Arg's Travel Log

[tw422]

Ah got it.  Definitely check out BR. It's just outside of downtown West Chester.  There are good breweries in West Chester too but you will be near Victory Brewing HQ if you are staying in Downingtown.  Looks like someone else had mentioned Inniscrone? 

If you're willing to drive a bit there (30min) is a lot of good golf between Royersford and Sanatoga - like Turtle Creek, Bella Vista and Raven's Claw.  Definitely skip Pickering Valley and Kimberton - they are not worth your time/$.   I think Phoenixville CC (Hugh Wilson designed) is open to public on Monday's?  110 yr old and tough 9 hole course.  

Edited July 8 by tw422

[Argonne69]

Crazy weather here. 

 

 

Winds are picking up. I might being doing a Dorthy here in a minute and wind up on Maryland Heights. Lol. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Stepped outside to grab something from the Honda, and I was greeted by some beautiful clouds just before sunset. 

 

 

 

 

[cubuffs]

9 hours ago, stevopagolf said:

Wyncote and Honeybrook are always in pretty good shape.  I would skip Pickering Valley.  Look at Pilgrim's Oak not too far west of Downingtown.  I believe you played Iron Valley last trip.  Inniscrone used to be private, its a Gil Hanse design.  Used to be a very good layout   Might check recent reviews

 

Great call on Downingtown - used to live 10 minutes from there and played there many times.  Old school design by George Fazo that is easily walkable with tough greens. 

[cubuffs]

7 hours ago, tw422 said:

Ah got it.  Definitely check out BR. It's just outside of downtown West Chester.  There are good breweries in West Chester too but you will be near Victory Brewing HQ if you are staying in Downingtown.  Looks like someone else had mentioned Inniscrone? 

If you're willing to drive a bit there (30min) is a lot of good golf between Royersford and Sanatoga - like Turtle Creek, Bella Vista and Raven's Claw.  Definitely skip Pickering Valley and Kimberton - they are not worth your time/$.   I think Phoenixville CC (Hugh Wilson designed) is open to public on Monday's?  110 yr old and tough 9 hole course.  

good call on Turtle Creek - when I lived there between 98-10 it was right next to a sod farm so conditions were always good.  Not sure if it is still the case, but a good layout.

Edited July 9 by cubuffs

[Argonne69]

Enjoyable morning, but oh this humidity is rough. Bet I lost 3 lbs of water weight. Mid-70s early, but mid-90s by the end of the round. No wind, and a few bugs. Nice drive to the course through the rolling hills of rural Maryland. I can't recall ever having driven through three states to play a round. Lol. Went out as a single walking behind a threesome and single riding, and never caught them. Loved the 2:50 pace. 

 

Musket Ridge GC today, a Joe Lee design. The hilly parkland layout ranks #1 on GolfWeek's best in state list. Solid layout, but I don't think I'd putt it ahead of Bulle Rock. The clubhouse sits at the high point with the 1st and 10th playing downhill, and the 9th and 18th playing back uphill. I think I saw a couple of homes off property, but otherwise it's you and some nice views of the countryside. Fairway bunkering was light. Greenside wasn't a lot better. Water in play on five holes, but several more that thick junk under the trees that was red staked. Seven holes with left/right movement including two doglegs. 

 

Fairly easy off the tee with somewhat generous fairways, light bunkering, and one short forced carry. Minor misses would catch the generous rough, but an uneven lie would be likely. Big misses were a mixed bag. Plenty of adjacent holes, and clear areas under some trees, but there as many holes with dense junk waiting. Got lucky on the 5th when I blocked my teeshot into the middle of the 6th fairway. 

 

Approaches were moderately tough primarily due to the elevation changes and uneven lies in some fairways. A handful of greens were on the smallish side. For the most part greens had gentle contouring and slope. Getting very bored with these benign greens. The 18th had a nice upper deck. Up and downs were tricky coming out of the thick rough from mostly uneven lies. 

 

Other than the 2nd, the par 3s were meh. The 2nd had a carry over a pond with a deep bunker in front. Par 5s were OK. The dogleg 6th had a somewhat narrow layup area with bunkers on the inside corner. The short Z shaped 12th could probably be considered a risk/reward hole. Not a lot of room to miss left. The two short 4s were mixed. The dogleg 11th was driveable over the corner to a blind green. The opening hole is tough with the green protected by a pond right. 

