood has earned the reputation of being the "Cheers" of country clubs. The course offers challenges for low handicappers yet provides an enjoyable experience for the high handicapper when played from alternate tees. Realizing that everyone expects something different from their club, Linwood manages to meet and exceed all expectations. The common denominator that everyone gets is first rate service. Great golf, great food, great staff and great members...it just doesn't get any better than Linwood. Ask the members what they like best about Linwood and most will say the course, which is always well kept and offers breathtaking views of the meadows, the bay and of course the Atlantic City skyline.

Course Condition: The course was in excellent shape, tee boxes, fairways and greens. The greens were slick and lighting fast even after a heavy thunderstorm the night before. The rough was cut short and easy to get the ball out of. The course was in excellent condition and the views over the meadows and the Atlantic City skyline were fantastic.

Facilities: The driving range and pro shop was all I really had time to check out. The pro shop was a little smaller than I expected, but fully stocked.

Shot of the Day: Hole 3, Par 3, 160 Yards, hit the green on the fly and the ball stopped within 8’ of the hole, then three putted on the fast, slick greens. Shot of the day, Sort of!?

Suggestions and Comments: This is a shorter course, but there are a few ‘hidden’ hazards, look at a yardage book while playing or check out the course on http://maps.live.com prior to playing.

Golfnerdness: Cash? Do we take cash? Most golf facilities frown upon 5-somes, we had a 6-some playing behind us, its nice to be private. ‘Cheers’ has not been relevant for years.

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

A Great Day at Scotland Run Golf Club

Scotland Run Golf Club
Route 322 and Fries Mill Road, Williamstown, New Jersey 08094
Yards: 6138, Par 71 (White Tees)
Course Architect: Stephen Kay
Built/Open: 1999
Website: www.scotlandrun.com

Course Information provided by Ryan of PA
Score: 107 (56 out, 51 In)
Date: July 30, 2008

I arrived at the course around 7:30 for 8:10 tee time only to discover that I was entered in the system for the previous Wednesday at 8:10, not sure how that happened since I made the tee time at 12:30 p.m. last wed afternoon. Ok, so they fit us in at 7:50. Great, nothing like having to rush to the first tee box, thankfully not more than a foursome or two were waiting to begin their round shortly behind us.

Once the round began, it was a tale of two cities, the front nine was a mess between not getting off the tee box consistently and finding every bunker on the course to avoiding the constant (and I mean constant) flow of tracking from the on-course staff. I swear there was more traffic on the front nine then the Schuylkill Expressway on the ride into Jersey. The place is well staffed to maintain the beautiful grounds, but come on, for a midweek round of $95 (myself and my fellow golfer each paid $57.50 due to having the tee time golf pass). The on-course maintenance was nothing like you would expect, mowers, pesticide applications, etc.... you name it, it was going on. Nonetheless, I crankily ended the front 9 with a 56.

Second nine was much different, I began to get the ball off the tee and although the short game was tough throughout due to the layout of the links style course, it was much more enjoyable. Additionally, we were treated with the first and only appearance of a beverage cart on the 16th. The 9th hole, par 3 has one of the best views you can imagine with the clubhouse just off to the right. And although the 18th hole is ranked as the 5th most difficult on the course, I can't imagine a tougher hole. 500 + yards from the tee with a dramatic slope to the right, to make things worse along the entire fairway is a lake just waiting to swallow your ball one last time. It is a par 5 with a difficult elevated green and from my eyes it is by far the most difficult hole on the course.

Finally, we both went inside the pub for lunch and enjoyed a very good cheeseburgers along with a beer. The frosted mug was nice and the price was reasonable for the meal.

Overall, the staff wasn't the friendliest and the price of the round was steep, but the course itself outweighs all the negatives and leaves you with an enjoyable experience.

Thanks for the golf info Ryan!

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Thunder Storms at Pine Hill Golf Club

Pine Hill Golf Club
500 West Branch Avenue, Pine Hill, New Jersey 08021
Yards: 6248, Par 70 (White Tees)
Course Architect: Tom Fazio
Built/Open: 2000
Website: www.golfpinehill.com
Score: 54 (46 out, 9 Holes)
Date: July 27, 2008

On a Sunday afternoon out with the boys, we played (tried) Pine Hill Golf Club this past weekend. Looking at the weather and flirting with thunder storm warnings in the area, we ventured out and attempted to sneak in a round of golf. While driving to the club, the sky was slightly cloudy with the sun peeking through every few minutes, no problem, we’ll get it in.

I shot a 54 on the front nine, driving up the ninth fairway, the ranger warned our foursome of a major thunder storm coming our way. Looking behind us, the sky was black, we rushed the last hole and headed for the club house. By the time I took my clubs to the car and heading back to the club house, it was raining. Within ten minutes, it was black out, thundering, lighting, heavy rain, the kind where you can not see 2 feet in front of you. As for my round, while playing the front nine, my driving was not very good, only hit one fairway and lost 4 balls (2 on hole 6). My putting was good since I like fast greens except on hole 9, which I four putted in a rush to get off the green before the rain started. Good thing was we got a rain check for the back nine, I will wait until fall to avoid the thunder storms.

