A Day at the Course

     I haven't been doing much lately, as far as photographing golf courses, but I did do one in Elizabeth City, NC called The Pines at Elizabeth City.  This is a wonderful course close to the Outer Banks and just off Hwy 17.  I arrived at the course and it was very busy, but true to form I could jump in between groups and start on 10 which worked out well.  By hole 11 I had caught up with another single, who happened to be a student at the local university (Vikings) and kind of on the golf team.  He was new to golf and had been only playing about 5 months, but turned out to be an excellent golfer for the little time he had invested into this sport.
     He was playing in regular walking boots, a used set of clubs and would hit some really good shots and then some really bad shots.  I asked him if he would like a couple of pointers and he acknowledge with a shake of his head, Yes!
     Since I taught way back in college and am not a bad golfer myself, I gave him little things to correct along our day together.  An interesting young man, he had the passion to be a good golfer and some very good natural ability.  Even though he had trouble with his short game, his putting was very good and he made quite a few putts as we played along.
    When we finished, I told him what I do and asked if he would like some help since I am not leaving until 20 November 2010 and he said we should get together.  Of course the first thing I told him was he needed golf shoes and ask what size he needed. A 10M.  I just happened to have a pair that didn't fit me right and were brand new.  Knowing he was in college I gave him a great deal and he tried them on and they fit perfectly.
     He called me a few days later and we met back at the courses wonderful practice facility.  He said the shoes were wonderful and he was amazed at the difference the spikes made.
We worked on getting out of sand and the short game and I gave him some homework to do on getting a set of golf clubs that fit him and of course the need for practice.

What a great day and followup this was.  I gained a new friend who loves golf and my work allows me to be in this type of environment to meet people and play and photograph some beautiful golf courses.

Ballamor - Atlantic City NJ

Ballamor has long been a premier course in the Atlantic City area of South Jersey, but only to a few as it was a "private" course until this year. Ballamor is now open to the public and if you ever wanted to play a private course and feel the atmosphere as well as its beauty, then Ballamor is your best bet.

Located in Egg Harbor Township it sits as the best course of the area from its outstanding clubhouse, restaurant and locker rooms to the wonderful staff that are there to make your day a memorable one.

The course is rather open, but dotted with lots of hazards and fast, true putting greens. You will use most of the clubs in your bag and accuracy on this course is a must. You will also have a hard time concentrating on your golf as the course meanders through the trees with abundant wildlife and beauty.

From the beginning as you walk to the clubhouse with statues of golfers and the practice area to the finish of what is sure to be one of the best experiences that you may ever have on a golf course, Ballamor is an absolute "must play" when anywhere in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York or New Jersey. Yes, folks, it is that good!

White Oaks Country Club - Newfield NJ

The White Oaks Country Club is a beautiful golf course located in Newfield, NJ in South Jersey. The course is run by Robert E. Hennefer as the GM/Director of Golf and is much like a private country club except it is open to the public.

The course is about average for the area at 6510 yards from the blue tees, but that is all that is easy about this course. The fairways are ample but riddled with bunkers that are not shallow, but moderately deep as with those pesky "cape and bay" style bunkers.  Of course the greens are always guarded. Water only comes into play on one hole, but you still have to contend with these quick, undulating greens.

This is a course you can enjoy and, with four sets of tees, gives all golfers an exhilarating time at the links. Enjoy this course the next time you are in South Jersey.

Centerton Golf Club - Pittsgrove NJ

Located in the heart of Pittsgrove NJ is a wonderful, shorter course named Centerton Golf Club which has a  pro shop, nice driving range and putting green and a wonderful clubhouse with restaurant and bar. The Head Professional Patrick Sweeta is both knowledgeable and friendly and makes you feel welcome like "one of the family".

The course itself is a "gem" of a layout with tall trees lining the fairways, a few sand bunkers throughout the course and some water. Probably its claim to fame would be the greens! The greens are not flat, but heavenly undulating and sloped. Many are slightly crowned and all are large enough that a three putt is almost inevitable. With the many trees, you feel like you are out there alone except for the sound of other golfers balls bouncing off a tree with that "whack" sound.

If you are down here in the South Jersey area, this is a nice course that you do not want to miss playing.

The Links at Brigantine Beach - Atlantic City NJ

The Links at Brigantine Beach is located just north of Atlantic City, NJ and is an American style links course with lots of water, bunkers and fast greens.

The wind on this course plays a great part in making this a challenge for every handicap. It is not long, but most holes seem to play into the wind.

They have a very nice clubhouse and a friendly staff to make your day at the links a memorable one.

Bulle Rock - Havre de Grace MD

Bulle Rock is one of the Premier golf courses in Maryland that is located in Havre de Grace. It provides spectacular elevation changes, mounding and bunkering as well as many water features throughout your round.

The clubhouse offers an excellent restaurant and lounge and below a fabulous pro shop for your every need. If you are in the area this is a must play course as it is rated by Golf Digest in the top 100 public courses you can play.

The Woodlands Golf Course - Windsor Mill MD

Baltimore County Golf has a few great courses such as Greystone Golf Course, Rocky Point Golf Course and a great golf complex in Windsor Mill, Maryland which has The Woodlands and Diamond Ridge courses.

I went out last week to photograph The Woodlands which is a wonderful course built on the rolling hills around Windsor Mill. Wide fairways with substantial rough greet you along with lovely vistas and quick, udulating greens. At over 7000 yards from the tips it is a formidable challenge to even the best golfers.

The beautiful clubhouse is outstanding with a large pro shop that carries everything a golfer might need prior to his/her round. The staff is friendly and Joe Rahnis is a true Head Golf Professional who greets everyone with a smile. There is a nice grill and seating area inside the clubhouse along with a deck that looks out over the putting green and the Diamond Ridge course.
If you are in Maryland around the Baltimore or Washington D.C. area this course is a must play for any avid golfer.