Eagle’s Landing – Course Review

Summary

Eagles Landing view of #18 fairway from #10 tee

It’s all about the course at Eagle’s Landing in Ocean City, MD.  Located adjacent to the Ocean City airport, Eagles Landing is technically a muni because it’s owned and operated by the city, but the impression of “muni” ends when you step on the first tee.  This is one of my favorite plays on the Delmarva and my stop here on October 28 again lived up to lofty expectations.  Tees and fairways were in excellent condition and the Bentgrass greens were running surprisingly fast.  Bunkers were well maintained and had good consistent sand.

Tee shot on the par-3 17th hole at Eagle’s Landing

First time players will not be wowed by the facilities but when play begins, everything changes as you enjoy excellent hole routing and a wide variety of shot choices around the greens.  Along with the superb conditions there are several spectacular views of holes running along the salt marshes of the Sinepuxent Bay.

Eagle’s Landing is buffeted by fresh coastal breezes and the later your tee time the more certain you are to play in the wind.  Managing the wind and knowing how to safely negotiate some placement holes are key.

View of Eagle’s Landing #16 from the Cloud Dancer bi-plane

Playing tips:  The par-3 fifth has a prevalent two-tier green.  If the flag is in the front or middle, play from below the hole.  A chip or putt from the upper tier is dead.  The par-5 seventh hole is a beauty and doglegs 90 degrees to the left.  From the gold tees, play your tee shot at 200-210 yards.  Take the maximum yardage to the end of the fairway for your second shot as there is ample room past the end of the fairway.  You do not want to be short because the third shot is to a green out in the marsh and you must get enough distance to clear the tall pines guarding the left side of the approach.  #10 is a short par four and the woods creep up fast on the left.  Hit your 3WD or driver but favor the center or right rough for an easy approach.  On the par four 15th, lay your tee shot back with a 3WD or hybrid to stay out of trouble.  Water is hidden on the left and sneaks up fast and there is no advantage to hitting driver.  #16 is a deceiving short par-4.  When the pin is cut on the left (front or middle), do not attack it as most shots will roll through and over the green.  Even putting at this crowned pin position is tough so take the middle of the green.  The 18th hole is termed “The Beast of the East” and is an awkward play because it takes the driver out of your hands as the fairway runs out at about 210 yards and is guarded by marsh on the left and right.  The second shot is difficult the farther you lay back so get as close to the end of the fairway as possible.  If you land in the marsh, you want to minimize the distance for your third.  Good luck!

Value (4.0 out of 5.0)

Greens fees are quite reasonable for a course of this caliber.  High season weekend rates top out at $79 and we played for $55 on the weekend fall rate.  Being city owned and operated allows the course to keep fees low and provides excellent value.

Facilities (2.5 out of 5.0)

The major investment at Eagle’s Landing has been placed in the 18 holes of golf.  A medium-size clubhouse hosts a no-frills snack bar and pro shop which serve little more than their functions of getting golfers out on the course and providing basic refreshment.  There are no locker rooms and rest rooms are a bit dated and could use some modernizing.  Players looking to warm up need to use the short game area because there is no driving range.  The pitching green is ample in size and provides a variety of lies as well as two practice bunkers that are kept in excellent condition.  I’ve warmed up adequately by hitting partial sand wedge shots but if you need to hit balls, stop at the Assateague Greens Golf Center on the left side of the road prior to entering the course.   The large practice putting green is located close to the first tee and and conditions usually mirror those on the course.

Customer Experience (3.5 out of 5.0)

This is a popular golf course because of the quality/conditions and the reasonable greens fees so get your tee times early.  I had no problem booking an advance time for my late-October round, but in season, the tee sheet fills up fast.  You can call or book your times on-line.  One minor inconvenience is how you get a prerecorded phone message to call back when the shop staff doesn’t pick up, and then you are disconnected.  I can wait and listen to some elevator music.

At the course, the bag drop staff and starters are friendly and accommodating.  We were visited several times on the course by the beverage cart which was offering free coffee refills on a cold blustery day, which was much appreciated.  The take offs and landings of small aircraft at the nearby airport were a pleasant diversion and didn’t prove to be irritating or distracting.  GPS has been installed recently on all golf carts which is very helpful and we found play moved at an excellent pace with our round taking slightly over four hours to play.

On this day, I played the gold tees at 6,306 yards and carded a six-over 78.