From The Web Site: Set atop southern NJ's highest point, Pine Hill Golf Club will astound. World renowned golf course architect, Tom Fazio, designed a property that is both beautiful and challenging. With 18-holes boasting distinctly different characteristics, PHGC has received numerous national accolades and has rightfully taken its place among America's greatest courses. Built upon the site of a former ski resort, the 43,000 square foot clubhouse provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and Philadelphia city skyline.

Course Condition: The course was in excellent shape, tee boxes, fairways and greens. The greens were lighting fast, till the rain came. The rough was cut short so my wayward shots ran further into the woods. If you have never played Pine Hill, most of the sand traps have a 12”+/- border of fescue around them waiting to gobble up your ball or drop it right next to the lip of the trap, making your next shot almost impossible.
Facilities: As a former member, I love the club house, great architecture, nice outside deck/eating area, excellent members, staff and amenities. The bar is a little small, but the bar food and restaurant food is excellent. Since the course was built on a former ski ‘resort’, your view is unobstructed all the way to Philadelphia from the panoramic windows.

Shot of the Day: None, it was a really bad day!

Suggestions and Comments: Bring you’re A+ game! If you never get to play Pine Valley, this will be the closest test, so I have been told.
Golfnerdness: Played Pine Hill 8 times: 2 of 8 on finishing an entire round due to either weather or personal emergency. Walking back to the club house after the rain started, I mentioned to one of my playing partners, I’m 2 for 8 on finishing a round here, mostly due to rain. A fellow golfer heard me and said, “please call me next time you play, I’ll stay home”. Greens Fee Note: Paid $90, got a rain check for $55, not a bad deal!

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Rancocas Golf Club - ASCE Golf Outing

Rancocas Golf Club
12 Club Ridge Lane, Willingboro, New Jersey 08046
Yards: 6144, Par 71 (Black [Middle] Tees)
Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Built/Open: 1966
Website: www.rancocas.americangolf.com
Score: Golf Outing (Team -3)
Date: July 11, 2008

I participated in a golf outing at Rancocas Golf Club. On a stifling, hot sunny day, our foursome shot a 3 under, even though one of our players was the worse ‘golfer’ I have ever seen. We played par or under on every hole, no bogeys. It was a nice day out on the links just a tough way to play golf.

From The Web Site: Experience this Robert Trent Jones Sr. Masterpiece. Named after a local American Indian tribe, this Robert Trent Jones Sr. design strives to maintain its natural surroundings. With meticulously manicured fairways and fast, smooth greens, it's easy to see how this 18 hole facility ranks as one of the top public courses in South Jersey.

The front nine is will bunkered and requires accuracy and discipline off of the tee. The back nine features rolling hills and tight tree lined fairways. No matter what level of golf you play, you won't want to miss the chance to experience this classic layout.

Course Condition: The course was in good shape, the tee boxes, fairways and greens were in good shape. The rough areas were regular, not maintained grass like someone would have in their backyard, nothing special. This could be a really nice course with a little care, but currently very average.

Shot Of The Day: Our foursome had a few long drives and a few long putts.

Suggestions And Comments: I will not be running back here to play, for free it was great. To pay for the round, I would have been a little disappointed. The houses around the course are run down and are an eye sore to the club. The ranger was on our ass about riding on the rough and fairways. If they didn’t want carts on the course, make it cart path only. He was getting a little ridiculous with his repeated requests, we were warned about 5 to 6 times. Then after the round, we finished on the 6th hole, driving back to the club house, there is a guy on the putting green in a wife beater tee shirt. I can’t ride on the grass where I was told I could take the cart, but this dope can play golf at a facility in a wife beater shirt. They need to get their act together.

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Buggy Round at Atlantic City Country Club

Atlantic City Country Club
One Leo Fraser Drive, Northfield, New Jersey 08225
Yards: 6175, Par 70 (Middle Tees)
Course Architect: John Reid, Willie Park, Jr.
Built/Open: 1897
Website: www.accountryclub.com
Score: 90 (46 out, 44 in)
Date: June 29, 2008

On a rare day out with the boys, we played Atlantic City Country Club this past weekend. Looking at the sun and white clouds while driving down to the club, I was thinking, what a prefect day for golf. Upon arriving at the club, I opened the door to my truck and was attacked. I totally forgot it was greenhead season at the shore, within seconds of opening the door, my truck had about 15 of them flying around within my truck. I quickly got my stuff and retreated to the club house. (If you have never heard of a greenhead, also known as: salt marsh greenhead fly, it is a large fly about an inch long, green in color, is an abundant and bothersome summertime [June to September] pest along coastal marshes. If there are enough of them, they will pick you up and fly away with you. Because the females bite during daylight, and because they occur in large numbers, have a long flight range, and attack persistently seeking a blood meal, they interfere with the enjoyment of coastal areas throughout much of the summer). Once our foursome was in the club house, we set out for the driving range covered in deet spray. I have to say, the greenheads were constant throughout the round but were not as bothersome as we expected.

