Golf Course Review: The Country Club of Maryland, Towson, Maryland

 

THE COUNTRY CLUB OF MARYLAND

Towson, Maryland

March 20, 2023

OVERVIEW

FACILITY TYPE: Private

YEAR OPENED: 1924

ARCHITECT: Herbert Strong

PAR: 70

LENGTH: 3,357 - 6,492

USGA RATING: 66.9 - 72.0

USGA SLOPE: 108 - 133

TEE OPTIONS: 7

WEBSITE: https://www.ccofmd.com

PHONE: (410) 823-3869

 

The first day of Spring 2023 couldn’t have been more ideal. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, a gentle breeze kept things interesting, and one of Maryland’s most historic 18 holes were ready to be played.

Opened for play June 22, 1924, and completed in 1925, The Country Club of Maryland, formerly known as Rogers Forge Club, was opened in a golden age of golf in the Baltimore area. At the time, there were only a handful of facilities in the area. Neighboring clubs would have included Elkridge (1878), Green Spring Valley Hunt Club (1892), Baltimore Country Club (1898), The Suburban Club (1900), Rolling Road (1919), and Hillendale (1923).

Rogers Forge Club was well positioned in Towson, Maryland. Built on the old Stevenson Farm, this location was centrally located, close enough to the city to be accessible but far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle. For nearly 100 years now, The Country Club of Maryland has been a beloved club in Baltimore.

I recently spent some time with Mike Healy, the Head Professional of The Country Club of Maryland for over 30 years now who had some great insights into the facility and the history of not only CCofMD but Baltimore Golf as a whole. During this most recent round, I was fortunate to play with one of CCofMD’s newest Assistant Professionals, Mitch Lavoie, who will soon be working through the PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management Program on his way to gaining his Class-A status as a PGA Pro. Between spending time with Mike, and getting to play with Mitch, I received a Masterclass on all things Country Club of Maryland.

COURSE CONDITIONS RATINGS

TEES: 3.5

FAIRWAYS: 3.5

GREENS: 4

BUNKERS: 4

SCENERY: 3.5

LAYOUT: 4

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OVERALL: 3.75

The last time I played CCofMD was over a decade ago when I was the Assistant Professional down the road at The Suburban Club. Since then, the course has undergone some changes, most recently including new bunkers on the front nine with plans to redo the back nine bunkers next year. 

The course is a classic layout. It’s not long but it doesn’t need to be. The elevation changes, rolling hills, strategic bunkering, and devilish greens make it a challenging yet fair course that provides opportunities to go low when you’re playing well but isn’t overly penal if you forgot to bring your A game. 

I was surprised at how good the conditions were. For the first day of spring, I wasn’t expecting much. Compared to other rounds I’ve played in the area over the last few weeks, CCofMD was definitely in the best condition. The agronomy crew was out working today and I can tell they’ve been putting in time getting the course ready to head into the season. The greens were firm and fast, the fairways were starting to grow back nicely, the bunkers were in great shape, and the tee boxes had nothing to complain about. In a few weeks, the course is going to be pure.

ACCESSIBILITY

COURSE DIFFICULTY: 3

WALKABILITY: 4

CCofMD is definitely a walking-friendly course. Most courses built in this time period are since there were no golf cars at the time. Walking is a fun way to play the game and something I encourage everyone to do. It can help us to slow down and take in each shot one swing at a time. It helps connect you to the course and make better course management decisions. And of course, it’s a great form of exercise!

Both nines are hilly but in different ways. The front nine is a little more evenly spread whereas the back nine has more severe slopes but also has more open broad slopes. It’s the land that makes the course. Like most courses of this era, they were largely hand-built, using what the land provided and only moving dirt in key areas critical to the playability of the design.

AMENITIES

GOLF SHOP: 4

PRACTICE FACILITIES: 3

COMFORT STATIONS: 2

FOOD & BEV: 4

The golf shop at CCofMD is well stocked with everything you would need. Before the round, be sure to get there early to grab a bite to eat, roll a few putts, and get in a few swings before heading to the first tee. The practice area at CCofMD has everything you need to dial in your game and has an inviting feel that will encourage you to hang out and practice.

Be sure to use the facilities before teeing off as there are no comfort stations on the course. The course is however not overly long and the ninth green returns to the clubhouse where you can always use the facilities before making the turn.

SUMMARY

As a private club, I understand that not everyone is going to get to play at a place like The Country Club of Maryland. For those of you who live in the area and are looking for a club to join, I’m sure they would love having you and I would encourage you to reach out to their membership director.

What I hope this article provides is a sense of excitement and joy about this game we all love. I may never play Augusta National, but it doesn’t stop me from learning about it, looking at pictures, and of course, watching The Masters. Golf is a game that can bring together people of all generations and walks of life and unite us all in the pursuit of perfection in a game that cannot be beaten. It’s often that one shot that keeps us coming back, and at a facility like CCofMD, when you do come back for more, you’ll be right at home.

MOVE BETTER - PLAY BETTER

COACH BLAINE ⛳🏌️‍♂️

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