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.

Hell's Point Golf Club - Virginia Beach VA

This is a wonderful Rees Jones venue with great bunkering and water throughout the course. The first nine winds you through heavy bunkering, tight fairways and a little bit of water while the back nine will find you having to carry water on many of the holes.
The picture above is Hole #15 which is a Par 3 185 yard shot and mostly carry over water from most of the tee boxes. This is a beautiful hole as are many of the holes on this magnificent course located in Virginia Beach, VA.
Some of the best golf I have found so far on the East Coast. Of course, there are still a lot of courses to go!

Red Wing Lake Golf Course - Virginia Beach VA

If in the Virginia Beach area you may want to check out this great municipal golf course owned by the city. They are currently looking at options of having a management group take over the management of the course, but that is probably more than a year away.

This course has few bunkers, but makes up for it with lots of water, doglegs and tight landing areas. It is absolutely a great place to play golf and isn't as expensive as some of the other courses in the area. Generally, it is not as crowded either. It has a nice little grill along with a minimal golf shop, and is run currently by Todd Wise as the golf shop manager.

This course is one of those hidden gems that will make you pay attention, but is still fun to play at a fair price. Enjoy!

Heron Ridge Golf Club

This beautiful Par 3 is #15 at Heron Ridge Golf Club, a Gene Bates/Fred Couples designed course that offers playabiltiy, substantial fairways and tough undulating, large greens. A very user friendly course no matter what your handicap. This course will test your course strategy throughout your round. If you happen to be in the Virginia Beach area check this great course out. Rates are very good for the area and you won't be disappointed.

CAPE FEAR NATIONAL

We were traveling to Virginia Beach, VA from Hilton Head, SC and I had a nice day so I thought I would drive from Lumberton, NC to Leland, NC (about 1 and 15 minutes) and photograph Cape Fear National (listed by Golf Digest in the top 10 in the world's newest courses). I arrived at about 7:30 am and proceeded about my business to photograph and play this wonderful course. The picture above is of the second hole which is indicative of the entire course, water, sand, generous fairways and tough Par 3s. Yet with all these obstacles, it is a pleasure to play and with good course management you, too, can have a great round (I had a 75 from the second to the back tees-about 6800+ yardage). The greens were large and undulating, the fairways fast and greens again about 10.5 stimp. Not only did I hit the longest drive in over 5 years (322 yards), but I had an eagle putt from 20', but did get the birdie. If you are in Myrtle Beach it is worth the 40 minute drive north to just south of Wilmington to play this outstanding course.

Beaufort, SC

Up by Beaufort, SC are two great courses, Sanctuary Golf Club at Cat Island and The Legends at Parris Island (military course). Sanctuary is shown above and is a beautiful course that winds through wetlands. Lots of wildlife and a couple of big gators.

The Legends which will be up soon, is the pride of the Marine Corps. Each hole is named for a Marine Corps legend. This course is filled with water, bunkers and wild grasses and skirts the edges of the island.

Both courses should be on your list of must plays should you visit the southeastern part of South Carolina. Right now I am catching up on all the courses I have done in the last 3 weeks (about 12) so as soon as I can I will update my web site, www.golfcaddyonline.com, twitpic.com, facebook and twitter as well as this blog. Keep checking back for some great courses that everyone can play.

Shipyard Golf Club - Hilton Head SC

Yesterday, I visited Shipyard Golf Club on Hilton Head Island. It is one of the Heritage Group's fantastic golf courses which include Port Royal, Oyster Reef and Palmetto Hall, a total of 7 wonderful courses for your pleasure.

Generally, I put a course picture up, but Shipyard is a bit unusual from the others with more wildlife than I have seen at most other courses. This Great Blue Heron is only one of its inhabitants. If you go to Shipyard say Hi to "Big Al" a 14' gator that swims in the lake immediately behind the clubhouse.

The Shipyard has 3 different nines which have plenty of water, bunkers and true putting greens. This was a truely great experience and pleasure to photograph and play. The staff was friendly and accomodating and they have an outstanding grill.

Check it out for yourself while visiting Hilton Head Island and the surrounding area.

Crosswinds Golf Club - Savannah GA

Hole#2-Championship course

Today I played and photographed another great course, just outside of Savannah near the airport, called Crosswinds Golf Club. This is a beautiful championship 18 hole course with a fun Par 3 course (9 holes) which will test your short game. The grill has wonderful food at a great price.

The best thing about the championship course is that it sits under the flight path to the airport and all sorts of aircraft fly over the course while you are playing. What a view! Along with the mounded greens and water numerous bunkers make this a shot makers paradise.