I shot a round of 90 on a sunny, slightly cloudy and occasional strong wind off the bay day. My driving has been getting better with my new grip, I hit 6 fairways and didn’t slice any out of bounds and only lost two balls. One lost ball was picked clean out of a sand trap and disappeared into the marsh and the other was a 174 yard par three, wind directly in our face, just could not carry the marsh area, my buddy didn’t reach the green with a three wood due to the wind. My second / approach shots were bringing down my game this week, hitting the ball short or in the sand bunks protecting the greens. My putting was real good since the greens were slick and fast, just what I like since I usually putt the ball short of the hole. I only 3 putted twice and one putted 7 times. My sand play was looking good, other than the one I hit OB, I had 3 sand saves, and the nice fluffy traps helped my sand play today.

From The Web Site: As one of America’s oldest and most prestigious golf clubs, Atlantic City Country Club has been home to many firsts, including being the "Birth place of the Birdie." The Course has a tradition of fast a firm greens with uncompromising playing conditions and its bayside setting is reminiscent of the historic links in Scotland and Ireland.

Since our founding in 1897, the Atlantic City Country Club has been at the forefront of the sport, both nationally and internationally. The prestigious and historic Atlantic City Country Club proudly carries the distinctions of "The Birthplace of the Birdie," as well as being the site where the term “Eagle” was coined.

Six USGA Major Championships have been played at this legendary course. Walter Travis won the 1901 USGA Amateur Championship, after taking up golf late in life at the age of 35. In 1911, our Club Professional, Johnny J. McDermott, became the first American to win the USGA Open Championship, at the young age of 19! Babe Didrikson Zaharias won the first of three USGA Women’s Open Championships at the Club in 1948. The $7,500 purse was put up by fifty-five Atlantic City businessmen and fans paid $2.50 to see the final round on Sunday. Don January captured the inaugural PGA Senior Tour event played at ACCC in 1980.

Many other legendary names have played our course, including Sammy Snead and Howard Everitt. Bob Hope was an Atlantic City Country Club regular, first becoming acquainted with the Club when he worked on the vaudeville circuit. Arnold Palmer played our course from 1951- 1952 when he was a relatively unknown Coast Guard enlisted man.

Ringing in Tradition: The Atlantic City Country Club Bell was originally used in the early 1900’s to remind golfers that the last trolley was about to leave for Atlantic City. Today, we once again ring the bell at the end of each day and invite you to “Play a Round With History!”

Course Condition: The course was in excellent shape, everything, tee boxes, fairways and greens. The rough areas were cut to a fair height, penalizing but not impossible to hit out of. The fescue was tall and only in areas were you should not be in anyway. The sand traps were fluffy and easy to hit out of.

Shot Of The Day: Par three 17th, 150 yards. I took out my 26 deg. rescue club trying to cut the ball through the wind coming off the bay, left to right. Hit the ball real high and the wind took the ball way off course, pushing the ball way right landing to the right of the cart path and left of a back yard of a house on the course. Standing at my ball looking at where the pin is, I am about 30 feet above the surface of the green with a hill of junk in front of me also. Ok, over the junk, onto the green, hope it sticks. I take my nine iron, open it up, aim somewhere left of where I think the pin is, and swing away. I hit it clean and run around the junk and start hearing my buddy yelling from the other side of the green. I must have either hit him or came close, turning the corner he was pointing to the pin, my ball was sitting 18 inches from the hole, tap in for par.

Suggestions And Comments: If playing in the summer, wear light colored long pants and long sleeve shirt, bring bug spray with deet, or a flame thrower. Reserve sometime after the round and walk through the club house, it is a museum! And stop by the bar and have one of their crab cakes, the best on the east coast!



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Win a free round of golf at Atlantic City Country Club

Atlantic City Country Club is donating free rounds of golf, enter to win, see below!

The next drawing will be September 15th! Tell your friends and golfing buddies, sign up now for your chance to win!!!

Link: http://www.twooverpar.com/index_files/Win_a_Round_with_History.htm

Some ACCC History

Since our founding in 1897, the Atlantic City Country Club has been at the forefront of the sport, both nationally and internationally. The prestigious and historic Atlantic City Country Club proudly carries the distinctions of "The Birthplace of the Birdie," as well as being the site where the term Eagle was coined.

Six USGA Major Championships have been played at this legendary course. Walter Travis won the 1901 USGA Amateur Championship, after taking up golf late in life at the age of 35. In 1911, our Club Professional, Johnny J. McDermott, became the first American to win the USGA Open Championship, at the young age of 19! Babe Didrikson Zaharias won the first of three USGA Women’s Open Championships at the Club in 1948. The $7,500 purse was put up by fifty-five Atlantic City businessmen and fans paid $2.50 to see the final round on Sunday. Don January captured the inaugural PGA Senior Tour event played at ACCC in 1980.

Many other legendary names have played our course, including Sammy Snead and Howard Everitt. Bob Hope was an Atlantic City Country Club regular, first becoming acquainted with the Club when he worked on the vaudeville circuit. Arnold Palmer played our course from 1951- 1952 when he was a relatively unknown Coast Guard enlisted man.

Ringing in Tradition: The Atlantic City Country Club Bell was originally used in the early 1900s to remind golfers that the last trolley was about to leave for Atlantic City. Today, we once again ring the bell at the end of each day and invite you to Play a Round With History!