Overall Rating (3.5 out of 5.0)

Jim on the second tee at Eagles Landing

Glen Riddle Man ‘O War – Course Review

Summary

#10 tee Man ‘O War

We played Man ‘O War on Thursday, October 27.  The course is one of two at Glen Riddle Golf Club (War Admiral is the other) managed by the Ruark Golf Properties Company and is part of an upscale daily fee group available in the Ocean City, MD area.  Man ‘O War is an all Bermuda grass course which is a little unusual for the mid-Atlantic area, but we found conditions excellent with tees and fairways lush, and greens smooth and rolling at medium speed.  The lone exception was the bunkers.  The sand was dark, wet, and extremely hard packed but was consistent across the course.

The first 13 holes are pure links style golf with challenges in the form of small and large pot bunker configurations as well as significant mounding and rounded elevated greens.  A missed green usually required an uphill pitch or chip from a closely mowed collection area or a difficult shot from the rough with your ball sitting below the surface.  Be prepared to hit some sand shot like explosions from green-side grassy lies.

#14 tee Man ‘O War

#14 (pictured above) – #18 wind through the woods and provided an interesting change of pace with more of a parkland-like feel.  One small idiosyncrasy: there were large plantings of ornamental grass placed directly in line of site of several tee shots.  While the grasses and tee box configurations were aesthetically pleasing, we found the placement a bit odd.    Otherwise, no two holes were alike and the course was a delight to play.

Course management tips:  Most par-fours aren’t particularly long but don’t require a layup with a 3WD or hybrid because of trouble, so go ahead and hit driver.  The lone exception is #17, as the risk/reward is not worth the extra distance.  I hit 3-iron/gap wedge for a good birdie opportunity.  Also, if the pin is back on #3, do not attack it because shots landing hole high, will roll off the back and into the water hazard.

Value (3.0 out of 5.0)

In season weekend greens fees are expensive.  Morning rates range from $89 to $129 depending on the date.  We played after 12 noon on a mid-week fall rate of $55 which was a very good value for the quality of the course and facilities.  The sister course, War Admiral, which is considered the premium play at Glen Riddle, is about $20 higher across the board.  I’d recommend the off season value play because the in-season cost is prohibitive.

Facilities (4.0 out of 5.0)

Man ‘O War has an enormous clubhouse.  The original Riddle stables, that were used to train War Admiral and Man ‘O War, were converted into the pro shop and the adjoining Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.  Everything from the locker rooms to the rest rooms to the pro shop to the restaurant is very well appointed and exudes class.

Players are treated to an all grass driving range separated in halves for the general public and members.  Conditions were excellent on the range as well as the adjacent putting green, which had ample room to practice long flat putts and breakers.  There was a chipping green with practice bunkers available but oddly enough it’s located at the opposite end of the driving range and is not obvious for those warming up for play.  In fact, we were mildly disappointed at our inability to chip during warm-up as we were simply unaware that the pitching area existed until we saw it after holing out on the 8th green.  A closer look showed it to be in excellent condition as well.  If you want to practice short game before a round, get there early.  Finally, the building that houses the range, has a snack bar and restrooms and is conveniently located before the first and tenth tees.

Customer Experience (4.5 out of 5.0)

Calling for a tee time was a breeze and they had exactly the time and date I requested.  The pro shop staff was courteous and professional and the starter paid specific attention to our needs with regard to required warm-up time and desired time to tee off, given the fact that the course was empty.  On the course, the carts were equipped with full GPS capability and a nice “Pro Tips” feature that provided course management recommendations on each hole.  All the par four and fives had aiming poles in the fairway at 150 yards out, which we found helpful.  The course does require some local knowledge to score and we found that if you can hit it reasonably straight off the tee, there were no tricks or surprises.  Several sets of tees offer golfers of every ability a very enjoyable experience.  With the off-season after 12 noon tee time, this course is an excellent play for visitors to Ocean City.

For the record, I played the blue tees at 6,556 yards and carded an 81.

Overall Rating (4.0 out of 5.0)

How do you motivate yourself in the off-season?

Golfer's worst nightmare

We’re on the cusp of winter in the DC area and as I prepare for my fall eastern shore golf trip the inevitable sadness is setting in with the realization that the golf season is nearly over.  My typical year consists of 30-35 rounds from March to November followed by two months of worshiping at the alter of the football and hockey gods and ending with a one month infliction of cabin fever.  The absence of any meaningful play on the professional tours doesn’t help (and I’m not counting the President’s Cup as meaningful.)

Combating the passion drain and propensity to become a sofa spud is tough.  How do you stay motivated over the winter?  My main source is improvement.  The ability to practice and the challenge of putting my efforts to the test on a weekly basis is a powerful driver.  Banging balls in the backyard range has less appeal without the ability to immediately test my changes.  Professionals in other sports stay motivated in their off-seasons by the fear of failure and loss of income.  How about those of us who have a passion for the sport but also have day jobs?  Will travel to a warm weather destination solve?  Embark on a fitness regimen?  Please send your ideas.  Thanks.

