Best mid Atlantic public course?

[Kevinmcfl]

I am from NY and have a new born at home. My wife is giving a one night pass to take a golf trip. I will be going by car and don't really want to go south of Richmond. Hoping to play 4 rounds. Could be all at the same course or different ones. Any ideas? Was thinking of White Clay Creek and Bulle Rock on day one and Mattaponi Springs and Spring Creek on day 2. Day 2 might also be Links at Lighthouse Sound and Bayside.

[MarcellusW]

I have played Mattaponi, Bulle Rock, and Lighthouse.

Firstly, there is a good bit of distance between those courses. Bulle Rock is a couple of hours from Ocean City or Mattaponi.

I am a big fan of Mattaponi. I really enjoyed the layout and hope to go back. I have played it twice on the way to Williamsburg. But . . . it is just not in the same class as Bulle Rock or Lighthouse. Again, I really like it if you're already in the area.

Lighthouse is very interesting. You will remember the views and it provides a lot of interesting shotmaking challenges. At one point, there was even some buzz about it someday hosting a US Open (probably just talk, but not inconceivable). I think some of the shotmaking was lost on a 20+ handicapper like me. You know you're at a quality course, but it didn't elicit a visceral reaction from me.

Bulle Rock is in another stratosphere. Admittedly, it is my favorite course. It is just . . . beautiful. And I don't just mean the views. Remember, the McDonald's LPGA Championship, one of the Ladies' Majors, was held there for a number of years. Need I say more?

[vtnerf]

[quote name='Kevinmcfl' timestamp='1366509471' post='6885555']
I am from NY and have a new born at home. My wife is giving a one night pass to take a golf trip. I will be going by car and don't really want to go south of Richmond. Hoping to play 4 rounds. Could be all at the same course or different ones. Any ideas? Was thinking of White Clay Creek and Bulle Rock on day one and Mattaponi Springs and Spring Creek on day 2. Day 2 might also be Links at Lighthouse Sound and Bayside.
[/quote]

Bulle Rock is about 2.5-3 hours (and a bit of tolls) from Bayside/Lighthouse. These two are maybe 20 minutes apart. Unless you play Bulle and come down to OC for the night, might be tough to pull off the double with a drive down. But, all 3 are top notch solid layouts. Can't say I'm crazy about Bayside, but I'm just not a fan of Nicklaus courses. Love Lighthouse, and hoping to play it this weekend...

[Sir Larry Wildman]

Day 1: [url="http://www.glenmillsgolf.com/"]The Golf Course at Glen Mills[/url] - Glen Mills, PA --> [url="http://www.bullerockgolf.com/"]Bulle Rock [/url]- Havre de Grace, MD (1 hr apart)

Day 2: [url="http://www.baywoodgreens.com/"]Baywood Greens[/url] - Millsboro, DE -----> [url="http://www.livebayside.com/de-resort-golf-club.php"]Bayside Golf Course[/url] - Selbyville, DE. (45 min apart)

You get four totally different feeling golf courses that have different scenery and require different shot-making,.. all of which are not that far away from each other!

[Sawgrass]

Depending on where you're starting from and where you've already played, I'd consider saving some gas and building a trip around Bethpage Black right in your home state. (I'm pretty sure that as a NY state resident you can get a tee time over the phone if you plan it properly.)

On the way there or back, consider The Links at Union Vale in Dutchess County, Centennial in Carmel, NY, and Ricther Park in Danbury CT (I know, CT is not a mid-atlantic state, but Danbury is right on the border of NY. One world class course and three excellent ones.

(BTW, four rounds with just one night away sounds harder than taking care of a new born.)

[Sir Larry Wildman]

[quote name='Sawgrass' timestamp='1366994561' post='6922629']
(BTW, four rounds with just one night away sounds harder than taking care of a new born.)
[/quote]

+1

[Kevinmcfl]

Thanks for the ideas. I live just north of NYC and have played all the ones mentioned in NY. Have also played Baywood Greens. Truly my favorite. Love driving so I am planning on leaving around 4:00 am on day one. Playing before 9:00 and after the afternoon round, driving to the next days venue so I will be ready in the morning.

[thug the bunny]

If you're going to OC MD, you can take the Cape May ferry and hit a couple S Jersey courses. Atlantic City CC (where the term 'birdie' was first coined) is a jewel, and there are many others, including my home, Seaview.

[Sir Larry Wildman]

Atlantic City CC is a must. +1

[TUGolfer06]

I have to say go with Bulle Rock as well. I played there in 100 degree heat a couple of years ago and loved it.

I'll add Queenstown Harbor. They have two terrific courses and the rates aren't terribly expensive. Nice and close to Annapolis....

[FadeOnly]

Mystic Rock?

[thesamwise]

Second for Baywood Greens! Beautiful course!

[larson92]

[quote name='FadeOnly' timestamp='1369686090' post='7115930']
Mystic Rock?
[/quote]

I love Mystic Rock, but I'm not sure if it would meet his requirements for a two-day, four course trip. Roughly the same price as Bulle Rock if you get a forecaddie (which MR requires prior to Twilight and BR has available).

Haven't played Bulle Rock, but my guess is that most WRXers would give an edge to it over Mystic Rock.