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Pennsauken Country Club Golf Outing

Pennsauken County Club (formally Iron Rock Golf Club)
3800 Haddonfield Road, Pennsauken, New Jersey 08109
Yards: 5918, Par 70 (White Tees)
Course Architect: Unknown
Built: 1932
Website: www.pennsaukengolf.com
Score: Golf Outing (Scramble)
Date: June 25, 2008

I participated in a golf outing at Pennsauken Country Club for the Camden Schools Foundation. On a beautiful sunny day, our foursome shot a 6 under, which we thought was respectable, even through the winning score would be around 10 to 11 under. We had at least one drive in the fairway on almost every hole, only scrambling a few times after our drives or second shots. Our approach shots into the greens were on target and our putting could have been a little better, but we made some good long birdie putts. Except the one bogey on the first hole, we played par or under on every hole. It was a great day and a great golf outing for the Camden School Foundation.

From the web site: ‘The golf course at Pennsauken Country Club is characterized by its consistently excellent course conditions as well as its ease of play. The flat and fairly straight layout offers great opportunity for medium to high handicappers to make par. Of course this means low handicappers have the chance to really show their stuff and even set a personal record.’

The course was in great shape, which is saying a lot considering it is a municipal course and gets tons of play. The tee boxes were in good shape, the fairways were in fantastic shape with long second cut which was waiting to gobble up your errant shots, and the greens were in great shape and rolling a little slow which held a few chip shots a little short of the hole.

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club

Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club
7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View, DE 19970
Yards: 5817, Par 72 (Grizzly / Kodiak - Club Tees)
Course Architect: Rick Jacobson
Built/Open: 1999
Website: www.beartrapdunes.com
Score: 95 (47 out, 48 in)
Date: June 22, 2008

Played Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club over the weekend two days after my run in with the annoying pro shop employee. After two days of hitting balls with my new grip, I headed out with some new confidence in my game which soon came to an end. I shot a round of 95 on a sunny, slight breezy day (the wind picked up on the last two holes). My driving was a little better on the front nine but disappeared on the back nine. My chipping in general was good, had a few stupid shots that’s cost me a few strokes and my putting improved after the first couple of holes. I also lost a few strokes trying to be cute on a few shots, still have not learned my lesson.

From the web site 'Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club offers one of the area’s most unique and memorable golf experiences on the Eastern Shore. Winding bent grass fairways lined with native wetland grasses drift into natural sand dunes. Impeccably groomed oversized greens and four strategically placed sets of tees beckon golfers of every skill level.'

The course was in great shape, a few minor dead patches of grass on the edges of the fairways. The tee areas were in good shape, the fairways were in fantastic shape and the greens were in good shape and rolling nicely.

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Annoying Pro Shop Employee Playing by the Rules

I spent a long weekend down at the Delaware shore at Bear Trap Dunes. Looking to tune up the golf game, I drove by the range and noticed a few guys out there hitting balls in tee shirts. Well, wearing a Nike tee shirt and shorts, I decided to get out and hit some balls. I placed my clubs next to a stand on the range and walked over to the pro shop. On my way, I noticed the guys in the tee shirts were members of the club.

I walked in the pro shop and ask the lady behind the counter for some driving range tokens. She looked at me with this disgusted face and asks all cocky if I have a collared shirt. “Yes I do”, I replied. “Do you have it with you?”, she asks. Like most people in the world, I carry a collared shirt in my pocket all the time incase I run into someone asking if I have one. Before I could open my mouth to respond, she continues to inform me that she can not sell me any tokens since I have a tee shirt on, “collared shirts are required on the driving range, sir”. Are you kidding me old lady, I felt like saying there are two or three MEMBERS on the range right now in tee shirts hitting golf balls.

Whatever, I left, got a collared shirt on, purchased the tokens and removed the collared shirt as I walked slowly out of the pro shop. If you have a standard, I’m all for following the rules, but don’t single out people while your MEMBERS are out there breaking your own rules.

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Wheat Road Golf Shop, Vineland NJ

Wheat Road Golf Shop
2142 East Wheat Road
Vineland, NJ 08361
Phone: 800-273-0433
Website: www.wheatroadgolf.com
Owned & Operated by Richard Fiocchi

I decided to purge my garage of all my extra clubs and current driver. Having sold everything and in need of a new driver, I headed over to Wheat Road Golf Shop. While I was hitting balls on the range with a few different drivers, the on site golf pro Jeff, helped me with my driver selection and changed my grip at the same time. Within a few minutes he had me hitting the ball farther and straighter. Just that little bit of change in my grip by Jeff helped my fade, I still fade the ball but not nearly as much.

If you’re in the South Jersey area or buy golf equipment over the web, you should check out their golf store. I buy a lot of my equipment there since they are a small family owned golf shop competing with the big boys, with great prices. Everyone working there is friendly and helpful, they have tons of equipment and accessories packed into this little shop. They also provide lessons, driving range with mats or grass, practice green, sand trap area, and a par three course, nice little golf facility, check it out!