Savannah, GA/Hilton Head SC Golf

Three days ago we arrived in Hardeeville, SC and are staying at the Hardeeville RV Park which is centralized between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, GA. My first stop was what I would consider "Heaven on Earth", The Palmentto Bluff Resort and the May River Golf Club. This is a Jack Nicklaus signature course and is like nothing you have ever played on unless you are one of those lucky few who have played possibly Augusta National. This course had fairways like carpets, greens that were very quick and true and the scenery, Oh! the scenery!

When you drive down to the entrance you will take a short 4 mile drive down the road to the golf course. This drive is like driving down an old southern road with the large oaks growing overhead and spanish moss hanging down. Wildlife abounds from slithery snakes to dozens of different types of birds and mammals. This place is the place to go to unwind, relax and play golf as it was meant to be played - between you and your creator, Heaven!

The last couple of days I have been traveling around the area and will have more courses to write about as I photograph and play them. Some of the ones to come are Tradition, Lost Plantation Golf Club, Crosswinds Golf Club and Port Royal, Palmentto Hall, Shipyard and Oyster Reef on Hilton Head. Yes, I will be busy, but this is still a labor of love (of the game).

Innisbrook Resort-Golf

It has been a crazy two weeks. I had my motor home in for maintenance and a guy backed it into a wall. They fixed the damage and are going to pay for my slide topper as soon as I get it in for an estimate. Fortunately it is close. While all this was going on I was invited down to Innisbrook Resort to photograph all four of their courses, North, South, Island and Copperhead. Yes, the one used for the PGA's Transitions tournament.

The picture above is the beautiful, but shorter North Course, taken in the morning with the sun just coming up. This park-like course is a pleasure to play with quick, smooth greens and as you can see, beautiful scenery.

The resort itself was fabulous and we stayed in a one-bedroom suite which has a full kitchen, all the ammenities and looked out over the Copperhead course.

The other two courses are both equal to each other, The Island Course is as long as Copperhead and has more water with a variety of holes to keep it very interesting.

The South Course is shorter similar to the North but a little more open and takes you through some of the great homes on the Resort property. All the courses greens were in wonderful shape and were a pleasure to play.

I would recommend this resort to anyone who plays golf, and if you happen to need a massage they have a new spa.

Travel Day

No pictures yet, but today I am on my way back down to Hammock Dunes and will be at the resort photographing the Ocean Course. If you go to their web site you will see the layout and some pictures. The cool thing about this course is that their are 6 holes along the Atlantic Ocean (watch out when the wind blows).

I will post a picture as soon as I finish the photo shoot. So by tomorrow I should have it up. I hope all the golfers out there that read this have a great day at the course and keep hitting them straight!

Windsor Parke Golf Club

Well, I am back photographing courses and am in Jacksonville, Florida. This course was a fun and manageable golf course. The fairways were medium width with a lot of water around the course and plenty of bunkers. Lots of trees, grasses and pine needles off the fairway too. The Par 3s were shorter than many of the newer courses (longest was 194 yards), but with huge slopes and undulations on their greens makes your short game and putting your biggest assest.
Lots of wildlife on the course, saw some new gosslings, ducklings and my first angry Cotton Mouth baby snake who scared me with its loud hissing and movement (forgot to take a picture). Still managed to hit a great drive after he left and birdied the #1 handicap hole by chipping in, yea! If you are in the Jacksonville area, this course is a must play.

MASTERS IS UNDERWAY

Well the second day is done and there were a lot of surprises, except one! Tiger is in contention. Anyone out there think that he wouldn't be? Freddy Couples and Tom Watson made the cut and Watson is only 4 shots off the lead (yea! for the older golfers). Tomorrow is moving day and we will see what's, what! Will Poulter carry the Englishmen, will Tiger go low, or will someone from the back of the pack shoot themselves back into the tournament. Check it out tomorrow on the major networks, 701-705 Direct TV or 146 XM. Have a great day and root for your favorite golfer at this great major.

King & The Bear at The World Golf Village

I just finished the King & Bear at The World Golf Village. The photo is of the first hole. This is an absolutely "must play" while in the St. Augustine, Florida area. While you are there please make sure you check out the World Golf Hall of Fame for some great history of the game, IMAX and a putting course challenge. If you love golf this is the place to be!

FASHION FAUX PAS

Maybe it is just me, but has anyone been watching Phil Michelson at the Houston Open today. He is wearing white pants with a black shirt and would you believe it - you can see that these white pants are very thin since between the pockets in the back you see black.. . ummm!

