[Evan Fleisher]

Okay, I know this is last minute, but I'm looking for a good place to play around the Washington DC area...preferrably West or North.

I'm staying up in Silver Spring, MD and am going to play on Sunday with one other guy.

Our original tee time was at Virginia Oaks Golf club out in Gainsville, VA...but on second thought I really don't want to play at an AGC run facility.  I have a car, am willing to drive a bit to get somewhere (even up near the Baltimore area if necessary), and might be able to use reciprocal priveledges to get on somewhere.

Can anyone offer some help and/or suggestions of where to play...reasonably priced (let's say under $75)?
Also...if anyone is in this area over the weekend and wants to join us, we have room for two (assuming we can get a tee time someplace).

[THuckaby2]

Evan:  if you haven't played there already, there's a course that's about an hour's drive south of DC called MEADOWS FARM... it is weird, quirky, gimmicky, hilarious... just has to be seen to be believed.  It is absolutely NOT a traditional golf course and would make purists cringe - but if one has a sense of humor, it is really fun.  Here's the website, check it out.  I've played there THREE times (had a recurring business trip to DC a few years ago, this became a frequent haunt).

http://www.thegolfnetwork.com/courses/Facility732/course.asp

Of course if you have access, go play Caves Valley - the Senior Open is there in a few months and though people here rip it in the traditional anti-Fazio bent that exists here, I found it to be pretty damn good... There's always also Beechtree, a damn good Doak effort... and Bulle Rock, a nearby Pete Dye beauty... check those out also.  Both have websites.

TH

[Scott_Burroughs]

Evan,

You started this same thread about 6 months ago.

We recommended Beechtree as the first choice for that price.  I strongly recommend it.  It will take you about an hour at least from Silver Spring, with no traffic, but it's worth it.

http://www.beechtreegolf.com

[Mike_Cirba]

Evan,

If you haven't played Beechtree yet, you're much better off heading there than Virginia Oaks.  

Northwest of DC, the P.B. Dye Golf Club is fun and underrated, although they are taking the teeth out of some of the more over-the-top holes, I understand.  

I'll keep monitoring this thread, and can give you input on others as names get suggested.

[THuckaby2]

Having played exactly one Tom Doak course in my life (Pacific Dunes), all I can say is it wouldn't take the raves in here re Beechtree to get me to play there - I'd crawl if I had to.

Go to Beechtree, Evan.  If that's booked, do consider Meadows Farm in the other direction.  Fun and definitely memorable!

TH

[Scott_Burroughs]

Walking is allowed at Beechtree, of which you can't say the same about Virginia Oaks. Beechtree is $70, $55 after 2:00.

How can I forget?  Here's the GCA write-up:  http://www.golfclubatlas.com/beechtree2.html

[John_McMillan]

Evan,

I lived in DC for 10 years, and played both Beechtree and Virginia Oaks.  Between those two, it should be a no brainer to go for Beechtree.  Virginia Oaks will give you some nominees for the worst golf holes you've ever played, so if you're in that mood, head West instead of NorthEast from Silver Spring.

[BV]

Beechtree

[Evan Fleisher]

ALRIGHT ALREADY!!!    Geesh!  I can take a hint...

Got a 10:30am tee time for Sunday morning at Beechtree.  $70 to walk or ride.  Good by me!

Thanks everyone.

BTW...I did not initially choose Virginia Oaks...someone else much less golf knowledgeable made the tee time for us.  Some things are just better done on your own then letting others decide for you.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Although your friends will like #2, the par 3 over the pond, the course starts (IMHO) on #3.  Pure golf from there on in.

[Matt_Ward]

Evan:  For what it's worth I agree with Mike C. Try to get over to P.B. Dye GC -- just off of I-270 NW of DC.

Sorry to hear that course management has seen fit to tone down the design. I really liked how the course presented itself initially although some tweaking was inevitable given the demands on a few holes.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who knows the full details on what's been done to the course since it originally opened a few years ago.

[jerry_k (Guest)]

Whiskey Creek is well worth playing and about a half hour from Silver Spring, it is far better than P.B.Dye.  Beechtree and Bulle Rock are both good choices but you are looking at an hour drive.  Bulle Rock has a reduced fee until April 15.  

[Rob_Waldron]

If you have time after Beechtree you may want to stop by Mountain Branch. It is about 15 to 20 south of Beechtree off I95. Take the Joppa exit and go west about two miles. The bar and restaurant is also very good at MB. Chances are there is a twilight rate available. Talk to the Pro, Chris Schaeffer. (410) 836-9600.

[Evan Fleisher]

Thanks for the continued feedback, guys.  But...sadly I am on my way home fom the trip already (writing this Email from the NW Worldclubs at MSP).

We ended up playing at Beechtree last Sunday (April 14th), and the weather and conditions turned out to be excellent.  A "much appreciated" salutation goes out to those suggesting the place, we had a great time.

Beechtree is a very playable course (an we played "all" of it)!

Seriously though, I would highly recommend a trip down fm Philly or up from Baltimore/DC to play it...it was that good.  no housing to speak of on the course, pretty walkable, great bunkering and green complexes, wide fairways, and a nice collection of open and wooded holes.

[william wang (Guest)]

matt ward:

i just played the p.b. dye golf club yesterday and can give you a brief rundown.

the 4th and 6th holes are playing to temporary greens as both regular greens have been reworked.  4 is a short par 4 with a small pond on the right of the green.  previously there was no runup area and there was a small bunker in front of the green.  this bunker is gone and there is a fairway runup area to the green.

6 is a long par 4 to an elevated green.  approach shot needs to carry a valley.  there were some extensive bunkers on the front left of the green.  these have been removed and there is a runup/chipping area.

i noticed that quite a bit of the fairways on the back nine are patchy, and there was the very nasty prospect of gravel marking up your clubs on 10 and 15.  it seems like there was no sand laid done, just dirt and gravel with sod over.

all in all, i was shocked to see the gravel.  as for the fairways, i'm sure the current northeast drought has something to do with it.

william w.

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