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Galloway National Golf Club

Galloway National Golf Club
270 South New York Road
Galloway, New Jersey 08205
Yards: 6274, Par 71 (Blue Tees)
Course Architect: Tom Fazio
Website: www.gallowaynationalgolf.com
Score: 112 (57 out, 55 in)
Date: June 5, 2008

I had the privilege of playing the ultra-private, 74th ranked course in America: Galloway National Golf Club. This course has some natural elevations changes, a few holes with forced carries, super fast greens, bunkers guarding the greens on numerous holes and trees, water and meadows ready to wreak havoc on wayward shots on every hole.

I have played this course about 5 times in the past, and the course still amazes me every time I get to play there. Shot a round of 112 on a beautiful sunny day which is within a few strokes of my previous rounds played here. I wasn’t hitting the ball fairly straight off the tee which makes this long course even longer, chipping was average since the greens were so fast, I couldn’t get the ball to stick on the green, putting was pretty good since I like fast greens.

From the web site: Galloway National Golf Club is a private, world-class, 18-hole championship golf course designed for the serious golfer. World renowned architect Tom Fazio, meticulously crafted Galloway National’s 6900 yards out of a 200 acre tract of heavily wooded, gently sloping bayside property. “Galloway is one of my best ever,” said Fazio. It is a dramatic and fair golf course designed to bring joy to the serious golfer. Natural contour changes, pine forest, sand and water are the “tools.” Tees with breathtaking views, inviting fairways, challenging hazards, and beautifully situated greens are your reward.

The inspiration behind Galloway National Golf Club originated with a group of dedicated golfers who share a deep sense of commitment to the game. Management of the Club is being approached in the same way. Our facilities rival the finest in the world and are designed to enhance not detract from your unique golf experience. Our members enjoy an elegant, yet understated ambiance of quiet comfort. Golf Digest recently named Galloway one of America’s best private golf clubs.

The course was in excellent shape, even a day after a horrible rain fall dumping inches of rain in the South Jersey area, no divots in the tee boxes or fairways, no pitch marks on the greens, and the greens were rolling super-super fast.

After the round (beating), we stopped in the club house for a drink and late lunch. The club house is modern and sleek with lots of picturesque views, the employees could not be more helpful, the food was excellent, the drinks were cool, the views of the course and Atlantic City skyline are unforgettable!

If you get a chance to play this South Jersey gem, do not pass on this course! We played with two – foursomes and we didn’t see any other golfers the entire round, it felt like we had the entire course all to our selves. The refreshment stations between every few holes filled with free refreshments and snacks is a nice touch!

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

A Gorgeous Day at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

A Gorgeous Day at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort – Blue / Red Courses
One River Road, Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania 18356
Yards: 6,290, Par 72 (White Tees)
Course Architect: A. W. Tillinghast
Website: www.shawneeinn.com
Score: 102 (57 out, 45 in)
Date: May 5, 2008

While attending the 2008 Victory Golf Show in King of Prussia, I put a bid on a foursome at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort. Never dreamed I would win since the bid was for $170 and was placed early in the morning. We decised to play on May 5th, we played the blue and red courses and could not have asked for a better day.

I shot a 102 the first time out on this championship course designed by A. W. Tillinghast which has hosted the 1938 PGA Championship and the 1967 NCAA Championship. Arnold Palmer met his late wife Winnie at Shawnee.

Shawnee is graced with the same magnificent trees, picturesque mountains, beautiful river and the same love of the game of years past. With 24 of 27 holes located on a private island surrounded by the Delaware River.

My 102 round came on a prefect day, slight wind and sunny skies. What can I say about the course, championship course in close to championship condition. The course was in wonderful condition with only a few dead areas of grass in non essential areas, unless you’re my ball. The tee boxes were nice and green without any divots, the fairways had no divots and the greens were moderately fast, some a little quicker than others.

Every hole at Shawnee is picturesque, not to mention the surroundings. On many of the holes I found myself just staring out at the beautiful mountains and surroundings. The most deceiving holes we played were the Par 3, 7th hole on the Blue course and the Par 3, 2nd hole on the Red course. On both holes you are hitting over the Delaware River, but the distances on both holes look a lot longer than indicated on the score card and tee box indicator.

Annoying Dinning Warning (Take One): Arriving at the course early for our tee time, we decided to relax and grab a quick bite to eat in the club house at the River Room. The plan was a little lunch and warm up on the range, and then off to the course, don’t think so. We were the first in the dinning room, long story short, two burgers, fries, a chicken quesadilla and 45 minutes later, we were eating our relaxed, quick lunch without chewing. When we finally got our food, it was excellent, but the slowest and uninformed restaurant staff I have ever seen.

Annoying Dinning Warning (Take Two): After the round, we decided to eat dinner at the facility since one of our players joined us from the opposite direction. Learning our lesson earlier today, we decided to eat dinner at Sam Snead’s Tavern, located on the other side of the golf facility near the main entrance and overlooking the par 3 course and practice facility. We walked in and sat down and waited, and waited, and finally after 15 to 20 minutes our waiter made an appearance for drinks. When we did order, again, burgers, wings and nachos, the food took about 45 minutes to an hour to come out. At least the food service at the facility is consistent, good food, long – loooooong wait. After a 2 ½ hour burger, we had another 2 ½ hour ride home.