What rangefinder should I buy?

Need help!  After my struggles with measuring distance at Pinehurst #2 this summer, I’ve decided to buy a rangefinder.  The offerings are numerous and the information mountain is staggering.  I have determined that I’d like a laser model rather than GPS because the only real information I need is distance to the flag.  As it is, I struggle to read GPS units in golf carts because my eyesight is poor and I prefer not to golf with my reading glasses.  I have no interest keeping up a subscription for course distances or whipping out my mobile device and struggling to read the display.

I don’t have a clue about recommended level of optical zoom or other bells and whistles but my basic requirements are an accurate read on the flag stick from inside 300 yards, overall reliability, good battery life, and a price tag under $300.  What can I get for that?  A quick check on Amazon indicates the Bushnell Scout 1000 ARC might be a fit but this appears to be used mostly for hunting.  Does anyone use this model?  Can you use a hunting rangefinder for golf?

Please send your preferences and recommendations.  Thanks!

Rory dumps Chubby – really?

First he dumps the girlfriend for Caroline Wozniacki, then the announcement that he’ll be playing more on the big stage, and finally he jettisons Chubby Chandler as his business manager.  Seems like more of a case of a ballooning ego than anything.  Okay, Mr. McIlroy, you won the U.S. Open in grand fashion, but what else?  Pouting about the weather at The Open in July and then the absolutely stupid play off the tree root and subsequent injury at the PGA in August and what’s left?  A one time major winner and that’s it.  Dating back to the 2008 Open Championship, we’ve now had 15 different major winners in a row.  Parity is here to stay and McIlroy is not the big fish he thinks he is.

Golf trip set – Destination: Maryland Eastern Shore

My exciting fall line-up is booked for the last week of October.  First up is a new course for me, Glen Riddle – Man ‘O War which is part of a two course complex just outside Berlin, MD.  Next is Eagles Landing in Ocean City, MD, which is one of my favorite courses at the beach.  And we’ll finish with another new play, Heritage Shores, which is a semi-private track in Bridgeville, Delaware.

My game is in strange shape after last Sunday’s round at Maryland National.  I carded my highest score of the season (89) but felt strangely good after the round since I putted so well using the new Stockton method.  Didn’t hit it close all day which gave my lag putting a workout.  Weird how you can get excited about a poor round of golf.  Anyway, full course reviews are coming and please send me any recommendations or playing tips you have on Man ‘O War or Heritage Shores.  Thanks!

Can Tiger break Jack’s record? No way.

Many opinions have been rendered by players, writers, and prognosticators across the spectrum, including Nicklaus himself, so I’ll weigh in with an emphatic “No”, Tiger cannot break the record.   Consider the insurmountable evidence:

• Only 18 players in the history of golf have won at least five majors, and only one of them is still active, Woods.  It took the rest their entire careers to amass the five victories and Tiger is starting at age 35.
• Balance of power is too great.  For the first time since 1991, no player in the top 25 money list has more than two wins.
• Strength of global competition.  In 1991, 22 of the top 25 money winners were American.  In 2011, just 17 are.  Go a little deeper and there’s only one American in spots 26-30.  The world’s top players are younger, hungrier, and in the game.
• Tiger is reworking his swing after winning 14 majors.  Are you kidding?  His head drops 3-4 inches on his downswing making consistent ball striking difficult (a must for major contention.)  Now his stance has mysteriously narrowed on full shots.
• Constant battle with his putter.  Not a good sign when he’s continually changing putters, adding lead tape, etc.  Look at Mickelson’s performance in the big events since he’s been struggling with his putting – not good.
• Age and propensity to suffer lower body injuries.
• Ultimately, Tiger is fighting his biggest battle on the course between his ears.  You must be of single mind and purpose to win majors.  It’s not going to happen with all the distractions.

Add it all up and Jack’s record is safe.  Count on it.

Greg Norman weighs in on Tiger

Great article at golf.com on Norman’s views on Tiger.  I was a huge Greg Norman fan in his heyday and found his points on the lack of a mentor for Tiger very telling and was interested to learn that Norman leaned on Nicklaus, Watson, Floyd, and Trevino when times got tough.  Norman never struck me as the type to seek out help, especially after his blow-up at the 1996 Masters, and he seemed to lose his swagger after that defeat.  I wonder if he consulted the aforementioned greats before or after the loss.

Clearly, Tiger lost his mentor when his dad passed and I suspect that was the start of his downfall, although he sustained his professional success for several years while the seeds of his personal implosion were germinating.

Norman’s statement that, “Nobody’s bigger than the game or anybody else,” is true and I suspect Tiger never got the message.