 

Conditions were mixed. Fairway turf was decent, but I don't recall seeing a course with so many unfilled divot holes. Like a minefield out there. Rough was thick, and in the process of being cut. Bunkers were awful. Don't know why they bother running a rake over them because there's little sand. Greens were good. Speed was close to 10. 

 

Played the Blue tees at 6416 yds (71.3/136). Minus two shots the driver was well doing it's job. Irons had a nice two way miss going. Wedges helped limit the damage. Putter was cold. Two birdies, four bogies, and a double. Shot of the day was holing out a 28' pitch over the left greenside bunker on the par 4 14th after hooking my approach. Low-light came on the next hole when I blocked my teeshot into the PA leading to the double. Highlight of the day was getting a nice workout.

 

I was originally thinking six, but going with 7 cows. Definitely think Bulle is better. Very nice looking course with more than a few fun holes. A few too many meh ones though. Needs more bunkers and some contouring on the greens. Par 3s need a little more trouble. No walking rate, but the $86 weekday rate was fine. Don't think it's a destination course, but it's certainly worth playing if you're in the area. I'd definitely be a regular if I was a local. 

 

Edited July 9 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Musket Ridge Golf Club, Myersville, MD 

 

Nice way to start a round 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 9 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Nothing open in Frederick or Harpers Ferry after the round, so I headed back to the RV park. Going to shower and take a short nap, and then I'll head into Harpers Ferry for a drink and a bite to eat. 

 

[ZephyrS4]

Beautiful course…..great looking first hole!

[Argonne69]

Enjoying an Antietam Brewing Generals Golden Ale at The Rabbit Hole in Harpers Ferry overlooking the train station. I've been through the town a half dozen times on the Amtrak Capitol Limited, but first time setting foot on the ground. Lol. The iconic Capitol Limited was recently replaced with the Floridian as the service now continues south from DC to Miami. The eastbound Floridian passed through this morning just before noon. The westbound heading to Chicago won't arrive until 5 pm. Hopefully I'll see a couple of CSX freights rolling through. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bleu Burger wasn't bad. Good thing I carry cash, as the power went out in town for at least 30 minutes. 

 

 

Edited July 9 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

With the power out and no air conditioning, it was time to take a short stroll through town. Plenty of history in this small town. 

 

John Brown's "Fort" were he holed up after a failed raid on the armory. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/1u2uie7c28qdixjxd8e4q/AJKAoe7vmuirvFO3GJIOnaI?rlkey=uylib3w7zl0fuo232tsruwbj5&st=0ahdhmtf&dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Looks like it's going to be another wet night 

 

 

[ZephyrS4]

Great shots of the river…..very scenic

[imagine29028]

Phenomenal fishing in Harpers Ferry area. Get a guide and float the river (put in at Brunswick) and float all day. 

[Argonne69]

Another enjoyable, but tough day out there. The cloud cover helped keep the temps down, but again the humidity was oppressive. I honestly can't remember finishing a round and having my shirt, hat, shorts, socks, and underwear completely drenched in sweat. It's like I fell in a pond. No breeze didn't help, but at least the bugs weren't bad today. Arrived over an hour early, and got lucky with an opening in the first group. After two holes they sent me on my way. Nice three hour pace. 

 

Whiskey Creek today. Another beautiful parkland layout with nice rolling hills. The course ranks 5th on GolfWeek's best in state list. Similar to Musket Ridge, but a slightly better design. Saw a couple of homes here and there, but it's fairly isolated. Fairway bunkering was very good. Could always use a few more, but the ones there were well placed. Greenside bunkering was excellent. Water in play on ten holes, but a few of the thick native areas could have easily been red staked. Eight holes with left/right movement including one dogleg. Most unique feature was the old stone house in the middle of the 18th fairway. Don't see that very often. Lol. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee with a couple of forced carries and more than a few bunkers. Minor misses would catch the generous thick rough. Big misses were generally lost in the thick native areas. 

 

Approaches were tough. Don't recall a course in the past few weeks with this many deep front bunkers. A few had a club +/- elevation change. Definitely required an aerial attack. Greens had moderate contouring and slope. Nice to see some greens where being above the hole required a delicate touch. Up and downs were mixed. Plenty of closely mown areas provided options. Chipping/pitching out of rough was dicey. 

 

Par 3s were good, but forgettable. Sufficient trouble, but not real lookers. The long 15th was the best of the bunch with all carry over a pond. Variety of length was very good playing PW to FW. Par 5s were a little disappointing. Not a lot of trouble. The short 18th was fun. In addition to the old stone house in play off the tee, it had a split fairway with a lateral creek. Layup safe to the right and it was a shallow green. Play over the creek and you had a good angle into the green. A big drive also allowed one to go for the green with the creek in play. The sole short par 4 6th played uphill with very good bunkering. 