From the web site: Discover the finest in Pocono Golf. Completed in 1911, the golf course at the Shawnee Inn is A.W. Tillinghast's first-ever design. Rich in the history of golf, Shawnee has been the host of the 1938 PGA Championship, the 1967 NCAA Championships and other memorable moments in the chronicles of golf. Shawnee is still graced with the same magnificent trees, picturesque mountains, beautiful river and the same love of the game. With 24 of our 27 holes located on a private island, The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is the perfect choice for golf in the Poconos.

Overall Shawnee is an excellent golf facility and easy to get to. Definitely a must play when visiting the Ponoco / Delaware Water Gap area. The course was excellent, the facility employees were all nice and helpful, just take a lot of extra time if you plan on eating there.

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!

Master’s Road Trip

After six years of trying to get tickets, last September I received a letter from Augusta National Golf Club, it was notification that I was chosen for Master’s tickets. Finally Master’s week was here, we jumped in the car and took off for Augusta. The night before our visit to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, we were sitting in Garnets Sports Bar, listening to stories from fellow patrons who had attended the Masters that day.

The greatly anticipated day had arrived, we hopped in the car and made the hour long ride down South Carolina Route 20 towards Augusta. We took our exit, fought our way thru traffic and within ten minutes we were parked in the Augusta National parking lot and walking toward the entrance. While waiting in line to go through the metal detectors, everyone was sharing stories from either the day before or visits from years past. The weather early in the morning was colder than the expected forecasted 75 degrees, it was in the high 50’s with a slight breeze, but warmed up into the 70’s around 1:30.

Once inside we were overwhelmed by the enormous size of the course and the entire facility. We needed a plan of attack, which way do I want go, what do I want to see first? We first hit the huge merchandise building, there was no line to get in and it was pretty packed (so we thought) but easy to navigate through. This place had everything under the sun to purchase. 45 minutes and a hit of $800 later, we walked directly over to UPS shipping just off to the side of the merchandise building, packed everything in a box and off to New Jersey it went.

With that out of the way, we proceeded to the Masters Exhibit area set up across from the merchandise building. Walking through the exhibit you learn just about everything about the tournament, its significant milestones and past champions. After the quick detour through the exhibit, we were off to the first tee to check out the sign in sheet (posted on the 1st hole and 10th hole) to see who is currently on the course and which hole they started on.

Deciding on a game plan, and on advice from several people, I decide we would walk the course backwards, starting at the18th green. As we proceeded over to the 18th green (Par 4, 465 yards, Holly), we walked directly in front of the club house which was roped off, no public access allowed. Nice Georgian style club house, I realize the inside of the club house must be amazing to see, but the outside wasn’t all that impressive, for being the 2nd rated golf course in the United States and possibly the world. Still, seeing it in person still gives you the chills, knowing all the history that is contained within its walls is simply amazing. The grass around the club house was cut a little taller then the rest of the course. The normal grass all over the facility, in the woods, out front, behind buildings, anywhere I looked, was cut to match the second cut of the fairway, tight and not a weed in the entire complex!

Walking up to the 18th green, you realize just how hilly this course is compared to the relatively flat appearance portrayed on TV.
The greens are very undulated and super fast since they are cut so short. As we strolled down the 18th green, the fairways were cut as short as our typical greens in this area (South Jersey), and the fairway was narrow with a small shoot between towering pine trees to hit your ball into off the 18th tee.

As we walked down the 17th fairway (Par 4, 440 yards, Nandina) someone mentioned Tiger was on the tee box. Everyone stopped and watched as Tiger (some 300+ yards away) swung away, suddenly we heard a thump on the ground and a ball rolling toward us. We ran over and stood behind the ball, facing in the direction of the green which Tiger would be hitting toward. Within seconds, there were people surrounding us and the ball. Everyone was getting excited to see Tiger hit the ball front and center, just a few feet in front of us. Tiger walked up the side of the 17th fairway and motions to the gallery guard to toss his ball over to him, everyone was disappointed and started booing Tiger. He just stood there waiting for his turn to hit, un-phased and unemotional. Standing about four people deep along the fairway, we watched Tiger hit his approach shot to the green and off he went with all of his fans in tow.

Sitting in the stands at the 16th green (Par 3, 170 yards, Redbud) over looking the 15th green, 16th pond and green, we watched players come through and hit their tee shots onto the green. Following the players tee shots, the patrons start chanting, Skip it! Skip it! 99% of the players move in front of the tee box and skip balls over the pond onto the 16th green. Half of the players might have benefited from skipping the ball across the pond during the tournament, and if they even thought about not skipping the ball, that was it, the boo birds were out. That was a pretty neat tradition which lasted all day. We went back later in the day and sat on the hill across from the stands for a few hours to watch more players skip balls across the pond and onto the green.