Phil who dressed you! The other thing is that Phil isn't the smallest guy around and the general rule of thumb is don't wear white pants if your waist is above 38 inches. I know Phil has been getting in shape, but really Phil!

Well I am not quite done on my Phil bashing today as he may or may not even make the cut, which does not bode well for Phil for next week at the Masters. We will see.

Now for some good news at least for the people in the Northwest who follow Alex Prugh. He shot 6 under today for a -8 total in the clubhouse. Look out folks, this kid is for real! He hails from British Columbia and went to the University of Washington and was one of the top golfers in the college ranks. I think he will have an excellent year and keep his PGA card.

Well that is it for now, everyone have a great Easter!

TPC at Tampa Bay

I just finished playing and photographing the TPC at Tampa Bay which incidently is open to the public. They are getting ready for the Outback Champions Tour Pro-Am which should be great with Freddie Couples looking to win his 4th Champions event in a row (let's hope he has enough energy in his tank after the Masters).

This course is not only playable with 5 sets of tee boxes, it is absolutely a beautiful course with water, bunkers, grasses and trees throughout the layout. If you are in Tampa to see the Spring baseball, take time out and get over to play at TPC at Tampa Bay. I know you will enjoy it!

Transitions PGA Tournament

It is now 6:35 pm in Florida and the boys are still playing to see who wins the Transitions PGA event. Jim Furyk is still leading with just a few holes to go and looks like he will win his first tournament since 2007. Welcome back Jim!

Innisbrook Resort is the host for this tour event and my hat is off to them with the magnificant job their grounds crew staff did in getting the Copperhead Course ready for a PGA tour event. I was down there about 3 1/2 weeks ago and it was dried out, lost a lot of plants and it really didn't look very good. Yet in these few weeks it looks lush and green and has given the players all they want in a tournament course. Well done!

Lake Powell National Golf Course in Page Arizona

I thought I might give you readers a visit to the West with Lake Powell National, a beautiful course where the views may out weigh the phenomenal course architecture. The picture above is of #15 up on the bluff looking out over the course. If you are in Northern Arizona or Utah this is a must play! Say Hi to Johnny Mills, the Director of Golf while you are there.

ChampionsGate Golf in ChampionsGate Florida

The picture is of #5 hole on The National Course at ChampionsGate. ChampionsGate has two courses designed by Greg Norman call The National and The International. Both courses are a links style course, but the International is closer to the type of original links style you would find in Scotland with pot bunkers, water and large undulating greens. The National is similar, but more of the Americanized version of a true links course. Both are beautiful and are located south of Orlando about 30 minutes. Come on out and play and see the abundant wildlife, maybe one of the alligators!

PGA Events in Florida

I wanted to take a minute of your time and let you know about the upcoming Transitions PGA Event at the Innisbrook Resort this weekend. If you are Military (active, reserve, retired, etc.) and have an military ID card you can show it at the gate for "FREE" entry. Additionally, there will be a tent area around the 16th green sponsored by Coco-cola, and Anheuser Busch with free drinks and food. The dates are 18-21 March 2010.

The other tournament is the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida. The only information I have is that you will be able to get in free with a military ID card. I hope all military will take part in both of these great events.

Tiger will not be at either of these, but the quality of these fields will allow you to see some of the young guns and other top stars of the PGA Tour. Have fun!

Falcon's Fire Golf Club in Kissimmee Florida

This is one of Orlando's finest golf clubs with fast greens and a wonderful layout. The front nine seems to be a bit easier than the back, but with the great combination of hole lengths, wonderful bunkering and lots of water it makes this course a fun and playable golf course. The four sets of tees allow for all golfers to have an enjoyable time. While you are in Orlando put this on your list of must plays. For more information check out their web site or mine!

Saddlebrook Golf Course in Westley Chapel Florida

This golf & tennis resort is the home away from home to many tennis & golf pros who want to unwind and enjoy a relaxing resort experience. The two golf courses, Saddlebrook Course and the Palmer Course are just a couple of Arnold Palmer's legacy of golf courses around the world. If you are in the Tampa, Florida area you should count these courses as must plays.

Harmony Golf Preserve in Harmony Florida

This has been the first week in Orlando and I have photographed and played two courses. The first one I want to talk about is a fabulous course just outside St. Cloud, FL named Harmony Golf Preserve. This course is actually a wildlife sanctuary with many types of birds, alligators, armadillo and other various creatures. The course is outstanding and is hard to keep your concentration because of the wildlife and beauty. It would be a must play if you come to the Orlando area.