 

Conditions were very good. Fairways looked fine. Rough was thick, but cut to a height that was somewhat penal. Bunkers had plenty of sand, but could have used a good raking. Greens looked fine and were rolling at least 10. Probably closer to 11 as the dew finally started burning off. 

 

Played a Blue/White combo at 6275 yds (70.3/129). A couple of blocked drives into the rough, but otherwise solid off the tee. Irons also missed right a couple of times. Short game was solid. Putter was useless. One birdie, four bogies, and a double. Shot of the day was a satisfying 15' Texas wedge from a yard off the putting surface for a birdie on the 18th. Golf gods sure like to mess with me. 

 

Solid 7 cows. Might be convinced to bump it up to eight. Very nice looking course with excellent bunkering. Don't say that often. Could use more contouring on the greens, and another short 4. No walking rate, but I was pleasantly surprised that the $74 senior rate saved me thirty bucks. Similar to Musket Ridge, it's not a destination course, but definitely worth a play if you're passing through. 

 

Edited July 10 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Whiskey Creek, Ijamsville, MD 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bsn12hsiezxptsfmmx1hw/AAfc97nWL-du4dzKhtrx-EE?rlkey=a0qsdutpajy9w28ar9h50w7bm&st=i1dv175p&dl=0

 

Edited July 10 by Argonne69

[dcmidnight]

Love Whiskey Creek, maybe my 2nd favorite after Worthington up that way. Impressed as heck that you are walking them too - god the humidty has not let up the last week plus.

[Mullenboy]

"Very nice looking course with excellent bunkering"

 

This is scary.  If you see a plague of locusts.. make your peace with your maker.  Armageddon is truly coming.

 

;)

[ZephyrS4]

Great looking course, but I feel wet and sticky just looking at those pics 🤣

[mci711]

Solid courses lately! I've never been in this section of the country, it looks appealing. 

[ZephyrS4]

16 minutes ago, mci711 said:

Solid courses lately! I've never been in this section of the country, it looks appealing. 

Yep…..been very impressed too! Who knew?

[ZephyrS4]

Arg….forgot to mention…..went to Fieldwork in San Leandro the other day and got the Detroit pizza again…..so good!

[bcjim]

4 hours ago, dcmidnight said:

Love Whiskey Creek, maybe my 2nd favorite after Worthington up that way. Impressed as heck that you are walking them too - god the humidty has not let up the last week plus.

Today was a complete blessing compared to most recent days with the cloud cover all day at least.  I like Worthington more as well but I'd favor Whiskey this time of year just because it has some shade to walk in.

 

Nice review @Argonne69 and great price. I'm sure I paid way more the last time I was there.

[tboh]

8 hours ago, ZephyrS4 said:

Yep…..been very impressed too! Who knew?

We knew ... lololol

[Argonne69]

Wow. I. Am. Spent. Another brutally humid day walking a hilly course. It was tougher today because there was plenty of sun, and very few trees to provide shade. Thought I was going to melt. It was so humid that I had trouble taking photos because I couldn't open my phone at times. The screen was wet, and even though I had two towels, they were both soaked. I didn't have a single piece of dry cloth to wipe of the sweat. Joined a nice couple and another single, all members, and we buzzed around in just over 3 hours. Pretty sure they could have played faster, but I was the boat anchor today. Lol. 

 

Worthington Manor GC today. Beautiful meadow style layout on an old farm. The course was designed by Ault and Clark. The course ranks #6 on GolfWeek's best in state list. Might be a couple of spots too low. The course hosted a US Open qualifier earlier this year. Looks much different than the last two courses with few trees and views in all directions. Don't know if I'd call it hilly, but it sure wasn't flat. Fairway bunkering was good. Could use a few more. Greenside was very good. Water in play on 13 holes, but I'm pretty sure one can lose a ball in the native junk on every hole. Could use a few more red stakes. Nine holes with left/right movement with one dogleg. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee with a couple of short forced carries, and some sloping fairways that would feed balls down into the rough. Minor misses would catch the generous thick rough. Stuff was cut, but still very penal, especially on an uneven lie. Big misses might get lucky and find an adjacent fairways on a couple of holes, but practically speaking the ball would be long gone in the junk. Stuff was wickedly thick. 

