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Showing posts from May, 2023

Golf Course Review: Thistle Dhu | Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, North Carolina

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  Thistle Dhu Pinehurst, NC April 4, 2023   At Pinehurst Resort, the American cradle of golf, you will find Thistle Dhu, an 18-hole putting course, open to resort guests and the public alike. Situated outside the back of the main resort building at Pinehurst, between the driving range and The Cradle, is a massive putting green, reminiscent of the Donald Ross greens found on the championship courses at the resort.  While the course is not a Ross original, you can feel his spirit present. Players must navigate massive knobs and rolls in the terrain. Don’t be afraid to use the terrain and get creative. Oftentimes, taking the direct line of approach is the incorrect answer. Positioned in a way that’s accessible to everyone and convenient enough to be played at any time, Thistle Dhu is the perfect way to spend the evening when you arrive in town, warm up before a round, hang out between your morning round or evening round, or simply as a way to have fun with the family without having to pla

Golf Course Review: Tobacco Road, Sanford, North Carolina

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TOBACCO ROAD Sanford, North Carolina April 4, 2023 OVERVIEW FACILITY TYPE: Public YEAR OPENED: 1998 ARCHITECT: Mike Strantz PAR: 71 LENGTH: 4,296 - 6,557 USGA RATING: 62.6 - 72.5 USGA SLOPE: 117 - 145 TEE OPTIONS: 6 WEBSITE: www.TobaccoRoadGolf.com PHONE: (877) 284-3762   The first time I played a Mike Strantz golf course was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I can’t remember which came first, True Blue, or Caledonia, but they’re still to this day two of my favorite courses on the east. When you play a Mike Strantz golf course, you’re in for a different experience. Like Stonehouse , between Richmond and Williamsburg, Virginia, Mike Strantz courses often feature massive fairways, long blind carries over hills, rolling terrain, and the most fun greens you can play.  Tobacco Road is a course that’s been on my bucket list since I first heard about it. It was shortly after playing True Blue and Caledonia that my interest peaked. Looking back on it, Sanford, NC isn’t too far from My

Golf Course Review: Little Bennett Golf Course, Clarksburg, Maryland

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  LITTLE BENNETT GOLF COURSE Clarksburg, Maryland April 1, 2023 OVERVIEW FACILITY TYPE: Public Municipal YEAR OPENED: 1994 ARCHITECT: Desmond Muirhead PAR: 72 LENGTH: 4,753 - 6,733 USGA RATING: 66.0 - 72.4 USGA SLOPE: 107 - 131 TEE OPTIONS: 4 WEBSITE: https://www.mcggolf.com PHONE: (301) 253-1515   When I first played Little Bennett nearly a decade ago I swore I would never go back. Years went by, I moved around the country and eventually found myself back in Maryland. Since then, Little Bennett has grown on me and become one of my favorite courses to play. It’s a course you must play a few times to understand or at least play with someone who can help you get around. Little Bennett is one of nine courses in the Montgomery County Golf Association. The courses are all open to the public and locals can buy an annual membership into the association to get discounted rates throughout the year. COURSE CONDITIONS RATINGS TEES: 3.5 FAIRWAYS: 3.5 GREENS: 4.5 BUNKERS: 4 SCENERY:

Golf Course Review: Baltimore Country Club (East Course), Lutherville, Maryland

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  BALTIMORE COUNTRY CLUB (EAST COURSE) Lutherville, Maryland March 27, 2023 OVERVIEW FACILITY TYPE: Private YEAR OPENED: 1898 ARCHITECT: A.W. Tillinghast PAR: 70 LENGTH: 5,174 - 7,181 yards USGA RATING: 65.3 - 75.1 USGA SLOPE: 119 - 141 TEE OPTIONS: 9 WEBSITE: https://bcc1898.com/ PHONE: (410) 252-6505   It’s always an honor to play at Baltimore Country Club. Founded in 1898, the original course in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore hosted the 1899 US Open. The course has since been moved to what is known as Five Farms on the outskirts of the City in the rolling woodlands of Lutherville. A.W. Tillinghast grew up in Philadelphia as a member of The Philadelphia Cricket Club, the oldest club in America where he learned to play golf, and later designed the Wissahickon Course which is usually ranked as one of the best in the country. If his name sounds familiar, it’s probably because he designed some of the most prestigious courses in America including Winged Foot, Bethpage

Golf Course Review: Lake Park Golf Course, Lewisville, Texas

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LAKE PARK GOLF COURSE Lewisville, Texas April 24, 29, 30, May 1, 2, 2023 OVERVIEW FACILITY TYPE: Public Daily Fee ARCHITECT: Gary Panks & David Graham PAR: 70 / 28 LENGTH: 4,960 - 6,135 USGA RATING: 63.5 - 69.0 USGA SLOPE: 101 - 110 TEE OPTIONS: 3 / 2 WEBSITE: https://www.lakeparkgc.com PHONE: (972) 219-5661   28 miles northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas you’ll find 27 holes of pure fun with a price that’s hard to beat. Lake Park has two golf courses, an 18-hole championship course that stretches to 6,135 yards and plays to a par of 70, and a 9-hole executive course with lights so you can play after the sun goes down that plays to a par 28. For $25 to walk the championship course and $18 to walk the executive course, it’s tough to beat. The course has views of Lake Lewisville and is as wide open as a course gets. The atmosphere is laid back and has the feel of a local's hangout. The course allows better players to post low scores with plenty of opportunities for birdie