Philly-Wilmington Public Courses

[teehilden]

Good evening WRXers,

 

I’m headed on an 8 day work trip to Philly-Wilmington, DE area and was looking for recommendations for a couple good public courses to play. The closer to I-95 the better. Thanks in advance!

[ArtMBgolf]

Right on I-95 in North DE is fun to play Rock Manor.  
White Clay Creek is south of Wilmington, but close to I-95. It is challenging. 
Both of these are in excellent shape right now.  Bent greens also excellent.   
 
Delcastle + Porky Oliver in DE are lower priced munis. 
 
Also read the other work trip topic for more courses away from I-95. 
Down into MD is the premium Bulle Rock.  

[teehilden]

18 minutes ago, ArtMBgolf said:

Right on I-95 in North DE is fun to play Rock Manor.  
White Clay Creek is south of Wilmington, but close to I-95. It is challenging. 
Both of these are in excellent shape right now.  Bent greens also excellent.   
 
Delcastle + Porky Oliver in DE are lower priced munis. 
 
Also read the other work trip topic for more courses away from I-95. 
Down into MD is the premium Bulle Rock.  

Thanks a lot!

[Pearson10M]

Second Rock Manor.  Literally right off of I-95.  White Clay Creek is also a few minutes off of I-95.  As far as ease of access to I-95 and quality courses, these are probably you best bet in the area.  They are a little pricey though, with White Clay being more than Rock Manor.

[burnsniper]

Glenn Mills fits the bill (although a bit off of I-95).  If you have the time, I would recommend the ~45 minute jaunt to Bulle Rock (just outside of DE in MD).

[teehilden]

Thanks, appreciate the insight!

[Pearson10M]

Glen Mills is excellent (Played a few weeks ago), but $$ and about 35 minutes or so off of I-95 if you are heading from Philly to Wilmington via US 322/Rt 1.    Rock Manor is a very good track (I also played a few weeks ago) for about $25 less than GM and less than 5 minutes off of I-95.  The 2nd and 3rd hole at RM are like 50 yards from I-95 as the crow flies.  You can hear and see the traffic on it from the fairways/greens in some spots.    Haven't played White Clay Creek (WCC), but it's <2 miles off of I-95 and I heard only good things about it.

 

As previously said, these two are going to be the closest to I-95 and are really good tracks.  WCC is a few dollars more than RM if budget is a concern.

[ArtMBgolf]

For years Rock Manor had been starting on the par 5 #10, next to 
the range.   They say it avoids sun in your face in he AM.  I feel the 
holes designed as 1-5, near I-95, slowed play with hazards on 
those 5 holes.   This year Rock Manor officially changed the par 5 
next to the range into hole #1, so they have been starting there 90%
of the time.   
 
White Clay Creek has a great practice area and range balls are included. 
Range Balls are not included at RM.    White Clay Creek does not return to 
the clubhouse, but it has soda machines at the rest areas and a drink cart.  
It's possible to lose a ball on every hole at WCC, although it'd not long from 
the white tees.   WCC is also less crowded, probably due to the challenge.  
WCC is at DE Park, so you can hear races being called if horse racing is on 
that day.        

[teehilden]

Super cool. Thank you for the insight. I think I’m going to try to get a tee time at Rock Manor this week for sure. Possibly White Clay Creek if I have time for a second round.

[teehilden]

Was able to play Rock Manor yesterday and White Clay Creek CC today. Both were fantastic suggestions and in great shape. Almost had an ace on 18 at Rock Manor (we teed off on 10). I give the edge to White Clay Creek, but would definitely play them both again if I’m ever back. Thanks all for the suggestions!

[ArtMBgolf]

It's good to hear that you liked the courses.    
 
The final par 3 at Rock Manor has become #18 this year, with #1 the par 5 
by the range.      

[Pearson10M]

OP - Glad you liked them both.  

 

On 8/11/2021 at 11:40 PM, ArtMBgolf said:

It's good to hear that you liked the courses.    
 
The final par 3 at Rock Manor has become #18 this year, with #1 the par 5 
by the range.      

ArtMBgolf - I am confused here, #18 at RM is a Par 5, at least it was a few weeks ago.  The Par 3's are 3, 5, 9, 12 and 16.  When I played a few weeks ago, you started on the downhill dogleg Par 4 just behind the club house, Hole #2 was a Par 5 along I-95, then an uphill par 3 for #3. I finished on 18, which was across the street parallel to #10 and near the drive/practice range.  After I finished on the 18th green, I drove the cart across the access road for the parking lot and passed the clubhouse.  I played the course exactly as it is numbered/labeled on the scorecard.

[ArtMBgolf]

On 8/13/2021 at 2:24 PM, Pearson10M said:

ArtMBgolf - I am confused here, #18 at RM is a Par 5, at least it was a few weeks ago.  The Par 3's are 3, 5, 9, 12 and 16.  When I played a few weeks ago, you started on the downhill dogleg Par 4 just behind the club house, Hole #2 was a Par 5 along I-95, then an uphill par 3 for #3. I finished on 18, which was across the street parallel to #10 and near the drive/practice range.  After I finished on the 18th green, I drove the cart across the access road for the parking lot and passed the clubhouse.  I played the course exactly as it is numbered/labeled on the scorecard.

 
You played the course as it was designed, starting on par 4 dogleg right. 
This year they switched the nines, to make #1 by the range and changed
signs and cards.    Maybe you got a old card.   
 
They also change sometimes based on leagues, outings, etc.  
 
The course claims that starting on the dogleg par 4 in the AM, causes 3
straight holes into the sun.   I feel starting there causes slower play, with 
5 straight hazard/OB holes at the start of the round.