 

Approaches were tough primarily because of the firm greens. Landed a couple of short irons on the front of the green, and the ball settled on the back fringe. Started playing short of the green and hoping for a forward kick. Greens had excellent contouring and slope. Toss in the speed, and it was a challenging day with the putter to say the least. Putts from above the hole would require a gentle tap, and they'd roll twelve feet past the hole. Up and downs were nearly impossible. Chipping out of the thick rough produced zero check, and the ball wouldn't stop. 

 

Par 3s were very good. Nothing wowed, but they were solid. The 6th was probably the best of the bunch with all carry over a large pond. The long downhill 17th was tough with zero room to miss. Variety of length was lacking. Played 7i to 5i. Par 5s were lackluster. Nothing really reachable. The 18th was a good finishing hole with a split fairway. I took the easier lower part, and had a tough uphill approach with two bunkers staring me in the face. The narrow upper fairway was the play. The four short 4s didn't excite. Tough greens, but not a lot of thought off the tee. Special mention to the par 4 3rd and 12th, the #1 and #2 handicap holes on the course. Tough as nails. 

 

Conditions were excellent. Fairways were lush. Rough was very thick, but cut to a height that was manageable for us mere mortals. The native looking bunkers had just enough sand. Greens looked good, and were slick. At least 11, and more like 12+ on the downhill putts. 

 

Played a Blue/White combo at 6280 yds (71.2/134). Yikes. Ran out of gas today. A couple of iffy drives into the rough were costly. Irons were spotty. Wedges were meh. Putter struggled on the tough greens. Two birdies, eight bogies, and two doubles. Ouch. Shot of the day was the 6h off the tee on the downhill par 3 17th. Anything on the green would be golden, and the ball finished pin high on the left fringe. Was able to cozy the 27' downhill lag to tap in distance. At that point I was giddy. Lol. Highlight of the morning was my three local playing partners. Solid games on their home course, and great company. 

 

Another solid 7 here. Beautiful layout and a real test. There was once again zero wind today. I bet it's a real beast if there is any wind. I'd like to see more variety in the par 3 lengths, a good risk/reward par 5, and a tad more trouble on the short 4s. That said, the course certainly has plenty of trouble. Lol. Appreciated that they had a walking rate. $91 for a weekend wasn't bad. I don't consider it a must play, but here's the thing. Combined with Musket and Whiskey, and you have a heck of a trio. I bet PB Dye is going to join the club, so definitely make the trek from DC for a long weekend of solid golf. 

 

Edited July 11 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Worthington Manor Golf Club, Urbana, MD 

 

 

Lol. Moist. 

 

 

 

Oy. Like I wasn't already wet enough. 

 

 

 

Par 3 6th 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4nyvl4ixr3e8p0i447hzk/APbf2ULIzPy649lISLCvB_o?rlkey=v06q7k9vv65jz5k3m17wahz3g&st=pl0gjvue&dl=0

 

Edited July 11 by Argonne69

[ZephyrS4]

Pristine! Couple shots look like paintings.

[Argonne69]

Finished before the brewpubs opened, so I grabbed a bite to eat at Black Hog BBQ. Appears to be a local chain. Decent Q. Brisket was a little too lean. Ribs were meaty and had a good rub, but also a bit dry. Hot link was good. Plenty juicy. Beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread were good. The original sauce had a nice kick. The KC sauce was very good. Thick and tangy. Mustard sauce was OK. Didn't bother with the vinegar sauce. Good food, but can't say I'd recommend it. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

"Short" drive to historic downtown Frederick. Has to be some of the worst traffic I've seen in a small town. Spent nearly 10 minutes driving the last mile. Lol. Paid a visit to Steinhardt Brewing Company along Carroll Creek. Twenty-four taps with what I'd consider a top notch lineup. Lol. Enjoying a very tasty flight with an orange infused Belgian Golden Strong Ale, Dubbel, Tripel, Quad, and BBA imperial stout. 

 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

'Had big/crazy plans to hike up to Maryland Heights this afternoon. The scenic outlook overlooks Harpers Ferry. It's a 4+ mile round trip hike from town with a 1000+ foot climb. Yeah, not today. This humidity is killer. 'Wish I was here for another day. It would have been the perfect Sunday morning hike. Maybe next time. I have a bit of a hunch that walking PB Dye tomorrow is going to kill me. Lol. 

 

 

Image: NPS 

 

Edited July 11 by Argonne69