Thursday, June 26, 2008

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.

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

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!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

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!