We proceeded down the 15th fairway (Par 5, 530 yards, Firetorn) up to the 15th tee box, while waiting, we watched Justin Rose on the 14th green chip and putt for about 30 minutes. Rose chipped balls from every position around the green and followed up with putts from every spot on the green while his caddie feverously took notes on speed, break and distances. When Rose finally finished, he walked down the 15th fairway towards the green, he was only practicing chipping and putting that day, his caddie was only carrying a few clubs. While we were standing there, Phil and his foursome where approaching the 10th green. They all hit their approach shots and walked up to the green. Phil’s ball was approximately 45 feet away from the hole, he putts his ball to within a foot, lines up the tap in and just as he is about to hit the ball, one of the other players says ‘that’s good Phil’. He picks up his ball and watches the other three players putt out. They finished the hole by placing a few balls in different spots and putting, checking break, speed and distance control. Just as Phil’s foursome was finished and started walking to 11th tee box, Adam Scott walked over to the 15th tee box, he sets up and lets the driver fly; what a fluid swing and long drive.

The walk from the 14th green (Par 4, 440 yards, Chinese Fir) to the tee box seemed to take forever, the incline of the fairway gives this hole a much longer feeling. From the tee box, it’s a blind shot. We stayed behind the 14th tee box until Phil came through. As we waited for Phil’s group, we watched most of the young guns drive the ball over the crest of the hill. Most of the older players didn’t quite make it to the crest, making this hole even longer than necessary. We stayed and watched Stuart Appleby and his group play their approach shots to the 13th green and tee off on 14. Appleby’s ball was the only one in their group that ended up in the front hazard at the 13th green. Then, just like Tiger, the crowd was coming, following Phil. We watched Phil’s approach to the 13th green, sticking it within 10 feet. Standing directly next to the tee box we watched Phil hit his tee shot well over the crest of the fairway, which prompted a few spectators to use a few choice words regarding the distance of the ball. Phil acknowledged his fans and proceeded down the fairway with his group. After Phil’s group cleared the tee box, we proceeded down the 13th fairway (Par 5, 510 yards, Azalea) to a point between the 12th tee box (Par 3, 155 yards, Golden Bell) and the 13th fairway. There was no access for the public to the 13th tee box or the 12th green. From there we watched a few groups come through and play the 12th and tee off on 13.

Heading to Amen Corner the scenery is 100 times more impressive than on TV and provides an unforgettable view. I stood at the point between the 12th and 13th holes and just soaked in the beauty of the lush greens, the Hogan (12th) and Nelson (13th) bridges, flowers, towering trees, the white sand and Rae’s Creek, the greatest three-hole stretch in all of golf.

It was 11:30 and we found ourselves next to a food vending area, so we decide to grab lunch and sit in the 11th green/12th tee box spectator stands and eat. We pick up two egg salad sandwiches (1.50 each), one famous palmetto and cheese sandwich (1.50 – gotta try it while at the Masters), two sodas (1.00 each) and two moon pies (0.50 each), for a grand total of $7.50. Quite a bargain for lunch for two. As for the world famous pimiento and cheese sandwich, I can say I’ve tried it. From the front row, we watched Gary Player (playing in his 51st Masters), Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and Tim Clark play the 11th, 12th and 13th holes. Gary Player hit his tee shot onto the 12th green to within a few feet and did a little dance, the crowd erupted with cheers for him.

After lunch, we headed down the 11th fairway (Par 4, 505 yards, White Dogwood) up to the tee box just as Robert Allenby reached the tee box. Playing by himself, he went through his typical pre-shot routine and ripped a driver down the middle of the fairway. He said out loud ‘that was a good one, no need to hit another”. He grabbed a bottle of water, talked to the fans for a minute or so and started on his way.

Walking down from the 11th tee box to the 10th green (Par 4, 495 yards, Camellia), the green is a little uphill from the fairway in front of the green. The fairway dips down slightly about 20 yards from the edge of the green and continuously rises until you get to the tee box. It was such an incline, by the time we reached the tee box, we both were huffing and puffing. This is definitely one hole TV does not do justice to regarding the elevation change from tee to green.

After reaching the tee box, we decided to make another quick stop at the pro shop for a forgotten item. The line is long and all the way out to the main walkway. It moved quickly though, and we were in and out in about twenty minutes.

With the back nine behind us and the front nine to go, I decide to go against our original idea of walking the course backwards and walk the front nine from tee to green. We started at the 1st tee (Par 4, 455 yards, Tea Olive) and walked down to the green. Once there, we watched Padraig Harrington practice putting from different spots around the green.

We walked over to the 2nd tee box (par 5, 575 yards, Pink Dogwood) and waited for the next group, apparently with perfect timing and what a treat. Up walks Fred Couples, playing with Daniel Chopra and another player. Literally standing a few feet away, Couples is joking around and has a huge smile as he takes his typical silky smooth swing and stripes it down the fairway.

The 3rd hole (Par 4, 350 yards, Flowering Peach) was the only hole of the day that we walked from tee to green without any players playing the hole. It was nice because you get to see the hole without anyone in the way. The fairways are cut so tight it plays just like a typical course’s greens and the second cut, which seems to be everywhere else on the property isn’t much higher short and tight to the touch.

Walking up to the 4th tee (Par3, 240 yards, Flowering Crab Apple), a group had teed off just before we got there and were walking down the fairway. We followed the down and watched Adam Scott, Bernhard Langer and Paul Casey play their approach shots to the green and putt numerous balls from around the greens.

