Ekwanok vs Arundel is (was) an intriguing matchup, somewhat akin to a round of 64 #8 vs #9 seed game pitting a very solid albeit perhaps slightly flawed power 4 conference school vs a scrappy, cohesive smaller conference champ punching above its weight in the NIL (juiced ball/clubhead) era.
At Ekwanok, I especially enjoy the north-to-south or south-to-north running holes on the eastern half of the property; however, the six parallel routed ones, which unfold up-and-down the mountainside beneath the clubhouse, start to get a bit sloggy for my liking, especially the last three after an arduous walk to get around the fifteen prior. They're all perfectly fine holes, in and of themselves; but, taken as a collective unit, they bog the whole feel of the course. Now, granted, I did play there with a screaming left side of my upper body, from being run over in men's league hockey two days prior, so perhaps my evaluation of its sloggyness has something to do with this.
Arundel's is a livelier, more intimate experience, with more variety and a better set of greens. Its primary issue, really, is the current reality of golf technology; but since this is a 2025 bracket, said reality played a part in my evaluation of the matchup. Simply put, Ekwanok's architecture plays a little more honestly right now, ultimately shifting my vote in its favor. When the whiffle ball comes into play, then I'd probably vote for Arundel.
Match play:
1. push (two very good openers)
2. CA 1 up
3. AS
4. CA 1 up
5. CA 2 up
6. CA 1 up
7. AS
8. push
9. Ek 1 Up
10. Ek 2 up
11. Ek 1 up
12. Ek 2 up
13. push (two excellent holes)
14. Ek 1 up
15. Ek 2 up
16. push
17. Ek 1 up
18. AS
Off to Ot....