Walking uphill from the 5th tee box (Par 4, 455 yards, Magnolia) to the green we saw a group of golfers practicing on the green. It was Jim Furyk, Ben Crewashaw, Mike Weir and Niclas Fasth testing their putting skills from different locations on the green. We stayed for a few minutes and proceeded to the 6th tee box (Par 3, 180 yards, Juniper) expecting to get a good viewing spot at the tee.

We underestimated the movements of the fans, there was a large crowd watching a group on the putting green and waiting for the Crenshaw group. This area seems to be one of the high points of the course, looking out over the 6th and 16th holes and you can see numerous holes beyond, and each hole is progressively at a lower elevation. We started the short and steep decent to the green and saw VJ, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller and Craig Stadler finishing up on the green.

Noticing that the tee box on 7 (Par 4, 450 yards, Pampas) was fairly empty, we went over and got a front row spot just in front of the tee markers. A short 10 minute wait and finally Watson’s group approached the tee box. Tom Watson wasted no time, he teed his ball and swung away hitting a straight but short drive. Craig Stadler pretty much matched Watson’s drive with a little extra distance. Then Fuzzy Zoeller ‘the jokester’ stepped up jawing away at Stadler and VJ and pulled his drive short and left. VJ stepped up, Fuzzy jumped in front of him just as he was about to swing and addressed the crowd, ‘Now this is how you hit a golf ball, go ahead VJ’. VJ, started his pre-shot routine over again and was about to swing and Fuzzy jumped in front of him again, asking him a few questions most of us couldn’t hear due to the crowd laughing at Fuzzys odd body movements while he was talking. VJ seemed to be getting annoyed, again he started his routine over, this time VJ waited and Fuzzy was still and quite, he seemed to swing with anger, not the typical VJ swing and smoked his drive about 40 to 50 yards past the other three. Fuzzy walked over to the middle of the tee box, patted VJ on the back and explains to the crowd, ‘That’s how you hit a golf ball’. VJ keeps a smirk on his face and walks down the fairway with the group, not saying a word.

Once Furyk’s group got to the tee box, and since VJ’s group was still in the fairway, the guy next to me calls out a Texas comment, and Ben Crenshaw walks over and has a pleasant conservation with the fellow Texans standing next to me. Finally the group was ready to tee off, Furyk’s swing is just un-explainable, Crenshaw, Weir and Fasth have a typical smooth, stable swing.

After Furyk’s group clears the fairway, we decided to take a break for a while. We walked over to the 16th green and sat on the opposite side of the spectator stands on the hill and watched the golfers play through and skip balls across the 16th pond. At this point, the sun was out and it warmed up.

After our break we proceeded over to the 8th tee box (Par 5, 570 yards, Yellow Jasmine), barely able to see the green, it seems a mile away, but is not the longest hole on the course. We walked half way down and watched Geoff Ogilvy, playing by himself, hitting 4 or 5 extra shots towards the green. As we walked up along the fairway, spectators really could not see the green due to the mounds surrounding it, only once you pass the green do you get a full view of the green. This green has huge undulations due to the mounds directly surrounding it.

We finished our Augusta National Golf Club course tour by walking down the 9th fairway (Par 4, 460 yards, Carolina Cherry) toward the green and clubhouse. We walked up to the green which was guarded on the right by two large bunkers and watched VJ’s group finish putting and head off to the clubhouse.

Having seen almost everything on the course, we head over to the practice range area. On the way over, we noticed the line to the pro shop (now 3:30) is endless and static. There were a few golfers using the practice facility to the left of Magnolia Lane. We proceeded over to the second practice area located to the left of Magnolia Lane, by way of the clubhouse and Founders Circle; the Augusta National Golf Club logo in yellow flowers on the front lawn. I noticed again, how the outside of the clubhouse just doesn’t move me, a plain, Old South style building. Now, if I entered off Washington Road and drove up Magnolia Lane (seems like it is a half mile long) to the club house, that would be a rite-of-passage and might change the way I would look at the entire experience. We finally got to the second practice area, there were a few more golfers including Jeev Milkha Singh, Tim Clark and Phil Mickelson utilizing the facilities. I watched Phil for about 45 minutes, it was like watching a machine. Phil was on the left side of the drive range, Bones was out on the range moving white towels which were placed at measured distances from about 50 yards to about 120 yards from were Phil was hitting balls. Using his wedge, while being observed by Butch Harmon and David Pelz, Phil would hit about 10 shots to a single towel. Out of 10 shots, and no matter which towel he was shooting at, he landed the ball on the towel 4 or 5 times, the rest landing within a few feet. Everyone just stood there in amazement as he kept this up, towel after towel at all distances, simply amazing. After about 45 minutes, we decided it was time to leave Augusta behind; we walked past the front of the club house one last time, took a long look at the Augusta National logo, the front of the clubhouse and down Magnolia Lane then headed for the car. Within ten minutes, we were in our car and on the way home, I was already looking forward to coming back next year!

For all your local golf information, check out www.twooverpar.com!